Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1919-10-11
ENGlAND'S SITUATION
REGARDING FOOD MUCH
BETTER Than IN 1918
Status of Affairs, However
Does Not Call for the Ring
ing of Joy Bells.

London, Oct. 10-A broad survey
on England's pantry shows that while
the country is in far better posi-
ton as regards supplies than last
year the situation does not call for
any joy bells, while the outlook as
regards prices in several food essen
tials is decidedly ominous. The coun-
| try will be no land of plenty, as
! can be seen from the following data
obtained from the food ministry, but
! no one will need to be hungry.
| The Englishman will pay one shll-
milk this winter. In some rural
communities it may be less, but that
to be the average town price. 1t will
be the highest on record
There is a three months supply OF
bacon. Prices are controlled. No
more stocks can be brought in be-
cause all cold storage warehouses
are full. Some meat cargoes from
abroad have spoiled at the docks ow-
ing to congestion. Next year bacon
prices will go up, because supplies
will come from America, the exchange
rate.
There will be very little butter un-
til January, when imports may come
in from Holland and Denmark. Until
then the ration here will be l IL
ounces weekly per person.
There are several months supply
of sugar on hand, which retails at
about Is cents pound, including the
government tax of cents pound.
After present supplies are exhausted
the price undoubtedly will go up.
Dried Fruit Scare.
Dried fruits are more difficult to
obtain. The Greeks, who provided a
great part of Europe with dried
fruits, are eating their product. Tur-
kish supplies are unobtainable.
Supplies of cheese are far below
normal. Surplus milk is being made
into cheese, but the production is
way in the rear of demand. Cheese
is a far more important factor in
the Europeans diet than in the
Americans.
The Indian government has forbid
den the expectation of rice, now re-
tailed here at the controlled price of
about cents a pound. Present rice
stores are believed to be sufficiently
large to tide over until the next
harvest: if not Siam and Saigon
will have to be drawn upon, with a
consequence doubling Of the price
here.
The price of bread will continue at
the low wartime rate, owing to the
continuance of the government sub
sidy, no matter how high wheat
! may go. The four pound loaf sells
at 9 IL pence. This is made pos
sible because the government supplies
bakers with 280-pound sack of flour
at ~ shillings 9 pence, which is 80
shilling below actual cost. However,
the government plans to stop sup
plying such flour to confectioners and
pastry bakers, making them stand
the full charge.
Jam will not have to be ratiOned
this winter, but the supplies are not
sufficient to permit Great Britain to
resume her place as the worlds lead
| ing exporter of jams and marmalade
Prices will be the same as last win
| ter, as the ministry has ordered, 9 1-2
pence to l shilling l penny pei
pound.
Attempts have been made by high
tea dealers, since government control
was removed, to force up the price
of tea, formerly set at shillings 4
pence a pound. The government is
now bearing" the market by offer.
ing 100000 Pounds of tea for sale
monthly. The country's consumption
is but 26,OO0,0O0 pounds monthly.
High Fish Prices.
Fish prices are high, though sup
plies are plentiful. Much waste hal
resulted from delay in getting fish
to market. The ministry of. food i!
seeking to remedy this. Prices are
not expected to- 60 down this winter
Eggs will be scarce and dear thi!
winter. Most; Of the ceuntry's egg
are imported. Russian supplies arr
cut off Last winters prices where
!! by freshly laid eggs sold at 5 l.:
pence each and imported eggs at
penny less. will prevail.
\ Twenty-Five per cent of the coun
try's fresh meat-beef and lamb, TO
little fresh pork is obtaina BILE
home grown. Therefore British
prices, which are controlled, will
largely depend on American, Argen
Most of the country's canned good
come from America-canned fruit
tomatoes, beans, peas-so prices her
will depend on purchases mad
abroad plus freight.
Fresh vegetables, except potatoe
are not controlled in price. In SINAI
lots potatoes may be had for one an
two pense pound; in large amount
for less. Fresh vegetables compris
mainly carrots, turnips. lettuce, par
sley, spinach and cabbage. Celery
uncommon, and other vegetables yer
/ limited in amount and entirely sea
I sonal. High labor costs have force
up prices all over the country.
II O. 3s
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