COLONIAL PROBLEM

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 29, 3 August 1939, Page 9

COLONIAL PROBLEM

UNDER-NOURISHMENT

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

AS REMEDY

(British Official AA'ireless.)

RUGBY, August 1

Economic development as a remedy for under-nourishment in the colonies Avas suggested by the Under-Secretary for Colonies, Lord Dufferin, in a broadcast address.

Experiments in the colonies, he said, had sho\Am that where men Avere given a properly balanced diet in place of a traditional diet deficient in-quality they were healthier. Although the Governments in the colonial Empire had abolished the dangers of famine in their various territories, many people Avere still under-nourished. This serious state of affairs existed not only in Britain's colonial Empire, but also to a greater or lesser extent all over the A\'orld.

The diets, it Avas shoAvn, were frequently insufficient in quantity and still more frequently deficient in quality. Even if there were enough food in bulk, it was very often not such as would give man the proper nourishment. It often consisted almost entirely of one staple foodstuff, which could not itself supply all the heat man needed.

Economic development Avas necessary to remedy this state of affairs, said Lord Dufferin. The colonies must become richer by increased exports or by increasing their internal trade. Either course, hoAvever, would take a very long time.

Lord Dufferin recommended that the first thing that should be done Avas to see that as many people as possible greAv and used the right kind of food —more animal products and more green vegetables.