PEOPLE OF BRITAIN

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 148, 20 December 1945, Page 8

PEOPLE OF BRITAIN

"There is an air of relief at Home, but the people of Britain are still 'taking it' and still have to tighten their belts. Everything is going overseas, and they are denying goods to their own people in order to build up their export trade," said Major R. Morrison, liaison officer for the New Zealand Prisoner of War Reception Group in the United Kingdom, who returned on the Mooltan today. After seeing considerable service in the Middle East, Major Morrison was returned to New Zealand on duty for some time, and later left to arrange for the reception of prisoners in England as they were repatriated from Germany. "England is pretty tight," he told a "Post" reporter. "Women.are at their wits' end to make their coupons go round, particularly as regards clothing. There is no actual shortage of food— you can always get a plate of porridge —but it is the endless monotony of the fare that gets people down. Nevertheless, nobody goes hungry." The British market was being supplied with the minimum possible amount of manufactured goods, said Major Morrison, the overwhelming bulk of the products going overseas. jHe had been surprised, when he left England, to see what varieties of goods were obtainable elsewhere which were not available on the Home market. PRISONERS TAKE COURSES. The work of the Repatriation Group was now practically completed, he said, the only ex-prisoners left in England being what might be regarded as special cases. Some, for instance, were taking special courses of study which it was considered would be of use to them on their return to New Zealand.

One of his outstanding impressions had been the tremendous change in the prisoners after their first few days in England. He had frequently met them immediately on their arrival from Germany—often only a day or two after they were released—and they looked grubby, ill-fed, and dispirited. But in three or four days' time the majority of the men, as a result of good food, rest, hospitality, and the realisation that they were once again breathing free air were absolutely changed. Some, of course, did not react so quickly. ."The divisional sign 'New Zealand' was a passport for our men, and we were the recipients of many kindnesses which we know would not otherwise have come our way," said Major Morrison. "There is no doubt about it, the old Kiwi's man a stands very high in [England today."