WORLD FOOD SHORTAGE

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25300, 27 September 1947, Page 9

WORLD FOOD SHORTAGE

“Worse Than Year Ago” MR TRUMAN’S OPINION

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) WASHINGTON, September 25. The world faces a food shortage even worse than a year ago,” said President Truman, at his first press conference since his return from Brazil. He appealed to all Americans to join in a “waste less” campaign to avert a critical situation. Mr Truman said that he would discuss the possibility of legislative action to maintain food exports, and at the same time force prices down, when * e met the Congressional leaders of both parties on Monday. Mr Truman announced the creation of * citizens’ food committee which would develop plans for bringing the vital problem of food conservation to the attention of every American. He hoped that the funds needed to keep Europe from freezing and starving could be obtained without a special session of Congress, but he had an open mind on that. He added that a s P®^ ia i session might prove necessary. The Paris report on the Marshall « n 4. had reflec ted ah unprecedented effort at economic co-operation by 16 countries, he said. In the light of politensions and economic instability in. Europe, the report was an encouraging first step. The problem to which this report was addressed “not only underlies the political and economic well-being of Europe, but also is of .key importance to a stable peace in the world.”

Mr Truman did not announce any definite export cuts, but he warned that exports would certainly not equal the 1946 total. He was not asking the American people to eat less, but to waste less.. He was reliably informed that Americans wasted the equivalent of 70,000.000 bushels of grain each year. If every American would have one slice of bread a day, Europe’s needs would be met.

Certain problems had arisen over Europe’s economic situation which were so urgent that their solution could not await the careful study required for over-all decisions. That was why he had summoned the Congressional leaders to discuss plans on Monday for immediate action.