FOOD FOR BRITAIN

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 120, 16 February 1944, Page 5

FOOD FOR BRITAIN

Meat And Butter Wanted CANBERRA, Febrjury 14. “There is danger regarding the possibility of maintaining the British meat and dairy produce rations of 1/2 worth of meat. 2oz. of butter, and 3oz. of cheese a week,” said Mr. W. Bankes Amery, leader of the United Kingdom food mission to Australia and New Zealand, in an address to the Australian Agricultural Council.

Great Britain, he said, could definitely supply ships to transport the quantities of meat and dairy produce needed to maintain the British rations—if the food could be produced. Because of other claims on the resources of Australia and New Zealand, the exports of both meat and dairy produce from these countries were now below pre-war levels, he said. The demands on Australia and New Zealand from other places for the supply of meat and dairy produce had reduced the quantities available for shipment to Britain.

Britain had had the best cereal harvest on record, and was not at present anxious about the possibility of maintaining the only uurationed loaf in Europe. The Australian Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Scully, told the council that all international reporr.s suggested that, half the world would be starving at the end of the war. It. was Australia’s duty to make her maximum contribution to the feeding of the devastated countries, and a record primary production was being planned to achieve this. W

REDUCTION PROPOSED Australian Butter Ration SYDNEY, February 14. . The Federal Government will be asked to reduce the Australian butter ration from Boz. to Goz. a week, to help to maintain the British ration. This request, reports the “Sydney Morning Herald” political correspondent, will be made not by the British, but by certain Australian quartern, which arc acutely conscious of the need for maintaining Britain’s ration at all costs.

A«similar proposal is understood to have been made Io the Government some time ago. but. it was rejected; The advocates of the reduction say that last year Australia aimed to supply Britain with 60.000 tons of butter, but actually supplied only about 50.000 tons. It is expected thnt this year’s exports will be about 15,000 tons short of the target. A reduction of 2oz. in the Australian ration is estimated to save about 20,000 tons of butter a year, and this quantity would do much to ensure the maintenance of the British ration

The “Herald” correspondent says that the statement to the Australian Agricultural Council by Mr. Amery is likely to influence some Federal Ministers in favour of the cutting of the Australian ration. A high Government official said it would be tragic if the British had to cut their ration while Australians were enjoying the comparative luxury of Boz. a week. It is reported to be considered officially that Australia > health standards could be maintained on Goz. of butter a week, and it is believed that Australians would accept the reduction cheerfully if they know the butter saved was going to England.