“SECOND BATTLE FOR BRITAIN”

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXVI, Issue 14481, 29 September 1947, Page 2

“SECOND BATTLE FOR BRITAIN”

DESPERATE PLIGHT

OF PEOPLE Seriousness of Situation Stressed Greater Assistance From Tauranga Sought “I prefer to call it ‘The second battle for Britain,’ ” said Mr H. E. Blyde, of Taranaki, a member of the 4id for Britain National Council when emphasising the desperate plight of Britain to a mass meeting of town and country, residents at Tauranga on Friday. Mr Blyde felt that the situation was just as serious, and Britain was up against as many odds, as she was in the first battle. Mr Blyde expressed his pleasure at being able to visit Tauranga to discuss with the people the plans the council had in mind for increasing the production of foodstuffs for Britain. He thought it was necessary to labour the point of Britain’s dire needs, because there were still a good many people who did not fully appreciate the situation. After outlining the work of the council, which met fortnightly to see that the resolutions and plans were implemented, Mr Blyde expressed his gratification that promises to make every effort to assist had not been empty ones. Every section of the community which had been approached, had agreed to assist or were already doing so. The farmers themselves could not achieve the desired result unless they received the co-operation of all other sections of the community. One Trade Union had written on behalf of the workers it represented, offering to work five hours each Saturday at ordinary rates of pay on any work the council considered necessary. Watersiders’ Pledge Replying to a question, Mr Blyde said the watersiders had given a pledge to assist. He suggested that the people reserve their criticism, and if the desired support was not forthcoming he would be the first one to attack. Reference was made to the bottlenecks which occurred in the wharf sheds, and outlined the steps which had been taken for the carriers and warehousemen to work on Saturdays to relieve the situation. While these bottlenecks existed one could not expect the watersiders to work longer. Obstensibly, they were now working--59 hours a week.

Mr Blyde said he had never supported a watersider or a miner, and as a farmer, he contended that they never had to work as long as the farmer. However, more would be achieved by voluntary assistance, and he favoured an approach in the right spirit rather than antagonism and criticism. Federated Farmers had undertaken to approach every farmer to gain a complete survey concerning probable and possible production on their farms. It was also intended to seek information as to difficuties which prevented the utmost production. With this information the Federation could go to the Aid for Britain production committee and explain that they could tackle the problem a certain way. Problems Being Tackled Mr Blyde added that he was not going to say the committee could do the impossible and remove all obstacles confronting the industry They were tackling problems, and had arranged for additional men at fertiliser works. This would result in greater production. They were searching the world for fencing wire, and it appeared as if the position might be a little better than it was a month ago.

Mr Blyde appealed to any farmer who could grow more maize to do so, but not at the expense of other production. Greater nig production also meant a raoid increase in the supply of food for Britain. If increased production was ever necessary it was necessary today, and it should be built up to the highest level, not only for this year, but for the next two or three years. Everyone acquainted with the situation realised that, and this was why th* promoters of the council had had such unity of purpose. The speaker emphasised the fact that the effort had to be one of self-sacrifice, and felt that much more could be gained by voluntary contrioutions. Only by everyone doing his or her best could it hoped to reach a peak which had never been achieved before, and so build up the permanent nrosperity not only of this country, but of the British Empire. He wanted to go back to Wellington and tell the council not what he had said to the people of Tauranga, but what th° people here were thinking.