WHEAT PRICE

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25099, 3 February 1947, Page 6

WHEAT PRICE

MR L. V. TALBOT’S COMMENT Although, as it was a guaranteed price, it might help in maintaining a fair acreage, the new price of 7s 4d a bushel for wheat was not enough to encourage a substantial increase in acreage for the next season, said Mr L V. Talbot, of Temuka. when commenting on the new price for wheat. Mr Talbot is a director ■ of United Wheatgrowers (N.Z.). Ltd. Wheatgrowers would be pleased to know that their representations had had some effect, said Mr Talbot. The price would be welcomed, but it appeared to him to be a compromise between the grower’s representatives and the Government departments concerned. However, something better was needed to revitalise this essential national industry, and if any really worthwhile increase in acreage was to be obtained.

Mr Talbot added that high capital and labour costs, lack of domestic help on farms, and the five-day 40-hour week in most other industries, which sometimes made it difficult to take advantage of favourable weather on the land, or to make up lost jdme after unfavourable conditions, were some of the handicaps faced by the grower. Wheatgrowing did as much for the labour, trouble, and expense as it should in comparison with other products; it also decreased the fertility of the land, and this should be recognised. “Any increase in price shoffid be announced earlier than this to enable farmers to plan ahead' and prepare the land for the coming season; however, it is to be hoped that farmers will do what they can to assist in the vital production of whget,” he concluded.