DOMINIONS’ FOODSTUFFS

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 January 1941, Page 7

DOMINIONS’ FOODSTUFFS

BRITAIN’S FURTHER “CUTS.” [BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] (Recd. Jan. 15, Noon). LONDON, January 14. Britain’s purchases of foodstuffs from the Dominions, which are already restricted by the demands made by the war on shipping space, are likely to be still further restricted. This was revealed by Lord Woolton, in explaining to the High Commissioners the new shipping system to be introduced.

Under the plan, ships will be diverted to shorter routes, to bring food at present imported from moredistant countries. The Minister said that the High Commissioners unanimously accepted the position. Reviewing the general food position, Lord Woolton said: “Are we starving? Of course we aren’t, but the public are having difficulties, because they are accustomed to buy whatever they wanted. Ships previously bringing food are now carrying vast quantities of munitions, and are also providing lines of communications for the African armies.”

His policy will be to provide essential foods, eliminating canned fruits and all fresh fruits except oranges and lemons. The only New Zealand commodity likely to be affect-■ ed was meat. The reduction of meat shipments from this country would continue until the ships were no longer required in the Middle East. The temporary shortage of meat in the United Kingdom was due to the di-j version of meat ships to Africa, car-, rying not merely meat but vast sup- , plies, enabling the great military vic- 1 tory. The food situation was much better than in the last war, although] the dangers were much greater. Cargoes were no longer safe once they reached port. “We want to keep the goodwill of the Dominions, whose business we are damaging a great deal. The Dominions have been most patriotic. I am anxious they should know that we are conscious of the suffering inflicted on them. Only stern necessity has made us demand such sacrifices.”