FOOD FOR ALL NATIONS

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23964, 3 June 1943, Page 5

FOOD FOR ALL NATIONS

CONFERENCE STATES PRINCIPLES RECOMMENDATIONS TO GOVERNMENTS (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 11 p.m.) HOT SPRINGS, June 1. The United Nations food conference has issued a seven-point declaration of 'principles, in which the 44 participating nations affirm their belief that freedom from want of suitable adequate food to maintain the health and strength of all peoples can be attained The declaration, which was issued only after 35 revisions, urges immediate consideration of the preliminary detail of the task of feeding the postwar world better than it has ever been fed before. The declaration states: “(1) The first task is to win the war and thus deliver millions from hunger. Freedom from hunger during the period of post-war shortage is attainable only by concerted efforts to economise consumption, increase supplies, and distribute them to the best advantage. ' “(2) Thereafter we must unite in efforts to win and maintain freedom from fear and from want, the one of which cannot be achieved without the other, I “(3) There is never enough food for the health of all the people. This is justified neither by ignorance nor Nature’s harshness. Food production must be greatly expanded. We possess knowledge of the means by which this can be done. It requires imagination and firm will on behalf of each Government and people to make use of that knowledge. “(4) The first cause of malnutrition is poverty. It is useless to produce more food unless man and nations provide markets for its absorption. World economy must be expanded to provide purchasing power sufficient to maintain an adequate diet for all. Food is available to all people only if there is full employment in all countries, enlarged industrial production absence of exploitation, increased trade within and between countries, orderly management of domestic and international investment end currencies, and also sustained internal and international economic equilibrium. ..., .. “(5) The primary responsibility lies on each nation for ensuring that its people have the food needed for their health. This is a subject for national determination, but each nation can fully achieved its goal only if all work together. “(6) We recommend our respective Governments to adopt the conference s findings and recommendations, and urge an early concerted discussion of related problems outside the scope of this conference. “(7) The first step towards freedom from want need not await the solution of all other problems.” Permanent Organisation The statement continues: “Each advance in one field will strengthen and quicken advances in all oihers. The work already begun must be continued. The first steps can be taken once the war is won. We must make ready now.” The conference decided that the pro. posed permanent organisation shall be named the United Nations Food and Agriculture Office. The combined sub-committees adopted a resolution urging the participating Governments to accept the responsibility, as far as is within their power for making it possible for their nationals without adequate diet to obtain the physiological requirements of health available free or at low prices through social security legislation such as family allowances and minimum wages, and also through special assistance to pregnant women, and children and invalids. Another resolution recommends the participating Governments to affirm the principle of mutual responsibility for co-ordinated action to: (1) promote full employment of their own and other people; (2) promote the development of agricultural and other material through sound development of industry: (3) assist in the achievement of these aims through the supplying of capital equipment and technical skill; and (4) reduce barriers to