Grand Forks herald., 1917-02-23
STOCKS OF FOOD ARE
LOWER THAN EVER;
MUCH TONNAGE LOST
Hopeful of Finding Means of
Dealing with Submarine,
Premier Says.
GUARANTEES OF
PRICES MADE
Must Act at Once by Meas
ures Which Will Mean
Great Sacrifices.

London, Feb. 23.-Premier Lloyd
1eorse said in a speech in the house
OF commons today that the success
.. inc allied cause depended on the
soli'ty to solve the tonnage shortage,
"n1cn was now affecting the ordinary
needs OF the nation and military ex-
agencies. The situation, he declared,
caned Tor the gravest measures.
Ihe stocks Of food in Great Rr,+,,r
At present are lower than thew ever
nave nave been before. Mr.. Lloyd GEORGE
tne nation: he declared. that every
possible effort be made to incree 40
nome production,
The premier said there was no sure
way to victory without hunting the
submarines from the sea.
Enormous Sacrifices.
enormous sacrifices were necessary
Ior' the British public. said Mr.. Lloyd
George. He stated the government
pIoposea to dispense with all non-es-
senIial importations to save tonnage,
There was crowded house at the
special meeting held today to listen
TO the premier's statement on the re-
strlctlQn OF imports and the encour-
agement of agriculture.
Must Solve Tonnage Dihiculty.
Tho premier said the ultimate sue
cess OF the allied cause depended up-
on the solution of the tonnage diffi-
clilty with which they are confront
cd! Before the war the British ton
mage nad Just been adequate and since
that time therss has been an. enor-
nous increase In the demand for tom
nAxe.s More than one million tons of
Br1tish shipping have aliocated to
France alone and q very considerable
amount had been set aside for sRus-
sia ana Italy. In addition. q consid-
cradle amount has been sunk.
Big Shortage.
Mr.. Lloyd George said that for
some time there has been a shortage
Of tonnage required for the general
needs Of the nation and even a slight
shortage in the tonnage for military
purposes. The nation should realize
absolutely what the conditions were.
II we take drastic measures" he
continued. I'VE can cope with the sub
marine menace. but IL the nation is
ures for dealing with the menace. dis
aster is before us.
Must Deal Ruthlessly.
finding means Of dealing with the
submarine, but we should be guilty
of folly If we rested TRANQUILITY upon
the expectation of the realization of
that hope. We have to deal ruthless
ly and promptly with the tonnage
problem by measures which impose
great sacrifices upon the country.
There are three sets of measures
first, by the navy, as described by
Sir Edward Carson (first lord Of the
admiralty): second, the building of
merchant ships; third, dispensing with
unnecessary commodities from abroad
and production Of as much food as
possible at home"
Prices Guaranteed.
The premier announced that the
government would guarantee a price
Of ss shillinEs. pence per, for % oats this this
years and "a shillings for the three
following years. The price Of pota-
toes would be guaranteed for coming
season only at six pounds q ton.
The importation of apples, tomatoes
and fruits will be prohibited entirely,
it was announced. .
No Decrease in Prices.
The opinion was expressed by the
premier that food prices were not
likely. to decrease for a lone time aft
would then be heavier purchaser
than ever before. Therefore. It was
safe to srant to the farmers a mini
mum price over a definite period of
time, which was the only way to
bring about immediate action.
The premier also proposed q mini
The only exceptions made in the
prohibition in fruit importations will
30 In the cases Of oranges and ba-
nanas, in which the amount brought
in will be restricted as per cent. The
same restriction will apply to nuts!
Canned salmon importations will be
reduced nfty per cent. The importa-
10 prohibited and even the amount OF
Indian tea which may be brought in
IL reduced. III
The premier said it was expected
to save 100000 tons Of shipping year.
N announcing tho decision to re-
strict the importation Of paper. Mr..
had arrived at the conclusion that q
very substantial reduction was neces-
sary and that the amount would be
cut to half Of what 10 now allowed.
All essential articles of food. he con-
tinued, would be on the free list, but
certain articles Of food. he continued.
would be reduced to the prohibited
list: The stoppage Of importation Of
coffee. tea and cocoa. for the time be-
supplies were on hand.
Imposed Inmediately.
These restrictions will be imposed
would bs taken to prevent speculative
buying and II necessary the food
comptroller would take control Of the
commodity. The restrictions have