Increased Wool Price

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23747, 19 September 1942, Page 4

Increased Wool Price

When the Government advanced its proposal to reserve part of the 15 per cent, increase on wool prices, it did so in the most blundering fashion possible. It was unfavourably received, and the Government as unresourcefully tried to convert the farmers as it had first approached them. In the result, farmer organisations have condemned and rejected the proposal, in the main for reasons which the Government could, and should, have anticipated and met. The present situation, therefore, is one of considerable difficulty. The Government cannot be expected to drop a plan for which it has a good case, so far badly presented. It will.be a mistake, however, without any further attempt to persuade the farmers, to force the plan on them. No possibility of an agreed solution should be ignored. For example, there is no reason why the Government should not suggest the investment of part of,the increase in war loan. The amount should be determined by a joint committee of woolgrower representatives and Government nominees. The issue of the stock, pro rata, would give the grower payment in full, and leave him free, according to his situation, to hold or sell; while the Government would achieve its main object, to prevent the release, and inflationary effect, of an excessively large addition to current spending power. Uncertainty about the Government’s intentions would be ended by some such move as this. It may be suspected that many farmers, who have had time to think, would welcome it