BRITISH FOOD CONTROL

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10278, 13 May 1919, Page 5

BRITISH FOOD CONTROL

THE WORK OF MINISTRY- OUT-

LINED. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, May 6 (delayed). Speaking in the House of Commons oa a vote for £1,451,700 for salaries under the Food Ministry, Mr G. H. Roberts, Food Controller, claimed that the rationing and distribution of food had been successful. The Ministry’s trading in 1917 and 1918 showed a net profit of £132,000 on a turnover of £67,000,000. The control had effectively steadied the .rising of food prices, which were lower in Britain than elsewhere. In the first year of the war prices rose 3 per cent, per month. Since the Armistice they had decreased by 4 per cent, per month. It was vain to hope tor great Further decreases, because peace would involve the opening of the world’s .markets, which would subject Britain to world prices for imported articles. The Government during the war had handled 85 per cent, of Britain’s food, and had fixed the prices for 94 per cent, of the foodstuffs, only excepting luxuries. The Ministry will cease operations' in November.

TO PROTECT PEOPLE AGAINST TRUSTS.

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON. May 6.

Mr J. R, Olynes (ex-Food Controller), speaking in the House of Commons, urged the retention of some form of food control to protect the people from trusts and combines. Mr J. Hodge _plcaded for expedition in bringing wheat from Australia and Argentina, with a view to removing the burden of the bread subsidy.