FOOD SUPPLIES

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9618, 26 March 1917, Page 6

FOOD SUPPLIES

BRITAIN'S POSITION BETTER THAN ANY OF OTHER BELLIGERENTS. By Telegraph—Pros* Association—Copyrlgtu Australian and N.Z. Cable Association LONDON, March 23. In tho House of Commons, Mr H. A. 'Watt '(Liberal, Collcgo Division ot Glasgow; urged that, owing to the activity of submarines, tho food position Was serious. Tho Government should take over the entire control, ami deal out food through tho local authorities. Rationing was bound to como. Other members complained of tho load distribution of coal. Mr G. H. Roberts (Parliamentary Undor-Secretary to the Board of Shade) admitted that there had been * coaf shortage, owing to transport difficulties. If tho war lasted till next ■winter it might be necessary to give ‘local authorities the power to acquire smd distribute coal supplies. Captain. C. Bathurst, on behalf of ihe Food Controller, said that he was Jlot going to disguise the fact that tbo food outlook was not wholly satisfactory. The country would be much better able to cope with its difficulties if tlie food stringency which was likely to develop hud been foreseen earlier in ‘the war. Despite the shortage of tonnage and tho activity of submarines, our poorer classes were suffering less from scarcity of food than the poor of any other belligerent nation. It was untrue to. say that tho hoarding of food was at fault. Such was liot limited to onb class. There was nothing more dangerous In tho present crisis than to excite Class prejudice. The Food Controller did not approve of tho establishment of municipal do pots, which would result in chaos, divorcing tho distribution of food from the natural commercial channels. This Would mean the setting up of another machine, which would possess neither experience nor practical knowledge. If the public used substitutes generously for the next three months, the supply of potatoes would bo sufficient to curry through until the new crop is ready. EVen'in tho absence of potatoes and (sugar the country would not bo starving, and there would bo no cause for loot! riots. BRITISH BREAD V —— QUARTERN LOAF NOW ONE SHILLING. fiy Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received March 25, 11.35 p.raA LONDON, -March 24. Tho bakers of London have fixed tho price of tho quartern loaf at Is from Slonday.