MORE PRODUCTION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23594, 1 March 1940, Page 7

MORE PRODUCTION

BRITISH AGRICULTURE NECESSITY EMPHASISED SUPREME EFFORT URGED By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright British Wireless LONDON, Feb. 28 The importance of agriculture in the national war effort was emphasised by the Prime Minister, Mr. Chamberlain, and by Mr. Lloyd George in speeches to-day. The Prime Minister was addressing a gathering of agricultural representatives in connection with the Government's campaign for ploughing 2,000,000 extra acres. He urged farmers to make a supreme effort, in spite of delays imposed earlier in the year by adverse weather, to bring the campaign to a successful conclusion.

Mr. Chamberlain gave an assurance that the War Cabinet was behind the farmers, and intended to see that the necessary steps were taken so that crops would be harvested. In the opinion of the Government, the issue of the war depended just as much upon the production of more food as upon the more conspicuous exploits of fighting men on the sea, in the air and on the land. Sea Losses Comparatively Small Laying stress upon the need for producing more food at home to leave shipping space at a time when the country was being turned into a great armament workshop, needing quantities of raw materials, the Prime Minister referred to enemy action. He said that Britain's shipping losses, although substantial, bore only a trifling proportion to the whole volume of shipping.

The convoy system, under which tlie.v were bringing safely to United Kingdom ports not only British ships but neutrals, necessarily slowed down the rate at which they could make round voyages, and that represented a certain loss in total capacity, which must be compensated for by cutting many peace-time imports. Importance of Food Supplies Mr. Lloyd George, speaking at a luncheon organised by the National Defence and Public Interest Committee, urged greater home production of foodstufFs. "On at least one vital front, in my judgment, we are not fully prepared, and that is in food supplies," said Mr. Lloyd George. "In the last war Germany had overlooked the vital importance of food supplies, with the result that she was starved into surrender." Regarding the war, Mr. Lloyd George said: "Our cause is just. We are fighting for international right."

CONSERVING CEREALS DECISION OF BRITAIN WHISKEY OUTPUT LIMITED (Received February 29, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 2S The Minister of Food, Mr. W. S. Morrison, in the House of Commons today announced that in view of the limited supply of cereals for the feeding of animals the Government was restricting the output of whiskey and other potable spirits this year to onethird of the production in 1939. The output of beer would not exceed that of last year.

ECONOMY IN BRITAIN PUBLIC HELPS GOVERNMENT INDUSTRIAL CO-OPERATION (Received February 20, 5.35 p.m.) Brilisli Wireless LONDON, Feb. 28 Reassuring figures were cited by Lord Hankey, Minister without portfolio, in a debate in the House of Lords on the dangers of inflation. He revealed that the Bank of England indices of retail sales suggested that a considerable measure of economy had been exercised by the public in its personal expenditure in recent months. On the question of wages the Government was in the position of having the full co-operation of employers and employed in the industrial problems connected with the prosecution of the war.

POLISH CO-OPERATION PROSECUTION OF WAR (Roceived Fobruary 29, 5.85 p.m.) British Wireless LONDON, Feb. 28 The Foreign Under-Secretary, Mr. R. A. Butler, in the House of Commons to-dav was asked whether the Polish Government would participate in meetings of the Supreme War Council. In reply he said it had been agreed that a Polish officer should be appointed to collaborate with the appropriate British and French military authorities when questions affecting the employment of Polish forces were under consideration.