FOOD FOR BRITAIN

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 66, Issue 248, 1 August 1946, Page 5

FOOD FOR BRITAIN

GIFTS FROM NEW ZEALAND PARCELS APRPECIATED (Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 11.25 a.m.) LONDON, July 31. Of a total of 7193 cases of gift food parcels received from New Zealand since January 1, only 778 cases have not been distributed. In addition, 5314 tons of perishable foodstuffs and 352 carcases of pork and lamb received gs gifts from New Zealand have been handed over to the commodity Division of the Ministry of Food for distribution through the normal rationing channels.

The proceeds of these perishable foodstuffs is to be credited to the Ministry’s overseas food gifts centre for the purchase of tinned and other nonperishable food which can be individually allocated. The scheme for the distribution of gift food from overseas covers 1561 local authorities, 15GS hospitals, 2320 charitable institutions and 16 workers’ rehabilitation centres throughout the United Kingdom. Seventy per cent of air goods received are sent to the local authorities for distribution to poor and needy persons, including a large number of old-age pensioners. Tfle remainder goes to hospitals and charities.

Recent allegations that large quantities of gift food^ parcels sent from Australia and New* Zealand were allowed to accumulate in dock warehouses, and that the food was deteriorating as a result have been fully investigated and proved quite unfounded. In the first place, owing to the large response to appeals overseas, the task of distributing gift parcels proved too large for the staff available, but this has now been increased, and in the case of New Zealand, at least, the quantities of food stuffs remaining in store is small. All these stored goods are classified as non-perishable, and steps have been taken by the Ministry to release all perishable foodstuffs immediately. As it is considered impossible to distribute this, class of food to individuals, it is sold through normal rationing channels, and the proceeds are used to buy tinned and other non-perishable food, which is included in the individual gift allocations. Every/Package Distributed

Ministry of Food officials state that every package received from New Zealand individually is allocated and distributed, and they are satisfied that local authorities and .other organisations dealing with distribution are doing the job well and thoroughly. The contents of parcels have proved of the greatest assistance to all who have received them, and it is stated that a large number of individual letters of thanks have been dispatched to the donors in New Zealand. . Parcels still remaining in store comprise 160 cases sent by the New Zealand Government, 90 cases from the Waikato centre of the Red Cross Society, 418. cases from the National Patriotic Fund, 92 cases from the Royal Empire Society of New 'Zealand, and IS cases from the people of Wanganui. ■ All these are to be distributed very shortly.