4,000,000 ACRES FOR FOOD.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 14234, 28 February 1917, Page 3

4,000,000 ACRES FOR FOOD.

LABOR CONFERENCE'S DEMANDS

LONDON, December 2A. f Far-reaching proposals for increas.ng the production of home-grovvn food were, made by a. National Labor Conference' held at the Central Hall, Westminster, which was 'attended by 860 delegates representing, among other bodies, 220 trade unions, 162 co-operative societies, 65 trades councils, and 20 labor parties. The conference demanded by resolution that the State should take over at least 4,000,000 acres of land at present abandoned to grass oi- fallow, including' private parks, and, secure sufficient labor and machinery -to'"- cultivate this large area. It was also demanded that local authorities should be empowered to utilise every available acre m their districts, aud that capital should be advanced to them and to co-operative societies for this purpose. ■ , \ Other resolutions described the Government plans for controlling food prices as inadequate, and declared for ' the : Fixing the price of the quartern loat at 6d, any loss to be borne by the State. Purchase by the Government of all . essential imported foodstuifs. Commandeering jor controlling of home products, such as meat, wheat, oats, barley, potatoes, and milk. Commandeering of ships and controlling of freights. , . Placing on the retail markets of ail supplies so obtained and controlled, at prices which would secure the full benefit of Government action to the consumer. Proportional regulation, on a family • , basis, of the sale of any foodstuffs of which there is a shortage. .Tlie conference also urged that coal and other necessaries of life should be dealt with on similar lines. "If the Government will not accept the views of organised labor," said Mr T. E. Naylor, "Tabor will deal with the Government. " "Unless yon remember that you cannot get sufficient food abroad under present conditions, you are going to be face to face with famine and general 'surrender," .said Mr H. M. Hyndman. "Refuse to have anything to do with any Government that does not guarantee to develop the four million acres and find that food." '

The cable news m this Issue accredited to the London Times has appeared In that journal, but only where expressly stated la sucb news tot IQitorlal