SAFETY FOR FOOD SHIPS

Hokitika Guardian, 13 November 1929, Page 3

SAFETY FOR FOOD SHIPS

ENGLISH CRITICISM.

[United Press Association—By Electric . Telegraph.—Copyright.]

LONDON, November 12

President Hoover’s proposal to grant immunity to the food ships in wartime is featured in many of the newspapers: The “ Daily Telegraph ” expresses the opinion that this speech may, become an historic one. It suggests, however, that the proposition may he less simple than it seems. For instance, fats, besides being food, are important in the manufacture of munitions, and grain and other foodstuffs are usable in making industrial alcohol. As another possibility, it says, objection arises if the case of two combatants is considered, one of whom is depending mainly on sea-borne food, and is assured of uninterrupted supplies, ivhile the other is depending on overland imports of food, the cutting off of which it is not proposed to make illegal. The “Daily News” doubts whether all attempts to humanise war are anything but a “ pitiful illusion.” It says: President Hoover’s proposal, however, must receive the serious attention of the civilised world. “ The Times ” says that it should be borne in mind that the problem is a hypothetical one—namely, what law shall he applied in eventualities lvhich, if the pact of peace is observed by all signatories, may never arise. In any case, it adds, the discussion must not be allowed to detract from making a success of the approaching naval conference.