BRITAIN'S FOOD PROBLEM.

Otago Witness, Issue 3330, 9 January 1918, Page 15

BRITAIN'S FOOD PROBLEM.

The London newspapers give prominenceto and approve of Lord Rhondda's memorandum to the local food committees outlining a model scheme for the distribution of butter, margarine, and tea. thus avoiding the need for queues. An essential feature of tho scheme is that every customer must register at one shop for the purchase of certain foodstuffs, and he Is not allowed to buy these elsewhere. Tho shopkeeper, on his part, is i'c quired to divide his weekly supplies in fair proportion among the registered customers. No shopkeeper is allowed to register more customers than he can conveniently serve. Lord Rhondda suggests as a basis for the rations allowance foz of butter or margarine, of tea-, and jib of sugar weekly. Lord Rhondda, at the opening of thd communal kitchen afe Silverstown, said there would inevitably be shortages of e«r-

\iin foods, but there was nothing alarming situation. It was only necessary to jhton our belts. Our privations were as toothing compared with Germany's. He was afraid that Britain ; would havo to adopt compulsory rationing, and had nearly completed a scheme which would be put in operation after Cabinet sanction. The production of British margarine had enormously increased, and ho hoped to have a big supply of butter and margarine in six months' time. Lord Rhondda added that he hoped to further reduce the priced tea. Ho appealed for patience regarding meat, of which there would be a great shortage during the next fortnight, but thereafter the situation would improve. The increase in edst for essential foodstuffs was under 60 per cent., and It had decreased 10 per cent, during the past six months. The Food Controller has ordered that from January 21 ohildren under 18 months shall bo allowed no more than a pint and a-half of milk daily, and those between 18 months and five years one pint. Invalids' allowances are to bo in quantities medically recommended. The food committees are to decide whether the scheme is necessary in their own areas. -' Mr Lloyd George, in a message to the agricultural labourers, appeals to them to do their utmost to grow more food. He says: ; Thero is a world-wide shortage of food, ne may havo to feed the army and navy, and also ourselves, on what we can grow here." Count Plunket is urging Irishmen to keep their food for their own needs, and not permit England to rob them of any of it. WEEK-END JVIEAT SHORTAGE. The butchers stood in longer queues than ever at Smithficld on Saturday, sth inst., gathering before daylight. The wholesalers are without supplies of mutton, but it is stated that tho Government arc releasing 2000 carcases of frozen mutton. A few Australian sheen and lambs were Bold at Smithficld. at ll|d per lb. The few rabbits released wore eagei'ly competed for at Government rates. The week-end meat (shortage, ia acute, the Smithficld supplies being 60 per cent, below requirements, The Government restricted the week-end sale of mutton from cold storage in tho East End and in munitions areas, and excluded tho West End. Tho Food Controller expresses tho opinion that farmer's ni;e not antagonistic ,$o fixed, graded prices for live cattle, but 4hey are slow thinkers, and are waiting to 800 results. If tho farmers continue not to

mai'kct their cattle he threatens to commandeer all stock. A large number of sheep are being marketed; but, as live meat prices have not been fixed, ,tho butchers are buying sheep at prices considerably above the equivalent value fixed for dead mutton. Thero is great competition in Londoir for corned beef and sausages. The extent of the fish queues everywhere is unprecedented, and high prices rule. Bones are eagerly purchased. The wholesale price of the best English wild rabbits is 3s 6d each. London magistrates are heavily fining food hoarders. Lady Goro Langton was fined £BO because eho bought sufficient tea for a year.- Miss Marie Corelli, tho novelist, was fined £7O. " Many Glasgow butchers have been heavily fined for selling meat at over tho fixed prices. LABOUR AND FOOD SUPPLY. The National Convention of the representatives of tho Trades Union Congress and the Labour party on the subject of the food supply has opened. A resolution was submitted protesting against tho unnecessary suffering in urban areas, especially among women, owing to the absenco of an equitable distribution of supplies, and demanding an equal distribution among tho rich and the poor, compulsory rationing in many articles, and, if possible, a better organisation of the milk supply. Mr Robert Smillio (president of tho Minora' Federation), in moving tho resolution, warned the Government of a grave crisis in tho country unless it acted fairly in the matter of tho food supply. Mr Clyries (secretary to tho Food Controller) accepted tho resolution. Ho said that no Government could apply any other policy. There was every indication of tho situation becoming better in tho great industrial centres. He ridiculed tho idea that the Government could commandeer and distribute tho food supply. Tho existing distributing agencies were essential. The resolution was adopted. THE SHIPPING QUESTION. Mr Charles Grasty, writing to the New York Times from London, says that ho has learned from a high source that the tonnage of British ships of more than 1600 tons lx'foro tho war aggregated 16.841,519 tone. The net losses, after deducting captures, purchases, and new construction total 2.750,000 tons. Tho present available shipping thus totals 14,091,519 tons.

The Canadian Government has decided to undertake on an extensive scale the building- of steel ships of from 50C0 to 10,000 tons. The existing shipyards will be utilised, and new ones will be established. Encouragement will be given to the laying down of steel-plate plants with the object of Canada producing her own steel plates. The Anglo-French steamship lines trading in tho North Atlantic have formed a conference, known as tho Atlantic Conference, with a view to arrival at an agreement upon tho passenger trade. Tho conference excludes enemy lines which were members before tho war. THE ALLIES' MAN-POWER. Official: Mr Barnes is presiding over a meeting of representatives of the Government and the Trade Unions' Association on Recruiting in connection with protected occupations. Sir Auckland Gcddcs stated that the War Cabinet had studied the man-power resources of all the belligerents. The Russian situation had completely altered the position during tho last six months; but the American armies would ultimately more than redress the balance of speed with which thoy could put forces into the field. Almost tho entire question was one of tonnage Meanwhile a great strain was thrown upon Britain's resources. There were three requisites for victory: increasing our output of shipping, saving tonnage, and the maintenance of armies in the field. Hence tho departure from existing arrangements was imperative, inasmuch as the maintenance of munitions was necessary both for tho technical and tho fighting units.

Tho Labourites are distinctly favourable to tho Government's outlined man-power proposal. An almost unanimous series of sectional conferences followed, at which tho details wero discussed with Sir Auckland Geddes, Minister of National Service. Sir Auckland Geddes, commenting on tho negotiations of tho trade union leaders regarding man-power, says there is no intention to send youths into tho fighting line before they reach 19 years of ago.

The French Chamber of Deputies ■ has decided to cull up the 1918 class. It was stated that Germany has already called up the 1920 class, intending to - make a formidable effort. M. Olemenceau said: We are fighting for victory, and must respond to tho actual necessities -without awaiting tho efforts of our Allies. Russia has deserted her duty, and masses of Germans have becoi transferred to the west front.

M. Clcmenceau regretted that it was "impossible to release the older lighters. EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS. A number of British officers and noncommissioned officers taken prisoner at the Heligoland light arrived in Holland front Germany; also a largo party of men who were in the Mons fighting. Tho latter were accorded a rapturous reception by tho Hollanders. The Allied Ambassadors read tho King's message and other welcomes, voicing tho thanks of tho Allies for the selfsacrifice of tho sadly-thinned rearguards which enabled the Franco-British armies to reach the Marne. The released men anxiously asked how the war was really going, and said : ''Tell the pcoplo at homo that their parcels saved us. The food provided by tho Germans was very bad." -The quarters for the released men at iSchweningen and The Hague include recreation grounds, clubs, hospitals, and workshops. Eighty-four British officers and 455 men have been released from Germany for internment in Switzerland. The Germans are sending hundreds of the Allied prisoners to Stuttgart camp, where they have been placed within the air raid danger zone. Turkish and British delegates have signed an agreement for the exchange of incapacitated prisoners on the basis of a low schedule of disability. Tho preliminary exchange will be 1000 Australians and British for 1500 Turks. The repatriation of civilians of non-military age has been arranged. The Telegraaf (Amsterdam) states that the British War Office representative has protested to the Dutch Government against the inadequate arrangements for the transference of wounded prisoners by ambulance train to the Red Cross steamer at tho Rotterdam gangways. The number of stretchers is insufficient. The Dutch superintendent of the wounded men is addressing a protest to Germany about the delays in the arrival of trains. GERMANY'S INTERNAL AFFAIRS. Baron Kaiserling, formerly Naval Attache at the German Embassy, and an old "friend of the ex-Czar, attached to the naval mission, has been interviewed. He admitted freely that Germany is feeling tho pinch, but says, that matters are not so bad as painted. There is a certain war weariness in Germany, but she is preto hold out a long time if necessary. America might be dangerous, but the Üboats will settle her. German merchantmen have not free access .to Russian waters, but the people's commissaries are taking precautions to guarantee them against British submarines, and the first German commercial squadron is expected to get there in time for the Russian Christmas.

The secretary of the German War Provision'ng Bureau, in the course of an interview, admitted that it was impossible for Germany to hope to get an appreciable quantity of foodstuffs from. Russia. One of the Moewe's captives, who has returned, says he saw starving men in German prison camps eating grass. Fifteen hundred prisoners perished of starvation monthly.

Vorwarts suggests that Germany should take the British taxation policy as a model on which to solve tax problems. The Berliner Tageblatt. discussing the question of polygamy, denies that the movement has official support, but admits the existence of polygamy, instancing the Eden colony, which has been established solely for the breeding of noble specimens of the human race, and several other organisations, all desiring to improve the birth-rate by rabbit-like multiplication. The heads of the Hungarian War Produce Office have left for Berlin to discuss the division of Russian wheat stocks.

General Leman, the gallant defender of Liege, in tho course of an interview, said tho whole of Germany desires peace. The pan-Germans want it with conquests; others without. The German army chiefs will forfeit their malign influence only when the Allies gain a definite victory.

NEW. ZEALANDERS IN LONDON. Y.M.C.A. officials declare that Mr Jamie-son's statement at Christchurch that nothing was done for New Zealanders is absolutely incorrect. Men aro met at the stations and taken to tho Shakespeare Hut, near the British Museum, where 320 beds are provided, a programme of sight-seeing and entertainment arranged, and meals supplied, covering tho Avholo period of 'their leave in London. The hostels accommodated 16,900 soldiers from all parts of the Empire last week, and the same system ie followed in. the provinces. Mr Jamieson must not expect the greatest city in the world to bo like a New Zealand glade under 'the tree ferns. Sir E. R. Henry, Commissioner of Police, declares that the speech is a gross' exaggeration, and fails to place blame on the right shoulders. Sir Thomas Mackenzie, in a letter to the newspapers, contradicts Mr Jamieson's charge that no care is taken of New Zealanders, but adds: " I intensely regret that I must agree regarding the laxity of the London street control over facilities for intemperance and immorality. I called official attention to these conditions, and continue to urge that effective legislation be provided." NEW ZEALANDERS HONOURED. Red Cross decorations of the second class have been awarded to tho following New Zealanders: —Misses F. Billington, M. Looney, S. M'Quan, L, Trumble, and J. Willis. Fourteen New Zealanders have' been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, and 16 New Zealanders have been awarded the Meritorious Servico Medal. His Majesty tho King, at Buckingham Palace, decorated Brigadier-general Freyburg with 'tho Victoria Cross. GENERAL NEWS. Tho Allies have purchased tho entire exportable Argentine wheat crop. The medical authorities at Jhienos Aires have reported that Count Luxburg has been ecceiitrio for a decade and ie insane now. All licensed premises in tho United Kingdom wero olosed_ on Sunday, January 6, 'this being a national day of_ prayer. Twenty-two Belgian civilians were executed at Ghent on December 20 for alleged espionage. Tho British War Office reports that Arabs of Hedpaz successfully raided, the railway southward of Maan, in Arabia, and also took prisoner tho garrison of an important nost farther south. A publio meeting has been arranged to be held at Westminster on the 10th inst. to protest against the return of the German colonies and to organise allied opinion against the return. Mr Bonar Law, Mr Austen Chamberlain,

.Lord liuckmastcr, M. Klotz, and M. Nitti (the French and Italian Ministers ofi'inance), and Mr Oscar Crosby (representing America) arc deliberating on tho inter-Alhed war purchases iinance. Juord Derby, m a Christmas message to tho French nation, says he hopes and believes that tho compig year will see all tho troops home again, having assured for tho. world the triumph of rignt over force. Tho Cologne Gazette, referring to Viceadmiral Sir llosslyn Wemyss's successful disembarkation of troops at Gallipoh, says; "vve look lor ward pieasurably to witnessing similar skill when tlie British army in France have been sent home."

Th-.» French war loan subscriptions exceed expectations, totalling ±K»UO,OUO,OQO, exclusive of • foreign contributions.

The Chamber empowered tho Government to requisition -tnc whole of the mercantile fleet.

The subscriptions for Hungary's seventh war loan total 3,C00,Q00,000 kroner. The Government conhdentiy expected 8,000,000,000. inc banks were trie cinef subscribers tho pubiio subscriptions being insignificant. A White Book pubiisnes correepondenco between Berlin and the Court ot Athens, which discloses, contrary to the allegations of the Greek Ministers at Berlin and Vienna, that Bulgaria entered the war alter receiving compensation to Greece's detri-

ment. .a now provision under the Defence ot the Realm Act prohibits the residents of tiie United Kingdom from sending remittances, without written permission, for subscription to any loan, or as capital lor purchasing any property except merchandise, or tno purchase of foreign value, or as an investment. It therefore becomes necessary that telegraphic instructions to the United ior payment of remittances outside of the United Kingdom must be accompanied by a few words of explanation. Tho Bankers' Magazine's review of the fluctuations hi values on the Stock Exchange shows that 367 representative stocks have decreased £771,000,000, equal to 23 per cent., since tho outbreak of the war. The tion in 1917 amounts to £158,000,000, which was entirely due to the decline in American railroad securities, amounting to £160,000,000 for which America's flotation of £1,000,000,000 in War loans -is mainly responsible. Many British commercial securities appreciated largely in 1917, especially shares in breweries, canals, and docks. Shipping, insurance, banks, and British Indian funds also moved downwards. Colonial stocks slightly improved. AUSTRALIAN ITEMS. Owing to Government restrictions, the Melbourne and Brisbane stadiums have been closed until after the war. The enlistments for 1917 totalled 46,729. Up to date 7597 (? 17,597) war pensions have been granted in the Commonwealth, involving an annual expenditure of £2,540,323. ■ . The annual report of the New South Wales Public Health Department notes as a remarkable fact that, despite the mental stress and grief of. the war, mental cases are below the aVerago of pre-war years. There is some criticism in the Canadian press of Mr Hughes's announcement, received by mail, that the Australian Government had allotted contracts for wooden * shipbuilding to the United States. It is pointed out that, while both coasts of Canada are able to build an unlimited number of wooden ships, Canada Was not given an opportunity to tender. AUSTRALIANS REORGANISED. Senator Pearce, Minister of Defence, has disposed of any existing doubt regarding the reorganisation of the First and Second Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, which originally included one New Zealand and five Australian divisions. All' five Australian divisions have been concentrated into what will be known from January I as the Australian Army Corps. What was the old Second Australian and New Zealand Army Corps will now consißt of New Zealand and British troops, and will be no longer known by its former name "Anzac," which ceases to have significance.