FOOD FOR BRITAIN

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21980, 26 March 1946, Page 4

FOOD FOR BRITAIN

COUPON CAMPAIGN GESTURE BY NURSES BOARD’S COMMENDATION “To my mind the whole basis of the appeal is wrong. The nurses have made a very fine gesture, and a few other people are willing to do the same thing —but only the few," said the chairman, Mr. M. T. Trafford, at the meeting of the Cook Hospital Board yesterday when dealing with a suggestion from tiie nursing staff that they should accept one butterless and one meatless day per month in order to assist in the appeal for more butter and meat for export to Britain. “The Government has the power to make the sacrifice —if you can call it a sacrifice —apply to everybody in the Dominion.” continued Mr. Trafford. “It could cut down the value of coupons, and take a little off everyone, instead of off the tew. N.Z. Rations Far Higher “We know that our rations are far greater than those available for British people, and all through the war we have been living very well. It would not hurt everyone to do with a little less!” Members of the board discussed the machinery of sending relief to Britain, and Mr. J. B. Williams stated that the object of the effort was to consume less meat and butter in New Zealand, so that more might be available for shipment to Britain. He warmly commended the nurses’ offer. Mrs. E. R. Scott stated that while she appreciated warmly the offer of the nurses and no one was more inclined than herself to support any action that would help the people of Britain—she would like to have some guarantee that extra butter and meat sent from New Zealand would reach the people of Britain. She was concerned lest it would be diverted to some other country, or that the equivalent in food from other sources would be deducted from supplies now earmarked for Britain. Nurses’ Diet Generous The medical superintendent, Dr. R. J. B. Hall, assured the board that the diet of the nurses could be adjusted to save the equivalent of a day’s butter and meat rations per month without causing any serious lack on a given day. The nurses’ diet was based on about 3000 calories per day, whereas in Britain the calorinc value was much lower. Some of their calories could be spared without hardship and without noticeable effect on the diet. Mr E. R. Black agreed with the chairman that the Government had the power to apply file rationing to all the people of New Zealand, but he added that all Governments were led by public opinion, and a gesture such as was proposed by the Cook Hospital nurses should be encouraged and appreciated as a reflection of public opinion on this vital matter. He moved that the nurses be advised that the board warmly commended their offer, and that the board further instruct its executive officers to make the necessary arrangements to give effect to that offer. Mr. Williams seconded the motion, which was carried. Mrs. Scott registered a vote against the motion, stating that she appreciated the nurses’ offer as much as anyone present, but was not satisfied that extra food released by New Zealand would reach the people the nurses hoped, by their offer, to benefit.