Evening star., 1943-05-19
Jones' Address Openinq Food PorIey
BY the Associated Press.

In the name of the Government
of the United States and on behalf
of the people of the United States
I greet and welcome you to this
the first conference of the United
Nations and associated nations.
The fact that representatives of
"A nations, from every part of the
earth, have Travelled long distances
under wartime difficulties to be here
bespeaks your earnestness and the
Importance of the subject we are to
discuss.
More important, it reflects genu-
Inc desire on the part of all free
peoples for a better understanding
of our common problems and a
united approach to their solution.
Forerunner of Others.
This conference has rightfully
been referred to as forerunner of
other conferences which unques-'
tionably will have part in shaping
the postwar world in which freedom
will again rule.
It is indeed fitting that the first
Of these world conferences should
deal with food because freedom
means little to people with empty
stomachs.
The subject matter therefore. of
this conference is Of vital interest
to all the world, Food and raiment
are magic words in any language.
The world starts with food, Life
cannot be sustained without it, Food
Is as essential as the air we breathe
and. like the air, we often do not
realize its value until We are de-
prived of it.
Few of us as laymen realize how
much disease and sickness flow
from inadequate or insufficient diet.
Scarcity of food is the root of many
Of our social and economic trou-
hles. Fabrics are almost as impor-
tant. All agriculture is basic.
Source of Many Problems.
Naturally. the peoples of the
world are interested in the market
ing and distribution of the prod
ucts that 60 into food and clothing.
They have been the source of many
problems, not only between nations
but also within the boundaries of
practically every country. The ques-
ton of whether sufficient food of the
right kind is available for consump-
ton will always be of great impor-
tance both in war and in peace.
The facts of history reveal that
In reality there has been no sur
plus of any edible commodity. If
human wants had been satisfied, if
human needs had been supplied,
there would have been full use for
all that has been produced and
much more. Our countries have the
facilities for expanded production
of food and fiber. Mankind has
need of them. That need should be
supplied.
Thinking people everywhere now
realize that what We have called sur
pluses are for the most part not
surpluses at all, but are the results
of accumula tions caused by defects
in the systems of distribution and
the inability Of tine masses to pur-
chase the food they need.
The peoples of the world have
mastered the machinery Of produc-
ton to a far greater degree than
they have mastered the machinery
of distribution What We have been
pleased to call surpluses. therefore.
are largely due to clogged channels
of commerce arising from extreme
trade barriers, upset economies and
lack of purchasing power which pre-
vents consumers from securing the
things they should have to eat and
to wear.
Bursting barns and hungry people
rotting surpluseS and empty trade
channels, starvation in the midst CT
great plenty. either within or with
out the country of production. re-
feet no credit to national or in
ternational economy. They just
don't make sense.
Producer Suffers.
Then, too. wasting SURPRISES fire.
nuentlv cause ruinously low prices
TO the produced which in turn bring
periods of scarcity. The consequent
extreme fluctuations in price are to
the advantage of neither the pro-
lucer nor the consumer. Stored re-
serves. fair price and full use Of
commodities produced are to the
advantage of both producer and
consumer.
II by the exchange of views and
consideration of these questions
we can produce a better under
standing and promote the flow OF
farm commodities and the articles
produced therefron into the markets
of the world: If We can leave the
peoples of the world freer and more
able to produce and secure the
things they need if we can make
It possible for surplus products to
be distributed and used and thus
prevent them from overlooking and
overwhelming the distribution ma
chinery of the countries in which
such surpluseS have been backed up
for lack of a market. we will not
only have achieved a great world
wide humanitarian objective but
each of us will have helped to pro-
mote the economic and social bet
terment of his own country as we'll.
The furnishing of new channels
and new outlets for the products Of
agriculture means as much to the
nations producing the surpluses AS
to those who need the products. In
addition, the freer flow of commodi-
ties in world trade will enable each
nation to produce what it is best
equipped and suited to produce.
May Use Temporary Devices.
It is recognized that these things
look to a long time program. In
the meantime it may be necessary
for the nations to deal on a tenn
porary basis with gluts, geographic
surpluses, and adjustments of pro-
duction. ANY of these temporary
devices, however, should be geared
to the long-range objective of fully
utilizing the products of human
skill and energy
1t must be remembered that the