The Star. THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 1921. WHEAT PRICES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16330, 20 January 1921, Page 6

The Star. THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 1921. WHEAT PRICES.

One thing emerges very clearly as the result of the conference between the Minister of Agriculture and the wheatgr ewers. It is that if New Zealand intends to grow its own wheat it> ; will have to pay very sweetly for it. During the past few years the Government lias guaranteed wheat prices in order to stimulate production. That policy was partly based on circumstances of a purely temporary character, such as the shortage of shipping space 1 and the high prices which would have to be paid for imported wheat. It was , recognised, also, that it would be dan- ; gerous to allow wheat growing to utterly ianguisli in ihe Dominion, as the country would then be at the mercy of the combines which control the yields of tlie rounrries which, produce an exportable surplus. ft is possible, however, that tlie Dominion may pay too dearly for U»c privilege of consuming New Zealand wheat. A policy which aims jat the absolute exclusion of coinpeti- ; tic-n with tliO New Zealand grown j article is a dangerous one, and is liable | to give rise to serious abuses. Mr Nosworthv's proposal to the conference yesterday was a permanent protective duty, ehic 11 y directed against importations from Australia, as well as a itee market. There will be a very large exportable surplus m Australia this year, but if a protective duty is enforced little or none of ic will be seen in New Zealand. We believe, with Mr Talbot, that if there is to be a duty there will be a “ row,” and that the Government will be disappointed with the results of the expedient which they propose Mi George Forbes was on %'olid ground when he- said that'if wheat | growing is to be kept on a sound uas-s there must, be a minimum guaranteed price. The world’s parity lias no attractions lor the New Zealand wheat grower. Air Nos worthy’s plea lor a free market and the abolition of control had an attractive sound about it, but. the Government is evidently determined to secure to the growers all- the protection which h prohibitive can convey.