The Gisborne Herald. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED "THE TIMES” GISBORNE, TUESDAY, JAN. 18, 1944. MEAT RATIONING

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21305, 18 January 1944, Page 2

The Gisborne Herald. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED "THE TIMES” GISBORNE, TUESDAY, JAN. 18, 1944. MEAT RATIONING

"There is every likelihood of meat rationing in New Zealand at an early date. The matter is now under urgent consideration." Thus the Prime Minister. the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, at a press conference in Canberra. It seems a little strange that Mr. Fraser did not make a statement along these semiofficial lines while he was still in the Dominion, although perhaps some allowance can be made for his omission by reason of the fact that he has just arrived in a country where meat rationing is very much a topic of the hour and would no doubt be brought sharply to his notice under the probing Questionnaire of a press conference. In order to help the people of Great Britain to maintain lire nutritive standard to which, as ''frontline" civilians, they are entitled, meat rationing was being discussed by

responsible people in New Zealand a long ago as the middle of last year, when the British Government advised that it required all the meat the Dominion could produce for shipment. There was then no concern regarding the provision of shipping facilities, and flic position in that respect may now be even better. Despite his opinion of "those who whine about rationing, material short’ges and other war inconveniences,” the Prime Minister need have no fear that the great majority of the people in this country will not respond willingly to any call for sacrifice in the interests of the Homeland and active service troops, but, if rationing is inevitable, they will expect the Government to introduce and operate the measure with a maximum of efficiency. In any form of rationing (here arc "traps for the unwary.” Our legislators have already found that out over the butter arrangements. The Ministers at present in Australia should find time before their return to carry out a thorough investigation of the system adopted there. The truth is that at first many blunders were made in the Commonwealth. At tit:? outset the Controller of Meat Supply favoured a plan that handed over the rationing of retail supplies to the butchers, and it was only recently that a more stringent approach to the subject was made. Meatless days in the United States and a ration of only Is 2d worth a week in the United Kingdom have contrasted sharply with the consumption of more than 41b. per head per week in Australia. There is no doubt that both Australia and New Zealand will be able to share their produce with their British kinsfolk. But the main point—and this cannot be too strongly emphasised—is that any meat rationing scheme must be accompanied by adequate steps for a just distribution of alternative foodstuff’s. Certain individuals, among whom invalids, prospective, mothers and children can bo specially mentioned, should be given preferential treatment in the procuring of such foods as eggs, milk and cheese. In some parts of New Zealand eggs would have to be placed more freely on the market if meat rationing came into effect. The general principle of meat rationing should not and. except by the inveterate grumbler, will not be opposed, but there will be wide recognition of the fact that the nutrition of future generations should be safeguarded. In spite of all the acute difficulties facing her, Britain has managed to do this. The task should be easier still in New Zealand if the Government formulates an equitable scheme and shows strength in adhering to it rigidly.