PROBLEMS AFTER THE WAR

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23447, 30 September 1941, Page 4

PROBLEMS AFTER THE WAR

♦ WORLD’S FOOD POLICY “ MINIMUM STANDARD FOR MAXIMUM HEALTH” (8.0. W.) RUGBY, September 28. Speaking at the conference of international scientists convened by the British Association, during a session discussing “Science and Post-war Relief,” Mr P. J. Noel-Baker. Labour member of Parliament, suggested that a sound food policy of giving a “minimum standard for maximum health" should be the basis for any long-term scheme for post-war relief. In the Atlantic Charter, now endorsed by the Allies. 16 Governments had pledged themselves to establish a peace which would afford an assurance that all men in all lands should live out their lives in freedom from want, said Mr Noel-Baker. . “How are these Governments going to do it?" he asked. “It will be a difficult job. What easier and what sounder start could the Governments make than by an international agreement to strive by every means to ensure an international food standard to every citizen living in their respective lands. "If they could- fix a high minimum demand for every kind of foodstuff they would go very far towards stopping slumps, for two-thirds of all the world’s population still live and labour on the land, and the stability of markets for their products is by far the most important single factor in controlling fluctuations of world trade.” The United States, said Mr. NoelBaker, would need to use at home all her agricultural products, except cotton, tobacco, and a little wheat. Great Britain would have to produce 50 to 70 per cent, more food and vegetables and nearly 100 per cent, more butter and milk, and in consequence would give up growing wheat and sugar beet. France would have to reduce her wheat production from 100 per cent, to 70 per cent, of her requirements. Switzerland would have to give up growing wheat. In some countries, such as Hungary, said Mr Noel-Baker, where the system of agricultural production and, indeed, of land tenure, would have to be changed, these things could easily be done if, startling from the basis of an international standard of diet, world production were adequately and intelligently planned. A far more difficult problem was that of consumption and of purchasing power in the hands of individual man. Mr Noel-Baker hoped and believed that after the war the International Labour Office would be compelled to work for an international minimum wage standard.