BRITAIN'S FOOD SHORTAGE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3327, 19 December 1917, Page 18

BRITAIN'S FOOD SHORTAGE.

Official: Lord Rhondda has restricted the retail eale <>£ meat for the four weeks ending January 13 to an amourfi corresponding to 'the sales during the four week 3 prior to October 27. The general license for the import of butter has_ been revoked, but consignments en route before tho 13th inst. will be importable without special licenses. The Lord Mayor of Birmingham is submitting to Lord Rhondda, Food Controller,

a scheme for rationing" the city by the card system, so as to avoid queues. Sir Ihomas Mackenzie, speaking at a meeting of the Society of Arts, said it was imperative in the interests of Great Britain and the dominions that cold storage and distribution facilities should bo provided in the southern and -western porta without delay to prevent further losses of ships and food cargoes which had reached England. Sir Arthur K. Yapp, speaking in London, said the shipping and man power problems were solvable, but the food problem was most acute.

Lord Rhondda announces that arrangements are completed for instant rationing when it is necessary. A Labour demonstration at which Messrs Ben Tillett, M.P., W. C. Anderson, M.P., and J. H. Thomas, M.P., vigorously protested against the food administration, which, the* declared, allowed some to get plenty and others to go short—passed a resolution in ■ favour of democratically elected control boards; also that the State and the municipalities, in conjunction with the co-operative movement, should organise the production and distribution of foodstuffs. One prominent Labour leader hinted at a T down tools" policy if matters did not improve.

The Press Bureau reports: Mr Lloyd George, replying to a Trades Union Congress deputation, said that one of v the ■greatest of . post-war difficulties for both neutrals and belligerents would be the obtaining of raw material; but as at present there was- no free movement of goods, it was a question for future fiscal pobcy. Regarding food, he had that day'met the American representatives with a view to arranging credits in America to purchase food there. He hoped 'the meat supply would be normal in a few weeks, and that by summer the production of margarine would., be foui-fold that of 1916. Prices of bread had been reduced by 25 per cent., of home-grown meat by 7 per cent., and of potatoes by 40 per cent. In the House of Commons, Mr J. R. Clyncs, replying to a qucetion, declared that "profiteering" in butter was impossible.

ANOTHER HUGE VOTE OF CREDIT. - • In the House of Commons, Mr Bonar Law, in moving the vote of credit for £550,000,000, said that it was estimated that the credit of £400,000,000 voted on October 30 would cover the expenditure until January 9. The new vote would bring the total for the year to £2,450,000,000. The average daily expenditure for the 63 days preceding December 1 was £6,694,000, exceeding the Budget estimate by £1,353,000 a day. Mr Bonar Law said that the Jotal excess expenditure over the Budget estimate was £309,000,000, but of that £225,000,000 were recoverable, therefore the excess of daily expenditure was £350,000. The causes of the increased army expenditure were 'the increase in the .aviation programme, the large number of Indian troops employed in Mesopotamia, and ady vances to the army in France and Palestine. The estimates of the advances to the dominions had not been exceeded. Referring to Russia, Mr Bonar I/aw said : No State had ever entirely repudiated its debts. He believed a responsible Government would ultimately be established in Russia, and sooner or later these debts would be recoverable. Mr Bonar Law said there would be additional taxation if the war lasted for the next financial year. He hoped it would bo possible to remove some of the taxation when peace came. Any attempt to pay the whole cost of the war by taxation or a levy on capital would break down tho country's finance. _ , The vote of credit was paesed. CONTROL OF METALS. In the House of Commons'the Nonferrous Metals Bill was read a second time by 182 votes to 79. Mr Walter Runciman declared that the Bill was unworthy of the British nation. The Government should also consider howfar it conflicted with President Wilson's economic policy. Mr Bonar Law declared that the Bill was based on tho Paris Conference resolutions. He denied that it would interfere to any extent with trade, and reiterated that we must stop German penetration. It was essential to let our enemies kno/v that we realised the powers we had, and when the time came we should not hesitate to use them. It was perfectly plain that many members of the House thought it would be the right thing after the war to deal with Germany precisely as in the past.—(Cries of "Never.") Mr Bonar Law added that the Bill really raised the issue of our trade policy, and members had to decide whether we meant to make a change in our tions with Germany after the war. Sir Edward Carson stated that during tho period of reconstruction after the Avar until the needs of ourselves and our Allies were satisfied Germany would not get an ounce of Imperial raw material. BRITAIN AND HOLLAND. A White Paper has been issued showing the correspondence between Britain and Holland regarding tho latter's action in refusing to allow defensively armed merchantmen to enter Dutch harbours. The correspondence shows that Britain i» holding the Netherlands responsible for tho losses of British ships trading to Holland which have been obliged to forgo the right of self-defence. Mr Balfour, Foreign Secretary, says that Holland's rule is unnecessary and unneutral, and is not adopted by any other neutral, with the possible exception of Carranza's Government (Mexico). Mr King called attention to the renewed discussion in Holland concerning the possible intention of tho Allies regarding future rights over the . Scheldt navigation and Dutch territory. Lord Robert Cecil replied that there was never any intention to interfere with the independence or integrity of Holland or her possessions.

EXPLOSION AT A GERMAN FACTORY. The British Press Bureau has received information from trustworthy sources that the explosion at the Griesheim electron factory, reported on November 22. caused the compelto destruction of the works. Germany has thus suffered a disaster comparable with the • most serious military defeat. The factory was of prime importance as ■ the source of synthetic nitrates, which -v played a part in the production of poison gas and other forms of frightfulness. It produced saltpetre or black powders at the rate of 1000 tons daily. It was reputed to be the only factory in Germany for this.

It also produced groat quantities of soda nitrato. and concentrated sulphuric acid, and

supplied the demands of live nitroglycerine dynamite factories. The electron factory at Gricsheim supplied two powder works, including the Rothwell factory, one of the most important in Germany. " Other explosives manufactured at Gricsheim included tonite (a preparation of guncotton). There was also a factory at Gricsheim which produced hydrogen by the electroIjtic process, the gas being for inflating the Zeppelins. It also produced asphyxiating gas and lachrymatory and poisonous shells, for which it was the greatest centre in Germany. The output of poison gas in 1916 was 600,000 cubic feet per day. The deaths of scores of trained workmen who were specialists have increased the difficulties of coping with the deficit of the articles manufactured at Gricsheim, on which every concern in Germany was more or less dependent. It is impossible to reconstitute the works during the war period, and tho effect will sooner or later be felt at the fighting front. A FRENCH TRAITOR A Bill has been introduced in the French Chamber of Deputies impeaching Caillaux, who will be indicted before a court-martial on a charge of treason. The Pet it Journal says that the steps attributed to M. Caillaux in Rome have stirred the Italian Government to the highest degree. Caillaux is accused of carrying on a campaign in favqur of an agreement amongst Italy, Germany, and France against Britain and Russia. Representatives of the latter Governments acquainted the Italian Government of what was occurring. Baron Sonnino intimated a desire to be relieved of the necessity of expelling Cai.laux from Italy. The letter of the Military Governor of Paris arraigning M. Cailleux states that numerous letters given to Caillaux were found at the residences of 8010 and others. He continued to correspond with 8010 after the latter had been charged with treason. Caillaux went to Rome in November, 1916, with a false passport, and entered into relations with well-known Germanophiles, three of whom had since been arrested. In "the course of a conversation at Rome in the presence of important personages, Caillaux declared that France would be unable to continue the war beyond the spring of 1917, when he himself would resume office and sign a peace; therefore Italy might prepare to make a separate peace with Germany, who would grant Italy and France astonishing advantages, as Russia and the Balkans would have to pay all their wa. expenditure. Serbia and Rumania would disappear, as they deserved. The Governor, commenting on this, says: "Apparently Cafllaux's idea was the conclusion of an alliance after the war between France,. Germany, Spain, and Italy against Britain and Russia, whom Caillaux referred to as 'our real -enemies.' " The Governor adds: "The facts revealed justify the suspicion that Caillaux worked for destruction of our alliances, and thus seconded the progress of the enemy's aims." The French Senate having suspended M. Humbert's parliamentary immunity in connection with the allegation of dealing with the enemy, Humbert has resigned his directorship on Lie Journal, the entire editorial staff of which have resigned as a protest against Humbert's attempt to represent them as supporting him. GERMAN PROPAGANDA Evidence was given at the San Francisco inquiry that Count Bernstorff advanced 81,000dol to foment a revolution in India. Mr Keith Murdoch writes: The Germans are aerially distributing an extraordinary amount of propaganda, doubtless following the system which succeeded in Italy. Aeroplanes loosed tiny balloons, which fell in the Australian lines, scattering leaflets and newspapers printed in French and English, telling of victories in Italy and. the blessings of the German system of government. Advices from Vienna state that the Czechs, infected by the ■ ganda, are introducing a Bill into the Austrian Lower House for the distribution of land among the, peasantry. The Matin's Zurich correspondent states that the Military Governor of Berlin has prohibited the official Socialists' meeting summoned to consider internal and external political questions. CONSCRIPTION IN CADANA. Major Urquhart, an invalided member of the original Anzacs, is campaigning for the Union Government. He is addressing crowded political gatherings, favouring tho election of a conscriptionist Government. Canada's decision on Monday is expected to powerfully influence the Australian referendum. Mr W. M. Hughes's manifest -. to the Australian sold ; ers is being published throughout the Dominion, and is welcomed by the Conseriptiomst press of Canada as a powerful factor in clearing away misapprehensions created by tho ant"-Conscrip-tionists' contention that Australia will- be able to dispense with Conscription and still maintain her forces at the front. The newspapers- point out that Sir Wilfrid Laurier is quoting Australia's example as a country able to rely on voluntaryism, and alleging that Canada is able to do the same, given proper leadership. Mr Hughes's jlemonstrat'on of the failure of voluntaryism in Australia is thus reinforcing the Canadian Conscriptionists' efforts. GENERAL ITEMS. The House of Commons has agreed to the vote of an additional 50,000 >eailors for the navy. The Manchester Guardian states that it is understood that Sir Auckland Geddes, Director of National Service, has recommended the War Cabinet to raise the military age to 45. It is officially announced that General Vanderventer, who succeeded General Smuts in command of the E-tSS African operations, has been created a Knight Commander of the Bath. Prisoners from Germany state that General Loman. the hero of Liege, has been released, and will arrivo in Switzerland. Captain J. T. Lang, of Palmerst.on North, has been transferred to the Indian army. The Sultan of Turkey is seriously ill, his breakdown following the British victories in Palestine and Mesopotamia. The Cuban 1 Congress has resolved to declare war against Austria. One New Zealander has been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and three New Zoalanders have been given tho Military Medal. Second Lieutenant C. R. Mackenzie has been awarded the Military Cross for gal-

lantry in the Passchendaele operations, during which he was wounded. The Dutch steamer Letia struck a mine and sank off the English coast. Seven of her crew are missing. Mr J. I. Macpherson (Undcr-secretary for war) states that of British prisoners in Germany is 1863 officers and 41.836 men; in Turkey, 340 officers and 1959 men; in Bulgaria, 42 officers and 586 men; in Austria, 12 officers and 74 men. The captures last month are included in these 'totals. Sir Edward Carson nresided at a meeting of the Royal Colonial Institute, at which Mr F. M. B. Fieher read a paper on Imperial trade, in which he advocated the exclusion of alien* from all political privileges. He claimed that only Britishborn should be permitted to enter the judiciary or Crown offices, consular services, and the stock exchanges. He urged that a common fixed policy bo used to scientifically develop industry and production. Pro-German Dutchmen who have returned from Germany gloomily describe the war stress and the pitiable appearance of the scmistarved people, who are unable to hold out for six months. If there is no peace then the nation will hecomc a phvsical and mental wreck. The Duchess of Norfolk has given Norfolk House JFor use as a club for the wives and relatives of overseas officers. A thousand members have already been secured, and the club will be opened on December 20. AUSTRALIAN ITEMS. The Federal Government is contemplating action to deprive persons of enemy birth of employment in the Commonwealth. Sir Eric Geddes, in a letter to a Sydney resident, says: "Germany is not beaten, but she knows that she cannot win. My own view is that it" will be the end of 1918 or well into 1919 before we get anywhere near a peace that will not permit the Central Powers to begin planning their next aggressive move." AN INDISCREET MINISTER/. Mr W. A. Watt, Commonwealth Minister of Works and Railways, speaking at the Millions Club, said: "The oresent position seems bad —absolutely rotten. The newspapers, which are censored, make things black enough; but the telegrams which come to the Government are blacker still. The military situation is pregnant with distster. even with early disaster. Sir James Allen. Minister of Defence, savs that the New Zealand Government has received no such information as that stated in a cable message from Sydnej relating to a sprech by Mr Watt regarding the, war news. There is no information that the New Zealand Government has received that has not been disclosed to the public. CHINA'S INTENTION .Dr G. E. Morrison, formerly special correspondent of The Times in Peking, and more recently foreign adviser to the Chinese Government, is visiting Australia, of which countrv he is a native, and shortly vis'ts New Zealand. He states that it is absolutely certain that China will send an armed force to the assistance of the Allies. All classes of thought in China favour an active participation in the war. Dr Morrison points out that China's decaration of war"~on Germany wipes out her treaty engagements, under which she owed Germany_ £12,600,000 and_ Austria £600.000 indemnities in connection with the Boxer trouble. China also recovers possession of many concees : on areas. China has already sent -80.000 coolie to France and England. * Practically the number of Chinese who could be sent to Europe is limitless. It is estimated that 800.000 could be despatched, subject to transport difficulties.