WORLD'S FOOD.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIX, Issue 9632, 12 June 1919, Page 5

WORLD'S FOOD.

MR. J. GRIGG'S OPINION

(Par Press Association)

CHRISTCHURCH, June 12. "The future of the Empire's food supply" was the subject of an address delivered by Mr J. Grigg last night before the annual meeting of the Royal Colonial Institute.

Many persons were in doubt, Air j Grigg said, as to whether the world's I food supply was sufficient lor normal demands. He thought there needle no. apprehension on that point, for science was greatly increasing the pi'oducton of the soil ? and if Verheat could be placed where it was wanted there would be quite sufficient. Wheat would be produced largely, however, only if prices remained high. With irrigation huge new areas could be opened up," but prices have to keep stable for a number of years and if the price was from 50s to 65s a quarter all would be well. Wages, however, had gone up considerably, and would affect the situation. The farmer, of course, understood how his land could be enriched, and mechanical inventions were making increased production pos-. sible. The chilling and freezing of perishable produce had revolutionised farming and provided the biggest factor in supplying the world's food. Owing to better breeding the stock of the world fattened on half the food o1 previous stock, underbred. The United Kingdom to-day had as many cattle as before the war, and as, every nation was striving to produce more stock he had every faith that enough food would be forthcoming in the future Whatever happened, New Zealand by paddling her own, canoe properly, and encouraging her farmers to do their best, had nothing to fear. Everything she produced was or the finest quality in the world and prime Canterbury mutton was finding its way, as a luxury on to New York tables. The Panama Canal was going to be ; a great help to New Zealand and with Hool stores at Newport News, and over a hundred millions of people to feed, there was an unlimited market for the Dominion's produce. A vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Grigg by acclamation.