BRITAIN BEST JUDGE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20259, 29 May 1940, Page 11

BRITAIN BEST JUDGE

DAIRY PRODUCE NEEDS QUANTITIES STIPULATED COMMENT BY MR. FRASER (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. Stating that there still appears to be some misconception regarding the extent to which New Zealand is fulfilling her undertaking to make available to Britain the maximum possible supply of foodstuffs, the Prime Minister, the Hon. P. Fraser, mentioned the suggestions being made for the rationing of local consumption of butter and cheese. He said that while such proposals were well intentioned, they overlooked the fact that the United Kingdom had so far agreed to take only a stipulated quantity of produce, instancing butter, which this season Britain had agreed to take only 115.000 tons, while the actual quantity New Zealand could make available was 125,000 tons.

A similar position existed with cheese. The United Kingdom had given an undertaking, however, to buy within the limits of its requirements additional quantities that New Zealand might have available for export, subject to shipping space being available.

A restriction on the supplies on the local market could serve no useful purpose and might, by imposing additional demands on the existing cool storage and shipping facilities, have the very opposite effect. Mr. Fraser added that Britain, after all, is the final judge as to how her war effort can best be assisted. At the same time. Mr. Fraser pointed out, it was of the utmost importance that the maximum produce should be attained. The situation might change at any time and New Zealand would be failing in its duty io the Mother Country and the Allies if she did not maintain and increase the output of butter, cheese and other primary produce.