BRITAIN'S FOOD SUPPLY.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXIV, Issue 4880, 4 February 1903, Page 4

BRITAIN'S FOOD SUPPLY.

It is a significant sign of . the times that, as stated in our cable messages, an association has been set up in England for tho purpose of compelling an official inquiry into tho question of tho food supply of the people in time of war. It is a sign that the people are more alert -than the Government on tliis vital question. About a year ago' the matter was brought under tho notice of the Government by a question in tho House of Commons, when it was urged that a Commission should ha appointed to inquire into and report upon tho question. In reply, Mr Gerald Balfour said that, so far as he could see, there was nothing to inquire into, and with this oir-hand remark the Government .cold-shouldered the' proposal. Some strongly-worded correspondence followed in tho columns of the “ Times.” One writer id 1 “ It is the unanimous opinion of tho leading corn merchants cf the country that on tho outbreak of a European war the price of bread will rise to iamme heights. Wo. have 7,000,Uti1) of our poorest classes who could not pay sucli prices. Yet Mr Gerald Balfour sees ■ nothing to inquire into.’ In Poplar I heard a very different story. I was told that there tho majority of dm people literally live from hand to mouth, that they get their meagre wages on Friday, at once pay their rent in advance, and by the end of t-ic week, at present prices—at peace prices—have nothing left; indeed, are often forced to pawn their belongings to get to tho end of tho week. -1 was told that a week of famine prices would finish most of them, and that a fox*tnioht or three weeks would finish the rest. I was told that at tho end of tho first week something would .have to ho done for them. , And w e have 7,000,000 people in our great cities in a similar state. Yet Mr Gerald Balfour at tho same time was saying that ‘there really was, so far as ho could sco, nothing to inquire into.’ Is it possible that he really thinks so? Dees he suppose that these 7,000,000 will starve quietly? Would ho starve quietly himself? Would any man? Will any number of men? Will millions?” A statement by Air Balfour that tho navy would have tho care of seeing to the food supply in time of war was strongly criticised by several correspondents, who pointed out that, were tho_ British war-ships to he detached for this duty, tho result would bo their dispersal, which would give tho enemy an opportunity of defeating them. Tho question apparently has alternative solutions; either (1) the navy must bo greatly strengthened, or (2) State granaries must bo established • to store supplies of wheat sufficient to feed tho people, on emergency, for a month or two. The association now formed, with the Duko of Sutherland at its head, will not, we presume, discuss these details. Its object is to compel tho Government to inquire and consider, and, in view of the importance of the subject and the influential men who have ijoined tho movement, there is every reason to believe that this object will bo attained.