Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. FRIDAY, SEPT. 5, 1947 HELP FOR BRITAIN

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 76, 5 September 1947, Page 4

Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. FRIDAY, SEPT. 5, 1947 HELP FOR BRITAIN

WITH regard to the ‘Help for Britain’ campaign, the response has been so unanimous in the Dominion that there is, really, only one question and that is—what best to do. Recently a London economic journal published a graph showing exactly how British supplies of foodstuffs were obtained. New Zealand held a creditable place in it, with 17 per cent, of the meat, 36 of the cheese and 45 per cent, of the butter. Other items gave this country 5 per cent, of the milk powder and 2 per cent, of dried eggs. In the matter of percentages the United States was the largest supplier of dried eggs (85 per cent.). Apparently the food supplies from America in the dairy produce class (which includes eggs), last year reached a value exceeding £43,000,000. It may surprise many people to know that the big Republic also provided 20 per cent, of the cheese. It was significant that the graph referred to appeared in an article headed: “Scope for Import Cuts.” That is what Britain has to face. The issue before the combined conference here will be to examine the scope for export increases. The production year has not yet got under way, but there is - some satisfaction in the fact that last season saw the production in dairy produce practically recover all the ground lost in the preceding season through prolonged dry spells. The increase in shipments, of butter for the year should be reckoned in mahy thousands of tons and the quantity of meat awaiting shipment is well above last year’s total. But it is the future that counts most. There are one or two columns in the graph that seem to attract attention.' , This country does not appear at all as a supplier of bacon or ham. The home supplies account for 41 per cent., Canada supplies 43 and Denmark 14 per cent. Would it be possible for this country,,say in 1949, to send along substantial shipments ? Then in the matter of cooking fat the home supply provides 79 and America 18 per cent. Would a really national drive enable New Zealand to send edible fats in any appreciable quantity? The annual requirements are set down at 180,000 tons. Other milk products essential include 170,000 tons of condensed milk, of which this country provides little if any, and 70,000 tons of milk powder qf which New Zealand sent 5 and Australia 3 per cent. These are among the basic supplies and *it will be for the conference to determine along which of these lines practical aid can.be given quickly and in expanding volume. In the matter of raw materials the Dominion’s scope is limited. The greater part of the wool shipped probably goes to Britain, and what finds its way to the United ■ States should, at current prices, do something to make dollar exchange available. The same might be said of skins and pelts. Every possible source of aid should be explored and the community pledged to a sustained effort—for the need of kith and kin overseas are not of a day. Let it be a demonstration of willing and effective co-operation all along the line.