asked the Minister for Agriculture whether, in view of the increased costs of production to the farmer this year, occasioned by the unprecedented weather conditions and the short period left for sowing crops, he will consider increasing the price of wheat to 65/- per barrel.

It is not proposed to increase the price already announced for wheat of the 1947 crop.

Is the Minister aware that over 50 per cent. of the wheat is not sowed yet and that this is the 29th April and that many farmers have sowed early varieties. Does he not think it is a big gamble to sow early varieties at this time of the year? As a farmer, he should know a good deal about it.

Everything is a gamble this year.

is the farmer to be a beast of burden? Is he to be at a loss, if there is a loss? If he is compelled to sow wheat, he should be helped in every way. I do not blame the Government for the bad weather but circumstances alter cases. We have had a very bad year and the farmer has faced up to the problem fairly.

It is in the nature of their calling that they must be gamblers.

That is a splendid and novel doctrine.

As a rule, the farmer is not a gambler. There are more gentlemen who are gamblers on that side of the House than there are on the other side.