New Britain herald., 1917-02-23
Lloyd George Tells Commons Sit
 uatiOn Calls for Drastic :. Measures
FOOD SUPPLY LESS THAN AT
 ANY OTHER TIME OF WAR
Imports Must Be Restricted, Agricul- ture Must Be Fostercd, He Says, If Nation Is to SuJvive-Tonnage -Guarantees Minimum Price for Necessary Commodities.

Necessary Commodities.
 London, Feb. 23, 12:21 p. m.-Pre- mier Lloyd George said in speech of the house of commons today that success of tho allied cause, depended upon the ability to solve the tonnage shortage which was now affecting the ordinary needs of the nation and mill itary exigencies. The situation, he declared, called for the gravest meas ures. The premier said there was no sure way to victory without hunting the submarine from the deep.
 Enormous sacrifices were necessary from the British public. said MT. Lloyds George. He stated the govern ment proposed to dispense with all non-essential importations to save tonnage.
 There was a crowded house at the special meeting held today to listen to the prem1er's statement on the restriction of, imports and the en- couragement of agriculture. Among those in the diplomatic gallery were Premier Borden of Canada and Pre- mier Massey of New Zealand.
 The premier said the ultimate suc- 
 upon the solution of the tonnage diff faculties with which they were con- fronted. Before the war British ton mage had been just adequate and since that time there had been an enormous increase in the demand for tonnage. More than 1000. .O00 tons of British shipping had been allowed to France 2 alone and . very considerable amount had been set aside for Russia and Italy. Tn addition $. considerable amount has been sunk.
 MT. Lloyd George said that for some time there has been a shortage of tonnage required for the general needs of the nation and even 8 slight shortage in the tonnage for military purposes. The nation should realize absolutely what the conditions were. . Drastic Measures or Disaster.
 eff we take drastic measures" he continued, i've can cope with the sub- marine menace, but if the nation is not prepared to accept drastic meas ures for dealing with the menace dis aster is before us.
 "The government is hopeful of find ing means of dealing with the subma- rine, but we should be guilty of folly if we rested tranquilly upon expecta- ton of realizing that hope. We have to deal ruthlessly 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 ad- miralty); second, the building of mer- chant ships; third, dispensing with unnecessary commodities from abroad :, and production of as much food as possible at home"
 The stocks of food in Great Britain as the present time are lower than they ever have been before MT. Lloyd Gorge said. It was essential for the life of the nation, he de- ! clared, that every possible effort be made to increase home production.
 Prices Guaranteed to Producers.
 The premier announced that the government would guarantee a price of thirty eight shillings six pence for oats this year. thirty-two shillings for the next two years and twenty four shillings for the three years following The price of potatoes would be guar. anteed for the coming season only al . six pounds ton.
 The opinion was expressed by the premier that food prices were not like. ly to decrease for a long time after the war, inasmuch as Germany would ther be heavier purchaser than ever be fore. Therefore, it was safe to gran to the farmers q minimum price owe! definite period of time, which wa the only way to bring about immedi ate action.
 The premier also proposed a mini mum wage of twenty-five shilling weekly for agricultural workers.
 The importation of apples, tomatoe and fruits will be prohibited entirely