FOOD CRISIS IN BRITAIN

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 117, 4 February 1918, Page 5

FOOD CRISIS IN BRITAIN

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE SPEAKS FRANKLY "WE ARE APPROACHING THE RAPIDS" SHORT COMMONS FOR HORSES AND CATTLE (Ree. February 3, 5.5 p.m.) London, February 1. Mr. Prothoro (Minister of Agriculture), _ addressing' the farmers' representatives, said that the country was in a. critical position. It was approaching the rapids, and unless the farmers pulled with him and Lord Rhondda the country would be swopt over. There was a very great shortage of concentrated foods. They had only enough oats to feed working horses on reduced rations aftor allowance had beon made for milling stocks. With, regard to the cattle, wo were in tho same position as in 1870, when we could not purchase concentrated food._ This condition would last until this time nest year. He appealed to tho farmers to extend their arable areas for cattle-feeding. He specially wanted them to grow potatoes. Carriago and pleasure horses nuist be put out to grass or killed. Hunters must be grassed. A limited ration would be allowed for thoroughbreds. He concluded that there was not the faintest occasion for panic. The supplies of live stock would be up to the mark. Lord Rhondda stated that the wheat position in two or three months may be very serious. "There is no fear of starvation if wo get one million acres of potatoes this year." The farmers loudly dissented from Lord Rhondda's hope that the Government would take its hands oil tho prices after the war.—'Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. CONSUMERS' COUNCIL FIRST MEETING HELD. (Rcc. February 3, 5.5 p.m.) London, February 2. The Press Bureau 6tatcs: "Tho first meeting of the Consumers' Council, whereon the. trades unionists, in cooperation with women workers, .are represented, has been ~Mr.- Clynes, M.P., for tho Food Department, explained that the council would have access to the facts and figures upon which the Food Ministry based its policy, and could advise on problems of rationing and transport administra-tion."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-Reuter.