FARMERS' PROSPECTS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 19961, 15 December 1913, Page 3

FARMERS' PROSPECTS.

A REVIEW AND PREDICTION

(Per Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, December 12. Speaking to-day at a dinner of the 'Ts.'Z. Fanners' Co-operative Distribution Compan3', Mr. J. G. Wilson (chairman of directors) after referring to the fact that the company was now paying r, dividend for the first time, after overcoming many troubles, made some interesting remarks of a general character. "Last year," said Mr. Wilson. "I made one or two suggestions as to the expectations for the following season, and I suggested it was going to be a very fine and profitable one for the farmer. And so it turned out. The prices of wool were high, stock also realised good figures, and, despite the slaughtermen's strike, there was altogether a very successful season both for sheep and eatt'e fatteners. This year there seemed to be even brighter prospects. It was true that wool was down in price by from ten to fifteen per cent., but that might bo expected. The prices for fat stock now were higher than in aay year within his recollection. Companies were offering -los and 16s for lambs and he had been told of lambs this season which were sold at a weight of 3Slb. though it was questionable whether that weight was not too great for the London market where small sheep were preferred for the agriculturist. Mr. Wilson continued that there was a very peculiar position arising. Tho feeling had been that with the prevailing labour troubles agricultural work would have to be reduced1. This year there had been a marked reduction and unless an extraordinarily heavy crop was recorded there would not be enough wheat grown in the Dominion for local consumption. There was only one reason for it, and that was the labour difficulty. How it was going fco be solved was a hard question. The agricultural farmer had not such a favourable prospect, as far as grain growing was concerned, as the grower of rape, for fattening stock. The daii*y farmer had found the season a marvel-' lous one —almost a record season in fact. Prices were not so good. However, now that the steamers wore running, there •must be a very good season. They could not expect, however, that trade in England would be so good as it had been, owing to the effects of the Dublin strike. Referring to the revision of the American tariff on wool, the chairman said that *no one seemed to know what the result would be on prices'. One result was that the Americans had bought a large quantity and stored it in bond,, and had now taken it out, so that at last soles they did not require to buy. The effect of the tariff reduction must be beneficial, because Americans were & rapidly increasing community, and must use more wool. The altered conditions would probably have a greater effect on the coarser wools than on the finer wools. This, combined with the other •matters, pointed he thought, to a prosperous season.