Planning the World's Food
Information about important international arrangements for the conservation of food was given by Mr. Greenwood in the House of Commons last week and in two White Papers published simultaneously. These contain statements of policy agreed upon between the United Kingdom and the Govern- ments of Australia and New Zealand. The problem to be solved was that of meeting the needs of the primary producers in the Dominions and keeping their indispensable industry going. The Home Country is ready to purchase all the export- able produce that can be shipped, and, by arrangements for de-boning and canning before shipment, a larger amount is shipped than would otherwise be possible. But there remains a large surplus, even when alternative markets have been developed, and much of this is now going into huge reserve stocks, the cost being shared between the Dominions and the Home Country. The object is to build up such a reserve as will meet the probable demand during and after the war. The United States is co-operating, one plan under consideration being that of sending supplies across the Pacific to the West coast of America and releasing an equal amount from the Atlantic ports for this country. To keep Dominion industries going, to economise shipping, to prepare for post-war needs— these are among the major objects of co-operation between Britain, the Dominions and the United States. All this may have a far-reaching influence on the post-war settlements.
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