THE FOOD PROBLEM

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 89, 8 January 1918, Page 7

THE FOOD PROBLEM

LONDON'S MEAT SHORTAGE STOCK MAY BE COMMAN. DEERED London, January 6. The week-end meat shortage was acute. Supplies at Smithfield were GO per cent, below requirements.. Tho viovernmcnt lias' restricted the weekend sale of mutton from cold storage to the East End and to munition areas, and stopped sales to the West End. The Food Controller is of opinion that the farmers are not antagonistic to fixed graded prices for live cattle, but they are slow thinkers. He is waiting to see results. If tho farmers .continuo to withhold their cattle f'.om tho market ho will commandeer the stock. A largo number of live sheep are being marketed, and as live prices are unfixed butchorß are buying sheep at prices considerably above the vnluea fixed for dead mutton. There is great competition in London for corned beef, sausages, ptrltry, and fish. Queues are in evidence everywhere, and tho high prices are unprecedented. Bones are eagerly purchased. Tho wholesale price of nest English wild rabbits is 3s. 6d— Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. BREAD RATHM FRANCE ENTIRE WHEAT CROP REQTJI- - SITIONED. New York, January 6. American advices from France state that the Government has requisitioned the entire wheat crop and established bread rations of seven ounces daily. It is explained that this sacrifice is necessary in order to release shipa for the transport of American troops.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.