The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-02-24

In the cases Of oranges and bananas
in which the amount brought in will
be restricted rs per cent. The same
restriction will apply TO nuts Canned
salmon importations will be reduced
SO per cent. The importation of for
eign tea. coffee and cocoa Is prohibited
and even the amount of India tea which
may be brought in is reduced.
May save eoo,O0o Tons.
The premier said II was expected TO
save 100000 tons OF shipping yearly on
foodstufTs
The opinion was expressed by the
premier that food prices were not
likely to decrease for a long time after
the war, inasmuch as Germany would
then be a heavier purchaser than ever
before Therefore. II was safe TO
grant to the farmers minimum price
over definite period of time, which
was the only way TO bring about i'm
mediate action
The premier also proposed a mini
mum wage Of twenty-five shillings
weekly for agricultural workers.
Paper Imports Ont.
In announcing the decision 10 re-
strict the Importation Of paper Mr..
Lloyd George said the government had
arrived at the conclusion that very
substantial reduction was necessary,
and that the amount would DO cut to
half OF what 10 now allowed. This
would reduce the allowance to $40. 900
tons.
All essential articles Of food, ne con-
tinued. would be on the free list, but
certain articles would be reduced or
prohibited The stoppage of importa-
tion of coffee. tea and cocoa for the
time being was due to the fact that
large supplies were on hand. The
premier said he regretted very much
the cutting of OF certain luxurtes
which came from France and italy.
Immediate Restrictions.
These restrictions would he imposed
Immediately. said the premier. steps
would he taken TO prevent speculative
buying and If necessary the food con-
modify, The restrictions had been
carefully considered. and he asked the
house to take them as A whole.
The premier declared he had not
the slightest doubt that II the whole
program were carried out and II all
those who could help In production did
help, 81 honestly say we can face the
worst the enemy can do. and that is
wha; we ought to be prepared to do"
Question of Production.
IN dealing with the question of pro-
duction the premier said:
Then there is the question OF our
home supplies OF food. / want the
TO know that at present our
food stocks are low. This is not due
10 submarines but to the bad harvest.
It IL essential to the safety of the ma
ton that we put forth every effort TO
hI
are stiii few wan!sa to SOW anring
wheat, oats and barley. TO induce the
farmer to pillow up pasture land I'M
The government proposes
to guarantee the farmer a minimum
price for a definite period. while r. min
imum wage OF twenty-five shillings
weekly will be fxed for the lahorer."
Timber Question Discussed.
Premier Lloyd-GeorGe said ii was
necessary to get as much work as pos
sible out OF the shipyards, not merely
for the mercantile marine. but for
building boats TO cone with subma-
rines Timber to the amount OF $500
600 tons had been imported. he said.
and If this tonnage was to be saved
this timber problem must be dealt with.
was being made as to
the best methods of economizing tim
her behind the lines ana IN hhGtanu'
Another method was to make the army
In France self-supporting.
The French government, said the
premier, already had placed two for
eats at the disposal of Great Britain.
and he was afraid the government
must ask the French to make further
sacrifices third method was to get
sufffcient labor TO increase the sup
ply Of home timber for pit props and
other purposes