THE FOOD PROBLEM IN BRITAIN

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3002, 13 February 1917, Page 5

THE FOOD PROBLEM IN BRITAIN

AN IMPERIAL WHEAT RATE

London, February li. Mr. R. E. Prothoro (Minister for Agriculture), speaking at Proston, said that cereals and potatoes should bo raised in the biggest possiblo quantities. Regarding wheat at 60s. a quarter, he said that had he a froe hand' he would" fell the farmers that they wculd receivo a maximum of 505., leaving tho remainder to tho play of tho market. "I want to get tho whole Empire in key to tho scheme' Tho farmer in i Britain should sacrifice somo prospects of war profits. India has sacrificed profits to feed us. Australia ha-s done the same. Wo hoped in 1916 that Canand would do likewise, but we wero too late, as usual, because the fanner was beginning to get high profits from Chicago. A Canadian farmer said to ine: 'How can you ask us to take less for your sakes in England, when the farmors of England aro taking every penny of war profits?' "Wo should be able to pay our farmers who have cheerfully accepted the 'Sacrifice of possible Go and do the same; let us all be in it, and out to win tho war."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. WEST END RESTAURANTS AND CLUBS. London, February 11. I'hero are strong complaints that West End restaurants, especially clubs, aro not showing efforts to reduco food consumption. Tho menus aro virtually unchanged. Newspapers aro renewing the discussion for one or oven two meatless days wcokly. Tho middlo and lower classes aro showing a better disposition to observe Lord Dovonport's suggestions.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. NEW BREAD LAW IN FRANCE. Paris, February 11. A decree prohibits tho making of fancy bread and the sale of newlybaked bread.—Aub.-N.Z. Cable, Assn.

DUTCH FACTORIES CLOSE DOWN GREAT SHORTAGE OF COAL. Amsterdam, February 11. Two hundred factories in Holland liavo been closed, others aro working half-time, owing to the shortage, of coal. Street lighting in some places has been susponded. Negotiations aro proceeding to exchange potatoes for Gorman coal. —Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assu. THE COAL SHORTAGE IN GERMANY. The Hague, February 11. Ten large German cities, of which Wiesbaden is the latest, havo ordered the closing of all places of amusement owing to tho coal shortage.—Reiltor. INDIA'S RESOURCES FOR WAR A MINISTRY OF MUNITIONS. (Rcc. February 12, 5.5 p.m.) Bombay, February 11. Tho Ministry of Munitions havo been established in India with a view to the mobilisation of industrial and other resources, and making India self-contain-ed, whilst ensuring an exportable surplus for tho Empire.—Tho "Tunes." WAR LOAN SUBSCRIPTIONS OR MORE TAXES? HINT TO WEALTHY MEN. (Rcc. February 13, 0.30 a.m.) London, February 12. Mr. Bonar Law, Chancellor of the Exchequer, has sent special oirculars to many who are paying the super-tax, including city companies and limited companies, asking, for his own information as. Chancollor, how much they aro going to subscribe to tho AVar Loan. Tho_ circular lias mot with considerable criticism. Somo believo the answers may influence tho coming Budget. If wealthy men largely subscribe to the War Loan tho necessity for increased taxation will bo lessened.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assu. TThe cable nows in this issue accredited to the London "Times" has appeared in that journal, but only whoro expressly "tatcd is buolx nowts tho editorial opinion o£ "Tho Times."!