1938-06-18 — Page 11

THE CHINA MAIL, JUNE 18, 1938.

ONE FOOD

FOOD CONTROLLER British Government's War Plans Completed

Rationing Possible But No Queues

The British Government's vast scheme to en- sure adequate supplies of food for the civil popula- tion and the armed forces in case of war or grave crisis has been completed.

It has been in preparation for more than five years and has involved confidential arrangements with the Dominion and other Governments; ship- ping interests and food exporters throughout the world, and all importers of food and provender for the livestock.

The aim has been to avoid risk of shortage, to regulate prices, to avoid “food queues”, and to provide for rationing if necessary.

Main points of the scheme were, disclosed by Sir Henry French, Director of the Food Defence Plans

Department of the Board of Trade in a White Paper detailing what the department has accomplished during the past year.

ACTION IN. FEW HOURS They are as follows: Arrangements have

Some foods, such as meat, might FOOD DANGER IN

be rationed at the outset.

These plans are the subject now of consultations between the re- tailers, the Co-operative Societies and the Department.

Two plans have been prepared for meat, the most important item in the country's food budget.

With regard to butchers' meat, home-produced beef and veal, mutton and lamb would be kept,

WARTIME

Farm Workers Ask For Action

DEMAND FOR 100,000! NEW COTTAGES

Ald. E. G. Gooch, Norfolk, in his to meet the requirements of the presidential address to the confer civil population, imported meat ence of the National Union of Agri- being used for the Services and cultural Workers in London, asked to supplement deficiencies.

why agriculture had not been en- As to bacon and ham, the risk couraged to play its part in national of reduced imports has been defence.

necessary.

of their outpat and how large a Meat canners have given details quantity they can keep in storage

realised and the plan has been "When is the Defence Minister prepared on the assumption that to call together representatives of immediate rationing would be the farmers and farm workers of this country in an endeavour to chain of defence the food link?" strengthen the weakest link in our he continued.

as a final national meat reserve.

"I had great hopes that the pre- MORE HOME FOOD

sent situation would have forced About a quarter of the nation's along the development of home by importers would be eliminat-annual sugar requirements are now ed and prices for consumers produced from home-grown sugar people to believe that if war should agriculture. It is not fair to lead beet. Thus the outbreak of war

stabilised.

The public would be supplied with could not cause so serious a situa-come all one has to do is to pass

ration books for meat, sugar, tion in sugar supplies as developed the cows, the hens,

the word on to the farmyard, and butter, etc.

in 1914. All sugar stocks would be

the bullocks, Flour mills and sugar refineries requisitioned,

the sheep will at once proceed to do including sugar would be operated under contract afloat destined for the United King-

their best. You cannot hurry na- with the Government.

dom.

ture. All supplies of food, whether from Foods of such nutritional value Why Men Leave The Land

overseas or on our own farms, as milk, eggs and vegetables

"Even with possibilities of war, would be taken over, with whole-now largely produced on our own

food production in this country is salers and manufacturers acting farms. In value, as distinct from still restricted by order of Parlia- as Government agents to ensure bulk, half the nation's food is home-ment." a regular flow of food to the produced.

retail shops at controlled prices.

LICENCES FOR RETAILERS

been made whereby normal trading would cease within a few hours and war-time control be brought into operation under one Food Con- troller. Any temporary, shortage of food or attempts to "profiteer" would be

To ensure that all families are stopped by the Government re- quisitioning all stocks of food guaranteed supplies it might be- wheat, meat, dairy produce, fats come necessary for them to buy and the like in the hands of their supplies from one selected merchants at the ports, or retailer, as happened during the arriving at the ports.

Great War. Machinery is now be-l The Food Controller would buying prepared to license retailers supplies of food from overseas and to arrange that, in event of direct on behalf of the Govern- great difficulty, consumers buy only

from the shops they select.

It is practically certain the re- port states, that for a variety of reasons, such as checking a rise in prices or to effect economy in some classes of food, a rationing system would be introduced.

ment. There would be a Director of Supplies for each commodity. He would be assisted by a body of traders and experts., With private trading prohibited, speculation and gambling in food

REVISED TIME TABLE OF DAILY AIR SERVICES BY C.N.A.C.

TO CHUNGKING.

VIA HANKOW

Tuesdays Thursdays Saturdays

Leave Hong Kong at 7.00 a.m. Leave Hankow at 11.00 a.m.

TO HANKOW

& RETURN

•

Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays

Arrive Hankow at 10.30 a.m. Arrive Hong Kong at 2.30 p.m. .

Connecting Service between Hankow and Chungking

FARES

Hong Kong to Hankow H.K.$245.00

Hong Kong to Chungking H: 320.00

Express Available. Rates on Application.

CHINA NATIONAL AVIATION CORPORATION,

KING'S BUILDING ·

are

"Why do men leave the land?" that To get better wages elsewhere, cer- of tainly, but also to get away from the deplorable housing conditions. We want at least 100,000 new addi- tional cottages in the villages with modern conveniences."

As a

Farmers are disappointed developing home resources there has been no indication

safeguard. The report of the Food Defence Department makes no dir- ect reference to this.

It is made clear, howver, that It was stated that last year the negotiations are proceeding with Union secured wage increases in 48 the milling industry to discover counties. how best to create an "emergency" grade of flour, with a proportion of ly, called upon the Government in A resolution, carried unanimous-

barley-and-potato flour mixed with include farm workers within the the wheat, which would give good protection of the Rent Acts.

bread.

A "shadow" organisation is being created at the ports to organise imports of the various forms of oil raw materials used in the manufacture of mar- garines, and similar products.

1,500 COMMITTEES Nearly 1,500 local authorities have been asked to establish local Food Control Committees. It is anticipated that by the end of next

REGD.

month all these committees will be in operation. They will be respon- sible for the registration of » con- sumers, licensing of retailers, issue of rationing documents, and ad- justment of supplies in case of emergency.

Special preparations are being made to save transport from the danger of air attack.

SHIRT ME ME SHIRT

WITH SEMI-STIFF COLLAR

ATTACHED

Deservedly popular, Economical and Lasting, Perfect Fit and Style Correct,

A wide selection of designs and styles to meet individual require- ment.

Manufactured locally for the first

time by -

NATIONAL SHIRT MANUFACTURING CO.

FACTORY:

SHOWROOM:

TELS. 33101, 33131, 33141, 33151.

18-15, Fleming Road, Wanchal.

85, Wing Lok Street,

APB10