BUTTER RATIONING IN N.Z.: RUMOURS DENIED BY MINISTER

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 October 1948, Page 3

BUTTER RATIONING IN N.Z.: RUMOURS DENIED BY MINISTER

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, October 13. Butter rationing in New Zealand was being continued for one reason only: to enable the peoples of the United Kingdom to retain their meagre ration of three ounces a week, said the Minister of Supply (Mr A. H. Nordmeyer) in the House of Representatives today, answering an urgent question by Dr A. M. Finlay (Government, North Shore). Dr Finlay asked the Minister for a statement in view- of statements in the press and elsewhere that butter rationing was being continued for some purpose other than assisting Britain. It had been alleged that New Zealand was selling butter to Canada and other countries, and that the amount saved by internal rationing could be deducted from these exports without reducing the amount available to the people of Britain. Mr P. Kearins (Government, Waimarino): Better abolish rationing altogether. Mr Nordmeyer said that last year 130,000 tons of butter was exported to Britain. In addition, and with the consent of the British Government, 1576 tons were exported to various countries, mainly British Crown colonies. The estimated saving through rationing in New Zealand was more than 14,000 tons a year. The British Ministry of Food had calculated that if butter and cream rationing were terminated in New Zealand and Australia the present butter ration in Britain would have to be reduced to two and a half ounces a week, said the Minister.