FOOD IN WAR TIME

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 223, 3 September 1936, Page 8

FOOD IN WAR TIME

Better Position Than in 1914

LONDON, July 6.

An important statement on the Government plans for food supply in time of war was made in the House of Lords by the Lord Chancellor, Viscount Hailsham.

It was based upon two principles. First, that in 1936 we were infinitely better able to expand our food production than in 1914; secondly, that our primary purpose must be to give adequate protection by sea and air to .the entry of imports. i Dealing with home production, he pointed out that in the past five years, by levy and subsidy, the home-grown supply of wheat had increased by 50 per cent., and sugar by 95 per cent. There had been important expansion in supplies of milk, meat, bacon, eggs and vegetables. We could actually produce the greater part of the food which wo needed, but the cost would be enormous. He doubted whether the people would be persuaded to acquiesce in a policy which would deprive them of the cheap food from abroad which they had enjoyed for many years. The supply of man-power for the land was under consideration by a sub-committee of the Committee of Imperial Defence. Another was dealing with the diversion and distribution of shipping. With regard to storage, we now had more than in 1914. Food supplies were not the first article which might have to be stored. Oil fuel .was of fundamental importance. In storing wheat deterioration and vulnerability had to be carefully conI sidered.

Our policy must be to see that we were prepared against attack and to protect the arrival of imports. If we lost the command of the sea we should lose a war as certainly as if we had no wheat. There might be a short period during which our command of the sea was endangered, and it might be advisable to have a stock of supplies for such a contingency. The three months’ normal supply of wheat in the country should be enough. He did not say that in no circumstances would they invite the country to make a special store of a substance, but no storing could suffice without control of sea and air.

In the previous debate a good deal of anxiety was expressed as to food supply. But there was much difference of opinion upon remedial measures.

Lord Phillimore asked for an extension of the wheat subsidy. Lord Strabolgi called for storage of meat as well as wheat.

Earl Peel thought that what was wanted was not storage, but “speed the plough.” Lord Ernie asked whether, if there was conscription in war, the Government had made provision to call up men for the land. Viscount Astor hoped that we should not attempt to grow at very high cost food which could be produced more cheaply in the Dominions. The Earl of Cork recalled that in the last war food cargoes rotted in harbour. He advised the Government to make plans for distribution.