BRITAIN’S FOOD

Grey River Argus, 16 January 1941, Page 3

BRITAIN’S FOOD

irss FROM DOMINIONS More From Nearer Sources CUT IN N.Z. MEAT [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] LONDON, January 14.

Britain’s purchases of foodstuffs from the Dominions, which are already restricted by the demands made by the war qji shipping space, ar e likely to be still further restricted. This was revealed by Lord Wool!on, in explaining to the High Commissioners/ the new snipping system to be ini reduced. Under the plan, ships wib be diverted to shorter routes, to bring food at present imported from more distant countries. The Minister said that the High Commissioners unanimously accepted the position. Reviewing the genera] food position. Lord Woolton said: “Are we starving? Of course we aren’t, but the public are having difficulties, because they are accustomed to buy whatever they wanted. Ships previously bringing food are now carrying vast quantities of munitions, and are also providing lines_of communications for the African armies.” His policy will be to provide essential foods, eliminating canned •fruits and all fresh fruits excep. oranges and lemons. The only New Zealand commodity likely to be affected was meat. Tne reduction 01 meat shipments from this, country would continue until the ships were no longer required m' the Middle East. The temporary shortage ot meat in the United Kingdom was due •to the diversion of meat ships to Africa, carrying not merely meat but vast supplies, enabling the great military victory. The food situation was much better than in the -ast war, although tire dangers were rrfuch greater. Cargoes iw'ere no longer saf 0 once they reached pon. “We want to keep the goodwill oi the Dominions, whose business we are damaging a great deal. The Dominions have been most patriotic. . am anxious they should toow tnat we are conscious of the suffering inflicted on them. Only stern necessity has made us demand such sacrifices.” NEW ZEALAND -GESTURE LONDON, January 14. A leading commission buying house in London has received the following letter from a New Zealand client: “We feel that, with the terrible conditions under which you must be working, and the extra expenses involved, it is doubtful whether we are paying a commission commensurate with the service you give. If >' oU a / c considering paying your staff a muc extra for Christmas, w { . should ime 1o contribute to the bonus. see . n ’ s superfluous to send the usual Ghiis - mas greetings.” _