AMERICAN FARMERS' PART

Evening Post, Volume XCIV, Issue 30, 4 August 1917, Page 8

AMERICAN FARMERS' PART

OUTCOME MAY DEPEND ON

FOOD SUPPLY

STATEMENT OF BRITISH MINISTER

LONDON, 26th June.

" Discontent of the stomach is more to be feared than discontent of the brain — that is why we. value the co-operation of American ( farmers," said Mr. Pi>. 'E. Prothero, Minister of Agriculture, to the .Associated Press to-day. "The outcome of the .war," said Mr. Prothero, "may j ultimately, hang on the question of food supplies, and to the American farmer is allotted the essential part to play in the great struggle for freedom." This declaration, with a note of welcome to agriculturists across the sea,"who are determined to use every ounce' of their strength to win the war on the; plough, lands of the United States," was the keynote of the Minister's, message; to the American farmer. Bfkussing the moral and material effect on agriculture by the entrance of the United States into the war, Mr. Prothero continued : . "To vindicate the cause of humanity and national liberty the great democracy of the Western world, true to ■ its traditions,', has taken its stand on the side of Allied peoples. In clear-cut, memorable ■ phrases, President Wilson stated the high ideals animating the United States in joining the Allied cause. The President, in his address, 15th April, puts to the forefront an appeal to the farmer. His task is to make hills, plains, arid valleys stead thick with corn. The man who drives a plough is helping as is the man. who shoulders a ; ■ rifle. The need, of food for man and beast is great whether peace is won or. war prolonged." WHAT ENGLAND IS DOING. Replying to a question as to what the United Kingdom is doing in the way of food production, Mr. Prothero said thai? fully one-third of labour usually employed on land has been taken for war work.' "Short-handed, by a. hundred new difficulties,' the farmers' are doggedly struggling to increase grain production by half," continued the Minister.. "Upwards of 120,000 women in England,';'and VWales, old . and. young,: drawn from every section of the coun-; try,.; are toiling 'on land, toiling hard and continuously. We have quadrupled our garden .plots. ' After a hard day's wprk men return to their homes to labour with their wives.

."There has ■ been no complaint concerning breadstuSs substituted for the wheaten loaf. The situation has been accepted. Browing has been reduced to a minimum. Thia is. a serious deprivation, to men. working at furnaces, in foundries, and harvest fields. . Forj generations' they have been accustomed to the use of beer, and believe in the aid it gives them. It comes to be a part of their daily diet, and they-know of no other substitute to replace it.

. "We are further contemplating a drastic reduction of our, live stocks, .so more grain may bej available for human food. These privations will have to be endur«drbut we do not fear suoh shortage as would; mean/starvation."

.'-; Mr. Protherb then discussed the value of co-operation of the American fanners, and continued: "There is. risk that the shortage 1, of food may. strain Endurance to the breaking point. There is, as yet, ho'indication that we even have distant-: ly approached that point; but endurance might , snap if, for instance, the milk "supply failed through inability to feed the dairy herd, because then lives, of little children would be threatened. Thus there is a greater question involved in food supply than the loss of ordinary comforts of life, or even redicticn in its accustomed necessities. ■ For . this reason, it is » welcome relief- to know that the farmers of the United States are,co-operating with the Allies, that they: fully realise the! essential part they play in ,this struggle for freedom, that they are bringing into their work tha -spirit of self-sacrifice and endurance, afid that they are determined to pnt out- the last ounce of their strength to-win the war, on the plough-lands of the, United States. Here, and there, God speed the plough." .... . .

WASHINGTON, 26th June.

Current retail prices on canned vegetables are.nearly twice the price paid to canners by wholesalers for t&js season's output,' the Federal Trade Commission reported to-dciy in connection with, its investigation into food prices. The enquiry into canned goods, the Commission explained, is "to forestall speculative prices." .' ' .. . • ... Wholesalers are paying about 7^ cents a "can for corn, and about .9^ cents for tomatoes and peas, f .p.b. The same cans are sold retail at an average of 17 cents for.corn, 18 cents for peas, and 20 cents for tomatoes. . • ...

"A large "part of the canned goods now being sold at these prices is last year's pack," said a Commission statement, "and was sold by the canners at considerably lower prices than now, prevail."

The statement does not attempt to analyse the difference in prices, but says: "Next autumn and winter', if complaints are made'in any locality that unreasonable prices are being charged for the canned peas, corn, tomatoes, salmon, or similar products which are now being packed, the Commission will be in a position to promptly expose any extortion." '

■ Reports have been received from about two thousand canning factories in response to ."the Commission's enquiries. The Commission will investigate quantities purchased by various dealers in an effort to prevent speculative holding.