In the House of Commons on Tuesday Mt. Beton-Karr moved
an amendment to the Address asking for an inquiry into the subject of our food supply in time of war. He and those who supported him named as possible ways. of meeting the danger they feared preferential duties on corn in favour of the Colonies, national granaries, and the establishment of a Food Supply Department. Sir Howard Vincent, who seconded the Motion, declared that there was seldom sixty days' food supply in the country. After Sir William Har- court had very rightly pulverised ,the various suggestions as unwise and unnecessary, Mr. Gerald Balfour refused the.inquiry, and declared that the proper way to safeguard our food sapply was to keep the command of the sea. So long as we did that we were safe. No doubt war might pro. duce a temporary rise in price, but the increased price would at once attract grain from all parts of the world. The decision of the Government was 'wise. The inquiry could have done no good, and would have only raised false hopes among the Protectionists, who have always been most anxious to raise a scare in regard to our food supplies. "The Fleet, the Fleet, and again the Fleet" is the only answer to the ques- tion, "What are we to rely upon to prevent us from starving during a great war ? "
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