ALL CAN HELP

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 51, Issue 3139, 8 July 1942, Page 6

ALL CAN HELP

VALUE OF VEGETABLES IN CASE OF EMERGENCY POTATOES HIGHLY IMPORTANT An appeal to every resident of the Coromapdel Peninsula to prepare so as to have available food supplies in case of an emergency is contained in a circular issued by Dr. F. Birkinshaw on behalf of the Coromandel E.P.S. “Not every person in Coromandel is an official member of the E.P.S., 'but practically every person on the peninsula can be an unofficial member and can—and should—help in The following way. “Experience all over the world during the past two years has proved that in the event of an invasion, a shortage of food follows. Even if there is no invasion, there may .'be a shortage of various kinds of food in war time; for instance we are now faced with less sugar than we used to- be able to get, and there have been very few oranges obtainable for the past few months. And as the war. goes on, it may !be that we will find other types of food gradually going off the market. “Now we all hope that New Zealand won’t be invaded, but at the same time we should make all precautions against invasion. And' if there is an invasion anywhere in the country, -we will find almost immediately that we won’t be . able to get bread, and potatoes', and fruit, and cheese, and lots of other produce, 'because there will be little civilian transport between Coromandel and other parts of the country.

Value of Potatoes

So in this district, we might possibly have to live on beef and mutton and milk and butter and pipis and oysters and the things we produce for ourselves.

“Now if we add potatoes and green vegetables and vitamin C to this diet, we will be able to live in comparative'"comfort for a considerable length of time,. In a book, “Air Raids and Civil Defence” published in Madras, India, it is stated: “A nation composed of cities and villages whose food supply is assured from the surrounding area can resist aggression successfully. It will also help to achieve the correct balance between occupations—industry and food supply and population—and thereby form a stable foundation to civilisation.’

Importance of Vitamin C

“This vitamin is found mainly in oranges, and to a lesser extent in many green vegetables and in some fruits and in milk. There is at present (May) a shortage of oranges, and so we are forced to look for other sources if we wish to remain healthy.

“Probably the next most important source of this vitamin is found in poorman’s oranges and lemons, both of which may be grown locally. A rich supply is ’also found'' in the hips of the briar rose, which up to a week or so ago was very plentiful in the district, and although many people were wise enough to make a goodly supply of rose-hip syrup, many others omitted to do so.

Rich in Vitamin C

“Black currants are a very rich source of vitamin C, but the local climate is not very satisfactory, but parsley is very rich in the vitamin. Therefore, every person who has a garden or a plot of land should grow enough parsley to sprinkle on soups and in sandwiches or on other feeds at least twice a day.

“Remember, also, to ’ grow enough green vegetables for the •whole of the family, as. there is a certain amount of vitamin G in most green vegetables. Tomatoes and grapes are also a rich source, but have a limited season.

“If you or your family are running short of vitamin 0, you may find the following symptoms appearing: Spongy and bleeding gums, sores breaking out on the body. So if these symptoms appear take plenty of vitamin G . Importance of Vitamin B

“This vitamin is found mainly in whole-meal flour, yeast, Hver and a certain amount in most kinds of meat and eggs and fish. “There is also a little in potatoes and parsnips and peanuts. It does not seem very likely that a shortage of vitamin B will occur in this district. At the same time it might be

a good idea to try whole meal bread

ing to the fact that vitamin B is found in whole meal, but is almost always deficient in white flour.

Value of Potatoes

“The rural Irish have lived on potatoes as a main article of diet for many years. After the last war, the people of lived on potatoes for-many months at a time. Potatoes are undoubtedly rather boring meal after meal and day after day, but they have many advantages, the most important one being that in this district they can be grown and stored all the year round. It is possible for every family in this' district to grow enough potatoes for its own personal use foi’ the year. Mr Arthur McNeil, of Coromandel, has kindly consented to give his advice to anybody who cares to ask for it in the connection of growing enough potatoes so that every family can be entirely selfsupporting in this respect.

Points to Remember

“Remember! (1) We must dig and grow for victory. (2) In the event of a crisis we may have to be self-supporting. (3) We should grow *parsley7“'potatoes, tomatoes and green vegetables. (4) Mr Arthur McNeil, of Coromandel, will give any advice as regards the growing of potatoes, etc. (-5) We should all know where to get hold of poorman’s oranges, lemons, rosehip syrup, etc.; in case of necessity. (6) Dr. Birkinshaw will 'be very pleased to give any advice at anytime regarding vitamins. Either write or call.”