PRESS DELEGATION

Evening Star, Issue 25169, 8 May 1944, Page 6

PRESS DELEGATION

SIM SESSIONS OF ENGLAND DOGGEDKESS THE KEYNOTE (P.A.) AUCKLAND, May 7. Much first-hand knowledge ot the immensity of Che war effort iu Great Britain and the United Slates has been gained by the New Zealand Press delegation, whioii has returned to. the Dominion ' after an absence of nearly six months. The delegation's tour, which involved many thousands of miles of travelling, was undertaken at the. invitation of the British Ministry of Information. The leader ot the delegation was Mr W. A. Whitiock, of the Hawue's Bay ' HeraldTribune,' Hastings. The other members of the party were Mr P. H. N. Freeth, of the ' Press,' Christchurch, Mr E. V. Dumbieton, of the Auckland ' Star,' Mr W. .]. Greeu, of the 'Standard,' Wellington, and Mr «A. Hardcastle. of the 'Evening Post,' Wellington. After nearly five years of war the peoplq of Britain were naturally tired and keenly looking forward to peace, Mr Whitiock said. Their present attitude could best be described as " dull doggedness." They knew that the war would be won, but the sooner it was won the better. " They take it for granted that the second front will soon eventuate, and they are coulident of the outcome." he added. " They are fully aware, however, that it will probably involve heavv sacrifices and casualties." Mr Whftlock said the delegation had visited farms, factories, shipyards, and naval and air establishments, and they had seen much of the devastation caused by the Luftwaffe. They had learned for themselves how completely Hitler had failed to crush the moral and material resources of the British people. Recent raids, however, had made them realise that they could still suffer from the Luftwaffe, although it was amazing how the people stood up to these attacks. "Of the achievements of the British farmer we cannot speak too highly," he said. "We had asked that we be shown something of the war effort on the agricultural front, and we were given first-class opportunities to meet farmers, to see their farms, and to discuss with them the things in which all farmers are nuerest'ed. Tii* emphasis in British farming is now almost wholly upon cropping and whole-milk production. It is up to the dominions l.u supply the meat, cheese, and butter ui meet Britain's wartime food needs." The party had found the food reasonably good, but" monotonous through lack of variety, Mr Whitiock added. The absence of fruit was noticeable, although to a small degree this was now being relieved by the arrival of oranges and lemons from the Mediterranean. The workers were provided with a good midday meal at restaurants, and in the cities many peopi* dined out whenever they were able. Considering the strict black-out, the number of people about in the early evenings was amazing, and both the restaurants and theatres were doing a big trade.