FOOD PROBLEMS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3026, 13 March 1917, Page 5

FOOD PROBLEMS

! BRITAIN'S AND OTHERS' <" ■ POTATO FAMINE IN LONDON London, March 11. The shortage of potatoes caused rei markable scenes in tlie poorer districts I of London. There were large queues at tho greengrocers', and maDy were lucky if thy secured a couple of pounds of potatoes.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. Ottawa, March 11. 1 The British Government is negotiatr ine to purchase Canada's 1917 wheat ' crop. The negotiations are expected to be completed on Tuesday, and the ' price will probably be 7s. n bushel.— . Aus.-N.55. Cable Assn. ; DEBATE ON FRENCH FOOD SUPPLIES ' BIG CONFIDENCE VOTE IN THE CHAMBER. ' Paris, March 11. The Chamber, by 296 votes to 1, i voted confidence in the Government following on ft throo days' debate on ■ iood supplies, in which tlio Chairman . of the Agricultural Committee said that experts estimated lie wheat deficit in. Franco for 1917 at 120 million buslio!s\ The deficit in overseas sup- - plies for the Allies of Franco and; neutrals is estimated at 200 million bushels.—Bcuter. .F6OD CRISIS IN RUSSIA SITUATION RETURNING TO NORMAL. Petrograd, March 11. Semi-official: Owing to' very heavy snowfalls hindering tho arrival of foodstuffs, somo of the inhabitants of Petrograd were seized by panic, and raided the bread supplies, creating a shortage. Energetic measures prevented the disturbances becoming serious. Municipal sales of bread and other ex- , ceptional steps have been taken. The railways are being gradually cleared of tlio suow, »nd the arrival of foodstuffs is approaching normal. —Reuter. DISCISSION IN THE DUMA'. Petrograd, March 11. There has been a prolonged discussion in tho Duma- on the food crisis.' TVomon of the poorer class made_ a hunger demonstration, _ marching through the streets demanding bread. Official proclaciatisns havo-lieen posted Btatmg that flour transports are arriving uninterruptedly, and that supplies of bread are assured.—The "Times." GERMANS iFiE STRAITS terrible events feabed (.It co. March 12,' 8.10 p.m'O London, March 11. The "Daily Chronicle's" correspond" ent at Amsterdam says: "There is no doubt that Germany fears the worst, internally and externally. The speeches iix the Prussian Diet indicate that the condition of tho people is desperate, and prepare the world for most terrible events. The "Handelblad's" Berlin correspondent ■ states that when the products of the last harvest are exhausted in. the spring, the home workers will have to struggle against a lack of food, and the situation will becomo a paroxysm of- misery with which all former aspects of tho war will not compare. The German leaders (adds the "Daily Chronicle" cot- 1 respondent) "fear tho collapse of the internal organisation, forcing the army and navy to the most desperate ac-tions—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. BULGAR SUPPLIES FOR HUNS CUT SHORT Roma, March 11< Bulgaria has forbidden the export of green vegetables and potatoes to Austria and Germany.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

CLOSING DOWN THE PUBLICHOUSES

ACTION IN MONMOUTHSHIRE. London, Mareft 11. Sereral large brewing companies in Monmouthshire, acting on tho suggastion of tho Licensing Bench, have decided to close all the publichouses in tho county.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

ABtJSE OF TRADE UNION

(Rec. March 13, 0.10 a.m.) Lendon, March 12. The Government has decided upon immediate action to step th® abuse of trade card.s which, the trade unions have distributed to prospective members, thereby exempting Hem from military service. The membership of certain societies has greatly increase ed, but the results are most unsatisfactory, and have led to quarrels between nnionß and the exemption of ai peat number of men who should b» in tho Amy.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

. SOLDIERS OP THE KING

London] March 11. Tho King and Queen entertained ths following Now Zealand _ officers at. Buckingham PolaccMajors Barclay and J. M. Rose, MX'., Captains Ritchie, Rohloff. A.. Jl'Donald, Course?. W. 1?. Carter, and Forsyth, Lieuts, C. Barry, Foster, TJawlny. Baker, Owen Johnston, Kidling, Feldingliani, and Vercoe, and Chaplains Major J. A. Lnrford, Captains .T, B. Bnrgiu &nd O'Neill. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable 'Aesa'j