FOOD CUTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 March 1946, Page 5

FOOD CUTS

SPECTRE OF FAMINE

UNIFIED RATIONING CONTROL IN GERMANY

DECISION OF ALLIES

LONDON, February 28.

The occuying Powers have moved to unify food rationing throughout Germany, says the Berlin correspondent of the Associated Press. The move resulted from the sharp reduction announced by Field-Marshal Lord Montgomery. America and Russia have proposed that the feeding of Germany should become the four Powers’ concern instead of its being kept on a zonal basis.

The official announcement says the food issue was raised at an Allied Control Council' meeting by . the British representatives. Marshal Zhukov, in an informal- discussion, strongly supported four-party uniformity in feeding Germany. An Americandelegate said he also was in favour. The council agreed on the very serious nature of the food problem and emphasised that it was not solely a British problem. Preparing the People.

The correspondent says the German newspapers and radio have begun to prepare the people for further food cuts.

Russia supported Britain at a meeting of the Allied Control Council in Germany when it was suggested by Britain that the feeding of Germany should be placed under a unified single control instead of being left on the present zoning system. The object is to remove differences in the food available in the different zones. Germans in the British zone receive 1000 calories a day, while those in the United States zone get 1500 a day. The British Minister of Food (Six' Ben Smith) said that the gap between world needs and the world supplies of wheat and cereals was widening each week. The Australian Government is to carry out a review of the Army rations. Mr Fraser’s Appeal Broadcasting from Washington, the New Zealand Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) appealed to the American people to give all the help possible to the starving peoples. The United States and Russia have agreed with Britain that responsibility of feeding Germany should be a four-Power task and not as at present according to zones.