ENGLISH MOTHER’S GRATITUDE

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25289, 15 September 1947, Page 2

ENGLISH MOTHER’S GRATITUDE

FOOD PARCELS FROM NEW ZEALAND “It’s true we are all beginning to feel the strain of rationing, yet it is amazing how bonny our babies are, due, I believe, to the consideration they are given by the Government,” says Mrs Violet Goyen, of Heston, Middlesex, .England, in a letter to the Mayer of Christchurch (Mr E. H. Andrews), expressing appreciation of the gifts of food parcels from New Zealand to Britain. Mrs Goyen sent the Mayor photographs of her four children, all born since 1940. The two eldest boys spent most of their baby days in air raid shelters, she wrote. All the children had had ration books since their birth and they very rarely had fresh fruit, which was too expensive to buy out of her house allowance of £4 10s a week. “We’ve not had a holiday in 10 years and the children have never seen the sea,” wrote Mrs Goyen. “But I think you will agree with me, sir, that in spite of the hard going the children look fit and well, as the majority of our English children do. Please do not think I’m engaging in any propaganda. I assure you I’m just another British housewife who is sincerely grateful for all New Zealand is doing. God bless you all.”