THE FOOD CONTROLLER AND PRICES.
[To THE EDITOR or THE " SPECTATOR."]
SIR,—I think your note in the Spectator of March 3rd shows that you have misunderstood the action taken by the Food Controller in regard to potatoes, and have therefore done Lord Devonport and his Department an injustice. You said: " The Food Con- troller should never have had any say in the fixing of prices of food not yet produced. The typical muddle was when Lord 'Devonport fixed a maximum price for potatoes yet to be grown, and Mr. Prothero fixed a minimum price." If you will allow me to quote a sentence or two from Captain Bathurst's speech in the House of Commons on February 8th last, the functions of the two Departments will become clear. He said :- ! " With the increased dependence upon our own national resources he [the Food Controller] recognizes the importance of assenting to such pricet for home-grown produce as will stimulate the home .production of food. 1 designedly use the word ' assenting ' because
his function, so far as agricultural processes are concerned, does not go beyond the task of assenting to the decisions which are come to or the suggestions which are made by the three Agricul- tural Departments which deal with the actual processes of agri- culture in the various parts of the country. The Food Controller acts in all these matters as the executive authority, but he in no way fixes or even emphasizes his own views as regards the price to be offered for home-grown produce."
He went on to indicate that this did not apply to the fixing of prices for produce which has become an article of commerce is
the hands of retail traders.—I am, Sir, &c., Z.-
[We gladly publish "Z.'s" letter. If we have unwittingly misled the public in regard to the actions of the Food Controller it would cause us sincere regret. The truth is the number of " houses of issue" tends to confuse the nation's mind, if not actually to shake public credit in " Government paper."—En. Spectator.]
Previous page
