BRITAIN’S FOOD

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 52, 24 November 1928, Page 9

BRITAIN’S FOOD

OF GOVERNMENT CONTROL DEBATED IN HOUSE OF LORDS COSTLY WARTIME EXPERIENCE (United Press Association.—By Electrio Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Australian Press ..Assn —United. Service.) London, November 22. In the House of Lords, Earl de la Warr moved in favour of Government bulk purchases of wheat and meat in order to stabilise, prices. .--He pointed out that 80 per cent, of Britain’s consumption of wheat and 50 per cent, of her .meat were imported, and these were the controlling -factors- in -the prices of home-grown produce. Lord Fbrres moved an amendment objecting to the Government’s entrance into- commercial trading, which was against the public interest. Lord Bledisloe said that England had just had the, best harvest she had had for thirty: years, but not a single crop showed a profit, except sugar beet;, which; was artificially supported by ■ Government money. The solution of the problem lay in co-operation, and credit facilities. He was sure' that overseas producers would not be unfair competitors of their fellow farmers in Britain. The Earl of ' Stradbroke said that the Government was opposed to nationalisation. Most of the country’s trade was in. foodstuffs, and war-time experience showed that food control was most costly. - A'very serious objection was that, every price movement due to world conditions would have political reactions and. political relations .with the Dominions,, and foreign countries would be involved. The Imperial Conference Committee reported against the proposition. .

Both the amendment and the motion were withdrawn. ■■ -• ' •