Grand Forks herald., 1916-11-16
Of
FOOD PLANNED
FOR ENGLAND
Wider Powers Will Probab-
ly Be Conferred by the
British Government.

London, Nov 16-The appointment
Of a food controller by the British
government was forecast yesterday
by Walter Runciman, president
OF the board Of trade, in announcing
in the house Of commons that wider
powers will be conferred upon the
British government tomorrow by an
order in council dealing with the food
question. Mr.. Runciman, in opening
his speech, admitted that the time had
arrived when the government must
regard the question of food supplies
as war problem, declaring that tho
strain the country would have to bear
next year, would be mainly in connec-
ton with the food supply.
He saw no reason why, at the end
of this year, the production Of new
shipping for the preceding six months
should not approach 100000 tons.
Announcing that he was making ar
rangements for the pooling of engi-
neering efforts, Mr.. Runciman said
the government must make the
plunge" in this matter, for the provi-
sion of more merchant ships was most
urgent.
Announcing the intention of the
government to prevent growers from
making undue profits from the sale Of
potatoes. he said, the question Of dis
pensing with some articles Of food
was under consideration.
Long War Swallowed.
The speech Of Mr.. Runciman had
significance. aside from its actual
context, as showing that the govern.
ment Is looking forward to protract-
sity OF timely measures for insuring
the national food supply by an effec-
tive organization of national re-
sources in a similar manner to that
adopted in enemy countries.
Mr.. Runciman in his speech an
nounced the imminent appointment
Of a food controller with full power
food supplies and immediate measure
to restrict the luxuries use OF sugar.
to prevent waste and the making Of
large profits in potatoes and milk and
forbidding the milling of pure white
flour. He said also that the govern
ment would ask new powers under
the defense Of the realm act to deal
with all attempts to exploit public
necessities.
These measure. Mr.. Runciman ex-
planned would be temporary, but If
they We're found insufficient 1t might
become necessary to have recourse in
food tickets.
The speech of the president of the
board Of trade was welcomed in all
keA ~ W SAaS Aod'S. AcAi Var
son. on behalf of the opposition, and
George ]. Wardle. for the laborites,
agreed that the house was ready to
grant the power asked without the
formality of a bill.
Dealing with the wheat question.
Mr.. Runciman said the government has
taken full advantage Of the abundant
harvests of Canada and Australia,
which had been augmented by an
enormous production in the United
States but that next year the country
would have to depend to a large ex-
tent on Australia. Arrangements with
Australia. he added. were rather a
question Of stimulating not produc-
ton but transport
Already a large block Of tonnage
had been requisitioned and was on its
way to Australia, Mr.. Runciman con-
tinued. The transport difficulty had
been enhanced by the need of COM
ing to the assistance Of France and
Italy. but the government had taken
the right step in regarding that the
whole Of the entente allied wheat
shipment should be dealt with by
one requisitioned fleet. He emphasize
ed the Importance Of transport and
the absolute necessity Of shipping be-
ing regarded as serving the national
interests when it was conveying food
to the kingdom