Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-05-26

LONDON, EnR-In view OF the pre-
sent vigorous efforts TO insure the con.
servation, economical distribution, and
increased production Of foOdstuffs in
the United States. IL seems desirable
TO review. briefly the events that led
IN Great Britain to the appointment OF
the food controller and to describe
what that official has done thus far
Certain deductions Of value TO the Uni
ted States may undoubtedly be drawn
from the experience Of England in at
tempting to regulate the consum ption
OF food
On September IA, 1914, a little more
than a month after the war broke out,
a proclamation was issued prohibiting
the importation Of sugar from Euro
pean ports. This, however, was design
ed primarily 10 prevent trading with
the enemy. Great Britain being largely
dependent for its supply OF beet sugar
on Germany and Austria. To meet the
situation brought about by this cur
tailrnent Of supplies from Europe, the
Government created a royal commits
sion on the sugar supply. This com
mission went into the market and
bought large quantities OF raw sugar
In various parts OF the world. Sugar
refiners were requested to stay out OF
Nhe market for raw sugar and received
PR supply from the royal commits,
ION at fixed prices. The refiners
agreed In their turn to sell their pro-
duct to the dealers at fixed prices.
Existing channels of distribution were
utilized as much as possible. On Oct
ober 26, 1914, the government control
was completed BY the issuance OF a
proclamation forbidding the importa-
ton Of sugar from any foreign country
without q special license from the
royal commission on the sugar supply.
In October, 1915, the government
appointed a royal commission on
wheat. This commission was given
full power to take all steps necessary
TO insure adequate and regular sup
plies of wheat and flour, and the imi
portation Of all grain into the United
Kingdom was put under the control
of that commission, which Is compos-
ed largely Of experts in the grain
trade. w 49,,
The first Of the commission was to
make q very large purchase Of Aus
tralian wheat. The government also
took steps to requisition enough ships
TO carry this wheat to England. 1t is
q well-known fact that this commits
sion, through its agents, has made
large purchases Of grain in the United
States, for the account Of the British
government.
Although the board Of trade had
powers under the defense Of the realm
act 10 regulate the price Of food, the
first effort looking toward systematic
rationing Of the population was made
on November 81. 1916, when the board
OF trades fixed the maximum price at
which milk might be sold at whole
sale and retail.
by this time however, there was
ch q general recognition Of the ne
cessity for government regulation Of
food distribution that the ministry de-
tided to take action ana an orders
known as the milling order was issued
by the board % trade, fixing according
TO a certain schedule the percentage
Of flour that must be extracted from
lwheat Of various qualities. The order
required that on and after January I,
1917, only flour Inilled In accordance
with the schedule might be used for
making bread or any other article OF
food. Flour mills were also required
to make periodical returns Of stocks
OF wheat received and flour and offals
Ailled, as wen as a statement Of all
stocks In hand c. the date the milling
order went into effect-November q,
1916. "a
Appointment o. Food Controller !
On the same date the government
announced that q food controller
would be appointed under the General
powers conferred upon the board Of
trade by the defense of the realm act.
Under these new regulations the
board Of trade is authorized to make
orders ''in the interests Of the public
and for maintaining the supply Of any
article Of commerce" and to achieve
this purpose II may:
ID Prevent the waste or unneces-
sary destruction OF any specified
article.
ca Restrict and prescribe the use
Of any. article.
go Regulate the manufacture and
production Of articles 90 that the pub
1ic may be supplied with those articles