Mr Truman Calls For Action To Avert Worse Food Shortage

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 September 1947, Page 7

Mr Truman Calls For Action To Avert Worse Food Shortage

(Recd. 11 a.m.) 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 the necessity of legislative action to maintain food exports, and at the same time force prices down, when he meets Congressional leaders of both parties on Monday.

Mr Truman announced the creation of a Citizens’ Food Committee, which would develop plans for bringing the vital problem of food conservation to the attention of every American. Europe’s Plight - Mr Truman said that he hoped that the funds needed to keep Europe from freezing and starving could be obtained without a special session, but he had an open mind on that. He added that a special session might prove necessary. The Paris report on the Marshall Plan reflected an unprecedented effort at economic co-operation by 16 countries, he said. In the light of the political tensions 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.” Waste Less The President did not announce any definite export cuts, but warned that exports would certainly not equal the 1947 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 yearly. If every American would save one slice of bread daily, Europe’s needs would be met. Certain problems had arisen over Europe’s economic situation. These were so urgent that their solution could not await the careful study required for overall decisions. That was why he had summoned Congressional leaders to discuss plans on Monday for immediate action.