5 JANUARY 1918, Page 11

The Labour Conference last Saturday considered the food problem, and

demanded compulsory rationing so as to assure to each person, rich or poor, his fair share of the available foodstuffs. The resolutions adopted contained the plan which Lord Rhondda was already endeavouring to carry out through the Local Committees, though the Conference desired to extend the scheme at once to many necessary articles of food. Mr. Clynes, the Parlia- mentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food, told the delegates that the Ministry was doing already what they asked it to do, and went on to explain its policy. He reminded the Conference that a well-known Labour leader, Mr. Smillie, had been offered the post of Food Controller but had refused it, and that it was easier to criticize than to administer.