FOOD PROBLEM

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2956, 20 December 1916, Page 5

FOOD PROBLEM

SERIOUS OUTLOOK IN GER- . . MANY Lontfon, December IS. The completion or the German harvest reveals the serious situation of the potato crop, wuioh is estimated at twenty million tons, compared with fifty million tons for 1916. The shortage equals live million tons of cereals. As the cereal harvest increased by 3} million tons, a deficit equivalent to 1£ million remains. Barley is being "used instead of potatoes in breadmakmg. It is hoped that a million tons of barley will be obtained from Rumania. Germany has promised : increased! meat rations 111 February, this owing to the impossibility of feeding stock. • In iierrlin 400,000 people are fed by the municipality daily.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. RESTRICTED MEALS. OPERATING IN BRITAIN. London, December 18. The first food restrictions m Britain are operating from to-day, commencing rath restricted meais in hotels and restaurants. Officials of the Food Control Department are inquiring regarding the sugar stocks. It is expected that a ration will be fixed of three-quarters of a pound per head weekly. Britain, however, is paying considerably loss than enemy capitals.

The average increase in staple foods in the United Kingdom since the war commenced is 84 per cent., compared with 109 m Berlin audi 176 in Vienna. The largest increase in Britain is in oggs, sugar, fish', potatoes, and frozen mutton, which are two to three times dearer. Margarine, inilk, and tea show the smallest increases. Including rent, clothing, fuel and light, a family' whose income before the war was 40s. per week now require 645. to have the same comfort.—Aus.-N.Z. Gable Assn. CONTROLLER'S POWERS. TO FIX PRICES OF FOOD. (Rec. December 19, 5.10 p.m.) London, December 18. On tho second reading in the House of Commons of the New Ministers Bill, Sir George Cave (Home Secretary) said be proposed to give the Food Controller, Lord Davenport, power to increase the supply of food and prevent waste, regulate the sale and distribution, and fix prices.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. INCREASING SUPPLIES. CULTIVATION OF WASTE LANDS. (Rec. December 19, 5.5 p.m.) London, December 18. The recreation grounds and parks in many provincial towns and railway embankments are _ being .increasingly turned to cultivation as food areas. The National War Savings Commit: tee .is urging greater economy in wedding and Christmas treats, and suggests largely reducing receptions to sol-diers.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.