FOOD FOR BRITAIN

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 81, 30 December 1940, Page 8

FOOD FOR BRITAIN

Plans For Increase In Storage Space SHIPPING POSITION Meeting Such Emergencies As May Arise Flatts are under way lor greatly increased storage space for produce in New Zealand in order to meet such emergencies as may arise, according to an announcement by the Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, in a statement last night. "The limiting factor in our supplying Britain with the food and raw materials she needs is shipping,” Mr. Fraser said. "Refrigerated shipping space is specially adapted to the requirements of our trade, and it is not easily replaced. Shipping losses which have been heavy during recent months are. therefore, a most serious matter for us. as well as for the people of the United Kingdom.

“Plans are under way f° r greatly increased storage space in New Zealand in order to meet such emergencies as may arise. It will be obvious that we must make the best possible use of the ships available, tilling them witli the goods most urgently needed by Britain, and loading them as quickly as possible, in order to shorten by every possible means the long journey to and from tiie United Kingdom, This requires the co-operation of everybody, from the farmer, the freezing companies, the man in the cool-store, the transport worker, shipping companies, the waterside worker, and all those who handle our produce. This is a vital need of Britain and it is our duty to see tliat her needs are met.

Co-operative System

“I am informed by the Waterfront Commission that under the co-opera-tive system already very considerable progress has been made in the direction of the’more speedy working and turning round of the ships bound for Britain. That is excellent, and those responsible deserve every credit. "But the co-operation of all concerned is necessary if the best and most speedy work is to be obtained, and maintained-; not only of those actually engaged in discharging or loading, but of all those responsible for the cargoes at every stage from the point of production to the ship’s hold. Our shipping at present (indeed tiie whole of our industrial activity in every phase), is a great co-operative national war effort, as important to our cause as the actual fighting. Then we must ever remember that our Home boats must be included in convoys, and failure to be in time for the convoy may mean the loss of a vessel and the precious lives aboard it.

“Here I would pay a most sincere tribute to the men of the Mercantile Marine for the great and courageous services they are rendering and for the devotion and bravery they consistently show in the hour of danger and in the face of death.”