The Government say, as it were, " The ship is
in danger of sinking. It is true we have signed a contract to carry this cargo. If we do not jettison it, however, the ship herself will be lost with everybody on board." So far so good. But what are we to say of the circumstances in which the Govern- ment announce this sensational decision ? The Agriculture Act was introduced on the understanding that it was necessary for the security of the nation. It was pointed out that one of our greatest dangers in the war was the danger of being starved out. It was said that we must produce much more food and that we must never allow such a danger to recur. For our part, we agreed. Free Traders though we are, we have always taken the line that it was justifiable to pay more for articles which were proved essential to security.
