THE FOOD PROBLEM IN BRITAIN

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3012, 24 February 1917, Page 9

THE FOOD PROBLEM IN BRITAIN

-; APPEALvBY MR. LLOYD GEORGE . \ "THIS YEAR'S CHANCE" - \ London, February 22. "Mr.- Lloyd George, in a letter to the -Rew John Howard Shakespeare (Presi-'-'dent of the' National Council of Evan- • gelical'Free Churches),- appeals to him to secure.the organised-co-operation of the Free Churches in the food economy ■. and increased : production campaigns. Speed (he says) is essential, because if we'miss the spring season this year's . chance is gone.: . . , .- ' The "Daily Chronicle" states' that - .the. Government has decided to guaran- : tee minimum prices l for Home-grown' ■ wheat arid oats for three, .years'after' the war. Allegations; aro made in • some .quarters' of the existence, of a s . widespread strike of farmers owing to 'fixing the maximum' prices. 1 It. is sug-' gested that' the Government ought to ~ forthwith guarantee the'-prices for at . least five" year's. If I£ does riot induce 'the farmer to utiliss-his land.with reasonable efficiency, probably the existing Order-in-Council,- arid.ri'otably the' Order cabled yesterday, stating that the ' Board' of- : Agriculture empowers local ' authorities' to "compulsorily take- 'over ' land'for allotment purposes with-the view' of maintaining the food supply, will be sufficient.to enable the Government to compulsorily acquire land. .. Liverpool 'potato merchants assert that farmers are holding stocks until the increased price'operates in March. They passed a resolution of indignation, and the Lord' Mayor has appealed to Lord Devonport—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo 'Assn. .. ... : -