CROP FAILURE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26078, 15 February 1946, Page 5

CROP FAILURE

FAMINE LOOMING THE WORLD’S NEW ENEMY (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON. Feb. 13. Mr Bevin reminded the United Nations of the failure of the South African crops. He said the deficiency might be even greater than the 5.000,000 tons already mentioned. The rice position was also apparently worse than originally calculated. The deficiency -in rice could not be less than 2.000,000 tons. The rice position may mean within the next few months that 1,000,000,000 of the world’s’ population will face famine. That will really be a terrific fight which will call on the whole of the United Nations, irrespective of their own difficulties and political consideration, to make a resolute determination to avoid. “ I believe,” he continued, “ that Governments throughout the world, recognising their dependence, will collectively face the situation to avoid catastrophe.” Mr Bevin asked the Assembly to remember that the figure of 1500 calories daily for diet for Europeans was only an average. Many millions were below the average. “It is impossible to know and understand the number who are hungry. In addition, there is the Far East, where the figure must be terrifically large. This is a disturbance of the world’s whole economic life. Statesmen must rise to their responsibility and take steps to save the mass of humanity from suffering which was not of their seeking. With the available supplies under proper distribution, starvation in many areas may be avoidable. We must see that every pound and every ounce of food are properly used and not wasted. I say it is insufficient to make pious resolutions. I make the most earnest appeal to delegates. They must make sure that their Governments make it part of their policies to tackle this problem. Civilisation itself depends on a resolute solution of the food problem. In addition, we cannot deal with reconstruction unless the next four months are surmounted success, ully.” Britain and America had already increased the extraction rate of wheat and other countries were awakening to the problem. It was very important to make wheat directly available to humans in a crisis of this kind. “I am aware that all like variety. It is very nice to eat our food in the form of meat, chickens, and eggs, but in the face of the famine the whole value of food is of overriding importance. It is better to have the survival of the peoples of the world on a monotonous diet than have no survival at all. We must as regards food consider the war as still being on until we can beat the enemy —famine.

Mr Bevin added: “ I regard the resolution before the Assembly as a call to the nations in the greatest common cause ever faced by us.” He called for the resource, ingenuity, and ability of the organisation so that millions of humans could survive, contribute to, and enjoy the future happiness of mankind. He pleaded that the greatest attention should be paid to the growing of food in order to tide over next winter. “ Nature has intervened as if she imposed on us a penalty for our stupidity in fighting.” Mr Stettinius outlined the steps the United States was taking to conserve g-ains and prevent, “as far as possible, the calamity threatening so many parts of the world.” He added that starvation bred unrest and the effects lingered on long after the causes had been removed. Mr Stettinius appealed for unanimous approval of the resolution, also for the wholehearted application of its principles. Dr Wellington Koo outlined the position in China, where the shortage of food had been acute during the eight years of war. The immediate prospect was further cuts. M Bidault explained that France before the war produced its own requirements of wheat, but in 1945 produced only half the normal crop. M. Bidault summed up France’s situation. He said the French Goverenment has no assurance that it will be able to meet its requirements which are already pitilessly reduced, bringing the French within the category of “ very hungry people.” v " The Assembly then adjourned. It will continue the food debate at 3 p.m. to-morrow.