As we understand it, it was this time gap and the financial pressures which will be felt by farmers during it that prompted Saskatchewan Federation of Agriculture to urge the government to proclaim the Interim Farm Finance Act so that farmers might qualify for emergency bank loans by September 1. Despite the objections which have been raised against the bankloan scheme, there seems to be no other way of making emergency cash available immediately this fall. The government might proclaim it as an interim measure, pending implementation of its own plan. At that, the urgency of the situation would seem to be sufficient reason for the government breaking tradition and announcing in advance, as soon as possible, the full details of the assistance plan which it has in mind. Such an announcement about the government's planned legislation, even though parliamentary approval would remain officially doubtful, would give farmers a better opportunity to plan the financing of this fall's operations.
Canadian wheat is sold on the export market in terms of American dollars.
Canadian farmers have lost a little ground through reductions which have been made in the Canadian asking price in efforts to meet U.S. competition. Meanwhile, of course, farm costs have continued to rise, aggravating the situation. A complicating factor, however, is the fact that the change in relationship of the Canadian and American dollars has hit other, and in fact all, sectors of the Canadian economy. Special measures for grain farmers, such as a deficiency payment from the treasury, undoubtedly would run into opposition, or countering claims, from others who are also affected. A special case can be made for farmers, but farmers will have to admit of a limit beyond which their case cannot be pressed, taking into account the national welfare as a whole.