New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-24

ing means Of dealing with the sub
marine. but we should be guilty OF
folly il we rested TRANQUILITY upon the
annexation Of realization OF that hope
We have 70 deal ruthlessly and
promptly with the tonnage problem by
measures which impose great sacrl-
fees upon the country.
"There are three sets Of measures
first. by the navy, as described by SIR
Edward Carson First Lord of the Ad-
miralty); second, the building of mer-
chant ships; third, dispensing with up.
necessary commodities from abroad and
production Of as much food as possible
at home"
The stocks Of food in Great Britain
NJ the present time are lower than they
ever have been before. Lloyd George
said. II was essential for the life OF
the nation, he declared, that every pos
sible effort be made TO increase home
production.
Minimum Prices for Products
The Premier announced that the gov
eminent would guarantee price OF 80
shiIlings s pence for oats this year, 81
shillings for the next two years and "a
shillings for the three following years.
The price Of potatoes would be guar
anteed, for the coming season only at
IS ton.
For wheat the government will guar
antee the farmer the following mini
mum prices per quarter: For the pres
emit year, so shillings; for 1918 and
1919. 55 shillings; for 1920, 1921 and
1922, as shillings.
Brewing will be cut down 20 10000
coo barrels annually. A similar reduc-
ton will be made in the output Of
spirits. effecting a saving of 100000
tons of foodstuffs. The importation of
aerated, mineral and table waters will
be prohibited.
yhe Premier said that powers would
be given TO the Board of Agriculture
10 compel land owners to cultivate their
ground. A minimum wage for farm
labor which he proposed-25 shillings
a week-represen an increase Of so
TO so per cent over the present pre-
vailing payment.
High Prices to 0utlast War
The opinion was expressed by the
Premier that food prices were not
likely 10 decrease for long time after
the war, inasmuch as Germany would
then be a heavier purchaser than ever
before. Therefore it was safe to grant
TO the farmers minimum price over
a definite period of time, which was
the only way to bring about immediate
action.
The importation Of apples, tomatoes
and fruits will be prohibited entirely.
The importation Of paper, the Premier
hn ctnr w
Their GAO, 900 tons annually.
The only exceptions made in the pro-
hibition of fruit importations will be
in the cases of oranges and bananas, III
which the amount brought in will DO
restricted 20 per cent. The same re
striction will apply TO nuts. Canned
salmon importations will be reduced 5O
per cent. The importation of foreign
tea, coffee and cocoa is prohibited, and
even the amount of India tea which
may be brought in is reduced.
The Premier said that it was expect
ed to save 100000 tons of shipping
yearly on foodstuffs.
Sorry to Restrict Luxuries
All essential articles OF food, he con-
tinusd, would be on the free list, but
certsin articles would be reduced or
prohibited. The stoppage of importa-
ton of coffee, tea and cocoa for the
time being was due to the fact that
large supplies we're on hand. The Pre-
mier said he regretted very much the
cutting off of certain Injuries which
came from France and Italy.
These restrictions would be i'm
posed Immediately, said the Premier.
Steps would be taken to prevent
speculative buying, and, if necessary,