FEEDING THE HUNGRY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 194, 18 August 1931, Page 5

FEEDING THE HUNGRY.

GOVERNMENT'S FORESIGHT. LARGE PURCHASE OF MEAT. FREE DISTRIBUTION TO NEEDY. The prompt and thoughtful action taken by the Government in February of this year in taking advantage of the low prices offering for sheep to put 20,500 carcases into the freezing works for free distribution during the cold winter months to people suffering from consequences of unemployment has proved a veritable godsend to many thousands of citizens. With the rapidly-increasing unemployment registrations it was feared that the winter would be a hard one for many. As a result of the drought in Hawko's Bay and generally lower ruling prices for sheep, an excellent opportunity offered to provide winter meat supplies for those who otherwise would have to go without this basic article of diet. It wae fortunate that there was in office a far-seeing Cabinet. The Prime Minister placed the matter in the hands of the Minister of Health, the Hon. A. J. Stallworthy, as food controller. It was attended to with dispatch, though a great deal of organisation was involved. Within a few days of the Government's decision to operate 20,500 sheep, ranging from 501b to 701b in weight, were purchased at from 4/C to 5/0 a head and put into cool stores. The carcases were all graded for export in case they should not be required, locally. The business side of the scheme was given closest attention, with the result that prime mutton was provided at a cost to the Government of 1.98 d per lb. The Minister has expressed the gratitude of the Government to the freezing companies who have so generously given six months' cold storage free. Though the Minister operated without publicity in the purchase of the sheep, the immediate effect of his few days' opera 'ons hardened the prices offering. This resulted in a gain of many thousands of pounds to hardpressed small sheep farmers in Hawke's Bay, and Wanganui districts when they were sorely in need of it. The action of the Government taken in February has been fully justified by events. Many thousands of people, never before so hard pressed for the necessaries of life, are very grateful for the meat supplies. The scheme of things was, of course, not to compete in any way with the ordinary meat purveyors. Supplies were to bo given only to necessitous cases who otherwise would have no meat. The organisations of hospital boards and relief associations for investigation of cases and distribution of meat were utilised as far as possible. In other cases special measures were taken to get the meat into family circles most needing it. From Auckland in the North as far°as Dunedin in tho South, Wellington, Christehurch, Palmereton North, Wanganui and over many smaller centres, the mutton has been widely distributed and will continue to be for some weeks further. It has provided refreshing soup for thousands of school children daily and satisfying meals for tens of thousands of men'and their wives and families who as a result of unemployment have suffered greatly. There was no precedent in New Zealand for this action taken by the Government, but it has been widely endorsed. The Minister has been entirely successful in securing the sympathetic co-operation of shipping and carrying companies in the matter of free carriage of the mutton, so that the whole financial provision made by the Government for the purpose has gone directly into food for the people and not into expenses. This practical sympathy with the unemployed has met with thousands of grateful acknowledgments. At a time when retail meat prices are lower than perhaps ever before, the cost of the mutton purchased and distributed by the Government is still below the ruling minimum. A tally of every carcase is kept for auditing purposes.