BRITAIN'S FOOD PROBLEM.

Otago Witness, Issue 3331, 16 January 1918, Page 16

BRITAIN'S FOOD PROBLEM.

Lord Rhondda cables that he views the food situation in Britain with grave anxiety, and he will be unable now to avoid compulsory rationing in England. The Food Controller has fixed 2s as the maximum price of a wild rabbit, or Is 9d if skinned, including imported rabbit. The price of part of a rabbit will be lOd per lb, skinned and cleaned. A new Public/ Meals Order, to be issued shortly, prohibits meat, poultry, and game for breakfast at hotels, restaurants, and clubs j totally abolishes the sale of glasses of milk; non-resident customers must provide sugar, and meals will be strictly rationed in accordance with the voluntary scale. Cattle will be requisitioned in the different areas supplying a fixed number weekly. . '. Lord Rhondda has completed a national vgard rationing system. It will be applied first to butter and margarine, and later to inilk, and probably cheese. Tho Daily Chronicle states that a regulation is to be issued putting provincial butchers on half-supplies of meat. Next week sheep prices will be controlled. Meat queues were more prevalent at the week-end. Many cities were without meat, and the butchers did not open their shops. Except on . '•' meatless" day in Britain, the Government will not apply the ration regulation to private houses, where it is impossible to ensure its enforcement. It is understood the Government is commandeering the output of margarine on three days every week. The Treasury has granted £850,000 for cold storage extensions at different ports, including Devonport, Manchester, Liverpool, Cardiff, and Bristol, the aim being to increase the frozen produce reserves of Great Britain from a six weeks' supply to a 12 weeks' supply. There are only 8000 tons of insulated rolling stock in 'Great Britain out of 50,000 covered railway meat-carrying cars. The authorities propose to , immediately insulate 20,000 meat-carrying vans, which, will _ be sufficient to serve 20 full-sized meat ships. WHEAT SUPPLY. America proposes to export 90,000,000 bushels of wheat to meet the shortage in Allied countries, and the Government will rigidly limit American home consumption. Never within living memory has so much wheat been sown in England as was sown last ' autumn. The Food' Department expects three, million acres additional to be under corn. An important agreement has been completed between Argentina and representatives of the Anglo-French Governments regarding the Allied purchase of the Argentine wheat crop. Argentina will grant Great Britain and France credit to the extent of £10,000,000 to facilitate the purchase and keep the rate of exchange normal. NEW ZEALAND MEAT. Sir T. Mackenzie received a deputation from the New Zealand Agents' Association, who complained that the Food Controller had taken New Zealand meat from the Board of Trade and was distributing it through the Wholesale Meat Supply Association., contrary to the terms of the original agreement whereby the Board of Trade agreed to distribute it through agents nominated by the producers. The deputation asserted that tho alteration, if it became permanent, would detrimentally affect tho New Zealand trade, and asked that steps be taken to revert to the original terms. Sir T. Mackenzie promised to approach the Board of Trade. He assumed that this was an emergency measure. ADMIRALTY CHANGES. Rear-admiral Fremantle is the only member of the new Board of Admiralty who did not serve under Sir John Jellicoe. He takes the post of Deputy Chief of Staff, vice Vice-admiral Sir H. F. Oliver, who returns to a sea command. Rear-admiral Hope becomes Deputy First Sea Lord. Rear-admirals H. L. Heath. L. Halsey, and H. H. B. Tothill retain their positions. The creation of an Air Council means the abolition of the post of Fifth Sea Lord. Vice-admiral Sir Rosslyn Wemyss will exercise the double function o,f Chief of Staff and First Sea Lord, dealing with largo questions of policy and fleet distribution operations. Tho Deputy Chief of Staff will act in the Chief's absence. Anpointmeiits will be determined by merit, not by seniority. The British Admiralty announces that Mr Arthur Francis Pease has been appointed Second Civil Lord of the Admiralty. The new appointment has been made to deal «. with the increased administrative work. . The Admiralty changes include the promotion of Charles Mcrz, an electrical consulting engineer, as unpaid Director of Experiments "and Research. It is authoritatively explained that, while' tho composition of the new Admiralty Board does not indicate any great change, really a great change will_ bo effected.; Moreover, seniority lias not influenced the .selection of tho new directors. The Firs! Lord seized the opportunity to form a practically ideal Naval General Staff. The operations will be divided into thred bureaus —namely, _ Home waters, overseas, and trade protection. Tho First Sea Lord will be concerned solely with largo questions of naval policy, tho distribution and lighting efficiency of tho fleet, general direction of war upera-

tions, and (superintendence) of the Naval Staff. The Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff will bo solely concerned about operations in Homo waters, without infringing the responsibility of the Commander-in-chief of tne Grand Fleet. The Deputy .First Sea Lord will deal with overseas questions, and the Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff will be responsible for anti-submarine measures, convoying merchantmen, and mine-sweeping in Home waters. ARMY PAY ROLL. The British War Cabinet has decided to increase the pay of subalterns during the war to a minimum of half a guinea daily. Substantial increases in nay arc also to be irar.ted to captains and majors, and an Allowance for children of £2 each monthly up to a maximum of £8 for subalterns and captains, and half the foregoing for majors. The ago limvta are extended to 18 for boys and 21 for unmarried girls. This practically corresponds with the increases, in allowances generally made for all junior naval officers. 'lt is "estimated that the foregoing concessions will cost initially £7,500,000 annually. GERMANY'S PLIGHT. The New York World's Berne correspondent has interviewed a prominent neutral who has returned to Switzerland after Spending several months in Germany. He gays the food situation is a tragedy. . Only the richest are able to stave off the pangs of hunger. Dogs are seldom seen, all having been eaten. Dysentery is raging, and he saw terrible ravages on the health and stamina of adults in Berlin, including many cases of hernia, owing to loss of girth. He was amazed at the voracious and disgusting habits of eating. In the best hotels only one helping is allowed, but diners would fill their plates and eat with animal ferocity. Mulnutrition among the people has resulted in a diminished production. The output of the munition factories has greatly declined. Prices of food were fabulous. Geese brought 30dol each; soap is unobtamThe clamour for peace is heard among all classes, particularly the workers. _ The people are hoping that the negotiations with Russia will relieve their starvation and *bpen the door for a general peace. The spirit of unrest and incipient revolt is spreading. The political prisons at Spandau are overflowing, and only the German iron discipline prevents a revolution. Berlin regards the Kaiser coldly, and all classes detest the Crown Prince, because he lives in luxury in glaring contrast with the awful hardships of the troops. Germany is endeavouring to prevent the circulation of leaflets from a suppressed article in the Vorwarts stating that many are dying of sheer hunger, and all are suffering. They will not always remain silent. Germany is on the verge of losing the war. Repatriated Britons from Germany express the opinion that the whole country is blighted. During a journey occupying 26 hours they passed only two trains and saw only three chimneys from, which smoke Was coming. Nothing was being sold in the streets, and all life seemed to be susE ended. The male population being on the ghting fronts, the women and children remain within unheated and unlighted houses. Germany is standing the hunger test patiently, and her endurance may last a long time yet. There is no doubt that Germany is short of food. Our guards tfrould pounce on bits in the swill tubs at British camps. Many towns were in darkness, owing to coal shortage. Women were employed on the railways as platelayers and firemen. There was much; Socialistic talk among the soldiers, who describe the war as mere folly. Router's correspondent at the British Headquarters reports that a letter Jfound upon a dead German relates that a* great explosion at Greisheim recently was followed by a hugo fire, which spread .rapidly, causing the explosives shed to blow up, and a number of persons were killed. The disaster caused many inhabitants of Greisheim to fleo to Frankfort. AUSTRIA-PIUNGARY. A Vienna telegram states, that there is an open conflict between the Austrian and Hungarian Governments owing to Hungary's proposal to create an independent Hungarian army. Tho Austrian Government, having conferred with the Emperor, has decided against the proposal. GERMANY'S LARGE ORDER. General von Liebert, speaking at the Conservative Congress _ at Halle, said: We hold that might is right, and must know neither sentiment nor humanity nor compassion. We shall incorporate Courland, with its 60,000,000 Russians. Tho Slav nightmare must ride us no longer. We must have Belgium and Northern Franco. The curse of God is upon the French people. Tho Portuguese possessions must disappear. France must pay until sho is bled white. FURTHER ATROCITIES IN BELGIUM. It is learned from official Belgian sources that 58 executions occurred in Belgium recently, totalling 170 executed during the yea;!' for patriotic crimes. The victims includo 10 women, three being between 14 and 16 years of age, and several boys under 20-r-all supposed to be guilty of spying. Tho Germans forced two girls to witness tho death of their mother and father, and then shot the girls when they refused to givo information. Another girl of 16, convicted of carrying letters across the frontier, pleaded for life up to the last moment, and was shot while kneeling. GERMANY'S LOST COLONIES. Tho conference of British Workers' League inaugurated a Gorman Lost f Colonies Committee, which opposes tho reurning of any colonies to Germany. Tho ioaguo carried a resolution repudifitiwg tho Labour party's proposals. Mr M'Call, in jnoving tho resolution, said it was essential for a permanent poaco that Germany shvuU havo no jumping-off places in tho Pacific or South Afrioa. Intel-nationalisation of tho dolonics was impractioablo,_ Ho urg*l gultation with the dominions. Messrs J. Soddon and Favernor supported tho motion. Professor Elliot, in the New York World, omphasisos tho fact that Australia will not Consent to return tho German colonies. It |s in America's interests that those colonies bo not restored, because tho task of enforcing peace will be more difficult if Germany is able to create fortified ports and

depots in tho Pacific, in Africa, and in Asia.

ANOTHER NEW ZEALANDER WINS V.O.

Eighteen additional Victoria Closes havo been awarded, including ono to Private Henry James Nicholas, a New Zcalandcr, for conspicuous bravery and devotion to dutv in an attack. Nicholas belonged to a Lewis machine gun section,, which was ordered to form a defensive flank to tho right of tho advanco, which was subsequently checked by tho enemy at a strong point. Nicholas rushed forward alono and shot the officer in command of the strong point, and overcamo tho garison of 16 by means of bombs and his bayonet, capturing 400 prisoners and a machine gun practically single-handed, and saving many casualties. Subsequently, when the advanco reached its limit, Nicholas collected ammunition under a heavy machine gun and rifle fire. His exceptional valour and coolness throughout the operations were an inspiring example.

PRIVATE NICHOLAS'S CAREER. Private Henry James Nicholas, VC, enlisted in the Thirteenth Reinforcements. Ho has not been wounded or suffored illnes in any way, though he has been in the firing line all the time. Prior to his Enlistment he was apprenticed to Mr Martin (builder, St. Albans). After serving hi 3 time ho wont to Australia, whero ho followed the trade for about four years, and then returned to New Zealand. Ho was here for only a few months in different parts of Canterbury before he enlisted. He is a native of Canterbury, having been born at Lincoln, and was educated at the Normal and East Christchurch > Schools. He was a good sportsman, boxing being the particular branch in which he specialised. When at Sling camp _ (England) he won the middle-weight boxing championship for his regiment. He was well known In New Zealand as an amateur boxer. His trainer was Dick Mayze. _ Before leaving New Zealand Private Nicholas was a member of No. 1 Company, Field Engineers (Territorials). He has another brother. Ernest, who is at present in England. 'This brother left with the Twelfth Reinforcements, and his elder brother, Frederick, left with the Main Body, and was wounded at Gallipoli, and has since returned. Another brother _is under the military ago, Private Nicholas is the second son of Mr and Mrs R. Nicholas, 35 Berry street, St. Albans, Christchurch, and is 26 years of age. THE NEW ZEALAND FORCES. The New Zealand war correspondent cabled as follows on January 7:—During tho last week our front has been very quiet, but to-day there were a few concentrated bursts of artillery fire. Entertainmonts behind the lines include lectures by Sir Richard Lodge on historical subjects and by Mr J. J. Bennett on tho work of the navy. A daily news _ sheet is now being issued from the divisional printing press. Subscriptions to the New Zealand war loan during December amounted to over £12,000. The Maori battalion headed the list with £4500. Military medals have been awarded to J. Foley and R. Withers (of the Otago Regiment) and A. R. Penman (Engineers). LABOUR VIEWS. ! The conference of the Clyde committees of tho Engineering and Shipbuilding Federation met at Glasgow ■ and considered the; new man-powor proposals of the Government. It was resolved to instruct the Executive Council to request the Government to withdraw the new Manpower Bill before January; failing this they would ask the Clyde members to "down tools." They also_ asked the Government to call an international conference to discuss the question of peace._ The """Parliamentary Committee of the Trade Union Congress and the executive of tho Labour party decided to recommend tho Labour-Socialist parties in all Allied countries, including America, to meet in London on February 20 to consider the Allied war aims. \ CANADA. The Canadian Government is planning to conscript alien unskilled labour to work farms, mines, and other necessary national industries, owing to the shortage of labour beginning to be felt. . Tho announcement of tho final figures for the Australian - conscription referendum has reopened editorial comment in the Canadian press. Regret is again expressed at Australia's decision, which is regarded as a blow to the British cause, giving evidence of weakened morale. The papers remark that there are indications that the figures aro only too likely to cause rejoicing among our enemies. Some newspapers suggest that Mr Hughes ought to again appeal to the country on purely a conscription issue, and enforce the law if returned. Emphasis is placed on the vital need for men. GENERAL NEWS. It is reported from Amsterdam that tho Austrian Emperor Karl is about to visit tho Sultan of Turkey at Constantinople. Tho British Army Council has fixed new maximum prices for New Zealand hemp. God to fair, £99; high-point, £97; fair, £96. Lord French opened an Imperial War Exhibition at Burlington House, London, of pictures and trophies. New Zealand is well represented. Tho Liberal Unionists havo passed a resolution urging the British Government to extend conscription to Ireland, so as to ensure equality of sacrifice. Last week's subscription to the British war bonds through the banks were a record. Tho total subscribed to the end of 1917 exceded £137,000,000, Private Harry Mitchell, a New Zcalonder, while Walking in a dark lane in Essex, was accidentally killed. A motor car overtook him, and tho starting handle pinned him to the earth. Two New Zealanders—Lieutenant Howard Ellis, of tho Royal Flying Corps, and Private V. S. Pace, — who were prisoners of war, have arrived in England. Nineteen other New Zealanders have reached Switzerland.

Hi* Majesty the King exchanged Now Year messages with the Emperor of Japan, the warm friendship of the peoples boing mutually offered and accepted, and tho rank of .Field Marshal conferred upon tho Emperor. Over JQOO labourers are Idle In Donmark Tho factories are closed, owing to lack of raw materials, and Industry is threatened with complete catastrophe, involving great distress among the workers.

A Berlin official threatens to transfer 600 ■Frenchmen to Russia and 400 women to Heylzmenden camp as a reprisal for the French retention of inhabitants of Alsace and Lorraine contrary to the Law of Nations l . .Sir T. Mackenzie states that since the establishment of the New Zealand Soldiers' Club every : 'leave" train is met in London. Nearly' 30,000 soldiers have been accommodated, and there has been only one arrest. New Zealand women worked unsparingly for the benefit- of the troops to preserve a homo atmosphere. A National 'Conference of shop stewards, held at Manchester, representing the engineers and shipbuilding workers, declined to accept any agreement regarding the manpower proposals that may be reached between the trade unions and the Government. The conference demanded that tho Government should accept the Russian invitation to .discuss the question of peace. A Germanophile paper, the Zurich Post, declares that the war has destroyed Germany's policy of commercial penetration In the Entente countries and America. Germany must abandon her sea-power idea and endeavour to secure expansion bv land. The Deutsche Tapes Zeitung declares that the war was caused by Germany dumping cheap goods all over the world. Official: The Treasury and Minister of Reconstruction have appointed a committee of 13 to consider problems in connection with the currency and foreign exchange during the period of reconstruction, and report what steps are required to restore normal conditions. Lord Cunliffe (Governor of the Bank of England) will be chairman, and Lord Inchcape, Mr R. W. Jeans (general manager of the Bank of Australasia), Mr Charles Addis (of the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank) will be members. AUSTRALIAN ITEMS. The Australian casualties to dato total 225,874, including 41,386 dead, 113,825 wounded, and 62,572 sick. • In asking for Supply in the Federal House of Representatives the Treasurer (Si 7 John Forrest) stated that the half-year's war expenditure out of revenue amounted to £15,788,600. ••;' . Mr Cook announced substantial increases in the pay of members of the Australian navy. CENSORSHIP. An (interesting controversy has arisen between Mr ' Fitzgerald (Minister of Health) and Senator Pearce respecting tho operation of the censorship. Senator Pearce challenged Mr Fitzgerald to produce evidence of a single instance wherein deletions had been made in tho war news from Britain. Mr Fitzgerald accepted the challenge, publishing the expunged oaseages ir a recent message referring solely to football matches among the Australian Forces. Commenting on such censorship, he said it was" of a particularly poisonous kind, because it was political censorship for party ourposes. adding: "If Senator Pearce wants further instances he can have them, not singly, but in battalions." Senator Ponrco (Minister of Defence) evasively replying to the Sydney Sun's censorship comments, maintained that a particular message had never been published in England, but was sent direct by a London representative, and therefore it was not a case in point. The Sun states that Senator Pearco's challenge contained no reference to publication in London. Tho fact remains that tho British Censor passed a cable message which was_ interfered with hero, and no farcical military explanation would do away with tho fact that it was a political censorship.