THE food question is now taken in hand by the Government with something like vigour, and its action is reflected in the menu of the House of Commons dining-room, where those who feel that they cannot lunch or dine without flesh or fish can make up for their absence by consuming mock sole and mock veal cutlets. The rest of us, however, will be content to eat without this childish make-believe such food as the dictator will permit us to have. One thing that will not be allowed after the first of January is the use of flour which does not comply with the new regulations, so that those who began hoarding white flour are confronted with the disagreeable prospect of having more on their hands than they can consume in the next six weeks. We expect, however, to see still more stringent regulations in the near future, and it will not be because they are not required. Luxuries will assuredly be brought under some degree of control. It is not right that poor folk should have to go without sugar because it is required for the manufacture of cakes and sweets. Chemical foods are of more importance than these, but a dearth of them is threatened by the shortage of sugar. And there is the question of the restaurants, where, whatever the thinking may be, the living is far from plain. It seems quite certain that economy will not be practised voluntarily. Only compulsion will secure it.

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