FOOD OR MEN.

Colonist, Volume LX, Issue 14621, 28 January 1918, Page 2

FOOD OR MEN.

IMPERIAL AUTHORITIES J'REFER

MEN

While England has reached a point at which the food supply is of tremendous importance, New Zealand, in many people's opinion, will now begin to redi.ce^its food production if more men are sent away to the front. This phase of the war situation was put to the Prime Minister by a representativa of the "Lyttelton Times," who secured some very interesting views from Mr Massey.

"The position is difficult, and point is given to your question," said the Prime Minister, "by an interview I had only this morning with a farmer called np for military service who sought to show me that by his absence from the Dominion the production from farms under his control will go down to the extent of £5000 per annum. "We have to keep up production, but the Imperial demand is still for men. They acknowledge, of course, that New Zealand has sent a goocu many of its best, and this they recognise to the extent that they arc, not asking for any increase on the .reduced l einf orcements settler!, some months ago, but in spite of the imperative demand for food they will want our reinforcements."

It-was suggested to the Prime Ministor that national organisation of a very thorough type has "now become necessary if the continued drain of fighting men is not going to cut down the vitally necessary supply of food to the Old Country. He admitted that it was necessary, and stated that the National Efficiency Board is engaged on the problem of organising labour supplies for food producing.«'l am afraid/ he continued, "that there is no scheme which applies to the whole of New Zealand, but it is operating in connection with i whoat-growing districts by getting peoI pie employed in non-essential industries jto enter into the wheat producing work, and arrangements have been made to leave men to assist in harvesting." The Prime Minister was asked how the '.situation in regard to the foo-J supj ply in England is likely to affect New 1 Zealand producers. His reply was that the tonnage 'supply at present is gooa. "Good for the whole of February, and particularly good at the present time. '; But after February there may be a change." . '

Do you think that in view of possible shortages, the Imperial authorities wil: have to resort to shorter voyages for their food ships? the Prime Minister asked.

"Yes," hejsakl, "I think they are going in for that policy of short voyages and that is what we have to fr.ee, for we had that difficulty last year."

Asked if any of" tlie standardised ships are l>eing constructed with refrigerated holds for meat carnage, the Prime Minister said he was afraid nono of them were so fitted, as the work took too long.