Fróðskaparrit - 01.01.1982, Page 62

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’Beaucoup de bruit pour une aumelette'
increasing quantities of corn were being imported. The large import was
costly for the trader, the state.
The article points out that the cultivation of corn was not, in fact, de-
creasing, but the fixed rate paid for commodities since 1691 had resulted
in a great increase in the production of hosiery, and the consequent increase
in purchasing power had lead to a higher consumption of corn. Another
result of the trade policy was that it was possible for poorer people to earn
a living by knitting hose instead of working for the farmers. The decree
of 1777 forced them back into the service of the farmers.
The matter was raised by the Danish government officials in the Faroe
Islands, who, in a letter to the Exchequer (which was also responsible for
agriculture) complained about poor people who wandered about begging
wool. An inquiry carried out the Exchequer did not clearly reveal a de-
crease in the cultivation of corn, but the chief administrator’s report to the
inquiry establishes the decrease. The chief administrator also recommended
a proposal from the government officials, a proposal which was almost
identical with the provision which was finally laid down. The Exchequer’s
recommendation met strong opposition in the eqally powerful Chancery
(administration of the interior and of justice). In the case, uncharacteristi-
cally, the Exchequer was the stronger, and the provision was put into force.
The way in which the matter was dealt with shows the powerful position
of the government officials; it is, in fact, they who force the provision
through. It is also the officials (the chairman of the Faroese Representative
Council, the bailiff, the judge, and the church officials) whose advice is
sought. In a similar situation in 1723—24 this was not the case. At that
time the Exchequer negotiated with two men whose authority stemmed
from a meeting of the Faroese Representative Council.