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Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 457, 28 July 1915, Page 6

The summing up of New Zealand's resources given by Sir James Wilson in his.address lo Ihe annual conference of the Farmers' Union yesterday, shows that this country is in a very satisfactory position despite the unparalleled expenditure due to. the war. On the whole there has been a gain lo the meal suppliers, wool, and dairy produce has touched unheard of prices, and there is evidence that next year we will not only have sufficient wheat to meet our own demands, but a surplus for export. Our primary products are our national wealth, the means whereby we purchase our imports and pay our debts, and while

the war is causing us great expense it is indirectly helping to meet it by causing high prices. Sir James Wilson believes that a depression in prices will follow immediately upon peace being declared, but while it is inevitable that such depression must come sooner or later on account of the terrific wastage of capital, it seems unlikely that there will be anygreat diminishment in the prices of primary products for the period immediately following peace, since that will be a period of active reorganisation in which food will be required by countries too busy and not ready to produce it themselves. It is not" likely that the present abnormal prices of dairy products will be maintained, but the demand for these goods, for mutton, wool, and wheat, will continue, and thus there will be more money to lax. We will not be able to get clear of our war indebtedness in a couple of years, and a period of depression must be provided for, but ill the meantime New Zealand's position is exceptionally good.