IN TIME OF WAR

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume LIX, Issue 86, 28 October 1938, Page 7

IN TIME OF WAR

BRITAIN HAS A YEAR'S FOOD

COMPLETE CONTROL PLANS

READY

(From The Guardian's London

Correspondent)

LONDON, October 1

Britain has enough food in storage to feed the population for 12 months even if no food ship reached a British port during that period. Plans for the maintenance of fhe country's food supply are ready for immediate operation. The power, knowledge, and organisation behind them are infinitely greater and more sure than in 1918. The work has continued unostentatiously for the past 20 years, and been intensified during the past 18 months.

There will be no "food queues," but a rationing system will be introduced for some commodities almost at once. The reason for this is no fear of shortage, but a desire to check rises in price and to effect economy in some classes of food. Immediate rationing of bacon and ham may be thought necessary, in case Britain's normal imports from Europe should fail. Butcher's meat may be rationed. This would be largely a precautionary measure to check waste. Certain classes of cooking fats and lards, it is expected, would also be brought under immediate control.

The whole of the country's food producing, distributing, and importing trades will come under Government control. All food retailers, from the directors of big combines to small shopkeepers, all farmers and food factories will be supervised by the Food Controller. Private trading will be regulated. The controller will have powers to buy, sell, or requisition all food commodities whether for human consumption or for livestock, as he may consider necessary. This unity of control, with such wide powers, is intended to prevent temporary shortages, hoarding of stocks, profiteering, bad distribution, and individual hardship. Two chief divisional officers and 18 divisional officers, with full powers under the controller, have been appointed to cover England, Wales, and Scotland.

The sugar shortage during the las* war is unlikely to be repeated. Up to 1914 two-thirds of Britain's supplies came from Austria-Hungary. These have been replaced by Dominion supplies and home industry. All sugar stocks will be requisitioned under the food control plans, including cargoes afloat destined for the United King-

dom. Among home-produced supplies, all meat will be largely set aside for the civilian population. Imported meat will be used to a large extent for the armed forces, as it is more easily handled.

More food is produced on British farms now than in 1914. The standard of living is higher, but agricultural production is better regulated and more valuable.