NOTES AND COMMENTS

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 22, 21 October 1942, Page 4

NOTES AND COMMENTS

Goebbels’s latest, speech, obviously intended for both domestic and foreign consumption, was no doubt designed to iron-out the noticeable inconsistencies between the recent speeches of Hitler and Goering. The effect of it upon foreign opinion will undoubtedly be disappointing to him, for it simply goes to confirm the impression gained by Mr. Churchill, and published to the world last week, that the Nazi hierarchy is beginning to feel uneasy about the way things are going in Germany itself, and also in the future prospect of the war situation. When Goebbels says to the German -people, "We will not be misled by grumbling,” lie reveals to the world the fact that grumbling within Germany Ims reached a stage that calls for notice bv the Nazi leaders. Apparently all is not Harmony and unity of purpose between the Prussians, the Wurtemburgers. the Saxons and the Bavarians, and Goebbels has now found it necessary to apply the lash of fear to whip the pack together-the fear of “a second Versailles.”

It mav seem premature on the part of lhe .Minister of Supply to appeal to wheatgrowers for an additional 50,000 acres to be sown next season, when the present crop has yet to be harvested, but the growers themselves will not think so. Farming plans have to be made well ahead, and what one may do next season may be decided, to some extent, by what has been done this year. It is a big’ undertaking and will involve a changeover on many farms from sheep to wheat, with all that that involves in the disposal of the slock, the provision of the necessary plant and the securin'- of the necessarv labour. It is probable that the last-mentioned factor will to many farmers, be the most important. Mr. Sullivan has given an assurance, that he will personally do his utmost to overcome any labour problem that may arise in connexion with the sowing of next season’s crop, and has assured, the growers that "it can bo definitely accepted that the Government, will ensure that the erop is harvested.” But the assurance should be extended to cover the ploughing and working up of the land otherwise there may bo no extended crop to harvest. The dilliculty lie’s in the fact that, in the fourth year of war, there is still no comprehensive system with regard to farm labour, and without it the operations become extremely difficult, if not impossible, for the average grower The chance of favourable climatic conditions has to be accepted.' hut unless the labour is available when and where required serious losses may be incurred. The experiences of many fanners this season concerning cropping generally have not been reassuring', and if the Minister could give (hem something definite, with regard to labour for sowing and for harvesting, one of the most serious obstacles to the production of wheat would be removed.