THE FOOD PROBLEM.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 1012, 10 May 1917, Page 7

THE FOOD PROBLEM.

IMPORTATION OF MEAT.

REDUCTION PROPOSED. DEALING WITH SPECULATORS. Australian and \.Z. Cable Association. LONDON. May !). Tn the House of Lords, Lord Dcvonport (Food Controller) stated that exploitation by unpatriotic speculators had caused a rise in food prices, hid such exploitation would soon he difficult. He instanced the case of a cargo of beans, which, though unlikely to arrive for some weeks, had been sold and resold repeatedly in Mincing Lane, until the final price ncared £9O. He then told the speculators that this was intolerable, and bought the cargo at the original contract price. Lord Devonport defended his department from charges of confusion and weakness, stating that he had always safeguarded the interests of the poor. If the consumption of breadstuffs was reduced, as the Government had urged, and if me submarinings did not exceed a reasonable limit, the likelihood was that they would reach the harvest with a fairly satisfactory balance. It might be necessary, continued Lord Devonport, to reduce the importation of meat in favour of more urgent commodities. Their herds were probably larger than ever, and there was little prospect of a meat shortage if the consumption were kept within reasonable limits. The Government had decided to abolish meatless days, owing to the increased consumption of substitutes. Regarding compulsory rationing, Lord Devonport merely said that a scheme had been prepared.

NEW ZEALAND MEAT. THE SHIPPING DIFFICULTY. Australian and K.Z. Cable Assieuiiion. LONDON, May 8. Mr W. F. Masscy, acknowledging the presentation of the Freedom of the City of Cardiff, said that NewZealand's exports lo Great Britain had grown enormously, but the Dominion was handicapped bv the lack of shipping facilities. If ships were available New Zealand could land in London millions of pounds of butter, cheese, and meal. The British Government should secure these stocks. Sir Joseph Ward, speaking at the Cold Storage Association's luncheon, referred to New Zealand's difficulty in shipping meat, but said that the New Zcalanders did not complain, and were ready to put up with the inconvenience and loss, in order to help to secure victory, and ensure freedom. Continuing, Sir Joseph Ward said that he wanted to impress on the people in Great Britain and overseas the valuable lesson to be learnt from the war, which had provided them with new markets for their frozen produce. He believed that the French would be permanent customers, and they were bound to encourage them in every way. ACTION IN FRANCE. TWO MEATLESS DAYS. Axutraiinn ami K. 7.. Cablt Antoeutlicn. (Received May 10, 11.5 a.m.) PARIS, May 9. The Government has decided on two meatless davs per week throughout France, beginning on Mav 15.