UPSETTING RUMOURS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 85, 7 October 1943, Page 4

UPSETTING RUMOURS

In most cases where rationing of food or clothing has been found necessary the procedure followed has been sensible. Preparations have been made and the decision announced without preliminary public discussion. This has avoided any unsettling effects. With butter, however, the reverse has been the case. All sorts of conflicting statements have been made by members of the Government, especially during the election campaign, and these have given rise to a spate of unsettling rumours. Not only has there been an undesirable, effect on the public, but those engaged in the trade have been thrown

into confusion. A statement by an Auckland merchant, published yesterday, provides evidence of the uncertainty that exists. illf the Government is going to impose rationing it should let us know where we stand," he said. "Ministers have been making statements about! it for months, and every time mention is made of it the trade goes crazy, with a rush of buying." The only way to femove the present uncertainty and confusion is for the Government to say definitely what it has in mind. If rationing is advisable to assist the people of Great Britain, the public will accept it cheerfully. Mr. A. L. Wall, ex-president of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce; who has recently returned from a trip abroad, has pointed out that New Zealand has a duty to assist the people of Great Britain as far as is possible to secure an improvement of their present meagre supply of butter. The main issue now is the need for a clear and definite statement from the Government, so that the upsetting rumours which are heard on all sides may be ended once and for all. If rationing is decided on it should be applied without more ado; if not, there should be a definite.. statement to that effect. There hag been enough "considering."