The Argentine as a Market

"The Argentine as a Market" by Nowell Lake Watson is an early 20th-century study examining Argentina's financial situation, focusing mainly on sectors like industries and trade as seen by foreign capitalists, particularly from Britain. It takes a look at things like rising prices, a heavy dependence on agriculture, job-related problems, and how immigration rules affect Argentina's economy. The beginning of the report gives a broad picture of Argentina's money situation, pointing out the sharp rise in prices for almost everything except basic foods like meat and bread. Watson points out that concentrating trade in Buenos Aires has raised costs and highlights the difficulties of a country with too few people that depends on producing raw materials. He stresses how important it is to have informed farmers and criticizes tariffs that are meant to help industries grow but instead cause waste and make the country rely on unsuitable immigrant workers. This introduction is the start for a more detailed discussion about the country's financial needs and what kinds of investments might come from other countries.