6 FEBRUARY 1915, Page 16

THE LABOUR PARTY AND "DEAR FOOD.' pro ma Emma or

TEE "SrecTrroe:q

Sin,—The walls of our Midland and Northern towns are placarded with a protest of Trade Unionists against dear food. There are two ways in which Trade Unionists could assist in lowering food prices. If they would agitate for our Government to declare a blockade of the German coast, then the vessels which are now taking cotton to Germany would bring food to us. That is the first way. The second is this. It is no use bringing food to this country if the ships cannot be unloaded promptly. In the Mersey last week there were forty-two vessels at one time waiting to be docked. Vessels are making two voyages instead of three, and three instead of four, because their cargoes cannot be discharged promptly. When a dozen Belgians were engaged at the Manchester Docks to help to unload cargo the Trade Union insisted on and procured their dismissal. The Trade Unions make food dear by such a policy. The food is here, but the Labour Party prevents us getting at it. Freights rise because ships are