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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 07 November 2014
Experiences during other war and post-war periods indicate that there is a close relationship in the field of economics between what happens during the war and what comes after it. In no division of our national economy is that more evident than in agriculture. It seems appropriate, therefore, to begin a paper such as this with a discussion of what is happening now—with the problems that are being encountered as the war progresses. This will provide a background for the consideration of some questions that may arise in the period following the war. The discussion of these invites consideration of steps that might be taken to deal with them. Some references will therefore be made to the latter although the treatment will, of necessity, be sketchy.
Prices and Income. First among the matters of concern to farmers now is the question of prices and income. It is not a new problem. For some years prior to this war the prices of farm products had been low relative to the prices of things farmers buy. This has been said so often that one may be accused of labouring the point to mention it again. It is a matter that must be appreciated, however, if one would understand the reason for some of the difficulties now being experienced by farmers.
For fourteen out of the twenty years, from 1920 to 1939 inclusive, the prices of farm products were below the prices of commodities in general. Even though the technique of farming has improved and costs have been reduced in the meantime, the returns have been insufficient to maintain the industry on a basis comparable with earlier years or with the status of many industries. It is not surprising, therefore, that there should be some mur-murings of dissatisfaction with efforts to prevent prices from rising, even though some farm products have been exempted from ceiling regulations or have been given special consideration in one way or another.
1 For a comprehensive statement on committees established, and action already taken by the Dominion government in connection with reconstruction and re-establishment, see Minutes of Proceedings and Evidence, No. 1, of Special Committee of the House of Commons on Reconstruction and Re-establishment (Ottawa, King's Printer, 1942).Google Scholar See also A. Brady's article in this issue of the Journal, pp. 460-8.
2 Social Problems in Agriculture: Record of the Permanent Agricultural Committee of the I.L.O., February, 1938 (Montreal and Washington, International Labour Office, 1938).Google Scholar
3 SirHall, A. Daniel, Reconstruction and the Land (London, 1941).Google Scholar
4 Wheeler, Leslie A., “Agricultural Surpluses in the Post-War World” (Foreign Affairs, vol. XXI, 10, 1941, pp. 87–101).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
5 “Access to Raw Materials” (Food for Thought, Toronto, Canadian Association for Adult Education, vol. II(3), 11, 1941, pp. 4–5).Google Scholar
6 For a discussion of industrial development during the First World War see Innis, H. A., “Economic Nationalism” (Proceedings of the Canadian Political Science Association, 1934, Kingston, 1934).Google Scholar
7 Consumer's Guide, Washington, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, 02, 1942.Google Scholar
8 SirOrr, John Boyd, Food, Health, and Income: Report on a Survey of Adequacy of Diet in Relation to Income (London, 1937)Google Scholar, and Stiebling, Hazel K. in Yearbook of Agriculture (Washington, 1939), p. 380.Google Scholar