THE STATE OF SIEGE

Otago Witness, Issue 3327, 19 December 1917, Page 27

THE STATE OF SIEGE

CONFIDENCE FOR THE WINTER,

FOOD CONTROL PROMISING

(Fbom Oub Own Correspondent.)

LONDON, October 5. England faces the comin K 'winter, the fourth of the war, with a confidence far surpassing anything she has felt since ISI4. Not only is the military situation promising, but the fear of starvation, which we now know was very real last winter, is much abated. England's acres are once more working for England, and the control of food supplies in the interest of the whole population has become real, and is showing results. Some prices have already fallen considerably, and the clamour against profiteering has practically subsided. Prices, sometimes double those of pre-war days, aro being paid almost cheerfully so long as the bogey of private gains looms less large. Lord Rhondda's regime at the Control of Food continues auspiciously. He is now on a new campaign in favour of decreasing eating, and he says: "If voluntary measures fail'l shall have no compunction in putting the nation on compulsory rations. The danger of the food situation lies not so much in the submarine peril as in the world shortage of cereals, meats, and fate. The timely action of the United States Government m strenuously curtailing food exports to neutral countries should be of inestimable benefit to the Allies in Europe. But the tightening the blockade is a two-edged sword. Imports of bacon other products into the United Kingdm from Denmark are thereby bound to be seriously reduced. This throws us more than ever upon the North American continent for our supplies. What we ask from the United States and Canada we cannot procure elsewhere. "A long stride has been taken towards the stability of the sugar trade. The difficulty of providing shipping for sugar from the East has been largely responsible for a world shortage, with increased competition —and consequent high prices—for the Cuban crop. Mr Hoover suggested that purchases of Cuban sugar should be centralised in a committee to"sit in New York, on which we should have two delegates. . "The establishment of the Meats and Fats Executive and the Sugar Committee is merely typical of the way in wh:ch we are all working hand-in-glove to solve the Allied food problem least possible dislocation of existing trade channels, and in the united determination that the armies and the civil population shall be provided, at a fair price, with food enough to assure victory." _ EAT LESS BREAD.

This injunction, dating now almost a year back, remains as cogent to-day as ever, and the rationing of bread is maintained in public eating places with great severity. It is stated that between the beginning of the year and the end of May the consumption was reduced by 22 per cent., but since then there is probably an increase. The loaf has been reduced in price to 9d, and is now sold strictly by Weight—which is enforced—and in standard shapes. Proprietary breads can only be made under license. The ±ood Controller strongly urges the use of broken biscuits for making sausages instead of bread. MORE BEER FOR WORKERS.

Sir Alfred Yapp, the new Director of Food 'Economy, in a statement on the necessity for greater economy in food, said: "There was no occasion for panic, but there was need of strict economy. If he had not been satisfied on that point he would not have undertaken his task. Not only was there need of economy now, but there would still be need after the war was over. It would be well if the public did not wait for datails of the new campaign, but began to economise at once, and as far as possible to practise economy all round. "It is necessary," Sir Alfred Yapp says, "that we should do all we can to conserve our supplies and avoid waste, particularly of food. The coming campaign will be educational, practical, and positive. We do not propose to build up a huge army of officials, but to use existing machinery as far as possible—not merely Government departments, but " political organisations, churches, and many other agencies." BUTTER IS SCARCE.

There is another scarcity of butter in many districts,- including London, and the Food Controller reminds the public that since the great part of the butter consumed in this country comes from countries overseas, the supply is necessarily affected by the' present conditions of oversea transport. In order to prevent the existing scarcity raising prices to a level out of relation to the cost of production and of transport, maximum prices were fixed last week. Arrangements are being made to secure the arrival of as regular a supply as possible during the winter, but in view of the great demands on available tonnage for other articles of food, it cannot be expected that the ordinary demand can be supplied. The public are "therefore urged to practice the greatest economy. SUMMER VEGETABLES FOR WINTER.

At the Royal Horticultural Society's Autumn Show Messrs Sutton and Sons showed a collection of vegetable marrows and gourds, chiefly with the object of inducing the public who grow those not to throw them away at the end of the autumn, but to keep them for making soup or for boiling. They state that if properly ripened and stored in a cool, dry place these vegetables will keep throughout the winter, anr] only require a little longer boiling thai: fresh ones. THE SCARCITY O.F BACON.

The breakfast rasher seems to bo doomed

for a while. Yesterday at a number of shops in South-West and Central London no bacon was to be had. In Farrin.gdon road it was offered at prices ranging from Is 2d a pound upward. In the suburbs, if it could be bought at all, anything from Is iOd to 2s 6d was charged for medium cuts. The restriction of the supply, which was. announced to be inevitable by the Ministry of Food two days ago, is reflected also in the Smithfield market report. The supplies of pork and bacon available yesterday were 12 tons, as compared with 23 tons last Wednesday and 76 tons on the corresponding; day of last year. The depletion of stock, which is normal at this time of year, has been aggravated by the decline in imports of bacon. It may be added that thousands of cottage pigstys in the villages of this country are, and have been for ,a long time, untenanted, the present cost of' keeping a pig being too high for most of the cottagers. ECONOMY OF TEA. The Tea Brokers' Association of London states that the outlook must naturally remain somewhat obscure in view of the many unforeseen circumstances which may arise. It continues: "Broadly speaking, it' is hoped that before the close of the year tea may again become plentiful, and it Is satisfactory" to know that every effort is being made to ensure an adequate supply. In the meantime, however, it is necessary for the consumer to realise the necessity of increaeed economy, and the little recent retail shortage in some places should tend towards this end. A measure of Government control has probably 'tended towards the convenience of all concerned. Established methods of distribution are now carefully supervised, and the, existing trade organisation ie being utilised for the public good without regard to individual interests."