90. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Australia 0
270. From State and Agriculture. In farm message January 29,1 the President said vigorous efforts must be continued to expand markets and find additional outlets for our farm products. Said food can be powerful instrument for free world in building durable peace. Announced steps would be taken explore anew other surplus producing nations practical means utilizing agricultural surpluses this purpose.
Benson will testify on farm message before House Committee Agriculture at 10 am, EST, Feb 10. Expected he will indicate President is requesting him proceed accordance with following letter to him from President (telegraphically shortened):
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“My message to Congress January 29, recommending several measures improve existing farm programs, stressed need for effective use our agricultural abundance in meeting food needs home and abroad. In that message I reported steps being taken with other exporting nations to explore all practical means using food for peace.
Today our supplies are moving to foreign countries in large volume under special programs, and other nations with agricultural surpluses help in similar ways. Yet in some parts of world millions of people are still hungry. This condition due partly to problems that cannot be wholly remedied by larger food supplies from abroad. Even [Page 195] so, we in America must do more assure food abundance—our own and that of our friends abroad—is used as effectively as possible where it most urgently needed.
My earnest hope is our people will put their hearts as well as minds into this effort. It is more than surplus disposal, more than attempt foster ties and sympathies for America. It is effort that I consider in full keeping with American tradition—helping people in dire need who with us are devoted upholding and advancing cause of freedom. It is undertaking that will powerfully strengthen our persistent and patient efforts build enduring, just peace.
Am aware search for effective programs help countries banish hunger has long been important concern of United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization whose Director General only short time ago proposed another substantial attack upon problem through international food campaign. His proposal concerned with many longer term aspects of production, trade and consumption, and with scientific and economic factors bear upon these developments, largely in years to come.
In exploration of new approaches, consultation between US and other food exporting countries should be intensified. So far as our programs concerned, we are in position help under legislative authorities that already exist. I want it understood, however, I will seek such additional legislation as may be needed accomplish these purposes.
I request that you, as Secretary of Agriculture, take lead within our Government in organizing and energizing this effort. This must be done in closest collaboration with Department of State in particular, as well as with other agencies concerned.”
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Request officials foreign government be advised substance of above. Details plan now being developed. You will be advised soon as ready. You should emphasize that any plan would be developed in cooperation with other exporting countries.2
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 411.0041/2–959. Official Use Only. Drafted by Howard M. Gabbert, Assistant Chief of the Commodities Division of the Office of International Resources, and R.H. Roberts of the Department of Agriculture; cleared by S/S, with OFD and Agriculture, and in substance with Goodpaster; and initialed for the Secretary by Leddy. Also sent to Wellington, Buenos Aires, and Ottawa.↩
- For text, see American Foreign Policy: Current Documents, 1959, p. 1489.↩
- The Conference of Major Wheat Exporting Nations was held in Washington May 4–6. For text of the joint communiqué issued at its conclusion, see American Foreign Policy: Current Documents, 1959, pp. 1489–1492.↩