GLOOMY PICTURE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26957, 17 December 1948, Page 5

GLOOMY PICTURE

BRITAIN’S FOOD POSITION

COMMENT ON OFFICIAL REPORT NZPA Special Correspondent

Rec. 8 p.m. LONDON, Dec. 15. Editorial comment in the British press this morning reflects the gravity with which the report of Mr John Strachey, the Food Minster, on Britain’s food situation is regarded. The Financial Times remarks that few reports in Hansard can have filled readers with more profound gloom. “We are now in the fourth year after the war,” says the Financial Times, “yet the. only prospects of food increases, it seems, are in the ration of eggs and tea. Butter will hot be increased, bacon will probably average just under 2oz weekly, and the meat position is really serious. There is no doubt that the level of consumption in this country cannot safely- be cut by any substantial amount. The maintenance of. production, to put it no higher, isr the Government’s first responsibility. In order to maintain it, the people must be adequately fed. The other way lies in a downward spiral of less production, less exports, less imports, less food, less production, and so on.. Whatever the difficulties are, the fact remains that without*' an adequate food supply the whole industrial situation of this country is endangered.” 1 , , The Times, the News Chronicle, and the Manchester Guardian all criticise the Conservatives for the fact that their contribution to the food debate in the House of Commons was destructive. and that they made no practical suggestions about how the position can be improved. ■ The Daily Herald accuses the Com servatives of seeking to make political capital out. of the country’s. food difficulties. The Manchester Guardian, however, expresses the opinion that the Government should show more consideration for the Canadians, upon whose increased- production Britain’s chief hopes of obtaining cheaper food largely depend.

The News Chronicle emphasises that Britain’s hope of improving her rations depends upon her ability to manufacture and export more goods. This in turn depends upon the new spirit of vitality and vigour in the vast field of industry still lying outside State control. ,r Years of regulations and control have weakened much of its former spirit and drained its vitality,” says the Chronicle. “ One of the most insidious effects has been the discouragement of young blood and new ideas. Britain needs such an infusion badly. Everything that can be done by way of relaxing controls and breaking down opposition from within the various industries should be encouraged and publicised. If we want to find the best team to lead the nation to recovery we must restore the essentials of free competition as quickly as possible.”