The Benson signal., 1918-02-09
FOOD CONTROLLER Of
CANADA GIVES WARNING
Food Production Should Be In
creased at All Cost.


In his letter to the public on the
1st of January, Hon. w. J. Hanna, Can
ada's Food Controller, says
Authoritative information has
reached me that food shortage in Eu-
rope is terribly real, and only the
sternest resolve on the part of the pro-
ducers, and equally stern economies on
the part of all as consumers, can pos
sibly save the situation.
France last year had crop be-
tween One-third and one-half that OF
normal year. Women did the work
of draught animals in a determined
effort to make the impoverished soil
OF France produce every possible ounce
of food. They now look to us to make
up their deficiency of essential sup
plies.
"The harvest in Italy was far below
normal and will require much larger
supplies to feed her people until next
harvest.
ut is impossible for the allies to
spare many cargo carriers to transport
foodstuff from India, Australia, New
Zealand and even the Argentine RepuD-
lie. This means that the allied nations
are practically dependent upon North
America to supply them with the food
which must be forthcoming if terrible
suffering is to be avoided and the tight
ing efficiency of the armies maintained.
"On December 1, the United States
had not single bushel of wheat for
export, after allowance was made for
domestic requirements on the basis or
normal consumption, and the United
States Food Administration is endeav-
oring to bring about a reduction OF ~
per cent in home consumption of wheat
and flour. This would release 100000
600 bushels for export but the Allies
will require nearly five times that
amount before the 1918 harvest.
Canada is the only country in the
world, practically accessible to the AL
lies under present conditions of ship
ping shortage, which has an actual ex-
portable surplus of wheat after allow
ance for normal home requirements.
The surplus today is not more than
110,O0O,O0O bushels. A reduction of 20
per cent in our normal consumption
would save an additional 100000
bushels for export. The outlook for
production of food stuffs in Europe
next year is distinctly unfavorable.
"Such is the situation-grave beyond
anything that we thought possible a
few months ago. Unless our people
are aroused to a realization Of what
the world shortage means to us, to our
soldiers and to our Allies, and of the
terrible possibilities which it entails,
disaster is inevitable.
"Production, too, must be increased
to the greatest possible extent. Pres
ent war conditions demand eXtraordi-
nary efforts, and every man, woman,
boy or girl who can produce food has
q national duty to do so.
81 am confident that when the people
Of this country realize that the food
situation is of utmost gravity they will
willingly adjust themselves to the ne
cessities Of the case and make what
ever sacrifices may be required. The
call which is made upon them is in
the name of the Canadian soldiers at
the front, the allied armies, and the
CIVILIAN populations Of the allied ma
tions who have already made food sac
rifices to an extent little realized by
the people Of this country"
Here is an appeal made by a man,
upon whom rests the great responsible
lty of assisting in providing food for
the allies and the soldiers at the front,
who are fighting the battles in mud
and blood. 1t cannot be ignored. AT
home we are living in luxury and ex-
travagance inclined to idleness and for.
getfulness. This must cease. We must
save and produce. Our lands must be
titled no matter where it may be, in
Canada or the United States. 1t is
our duty to cultivate. Splendid oppor-
tunities in the United States are open
for further cultivation of lands. West
ern Canada also offers opportunities in
high producing lands at low prices
Decide for yourself where you can do
the most good, on land in the United
States or in Canada, and get to work
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