Farm Wages and Farm Prices
On the face_of it the demand of the National Farmers' Union for a review of the guaranteed prices of farm products, as result of the increase of 5s. a week in agricultural labourers' wages, is reasonable, for it is estimated that the change will lay an extra burden of £8,750,000 on the industry. That is a serious matter. Nevertheless the decision of the Minister of AgricnItiire not to comply with the request is to be approved. Where food prices are concerned the vicious circle is seen at its worst. Every change that threatens a further rise in the cost of living must be resisted unless resistance to it would involve serious injustice. It cannot be contended that it would in this case. Farmers no doubt deserve prosperity. They,are certainly enjoy- ing it, and the additional burden is not more than the industry can safely carry till the annual review of prices takes place early next year. Incidentally Sir Thomas Dugdale's decision, though this alone, would not be a justification for it, is a useful object-lesson at a moment ..when the Council of the Trades Union Congress is urging on the workers restraint in the matter of wage-demands. There must, plainly, be restraint on both sides. In the case of industries organised in limited companies the restraints on profits imposed by taxation have been carried to the economic danger-point. Agriculture is differently organised, and farmers themselves will not seriously resent the reminder that prices can only be increased where the need for it is proved incontestably.
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