CONFERENCE ON FOOD

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23969, 9 June 1943, Page 3

CONFERENCE ON FOOD

ROOSEVELT ASSESSES IMPORTANCE “IT IS TRULY EPOCH MAKING ” (BOW.) RUGBY, June 7. Mr Roosevelt at the White House to-night addressed the delegates to the recently concluded United Nations conference on food and agriculture. The speech was broadcast throughout the United States. Describing the conference as “epoch making,’’ the President said: “The conf pee could not have failed to be I 0 /iificant because it is the first t. --United Nations conference. It suc- ) ceeded beyond hopes. It is truly epoch making, because in reaching unanimity upon complex difficulties and problems you demonstrated beyond question that the United Nations are really united, not only for the prosecution of the war, but for the solution of many difficulties and problems of peace. The conference has been a living demonstration of the method by which the conversations of nations of a like mind can and will give practical application to the principles of the Atlantic Charter. “You have been dealing with agriculture, the most basic of all human activities. Food is the most basic of human needs. Twice as many people are employed' in work on food and agriculture as in the work in all other fields combined. You stated in your declaration: ‘The primary responsibility lies with each nation for seeing that its own people have the food needed for health and life; steps to this end are for national determination. But each nation can fully achieve this goal only if all work together.’ On behalf of the United States I accept the declaration. Specific Tasks “You have gone beyond a general recognition of principles to deal in specific terms with specific tasks and projects. You have examined the needs of all countries for food and othc agricultural products, both as they will exist in the short-run period of recovery from the devastation of war and over the longer-run period. when efforts can be fully devoted to expanding the production of food so that it will be adequate for health the world over. You have surveyed with courage and realism the magnitude of these problems and have reached unanimous agreement that they can, and must, and will be solved. "No nation has ever had enough food to feed all its people as we now know human beings should be fed. Neither have nations representing over 80 per cent, of the world’s inhabitants ever before been joined together to achieve such an aim. Never before have they set out to bend their united efforts to develop world resources so that all rnen might seek to attain the food they need. "For the short-run you have pointed out the steps which will have to be tr':en, both in increasing supplies and ui maintaining economy of their use and co-ordination of distribution. Considering the long-range problem, you have surveyed your knowledge of the inadequacies in the quantity and quality of the diet of the people of all your lands. You have pooled your knowledge of the means of expanding output, increasing agricultural efficiency, and adjusting agricultural production to consumption needs. In the adds of botli production and consumption you have recognised the neccs tor getter utilisation of the knowledge have and for extending still ■ nfttner the boundaries of knowledge through education and research, and you have called upon the governmenis. individually and collectively, to enlarge ond improve their activities in these fields. formation of Commission For the perfection and rapid exe outioii of these plans you have recommended the creation of a permanent united Nations organisation. To facilitate and hasten the creation of that organisation and carry on the work you have begun until its creation, you ■nave established an interim commission The Government of the United ar j S 15 h° noilr ed that you have , the interim commission , have its seat at Washington, and ° e Slad to take the preliminary action for the establishment of this commission. Finally, you have expressed you r seep conviction that the goal in this field cannot be attained without forward action in other fields. Increased

years, food production must be accompanied by increased industrial production and purchasing power. There must be measures for dealing with trade barriers, international exchange stability, and international investment. A better use of natural and human resources must be assured to improve living standards. “Many of these questions lie outside the scope of the work you have undertaken, but their solution is none the less essential to its success. They require, and shall receive, united attention , “In the political field these relationships are equally important. A sound agricultural programme will depend upon world political security. While security will bo greatly strengthened if each country can be assured of the food it needs, freedom from want and fear go hand in hand. "The ultimate objective be simply stated: to build for ourselves and for all men a world in which each individual shall have an opportunity 1o live out his life in peace, work productively. earning at least enough for his actual needs and those of his family. associate with friends of his choice, think and worship freely, and die secure in the knowledge that his children and their children shall have the same opportunity.’’

Canada and Czechoslovakia.—Dr. Benes. President of Czechoslovakia, in a message to the Prime Minister of Canada (Mr W. L. Mackenzie King) said: “I 'am deeply satisfied with the results of our conversations. The great moral and material contribution of Canada in the struggle against the common enemy and the alliance between our two countries for the ultimate victory of justice and truth convince me that Canada and Czechoslovakia will remain true friends in the fulfilment of this great task.’’—Rugby, June 7.