BRITAIN'S PART.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15751, 18 November 1916, Page 9

BRITAIN'S PART.

SHIPPING SHORTAGE. THE EFFECT ON" FOOD. (By Cable—Proee Association.— Copyright) (Australian and X.2. Cable (Received November 17th, 0.40 p.nv.) LONDON, November I'd. The House of Commons continued the debate on the food question. Mr Winston Churchill said that the shortage of labour was duo to the in-* discriminate and salutary recruiting on a gigantic scale which every form of social pressure had enforced. Ho warned the House against any exaggeration of tho submarine menace. Iho Admiralty had a great anti-submarine organisation which was able to cope with tho danger if it was properly used. It was noteworthy that armed ships enjoyed great immunity compared with unarmed vessels. Four-fifths of tho armed vessels beat off attacks, while four-fifths of unarmed ships perished. Ho asked why the Government couid not take over all shipping, and also utilise nativo labour, and thus decrease the congestion in. tho ports. Hb believed that tho time would comc when thero would bo something liko universal scrvico. not only for tho Army, but for industry. It was essential to take drastic measures before the Pacifists i intervened.

Mr W. Runciman, President of the Board of Trade, in replying, said that tho shortage of ships was really due to the Navy's requirements. The food shortage had been largely caused by the failure of tho North American harvest. Regarding tho complaints as to delay in grappling with tho food problem, ho said ho believed that public opinion hitherto had not been prepared for drastic control because it would canso trouble. Ho did. not favour t>tato control of shipping bocauso tho "Work would not bo so efficiently done. THE MOTION CARRIED.

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received November 18th, 12.30 a.m.) LONDON, November 17. In the House of Commons, Mr W. A. S. Hewins's motion that it was the Government's duty to adopt furthor methods of organisation to incrcaso the national food supply and so diminish tho risk of shortage in the event of the war being prolonged, was carried.

THE NIGERIAN SALE. (Received November 18th, 12.30 a.m.) LONDON, November 17. Tho sale of Nigerian properties has been completed, and realised £383,000. - NEED FOR MEN. RESTRICTION OF LUXURIES. LONDON. November 16. In the House of Commons Mr Bonar Law announced that the Government was seriously considering restricting man-power in connexion with luxury trades. THE FOOD PROBLEM. LONDON, November 16. The "Board of Trade Labour Gazette" states that the average retail food prices on November Ist wore fivo per cent, higher than those of a month earlier. Compared with July. 1914, prices have increasod 78 per cent. WHEAT FROM INDIA. LONDON, November 16. Tho Wheat Commission has arranged for the Indian Government to sanction the export of 400,000 tons of wheat to Britain, Franco, and Italy. Tho shipments will bo made in November. December, and January. BY-ELECTIONTN IRELAND. LONDON. November 16. The West Cork bv-eleetion, rendered necessary owing to Mr Gilhooiy.'s death, resulted in tho return of Mr Cleary, a Redmordite, who received 1969 votes. Mr Healy, an O'Brienite, received 1749, Mr Shipsev, Independent Nationalist, 368.