The Dominion. FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 1915. FOODSTUFFS IN BRITAIN

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2413, 19 March 1915, Page 4

The Dominion. FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 1915. FOODSTUFFS IN BRITAIN

The increased price of foodstuffs caused by tbe war is just now receiving a great deal of attention everywhere. In another column we publish a cablegram stating that the British Miners' Federation is asking an increase of 20 per cent., the reason given for the demand being the increase in the price of food. This is typical of many such demands. There has, oI course, been a rise in the cost of living since the outbreak of the war, but, taking all the circumstances into consideration, it is surprising that the price of food has not soared much higher than the point to which it has at present reached. In this matter the British Empire has felt the pressure of war much more lightly than any of the other belligerents. The increase in the price of foodstuffs in Britain is not nearly as great as was generally anticipated when the conflict commenced. It is astonishing how well the Empire is passing' through tho storm. The rise in prices in tho Motherland is no greater than that which has resulted from the interference with the machinery of trade caused by other wars in which Britain did not take an active part.- The public is inclined to take too much for granted, end to accept without examination the exaggerated assertions of irresponsible or interested parties. In order to clear the ground and prepare the way for useful discussion, it is essential to get behind the vague generalisations that liavo gaine.d currency, and to discover the actual position. The distinction should be carefully drawn between mere rumour and ascertained fact. The constant reiteration of wild assertions as to the hardships experienced by the workers owing to alleged enormous increases in the priccs of necessaries of life js creating a false impression in the minds of many people. The real facts disclose an increase in various directions that was inevitable, but certainly. not m serious a state of things as might be inferred from the loose talk so freely indulged in certain quarters. In a recent speech in the House of Commons, Mr. Asquith analysed the situation as regards the price of food in a luminous and masterly manner. All sorts of measures have been suggested for keeping down the cost of living, but Me. Asquith reminded the House of Commons that tho fixing of maximum prices and other heroic remedies baa been tried in Germany, and with what result—"evasion and confusion." One speaker had declared that prices had risen in Britain by 50 to 100 per cent. Mr. Asquith replied to this general by placing before the House some very striking facts and : figures. A comparison of food prices as recorded in July, 1914, and on February 1 of the present year, shows that the average rise has been: Per cent. London 23.9 Other largo cities 22.8 Villages 20.4 This being a comparison between a summer month and a winter month, Mr. Asquith proceeded to give percentage of rise in prices since February, 1914, and also the increase as compared with the three years' average for 1912-13-14: Percentage rise Compared with 3 years' , Feb., 1911. average. Wheat 72 60 Flour 75 00 Meat: British 0 13 Imported 12 19 Sugar 72 43 Coal 15 14 These arc admittedly substantial increases, but in view of the fact that tho Empire is engaged in the most colossal war in_ the world's history, the position disclosed must be regarded as eminently satisfactory. In the period from 1871 to 1875, after the conclusion of the Franco-Prus-sian War, the prices of wheat and sugar in England were higher than at the present time. This is shown by the following figures: — This year. 1871-5, Wheal: s. d. s. d. English 53 3 r>4 8 I in ported 40 1 1 51 5 Sugar 0 3J 0 4a It must be borne in mincl that Britain was a. neutral during the war of 1870-71, and the money wages at that period were from 15 to 20 per cent, ljowcr than they now are. Mn. Asquith also pointed out that in 1877, before the I'usso-Turldsh War, wheat rose to 50s. od., to 605., to 68s. !)d., and high priccs ruled until 1885. Milk is no dearer than during that decade, nor is sugar, while polat.o'.'b arc plentiful. • The above comuariaone indicate

that the position of the workers of Britain, and of the whole Empire, is not by any means so bad as some people are endeavouring to make out. Indeed, when the whole circumstances are considered, their position is wonderfully good. Mr. Ferens, the member whoso motion calling upon the Government to take action to check the rise in prices evoked Mn. Asquith's statement, admitted that there is no abnormal distress in Britain. The amount of unemployment is not excessive—indeed, the difliculty is not to find work for men, but to find men for work.' Consumption is being well maintained owing to the good 'wages and the separation allowances granted to the wives of soldiers. As a, matter of fact, more food per head is being consumed than in former periods. In commenting on Mr. Asquith's review of the situation, Mr. Bonar Law said it proved that there is no country in the world— nor any neutral country—of which it could be said that the working classes arc, on the whole, in a better condition than tho people of tho United Kingdom. Mr. Asquith gave a quite reasonable explanation of the increased prices of wheat, meat, sugar, and coal, without resorting to accusations of rapacity, and he took the optimistic view that the cost of living would be reduced before June. It must be remembered that the closing of tho Dardanelles against Russian shipping has locked up about quarters of wheat. If the Allied Fleet forces its way to Constantinople, as it probably will do—perhaps before Easter—this huge supply will bo made available. This will be a great help to Russia, and may reasonably be expected to. cause a . general fall in the price of wheat. When people are inclined grumble about having to pay a little more for necessaries and luxuries, they should bear in mind that we really are in a state of war, and that we cannot expect to win unless we are prepared to make sacrifices.