22 DECEMBER 1917, Page 3

Lord. Rhondda, in a speech to the Food Control Committees

of North London on Tuesday, expressed his disappointment at the failure of the Local Committees to stop the queues of would-be purchasers outside provision-shops, as these queues were " little centres of discontent." In some towns, by an improved system of distributing supplies to the retailers, the queues had been rendered unnecessary. Lord Rhondda suggested that every customer should be registered at one shop, and each retailer should supply his own customers and no others. The cost of living had been reduced by ten per cent. during the past six months, mainly through the action of the Department, but we must reduce our consumption. The position in regard to wheat was more serious than it was two months ago because we had to meet the demands of our French and Italian Allies. " It is tho future I am afraid of," he added, " and probably compulsory rationing will have to come in." In the New Year there is to be one meatless day a week, and butchers' supplies will be reduced by a fourth from January 13th.