The Grey River Argus MONDAY, August 26, 1946. “ARIES” BRINGS OPPORTUNITY

Grey River Argus, 26 August 1946, Page 4

The Grey River Argus MONDAY, August 26, 1946. “ARIES” BRINGS OPPORTUNITY

If, of late, it may have been rather further than it was formerly from the bottom of the list, this district ’has yet clone little about which to boast by way of saving coupons. Privately there may have been going from the West Coast in parcels a due contribution of foodstuffs for Britain, but publicly the proportion has compared by no means favourably with that of the great majority of the other postal districts of the Dominion. One explanation may be the fact that industries, hereabouts are largely of a character comparatively arduous. It is not, however, an explanation which covers the case of a large section of this community, whose ability to save is at least equal to that of the people who in other districts combine to provide each week a very impressive total of coupons. It is only a modest contribution from each household which is needed to reach even the leading aggregates. Justification for t’he ■ appeal needs no elaboration. The shortages in Britain are due ultimately to the shortages in the countries which are still worse off, and for which Britain has had to make sacrifices vastly greater t’haii any ever yet suggested on the part of the people of New Zealand. The particular foodstuffs concerned are amongst those in Which Britain has not been self-supporting for generations past, and of which she has had deliberately to forgo even minimum quotas ever since the war ended and since she might,

if so disposed, have sought much larger imports. It has been no lack of enthusiasm nor of initiative, on the part of the promoters of ( the coupon saving campaign, which has seen some districts apathetic eager to help. Indeed, in every locality there are earnest promoters, including those here. The latest instance of the thoughtfulness of the campaigners is the occasion they have taken of the record-breaking flight of the British plane “Aries”, whic'h was on Saturday triumphantly completed upon a New Zealand airfield. It has brought an invitation for a spurt in the campaign, and it is hoped to send back by this famous aircraft as tangible an expression of the sympathy of all New Zealanders with t'he people of Britain in their hardships as in the circumstances could be sent. The form of it is to be such a record pile of saved coupons as will make still more memorable the fact that British aircraft remain unsurpassed and ean prove they are able to circle the globe at a speed unequalled. Incidentally, this opportunity, though created, it might be said in an accidental way, is not one that can be, expected again. It is a chanca for the backward districts to gain at once the same good reputation which other districts have steadily built up since saving began. It is an instance where it might be said that those who give quickly give twice. In addition, the period

during which Britain, shall remain in this position of ‘having to welcome the generosity of outsiders so as to make ends meet decently in the homes of her populace is not a period that is likely to last very much longer. The need undoubtedly is still as real and urgent as it has ever been, judging by the fact that, any savings of food by rationing are in Britain a subject of congratulation. This is' therefore the acceptable time. A pound of butter or meat to-day m the hand of a housewife in Britain is doubtless worth almost as much as a pound note is in the'hands of one in New Zealand. Butter and meat are in Britain measured in ounces, so that every New Zealand ‘coupon saved is something with which to reckon. It is also to be noted that unused coupons are. as it were, “'legal tender so far as this week’s campaign is concerned. A coupon off eacn book is not much to ask, but would avail nevertheless to make this effort a memorable success. Our local Famine Emergency Committee ought to be able to count confidently upon a tea West, Coast display of generosity this week. The Committee have striven against odds up to the present, and their fortitude is now deserving of a worthy reward. Il everybody does his and her bit, fhe result should be a great credit to the district.