The sun., 1917-09-21
Food Controller Will Have No
Compunction II Appeals
Prove Futile.
WORLD SHORTAGE MENACE
Inauguration Of New Food
Economy Campaign An
nOunced by Rhondda.


Rhondda, the Food Controller. III vol
untary measures FAM" ne said, II shall
have no compunction in putting the ma
ton on compulsory ration" Baron
Rhondda added that the danger OF the
situation did not lie in the submarine
peril. but In the worlds shortage OF
cereals. meats and fats.
Baron Rhondda made this statement
to the American correspondents here
after telling them that the minimum
foodstu6 requirements from the United
States and Canada during the forthcom-
ing twelve months would be more than
1 100000 tons. representing an expendi-
ture Of 1880. 100000.
The Food Controller also announced
measures for stabilizing the sugar trade.
with a committee In New York to super
wise Cuban purchases.
THE establishment of this committee
and Of a meats and fats executive" said
Baron Rhondda. ''is typical OF the way
in which we all now are working to-
gether to solve the allied food problem
with the least possible dislocation or
trade and In a united determination that
the armies and civil populations shall
be provided. at fair price, with food
enough to assure victory.
To Cooperate with Hoover.
Most Of the money II to BE- spent
In the United States for cereals. hog
products. sugar and meat. In view OF
the figures II IL necessary to emphasize
the vital Importance of the continuance
OF the closest possible cooperation be-
tween Mr.. Hoover. the American Food
Controller, and Mr.. Hanna. Food Con-,
troller Of Canada. and myself. Several
gf ON in ha
The first is the formation by France.
Italy and Great Britain Of a meats and
fats executive. In the future all Entente
allied purchases OF bacon, ham, lard,
| butter and cheese In the United States
will be pooled through this executive,
thus eliminating competitive buying be-
| tween the Allies, which raises prices in
the United States and at home
"Our buying organization in New
York Is receiving invaluable coopera-
ton from Mr.. Hoover. OF course emer-
eency measures such as those Of to-day
entail inconvenience and sacrifice, but
am glad to say that packers and agents
here and on the other side are showing
every disposition to cooperate Execu-
tives to pool purchases of other food
stufrs may be established before long.
Sending Mis.ion to New York.
"A special mission representing the
Ministry OF Food shortly will be leaving
here for New York. Owen Hugh Smith.
who has been Minister Of Munitions, will
| head the mission which will be attached
to Lord Northclifre's organization. Mr.
Smith will be accompanied by various
| experts on food production and pur-
chase.
&c. A. n. Phillips, who went to the
United States with Foreign Secretary
Balfour. has returned To England and
been appointed by the War Cabinet as
a channel OF communication between the
Government departments and the Brit
ish mission in the United States
Baron Rhondda also announced that
Sir Joseph White Todd, a member Of the
| British Sugar Commission. and J. r.
, Drake, London broker. were going TO
New York as the British members OF
! Mr.. Hoover's Sugar Committee. Pend
ing their arrival, Baron Rhondda said,
"as an instance OF our complete conf
dence in Herbert Hoover's fairness and
sound Judgment" he had asked Mr.
Hoover not to await the arrival OF the
/ British commissioners but to go ahead
and purchase and arrange the alloca-
, tion Of the Cuban sugar crop on Great
Britain's behalf
Inter-Allied Council Forming.
Mr. Hoover has informed Baron
Rhondda that the United States would
not be a competitor in the Java market.
The formation of an inter-a lied council
10 deal with the ALLEGATION of all war
supplies required in the United States
, is progressing rapidly. Baron Rhondda
said that he welcomed the appointment
OF Louis r. Sheldon as representative OF
the United States Food Administration
in London.
Il hope the eNportable surplus of
| Canadian and American primary food
stuNs will be much larger than the
present estimates. as the result OF food
economies by which the United States
and Canadian homes are helping to win
, the war just as surely az is the pro-
duction Of munitions" Baron Rhondda
said. Every American woman is in
position to bring the inevitable atone
ment for the brutal outrages In Bel
/ gium, Armenia, Serbia. the sinking of
| the Lusitania and other horrors by her
day by day economies They need have
/ no fear that their sacrifices will be
, wasted here.
UNLESS the Entente Allies are able
10 import the supplies necessary for the
armies and the populations. victory may
slip from our united grasp. In regard
To prices to-day, We are paying the
United States and Canada more than
double the range that existed before the
war. l nave heard II asked. What does
that matter as long as the purchases
! are financed by the United States?
Prices Must He Fair.
My answer Is that unless prices
determined upon are fair an uuneces-
sary burden is placed on the backs OF
! the allied Governments, European con-
sumers. American and Canadian tax
payers and. reactivey, on every food
! consumer in America FOR the sole benefit
OF a small section Of the community.
II now am able to limit the profits
derived by those engaged In the food In
dustr!es Of the United Kingdom. we ex-
anime the books and apply = system OF
cost and expense. I expect to hear that
! Mr. Hoover and Mr.. Hanna have taken
similar steps so that we will be able TO
assure the people that the existing high
prices OF imported food do not represent
proiteer!ng.
/ I'm this connection, am anJously
watching the price. and the available
supply. across the water Of foodstufYs for
! cattle. upon which depends largely the
price Of meat and bacon. Unless the
existing high levels are reduced the
poorer classes in the United Kingdom.
France and Italy are faced with many
! privations."
Baron Rhondda said that ne expected
soon to register all food traders here.
and that II few persist in disobeylnx
orders they would be struck OF the list
and thereby forced out of business
|