FOOD SUPPLY OF BRITAIN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20112, 24 November 1928, Page 13

FOOD SUPPLY OF BRITAIN.

PURCHASE BY GOVERNMENT

PROPOSAL IN LORDS.

GOVERNMEm" NOT IN FAVOUR. Australian Press Associatiou—United Service (Received November 23, G. 5 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 22 In tho House of Lords Earl Do La Warr moved in favour of hulk purchases by the Government of wheat and meat, in order to stabilise prices lie said 80 per cent, of Britain's consumption of wheat and 50 per cent, of her meat was imported. These wore tho controlling factors in the prices of the home-grown products. Lord Forres moved an amendment objecting to Government entering - into commercial trading, which was against the public interest. Lord Bledisloo said England had just had tho best harvest for 30 years, but not a single crop showed a profit except sugar beet, which was artificially supported by Government money. Tho solution of tho problem lay in cooperation and credit facilities. Ho was suro tho overseas producers would not bo unfair competitors with their fellow farmers in Britain.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, tho Earl of Stradbroke, said tho Government was opposed to tho nationalisation of most of the country's trado in foodstuffs. Tho war-time experience had shown that food control was very expensive. The most serious objection to tho motion was that every prico movement was duo to tho world conditions. It would causo political reactions, and Britain's political relations with tho Do minions and foreign countries would be involved. The committeo of tho Imperial Conference had reported against the

proposition. Both the amendment and tho motion wej'c withdrawn.