FOOD SCARCITY IN BRITAIN

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24820, 9 March 1946, Page 6

FOOD SCARCITY IN BRITAIN

“BARELY ENOUGH TO KEEP GOING ”

SURGEON’S APPEAL TO NEW ZEALANDERS

The people of Great Britain were getting just enough to eat —no more—and any effort New Zealanders could make, individually and collectively, to help them could not be tdo great, said Mr L. A. Bennett, a Christchurch surgeon, who recently returned from a three months’ visit to study chest surgery in London, in an interview yesterday. “It would be an awful shock to the average New Zealander if he was forced to live on the English rations,” Mr Bennett commented.

Although they were not starving, the people of Britain had barely enough food to keep them going, he said. A week’s ration of meat was equal to the quantity eaten by many New Zealanders in one day. The shortage of fats, both edible and cooking, was approaching the danger point. New Zealand could not do enough to help Britain with food. As always, the English people would share anything. eVen to the point of going short themselves, with their guests, particularly New Zealanders, who were exceptionally highly regarded. "Everybody who can should send parcels to their friends, and continue sending parcels to the limit of their purchasing,” replied Mr Bennett when he was asked for his suggestions for giving practical help. “I go So fat as to say we can afford to go without something ourselves. If further rationing was introduced in New Zealand the people of Britain would benefit.” The sending of food from Britain to starving Europe was essential, said Mr Bennett. In spite of the stories of black markets, the bulk of the people of Eurone were starving. Many stories were tnld of the black market, but how many could afford to nay 30s for a meal? The average middle-class Person was finding difficulty in getting enough to live on. England was giving Europe some of her food in an effort to help. Although they were now reacting to the long period of orivation. the British neoole were still prepared to help people worse off than themselves. In England buyers were standing in queues to obtain boots and shoes and suit lengths industry was hastening to produce for export, on which Britain depended.

The Fishing Rivers According to advice received by the Ndtth Canterbury Acclimatisation Society, the condition of the fishing fivers at noon yesterday wSS: Rakaia, Hurunui. Waimakarin, Selwyn. and Halswell. fishable; Ashley, slightly dis* coloured, but clearing. Dome Fasteners Regular shipments pf dome fasteners are now arriving in New Zealand* and although the supply is only about one* third of normal requirements, it is better than it was during the war years; Most of New Zealand’s dome fasteners are Obtained from Great Britain, but a small quantity is also received from [ America.