The Bay of Plenty Times FRIDAY, AUGUST 1, 1947. FOOD SITUATION IN INDIA

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXV, Issue 14431, 1 August 1947, Page 2

The Bay of Plenty Times FRIDAY, AUGUST 1, 1947. FOOD SITUATION IN INDIA

While observers in Britain are particularly gratified at the smoothness of the arrangements for the transfer of power in India, which will take place in a fortnight's time, there is some apprehension about the possible effect of the present food crisis in that recently divided country. Fears are expressed that the situation may become almost as grave as it was in Bengal four years ago. The partial failure of the wheat crop in many parts of India might have been offset by a good monsoon and an abundant rice harvest. Now the monsoon is reported to be deficient. When most of the provincial and states governments have had to reduce the grain ration of 173,600,000 people from twelve to ten, and then to eight ounces a day, severe undernourishment if not actual hunger is seen to be a grim reality. ' ■ In world markets the prices, of grain for food have risen to heights'so.fantastic as to make the purchase of grain abroad a serious .financial' problem. A leading British journal concludes a survey of the outlook by saying that in the present circumstances the fundamental needs of India can only be compiled from the United States and Canada. Yet all the Canadian surplus of grain is destined for Britain where bread rationing is still, strict; and British consent would be required, for the diversion of any part of this surplus to India.' Nevertheless this journal argues, seeing that the wants of India are immediate, while the difficult period in. Britain will hardly come before October, it might be well if Britain .could reinforce her expression of goodwill to the new India by making a material contribution to mitigate a real and urgent danger to her new systems of government. British opinion deplores a fresh outbreak of fighting in Indonesia. Hitherto India has been getting some 40,000 tons of rice a month from South East Asia, including Indonesia, If the Indonesian fighting is extended, this source of supply might be interrupted, with serious consequences.