13 JANUARY 1917, Page 2

We heartily believe in the patriotism of the farmers, but,

after all, high prices are the best incentive to every man who is earning his living by production. Nor arc high. prices, disadvantageous for very long to the public, for they are a flaYitig•algnal that more of the commodity is wanted. The commodity is then supplied froth all over the world to earn the high prices, and the prices inevitably fall as the supply increases. The prices have advertised the scarcity, and greater abundance is secured as a result than could have been obtained in any other way. We fancy that farmers would be contented with a lower minimum price than has been fixedif only they had the opportunity to profit above that point by the chances of the market. If it was thought necessary to fix a limit in the upward.direction, at least some margin should have been allowed between the minimum and maximum prices for the play of economic forces. If that play is not allowed, we fear that the country will suffer. That is always the result of unnecessarily defying economic law.