5 JULY 1946, Page 13

Sta,—Your correspondent J. R. Macdonald has done a good service

by drawing attention to this question. In these days of bread-rationing and economic instability, we may well ask ourselves if we are in a position to supply 87o,000 tons of cereals for the manufacture of beer and spirits, and to spend £685 millions annually on their consumption. I certainly think there is a much greater need for rationing drink than food, and it would be interesting to read the sober reflections of The Spectator on the subject in all its aspects.—Yours, &c., JOHN HOTSON.

Moffat.