Wanted — a National Food Policy • Discussing the question of national
food at the British Association last Tuesday, both Professor Neville Moss and Sir John Orr insisted that there is still a section of the population living at the bare subsistence level, insufficiently nourished, and in consequence exposed to disease. The latter urged that there should be a national food policy which would reconcile the needs of agriculture for higher , prices and of the consumers for more and cheaper food—needs, that in his opinion would not be irreconcilable it the functions of the marketing boards were modified with a view to the organisation of distri- bution and the lowering of retail prices. Almost simul- taneously Mr. Bruce was urging before the League of Nations Assembly that the question should be taken up on an international scale. There is a growing consensus of scientific opinion which is convinced that the official view of the cost of subsistence living is too low. A right opinion on this matter is vital to national health and efficiency ; for on it depends not only the amount of relief that is paid, but the vigour with which measures will be taken to distribute the food that is available in excess and to educate the people in using it when they have it.
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