Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 1946. FOOD FOR BRITAIN

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 66, Issue 248, 1 August 1946, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 1946. FOOD FOR BRITAIN

The American loan to Britain j which was recently approved by the U.S. Senate, :plus the wheat agreement between Canada and the United Kingdom may result in some improvement in the food situation in Britain, but there is still a very great need for all the assistance that can be provided from all the producing Dominions. There apparently has been a very great decline in thd Dominion savings of meat and butter ration coupons, and the posiiton has been the subject of comment by the chairman of the National Famine Emergency Committee (Mr T. X. Bmail wood) who remarked that the general standard of savings had slipped almost everywhere, and it was hard to believe that this represented the normal spirit of sacrifice. The only explanation that could be offered was that it was the result of lack of realisation of the urgency of the appeal. The effort being- made by citizens of Ashburton is slightly better than in the earlier stages of the scheme, and the particular response being made by the pupils of the Technical High School is a most praiseworthy one, but it still seems that further sacrifice is necessary. There may be reluctance on the part of some people to make an effort to help on the score of reports that the food is not reaching the British people, but such reports were dispelled by a recent statement by the High Commissioner for the United Kingdom in Wellington. He said that there was a large number of packages of gifts of food from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa awaiting distribution at United Kingdom ports. All gift consignments were subject to routine inspection, and this had 'revealed that there was no sign, of deterioration in their condition at the docks. Since the first distribution was made approximately 140 shipments had arrived in the United Kingdom and 200,000 gift packages had been allocated, the bulk of which had actually been distributed. The quantity arriving in the United Kingdom had increased substantially during the last few months and approximately 170,000 packages were still ‘awaiting allocation. Every package had been individually allocated, distributed and accounted for, and allocation and distribution arrangements 'had involved in consequence a very great deal of work. From this it will be seen that while there may be delay in distribution, the food is reaching the people, . and this should reassure those who do not contribute because of unfounded reports. English visitors located at Ashburton have, assured us that any gifts are most gratefully received, and it is to be hoped that the near future will see. an appreciative statement coming from Mr Smallwood instead of one expressing regret at the declining response.