VAST SUPPLIES

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 304, 23 December 1943, Page 4

VAST SUPPLIES

GREENS FOR PACIFIC CITY FIRMS' ACTIVITIES One of the major achievements on the home front during the past year has been the growing, packing and dispatch of thousands of tons of vegetables to the armed forces in the Pacific. Many sacrifices have been made and long hours worked, often at night, to ensure that ships are loaded to Plimsoll. There is an impression among the public that most of these activities, involving the supply of foodstuffs under lend-lease. are organised and carried out by the State through the Internal Marketing Division. The facts are that the division handles about one-third of vegetable supplies shipped abroad; the remaining twothirds have been taken over by two Auckland fruit and produce firms. Through their contacts with growers and distribution sources, these firms have drawn supplies from all over New Zealand, not alone from the Auckland area. For most of the period the merchants have accepted contracts from the Food Controller, but within the last month a new system has boen instituted under which orders come from the Internal Marketing Division. Despite extensive competition at present from the State, not only in distribution but at the production end, the Auckland merchants continue to handle the bulk of supplies. - Huge Potato Orders Prodigious quantities are involved. For instance, from May to November 150,000 sacks of southern potatoes, weighing about 12,000 tons, were graded and crated for the United States Joint Purchasing Board by several firms who are members of the Grain, Ssed and Produce Merchants' Association. In July one firm alone recrated 4000 bags of onions. All sorting was done by hand, and only the best quality were in overseas orders. During October and November the following approximate quantities of vegetables were shipped, having been crated by city firms:—Cabbage 1,173,0001b; carrots, 484,0001b; cauliflower, 220,0001b; swedes, 172,5001brhubarb, 57.0001b; beetroot, 75,0001b : lettuce, 18,Cf)01b. On.reaching the city the vegetables go into cool store for a short period before occupying refrigerated space on the freighters bound for the war zone. Rigid inspection is maintained to ensure the best quality and condition of the produce. Fulfilling an order for several thousand cases of cabbage, peas or lettuce is far from a simple matter. Often the order is amended, not once but several times, or cancelled altogether, and rapid rearrangements are necessary to prevent pver-supply or wastage. All the time an eye has to be kept en the domestic market to ensure continuity. Welcomed in Tropics In many far-flung parts of the combat areas New Zealand and American troops, for the first time since hostilities began, are enjoying fresh vegetables this Christmas, a welcome change from dehydrated products and the übiquitous "m. and v." Letters which have reached home recently reveal how much appreciated these supplies are. For the steady stream of these vegetables they have to thank an elaborate organisation from the grower to the merchant seaman. Cabbage has been a staple line for many months, and scores of tons have been dispatched. Before crating the cabbages lose a third of their bulk, representing the outside green leaves. Celery, a popular item with the Americans, has also been forwarded in large quantities by the merchant firms. With the advent of the summer, peas and beans have taken precedence and will cover many a soldier's plate beneath tropical skies on Christmas Day.