FOOD FOR BRITAIN

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 306, 24 November 1945, Page 4

FOOD FOR BRITAIN

(To the Editor.) , Sir, —There are signs that many New Zevlanders are not ungrateful to Britain for what she has lavished on us and on the world. Thus the Auckland Province alone has just dispatched 50,000 parcels of food (maximum weight 51b; postage at 3s 4d each, over £Booo—good for revenue, but not for hungry Britons!) Ihe Lin-wood-Avouside Patriotic Association, at a recent general meeting of about 180 members and supporters, enthusiastically adopted resolutions which, briefly, urged the immediate commencement of a campaign throughout New Zealand to provide gift foodstuffs for Britain, the Government giving its effective support by accepting the responsibility of the packing and forwarding as shipping space is available. Now, General Smuts has agreed to support the South' African campaign for “millions of pounds’ worth of food,” provided it is on a national basis, with the efforts of the individual towns co-ordinated. Victoria’s' first instalment is already on the water (on board H.M-S. Napier). What are we waiting for? We, therefore, urge the Mayor of every city and town to give the lead, under the aegis of Cabinet and Parliament, in instituting a nation-wide effort to continue for at least the next four or five months. Every city or county council, every firm, club, society, union, indeed, every organisation can play its part. None would be functioning now had the people of Britain not played theirs. And they go on playing it; they still are severely rationed in order to help the hungry in Europe. Packages of suitable foodstuffs, clearly marked, say, “Thank you, Britain,” and bearing a list of contents, could be carried free by rail, road and boat. Firms packing or canning foodstuffs can arrange to supply, at cost,' the equivalent in their products oi money donated, either directly to them or through the local collecting depot. The Ministry of Supply can keep the appeal moving by newspaper and radio appeals. Voluntary workers can and will, step forward to handle the goods which will pour in.—l am, etc., for the Linwood-Avonside Patriotic Association, P. J. NEWBURY, Hon. Secretary.