THE PELORUS GUARDIAN and Miners’ Advocate. TUESDAY, MAY 8, 1917. CALL FOR ECONOMY.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 29, Issue 35, 8 May 1917, Page 3

THE PELORUS GUARDIAN and Miners’ Advocate. TUESDAY, MAY 8, 1917. CALL FOR ECONOMY.

New Zealand, usually regarded as-a country with full and plenty, is at last feeling the pinch in one or two essentials. The food problem is now eausing grave concern in nearly all the countries 'directly affected by the dislocation of shipping, and it has long been recognised that even in this remote corner of the world, there •would sooner or later be a call from the Government foi the exercise of strict economy. This note of warning has now been sounded by Sir James Allen, who urges the people of the Dominion to "make up their minds to act with the strictest economy m everything. ”A further dew ease of shipping facilities,” he says, “may mean that all available space must be used exclusively for dealing with foodstuffs and absolute necessities, and if it comes to this the people will have to get along without many things which they think are necessaries at the present time.” We have an example of the direct effect the loss of a few relief ships has -had on the Belgians,, the mortality amongst these unfortunate people having trebled since the Germans began torpedoing relief ships. Wc are pleased to note that the Government has recognised the serious position that is likely to arise in the Dominion as the result of a shortage of wheat, and is taking steps to ensure a larger supply being sown next season. It has been suggested that in addition to rendering assistance to wheat growers, the Government should assume control of the stocks in the Dominion, and also take steps to secure supplies from the Commonwealth. If this course is taken the present supplies may be conserved, and the price of bread to consumers kept down to reasonable limits. Great Britain is dependent on outside sources for about TO pei- cent, of her food supplies, and the folly and national danger of allowing her productiveness in foodstuffs to sink to such a low level is being forcibly brought home by the submarining policy of Germany. One reform of the war will no doubt be in the direction, of remedying this state of affairs. For national safety there should be a larger proportion of the workers employed in the essential industry of food production. Although New Zealand is a large exporter of foodstuffs, hardly enough wheat is grown for our own requirements, and the danger of neglecting this essential food product is already apparent. A country that is independent of outside markets is the country that can keep down the cost of living, for it will be' practically unaffected by submarining. It should be the aim of Government to legislate in the direction of increasing the locallygrown food supplies.