CORRESPONDENCE

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 100, 24 October 1940, Page 10

CORRESPONDENCE

FOOD PARCELS FOR BRITAIN

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —In a recent issue of your paper it was stated that butter and cheese were not to be sent to civilians in Britain from relatives and friends in New Zealand, the reason given being that these foods were rationed and that it was unfair to those who would not receive extra. In the news there was a cabled statement from the Minister of Food, Lord Woolton, on the food question of Great Britain. He referred to parcels. of food sent by relatives and friends in the colonies to people of Britain and said there was no wish to interfere in any way, that these gifts meant much to the donors and recipients, and that the Ministry of Food would not interfere with the arrival and delivery of such parcels provided they were limited to Islb each. Under such conditions the Government of New Zealand should relax the rule prohibiting the sending of butter j and cheese to civilians in Britain. It j does not stop the selling of these pro-! ducts; actually it keeps the taste fori New Zealand butter alive end stops extra consumption of margarine. The! New Zealand Government has re-j ceived payment from the British Gov-J eminent for all butter and cheese pro-! duced for export in this country. That j is now the property of the British Gov- j .eminent which rations these foods so | that whatever condition Britain is in there will always be an even supply! for each person. Why has the New i Zealand Government stopped the send-1 ing of these products overseas to j civilians? If shipping space is short let the parcels accumulate and be sent I as space is available. Why stop the; spirit of giving and the longing to j help people who are suffering real war, conditions? The winter is coming and more fats will be required by civilians who are not living comfortably and easily like their relations in New Zealand. Surely the. New Zealand Government, which talks so much about the welfare of the people, will relax the order and allow all those who wish to help friends and relations to send such foods as are necessary to health.—l am, etc.. URGENT.