BRITAIN'S FOOD SHORTAGE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3335, 13 February 1918, Page 15

BRITAIN'S FOOD SHORTAGE.

The Ministry of Food announces the early establishment throughout tho country of a system of communal kitchens. These are to bo owned and managed by the local authorities, the Government providing 25 per cent, of the initial outlay, and guaranteeing 25 per oent. of the initial Working expenses. Thes9 kitchens will be for the use of all classes. In the House of Commons Mr dynes stated that the- application of compulsory rationing had been postponed to April or May. Lord Rhondda is indemnifying against prosecution all food-hoarders who surrender their supplies between February 11 and 18, pointing out that it is believed that

many havo become liable to prosecution by inadvertence. , 'Lord Rhondda, addressing members ot Parliament, expressed the view that the food situation will be at its most difficult stage in the next two months. He asked members to give him all help possible in their constituencies. , _„+s«ti The Press Bureau reports that the ration of moat, sugar, and tea has been reduced for thos* engaged in home service, except those under 19 years of. .age who are m training for foreign service. The reduced ration compares favourably with the field ration for most other armies Mr W. J. M. M'Caw, M.P. fofc West Down was charged at Oxtes with foodhoarding the hoard including 1641 b of rice, IMb of biscuits: and 1021 b of .sugar at-his country house, and 1001 b of rice, 1321 b of topioca and other goods at his town house in Eaton square. He was fined .£4OO. The United (States food administration has limited the supply of wheat bread for hotel and restaurant meals to a 2oz lation, the same as in England. „:„ r i Q^l The Argentine Government has rescinded the decree prohibiting the export of wheat. THE WEEKLY'"MEAT RATION. The Food Controller has decided that 15d worth will be the weekly ration of butcher s meat; but this also allows the Adders of meat-cards bat purchase an amount of other meats, including bacon,, poultry, rabbits, and preserved meat, equivalent to soz uncooked butcher's meat. He has also prohibited the use of oatmeal, flour, rolled, and flaked oats for any purpose except human lood.. The Eood Controller's meat rationing echnme for London JHomo Counties, which was issued ito-day, provides for the use ot meat-cards bearing four coupons, each ot which enables r.ho making of purchases dur--'ioa the week of fivepence wortn ot uncooked meat; alternatively with uncooked poultry, game, or horseflesh, ranging trom soz so 12£oz of boneless or 4oz of bony, unbooked* ham or bacon,. alternatively with 6oz to Boz of uncooked,sausages, according to the meat .content; alternatively with any of tho foregoing in a cooked canned state, or as sandwiches or meat pies, between 2Aoz and 4oz. Public eating-house keepers Will collect tho coupons with respect to tho meals, served. LEAGUE OF NATIONS. Tho King's Speech in proroguing Parliament stated that America's entry into the war, followed by other countries, practically united the whole of tho civilised worm in a league of nations against unscrupulous aggression. The Russian negotiations with the enemy proved that tho enemy's ambiHaons, which provoked the unhappy war, o.ro unabated. The British military and naval forces had displayed to all theatres of the war a uoblo courage, high constancy, and fixed determination. Tho dominion forces had borne their full share in the toil and glory of the clay. Tho Convention of Canterbury passed a resolution recommending tho popple of tho Empire to- sympathetically -consider the formation of a union of freo nations for the preservation of permanent peace. The Archbishop of Canterbury said that tho world wouid escape the horrors of war only when a change comes over men's iKearto, causing them to abandon ambitions founded on aggression stnd greed. The Chicago Daily News Rome corrc-. spondciH has interviewed Cardinal Gasmarri, who said that tho Vatican favours |Ji» abolition of conscription after the war.

This "Was the only method of limiting anna menu. Voluntary service had proved fully effective in peace times. Evidence of this was found in the fact that England, Canada and Australia relied wholly on volunteers in peace time. But war haa compelled England and America to adopt conscription, as volunteers proved insufficient for new military needs. LABOUR AND THE WAR. The Daily Telegraph--states that though a demonstration at Glasgow on the 3rd denounced thd Man-power Bill, the general situation on the Clyde during the weekend has improved. Meetings in various shipyards and engineering shops pledged themselves to support the Government. On the other hand, a meeting at Newcastle on-Tyne supported the Amalgamated- Engineers' executive*. The' result of a large and representative meeting of the Clyde engineering and shipbuilding trades 9th confirms the view that a more reasor-able attnude is prevailing on the OlycV regarding tho Manpower Bill. Iho meeting resolved to await the decision allied Labour-Socialist Conference—en the 20th hist., and to rediscuss tho question after the conference. Tho select committee upon military exemptions recommends tho appointment of a parliamentary committee to investigate the recruiting system, thus givnig Parliament a close control over the nation's manhood. Sir Auckland Geddos attended the Manpower Conference at Westminster, at which the Amalgamated Society of Engineers refused to be represented. » Mr J. H. Thomas, secretary of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, suggested a separate conference between the National Service Ministry and the Amalgamated Society of Engineers, but a very large majority of the conference rejected thf' proposal, and substituted a proposal to invite'tho Amalgamated Society of Engineers to meet representatives of all unions at. a conference which w&3 not attended by any Government official. SOUTH .AFRICA AND CONSCRIPTION. General Botha, at »,tho opening of the recruiting conference, said that 29 per cent, of the eligible men iv South Africa between the ages of 18 and 42 had participated in the war. He declined a suggestion to adopt conscription, declaring that they had enough trouble in the country without creating more. What had happened in Australia had been a shock to men like himself, who wanted to assist in the war. Conscription would simply mean having to recall men from Flanders to put down troublo in South Africa. Ha also declined a proposal to conscript Britishborn residents, as involving class legislation. At n recruiting conference a resolution urging the Government to enforce the principle of .compulsion generally or to apply it to British-born subjects was negatived in favour of an amendment regretfully recognising the impossibility of enforcing compulsion under the prevailing conditions in South Africa. The South African General Recruiting Conference passed a resolution that, while regarding .conscription as only right in principle, tho conference recognises the impossibility of its introduction under prevailing conditions. The conference pledged itsolf to recloublo its efforta under tho voluntary syfttom.

CANADIAN PRECAUTIONS. With the object of saving fuel the Canadian Government has orcfered manufacturers, including munitions, but excepting those _ producing food, to close for three days next week. The Government has also ordered theatres to close every Monday until the 25th of March. It is announced that the Government has no intention, despite 'the pressure brought to bear, of rescinding the order prohibiting the importation of liquor. i : AN IMPORTANT DECISION. The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council has allowed the Hamburg-Amerika line's appeal against the Prize Court judgment confiscating two liners seized at Falmouth in 1915. The court based its judgment upon The Hague Convention, and held that the circumstances attending the seizure were euch that the vessels were only liable .to detention during the war.. The effect of the judgment is to reserve all rights for decision till the war is concluded, and the German Government's views regarding the construction of the convention are ascertainable. JAPAN'S. AMBITIONS. , The Manchester Guardian is publishing 'the Russian' Foreign Office archives. It givea the text of despatches from M. Krupensky, Ambassador at Tokio. M. Krupensky mentions a conversation with Mr Motono, Japanese Foreign Minister, in February, 1917, relative to Chinas proposed intervention in the war. Mr pointed out that it was necessary to safeguard Japan's interests at the Peace Conference and secure" the Allies' support for Japanese aspirations in Shantung Province and the Pacific Islands. Mr Montono said that Japan desired all the rights and privileges hitherto possessed by Germany in the Shantung Brovince; also the acquisition of the Pacific islands north of the Equator then occupied by Japan. He added that recent Japanese and British relations justified the surmise 'that the British Cabinet would not object. M. Krupensky. in a despatch dated March 1. stated that Japan desired the earliest assurance of Russia's support. Win-I THE NEW ZEALANDERS. (Special from the Official War Correspondent. February 1.) WELLINGTON, February 4. Our sector remains quiet, and there is little to report. '■'Snipers claim two hits," which frequently appears in our daily report, indicates the normal state of infantry activity in the front line. There is, in nddition to tho usual patrol work, machinegun end trench-mortar fire.- The field and heavy artillery fire remains normal. In some sectors the enemy have been showing a disposition to fraternise, but they o-et little encouragement. Two Germans who walked along their parapet unarmed were fired upon, and one was hit. A dog made its way into our lines with a German message tied round his neck: "Best wishes from your- companions in misfortune. What is tho position aa regards peace?" The company strength, of tho enemy opposito our sector is said to be weak,_ but we hear reports of new divisions coming westward from the Russian front. Also, the German artillery and tho enemy planes are less active than formerly, and there is but little aeroplane bombing in our back area. Clear,

frosty weather has been followed by a thick ground fog. r The men are employed preparing ground for tho cultivation of vegetables on a largo scale. The vegetables produced will be purehasd by the army, the proceeds being devoted to paying the rent of tho land and tho cost of the plants and seeds, and to build up a credit in the army agricultural fund. , Liberal leave to tho United Kingdom, Paris, and tho South of Franco is being granted Military Medals haye been awarded to Lance-corporal W. G. Bowles and Rifleman W. E. Hallam, of the New Zealand Rifles, and. Corporal F. G. Gleeson, of the Engineers. HONOURS FOR NEW ZEALANDERS. Tho bar t'> tho Military Medal has been awarded to a New Zealander, Sergeant S. G. Foot. He took command of a platoon after its officer had become a casualty, and when a strongly-held trench was "encountered ho took prisoner 39 .men, together with soven machine guns, consolidated -tho ground, and held on until wounded. The Distinguished Conduct Medal has been awarded to 21 New Zealanders. Military Crosses have been awarded to the following New Zealanders:—Captain R. C. Browster, M. H. Gray, R, F. Mitchell (of Dunedin), Lieutenants J. N. Hines, A. C. Hunter, H. Johnston, D. M'Auloy, C. J. Pierce, Second-lieutenants A. Faxquhar, C. A. Gray, and R. N. Gray. Military Medals have been awarded to 17 New Zealanders. GERMANY'S LOST COLONIES. Tho German Union of South Sea Firms has addressed a memorandum to the Reichstag, which declares that if, at the peace agreement, the German Government consents to withdraw its flag from the Pacific Ocean, German world-activity will be irreparably restricted. Germany must possess her own stations and trade routes, and prevent the enemies', blockade retaining its effectiveness after the war. The possession of these stations involves German prestige politically and economically, and Germany's industry, shipping, and trade. The memorandum, therefore, demands the retention of Germany's former spheres of activity on the other side of the globe. These, it says, cannot be abandoned without immeasurable injury to German national economics. Commenting upon Mr Massoy s view given at an interview, that Germany ought not to be allowed to recover Samoa, the Canadian press endorses the view that the oversea dominions ought to be represented at tho Peace Conference. "It is pointed out that if Canada conquered any German territory she would vigorously object to relinquish it. GENERAL NEWS. In the House of Lords the Non-ferrous Metals Bill was read a third time. Tho International Red Cross Society is appealing to belligerents to abolish the use of poison gas. * The Press Bureau states that the embargo on Dutch cables has been provisionally raised. ■ ~ The Archbishop of Canterbury states that out of 2422 Church of England chaplains 21 have been killed and 90; wounded; while 166 have received decorations. He added that 350 are required .yearly to meet the wastage. . '• TT . , Lord Newton stated in the House of Lords that out of 50,000 war prisoners in the United Kingdom 41,000 were employed, mostly on such work as road-makmg. ihere wore 4200 engaged in agriculture lhe balance were unfits There were also 29 000 civilian internees, of whom about 2000 were working, chiefly in agriculture. . With the object of protecting the business interests of- men who 'have been called up, I the Minister-of National Service. QSir Auckland Geddes) has prohibited, except under license, the establishment of new retail businesses or of branches of existing business**. Licenses will be granted to soldier wives to carry on their husbands' businesses. Official: Tho Allies have agreed to supply Holland with a limited amount of imports bv Dutch vessels conditional on the Ames employing the remainder of the Dutch tonnage for transport work outside the danger zone. It is untrue that the Allies demanded that Holland .should entirely cease exporting to Germany. The Press Bureau reports that fair Carson's resignation has necessitated tho appointment of a Minister for propaganda, work. Lord Cawley, believing that the propaganda Ministry can be bined with the Chancellorship of the Duchy of Lancaster, has resigned the latter position, and Lord Beaverbrook has been appointed to the joint position of Propaganda Minister and Chancellor of, the Duchy of Lancaster. AUSTRALIAN ITEMS. Mr Hughes has announced that the British Ministry of Munitions has purchased tho copper out put to June of this fear, excepting such as is required for local consumption. The purchase involves an outlay of £2,150,000. . The new regulations under the War Precautions Act empower tho Commonwealth to control the movements of every vessel registered in Australia. Negotiations have been completed tor the purchase by the Commonwealth of the State shipbuilding yards a . Williamstown for £20,000. The Commonwealth has taken possession.