HOMELAND AFFAIRS

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 March 1945, Page 5

HOMELAND AFFAIRS

AWAITING BIG OFFENSIVE

(N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent)

(Recd. 9.40 a.m.) LONDON, Mar. 22. This is a period of the watch on the Rhine. What amounts to mopping up of Germans by Patton’s Army, great victory as it is, is somewhat overshadowed in the public’s mind by the pre D Day atmosphere, reportedly pervading Marshal Montgomery’s front. Recent air operations in that theatre all smack of a coming offensive,' while from German sources come statements that it is likely to . begin any hour now, and that airborne landings are also expected. When it does come, it will be the last of the amphibious operations which began with North Africa, continued with Sicily, Italy and Normandy. New Zealand is represented in the offensive on the air side by the New Zealand Tempest Squadron, and by numerous airmen in the Second Tactical Air Force. Expectancy, like Spring, is in the air, and it is hoped that the weather for once will favour the Allied attack. Just how long the war has been delayed and how many lives lost by fickle weather during the previous operations on the Continent would be interesting to know. But now finer days are here and over thirteen hours’ daylight. MEAT RATION ’ In Britain there have been many diversions from the war news recently. The possibility of the meat ration of fourteen pence per pound per person weekly being cut has perhaps been one of the chief interests to the man in the. street this week. This and what is called the “slander” from the United States that Britain’s stocks are one hundred times greater than they are, and have been • deliberately inflated for selfish and political purposes, and also the allegation that by hoarding stocks ,-of food Britain allowed liberated countries to go unnecessarily hungry, caused a good deal of comment. Mr. Llewellin is doing his utmost to prevent the cut in ration, but pending negotiations in Washington is not yet able to give a pledge. CRUELTY TO BOY Feeling has been roused recently by the trial of the. Goughs, charged - with the manslaughter of a boy aged thirteen, who was placed in their care. The husband was found guilty and sentenced to six years’ imprisonment. The wife was found not guilty. The nightmare of the existence of this boy and his younger brother at the hands of brutal farmers roused and disgusted public opinion, and there arc demands that the whole system and the position of such children should be thor- ■ oughiy investigated.