More Cuts in Food Supplies
Lord Woolton, the Minister of Food, announced at Man- chester last Monday that we shall soon have to submit to fur- ther food restrictions and reduced rations. This is what we have expected. A continuance of the plenty of the past year is more than we could look for. Lord Woolton emphasized the fact that the diversion of a part of the mercantile fleet for the purpose of " the coming great offensive " would leave fewer ships available for food transport. (His allusions to the cam- paigns against Italy presumably refer to the growing needs of the war in the Near East rather than strategic plans, which are not within his province.) It is obvious also that enemy sinkings are a further reason why we should economise in imports. The intensification of submarine warfare justifies, at any rate temporarily, any restrictions the Government may deem necessary. We are warned to expect a reduction in the meat ration, and, from time to time, according to supplies avail- able, in bacon. Eggs will continue to be scarce, and the price of bananas will be controlled. The many sacrifices which will be required of the consumer are justifiable, with one possible exception. The decision to cut out most canned fruits and all fresh imported fruits, except a small supply of oranges, seems likely to take away an article of diet that is of great importance for health—unless there are stocks already in the country to meet the need. The country has the Minister's assurance that it will not go hungry. It is prepared for sacrifice in regard to food as in all other consumption goods. And it has the encouragement of knowing that on the economic side other .parts of the Empire are backing us up—as in the Canadian decision to abolish all import duties on a wide range
f British products and prohibit luxury imports from countries of in the sterling group.
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