Too Little Food For Too Many People

Chronicle (Levin), 6 November 1948, Page 5

Too Little Food For Too Many People

Rcccivpd Fridav, 7 p.m. WASIIIXGTOX, Xov. 4. The n.'itions are not iloing and planning onough to cope with the world 's long-term food net'ds, according to a surve.v of world food ronditions and piosperts issued by the Food and Agrienltufal Organisation. The report, whieh will he prosented to the fortheoming food and agricultural eonfer enee, shows that the e (Torts at recoustruetion in the 1947-4* erop vear, were the rnost efTective sinee the war but the general picture leaves little roorn for complaeencw

The survev shows that millions are st i 11 hungrv. The world' population is increasing niore rapidly tlian production. Soil erosion seriously impoverishes many Innds and international trade remains seriously out of balance. Kniphasising that the world Is still producing less food and fibres than befnre the war, the survey also points out that the world has enough technical knowledge to reverse the current trend and bring about a snbstantial production inerease. The problem is how to organise that knowledge and applv it where needed. The survey linds tliat the general out look is for restoration by about 1950 oi something Jike the pre-war food consumption in rnost of Europf and the Ea' East provided 110 markedly unfavoiirable weather is experienced. Prospect* are siniilar for iibres and forest products. The report says that the four niain food exporting eounlrles — , Enited 8l rites, (Irnada, Australia and Xew Zealand — c.m still expand production but there is evi'denee of caiifion or a tendencv to hold back "on e.xpansion plans until there is a greater certaintv that. export markets can )>e found for the surpluses.