Wheat Prices.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17419, 1 April 1922, Page 10

Wheat Prices.

Although the Government has given no indication of its intention regarding wheat prices in the 1922-23 season, it is extremely likely, we should say, that it will decide that the time lias come to abandon the policy of control. In the meantime there continues a certain amount of discussion amongst farmers, as was again made evident at a meeting of wheat-growers held in Ashburton yesterday. Those who are hankering after a continuance of the Government guarantee are not, we are sure, moved simply by a desire to havo profits assured to them by the State. They are really only unwilling to face the uncertainty of the returns from wheat-growing, and so far as this uncertainty is duo to uncertainty as to the policy that may bo adopted by tho Government, their anxiety is reasonable and deserves consideration. Once the Government abandons control, it is not very likely that price-fixing will bo resumed, but it is not so certain that export may be prohibited or the duty oil imported wheat removed. But the uncertainty that resides in ,the nature of things, the risk that naturally attends wheat-growing—tlris the farmer may fairly be- asked to face without aid. Before the war the production of wheat fluctuated, but the industry continued. There were bad seasons, but there were good ones also. So it will be again if Nature is left to take its course.