24 MARCH 1917, Page 3

Lord Milner went on to state that when the present

supply of malted barley was exhausted next November, but not till then apparently, they would have to decide between using barley for food or for the production of alcohol. This seems to us going perilously near to the old " wait and see " heresy. He added that he had no doubt what the position of the Government would be, and also what would be the position of the working classes. The latter would take the patriotic ground, and would not • raise difficulties about a measure which would be clearly necessary, not only for the conduct of the war, but for the preservation of the health of the people. However, he did not believe we should come to that pass.