PRODUCTION

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 62, 14 March 1944, Page 4

PRODUCTION

I wonder if people realise why meat and butter are being rationed' When war broke out England started to produce more than before in New Zealand, manpower has been drained to such an extent that our production has fallen off in every way instead of being encouraged from the start. Now to keep up normal supplies to England, we have to resort to rationing. Where would we have been if America had not produced with all her manpower and facilities in the two years before she entered the war? We would not have won the battle at El Alamein if it had not been foi- the fruits of her production. Food is an ammunition that must be considered. If we could be certain our fighting forces were getting fresh meat and butter, and England's supplies had increased, we would gladly give without a squeal. I could count on one hand the number of times I had fresh meat in the three years I was in the Middle East, then it was mostly. Australian. Butter was scarcer and I hadn't seen it for months, until I boarded a ship to come home on furlough. Can anybody tell me where the butter goes, that was consumed in civilian life, by the boys now overseas? Nobody can— because it is not produced. If the country had been managed properly, and our production encouraged, we would not be in the sad state we are at present, in a land where there should be plenty, and where we could not over-produce at the present time, or even for a few years to come, when there will be multitudes to feed. SECOND ECHELON.