The steadfastness with which the herds and flocks were maintained throughout all the vicissitudes and difficulties of the war period is a record upon which British stockowners may fairly be congratulated. The heavy loss of pigs was unfortunate, but there were peculiar reasons for this, and it is the class of stock which can be re-established in the shortest time.

Producers are never popular with consumers, and high prices of food do not engender a friendly feeling towards farmers. But when the history of home food production during the war comes in the future to be calmly reviewed, it will be recognised that, on the whole, the country is indebted to the agricultural community for a successful effort to assist in the great struggle. Those engaged in food production, whether as farmers or labourers, worked strenuously and unceasingly in a real spirit of patriotism to secure the utmost possible output. It is easy for the cynic to say of the farmers that the incentive was monetary gain, and he might say with equal truth that this was the

motive which impelled those who worked in munition factories. That many of those engaged in the production of war materialof which food is an important part-benefited financially, is true enough, but it is not true to say that it was only for personal gain that they worked as they had never worked before. There are a few wastrels in every class of the community, but the men who went from the countryside to fight, and who return to the old homes, may be assured that the overwhelming majority of those who were left behind were not shirkers, but in the sphere allotted to them honestly and faithfully "did their bit."

CHAPTER III

STATE CONTROL OF FOOD SUPPLIES

“A nation is made powerful and honoured in the world not so much by the number of its people, as by the ability and character of that people."-WILLIAM COBBETT.

BEFORE the war the only interest which the State took in food supplies was to impose certain enactments and regulations for the protection of the consumer against fraud, misrepresentation and injury. The principles laid down in the Sale of Food and Drugs Acts had practically abolished the old condition of things when

"Chalk and alum and plaster were sold to the poor for bread,"

and in the main the food supply of the people was honest and wholesome, as well as cheap. The State also drew a substantial amount of revenue from certain articles of food and drink, such as sugar, chocolate, cocoa, tea,

coffee and alcoholic liquors. Beyond this the feeding of the nation was left entirely to private enterprise, and the basic principle of supply was caveat emptor. Plenty of theoretical, and some practical, faults were to be found. Physiologists and medical men consistently pressed for stricter supervision and more meticulous regulation by public authorities, and undoubtedly their efforts had been beneficial. Step by step the general standard of food sold was raised, and its producers and purveyors were increasingly subjected to restrictions designed for the protection of the public. As to the sufficiency of supplies, which in earlier stages of our history had often greatly concerned the Government, no one suggested that any action of the State was necessary or desirable for the feeding of the nation in time of peace, though some urged that measures should be taken to ensure supplies in time of war. For current needs food of all kinds was plentiful, and it did not occur to any one that State action could increase the total supply.

In theory it is quite possible for the State