IV PBEFACB 



economic condition except in the most general outline/ ' and 

 there is little reliable information at the service of those 

 " anxious to frame equitable measures adequate to a given 

 set of conditions and eager to persuade the people of their 

 efficiency. ' ' Becently, a number of investigations into economic 

 questions in New Zealand has clearly illustrated the dis- 

 advantages under which we are working, and proved adequately 

 the necessity for such research work. It is claimed for this 

 work that it is one of a number which have for their purpose 

 the dissemination of accurate information on the economic life 

 of the Dominion, the lack of which, at present exposes us to 

 severe criticism. 



The rural industries have been sadly neglected in this matter, 

 though they offer a comparatively easy field to the enterprising 

 research student, and are subject, more than any other group, 

 to unenlightened criticism by the general mass of men. They 

 are, indeed, our primary industries, forming the basis of our 

 national life. The present work must be regarded as merely 

 a prelude to further work, both intensive and extensive, on 

 such a vast field, and if it is the means of stimulating greater 

 interest in such important problems as those of the wheat 

 industry, the author will be encouraged to extend its scope and 

 usefulness, when the opportunity offers. 



The culmination of a great decline in wheat production, 

 co-existent with the disturbing social and economic conditions 

 aused by the titanic struggle in the Old World, should give to 

 the work an element of practical value in the immediate future. 



The work is by no means an exhaustive treatment of so 

 great a question. At many points I have been forced to abandon 

 interesting and profitable lines of discussion, in the endeavour 

 to solve completely the main issues, which the problem presented 

 at the outset. But the extent and complexity of these have 

 exceeded expectations, and the results of the investigation, as 

 far as it has gone, are increased interest in the work, and added 

 enthusiasm to pursue it further. 



I have endeavoured throughout to keep well in mind the 

 possibility of forecasting from reliable data the probable 

 tendencies in wheat production in both the immediate and the 

 ultimate future. This is the main function of an historical 

 investigation; to use a knowledge of the past for a better 

 understanding of the present, in the hope that tendencies may 

 be accurately indicated and measured. But I have frequently 

 sought indications of concrete representation of the d priori 



