A CHALLENGE

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 130, 5 June 1933, Page 8

A CHALLENGE

(To the Editor.) Sir, —There are doubtless many parents fortunate as myself in being able to supply their children with the right food, as well as other necessities, whose hearts must go out to the thousands of very gallant fathers and mothers who are less fortunate by. reason of unemployment, partial employment, or absurdly low wages. When I study our bread bill and our milk bill alone it shocks me to think of the positive want there must be in bo many homes. ' , A few years ago when times were good it was, perhaps, a little national failing to boast'of matters in which it was felt the rest of the world might do well to follow our example. Has the depression proved us to be leaders in good times only? With all the wonderful natural advantages at our disposal, are we to admit to the world, to whom we once preened our feathers, that we are unable to feed our people though Nature provides so much more than we can possibly consume? Sunday after Sunday sermons are preached upon the causes of the depression—greed, selfishness, and so on—but more than a dispassionate survey is required. Action is needed —and promptly. Ido not for a moment wish to- belittle the magnificent work so many clergy and others are doing —but'what is wanted is collective effort. Christ himself did not forget the multitudes were hungry—is it too much to expect "those who profess and'call themselves Christians" should forget, for'this purpose, the differences in this method of following Him and.get together in united effort to do what He would do himself? Are we too indifferent to make our respective churches organise a petition—signed' by all their followers —and to be presented in His name by the heads of the churches to the Cabinet demanding that immediate arrangements be made to-sec everyone Js fed. Or shall we be put" off'by being told that "that sort of thing isn't done'T? _ No sane, man believes any political party can cure uriemployment-r-at any rate immediately—meanwhile "there are children suffering from malnutrition. Great Britain organised! her food supplies during the war for over forty million people so that we should, with our small population, be able to give rations, if necessary, to the unemployed (and there is no disgrace in that for we soldiers were rationed) —and for those on absurdly low wages food—milk in particular-should be available at specially low prices. , That there should be anyone short of food in*what we sometimes delight to call God's Own Country 'is a challenge^ to every one who is proud to call himself a New Zealander. This is not just an effort to get into print—the writer hopes to be able to help more able men to bring this scheme to fruition.—l am, etc., A FORTUNATE FATHER.