LEND-LEASE ENDS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 227, 24 August 1945, Page 4

LEND-LEASE ENDS.

President Truman’s sudden cancellation of Lend-Lease supplies to the United Nations has naturally caused comment, not so much for the deed itself as for its possible consequences. A bare subsistence diet in the coming winter in Britain and Continental countries is predicted with the breaking of the “pipeline” through which vast quantities of food supplies have been moved from the United States to Europe. This, if correct, will materially increase difficulties already viewed gravely. The nations which have benefited from this legislation may soon know how they stand in their debt to America. Under the original legislation the President had the power to arrange a settlement of the balance with the various nations, but Congress subsequently took this authority. As an interested nation it is only right that

New Zealand should, if there is to be a strict accounting, know as quickly as possible her position. The Minister of Finance’s recent Budget estimated goods and services valued at £20,500,000 under Lend-Lease and Canadian mutual aid, with assistance from New Zealand valued at £24,000.000, leaving a balance of £3,500,000 in New Zealand’s favour. The Minister’s revised Estimates have reduced reverse Lend-Lease by £2,000,000 without mentioning United States aid. Now that the scheme has been terminated continuance of New Zealand supplies to the American forces in the Pacific, without a contrary account, will mean a very substantial movement in our favour. The matter of LendLease is one which Parliament should have the fullest information of at the earliest moment.