FOOD SAVING CAMPAIGN TINNED DRIPPING SUPPLIES

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25082, 14 January 1947, Page 5

FOOD SAVING CAMPAIGN

TINNED DRIPPING SUPPLIES

MR FRASER DESIRES CONTINUANCE

It was expected that the Prime Minister (Mr P. Fraser) would make an announcement about plans for giving help from New Zealand to alleviate food shortages in Britain as soon as he resumed work. The Prime Minister’s Department had advised that it was Mr Fraser’s personal wish that the National Famine Emergency Committee and its district committees should continue their good work, said Mr E. A. Chivers, secretary, at the first meeting for the year of the Christchurch Famine Emergency Committee yesterday. When it was reported that the term for which Mr Chivers had been on loan from the National Broadcasting Service would expire at the end of this month, it was’ agreed to apply for an extension of the period. Members said Mr Chivers was largely responsible for keeping Christchurch and surrounding districts at the head of the list in surrendering coupons, saving fat, and sending food parcels overseas. The highest praise for his service should be given in asking that he be permitted to carry on this work. Mr A. M. Carpenter, who presided, said some people considered the contribution of the Famine Emergency Committee small, compared with the huge amounts of foodstuffs required to ease the position overseas. It had been said that this was the opinion of the farming community. He believed that the campaign would lack impetus if the committees were disbanded. Through the committee the public was acquainted daily with the changing needs and given a continuous incentive to personal sacrifice and increased production. It was stated that this year it would be possible for the secretary to visit country centres to advise on means of helping the campaign and to express the committee’s thanks to local committees, from Kaikoura to south of Ashburton, for their excellent support. The committee was indebted to the Red Cross Society, whose branches had willingly acceded to all requests for help and, in many districts, had undertaKen to organise the whole campaign.

SHORTAGE FOR FOOD PARCELS

The first opportunity to discuss the short supply of tinned dripping for inclusion m private parcels of tood for Britain was given members of the Christchurch Famine Emergency Committee yesterday. They expressed concern that an important item for these parcels should be almost off the market, thereby limiting the fine effort being made by individuals in the campaign. The secretary (Mr E. A. Chivers) said the committee had no interest in the marketing aspect, except where it restricted the supply. The producers claimed that the reduction in the price of tinned dripping from 2s 2d to Is 6d made it uneconomic and stocks were almost exhausted.

“Dripping, or fat of any kind, is important to the people at Home because it enables them to eke out their meagre rations and give variety in their cooking,’’ said Mr A. M. Carpenter, who presided. Perhaps it would be easier to send supplies in bulk, said Mr F; H. Hawker. Mr J. E. Jones said that a saving in labour, materials, and postage could be made if the dripping was shipped in bulk. “It is the personal aspect which is most important in this campaign,” said Mr C. S. Hammond. “Dripping may be sent in bulk; but people here are not sure that it is reaching those in whom they are most interested. The inclusion of dripping in the hundreds of personal parcels now going from New Zealand each week means much to the recipients, and these build goodwill and morale. The argument raised could apply to meat; but the value of personal gifts cannot be over estimated.” Mr C. Spring said he knew the supply of tin plate had presented difficulties in the last few months. Mr Chivers said the Government was obtaining 8001 b casks of tallow, beef oleo, or dripping for shipment to Britain. From talks with supporters, however, he felt that public goodwill to the campaign would suffer if small tins of dripping were not again made available. Private persons did not have facilities to seal tins Of dripping to ensure that they would arrive in good condition. It was agreed to ask the National Famine Emergency Committee to investigate and to endeavour to have tinned dripping restored to the market.