THE FOOD CRISIS IN GERMANY

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2990, 30 January 1917, Page 5

THE FOOD CRISIS IN GERMANY

GLIMPSE OP A STARVING NATION. Copenhagen, January 28. 'At a meeting of the Town Council of Neukoeln, a suburb of Berlin, Herr Hoitmann, Socialist, protesting against the Government further diminishing the potato, bread, and flour rations, said it was impossible to livo on two kilograms (about 4slb.) of potatoes weekly, and it was now proposed to reduce the potato ration to 11 kilograms per- ten days. The Director of the Neukoeln Food Office states that supplies are short, and quite inadequate for tho workers. Hundreds demand food, which the office is unable to supply, as the Goveminent had left it in the lurch, and declined to take the responsibility for what might happen.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. 'AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT. (Rec. January 23, 8.10 p.m.) Amsterdam, January 28. In an official statement the Imperial German Food Office declares that despite the favourable corn _ crop Germany's position was worse in 3916 owing to the failure of the potatoes. A system of economy must bo carried out immediately if it is to he possible for the nation to hold out till the next liar--vest. Imports from _neutral._ countries are also decreasing in quantity. Foodstuffs are very scarce and strict organisation will be necessary. This difficulty is owing to. the opposition and resistance of large, sections of the population to the ordinances and restrictions issued.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE OLD COUNTRY ON RATIONS "HINT OF COMING ECONOMIES. (Rec. January 29, 8.10 p.m.) London, January 29. Mr. W. 0. Anderson, M.P. (Labour), speaking at Leicester, at a meeting of protest against the high prices, said he was not giving a.,way a secret by saying that the population of the country would very shortly be put on tho ration system.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. DIFFICULTY IN RUSSIA (Rec. January 29j 5.35 p.m.) London, January 28. The "Times" correspondent at Petrograd, in a special article dealing with the scarcity of food, after narrating the sufferings of the poorer people, who aro compelled to wait in queues for hours in the intense cold, says: "Necessities, with tho exception of tea, have risen from two to ten times on the peace prices. There are now four meatless days. The regulations in several departments overlap and the elaborate procedure results in endless quarrelling and dolay before supplies are obtainable. Admitting the inadequacy of tho railways to cope with tho military food! transport, it is no wonder that the people are most angry at the Government's inefficiency."- — The "Times."

INTENSE COLD IN BRITAIN

(Rec. January 29„ 11.25 p.m.) London, January 29. There is intense cold throughout Britain, and deep snowdrifts in Ireland. Many districts are suffering from a lack of coal, owing to the three weeks' delay in the delivery of orders in consequence of the shortage of labour at the mines, and on tbo railways. Many people with empty cellars borrowed small quantities from more fortunate neighbours.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn,