China Wants Big Sum For Rehabilitation

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 44, 21 February 1945, Page 5

China Wants Big Sum For Rehabilitation

Received Tuesday, 11.55 p.m. SYDNEY, Feb. 20. China has asked Unrra for £43,000,000 worth of supplies in the first 18 months after her liberation. This was revealed by Unrra Deputy Director of Requirements and Supplies for the South-West Pacific area, Doctor Chudson, in an interview after to-day’s session of the Lapstone Conference. Dr. Chudson said that the figure was found to be so far beyond Unrra’s capacity that it was reduced to £10,000,000. Dr. Chudson said Unrra's acute problem was the world shortage of shipping, cotton goods and rice. The conference adopted a resolution submitted by a French delegate, Dr. Boris Eliachef, asking Unrra administration in Washington to direct the attention of the world shipping control authorities to the paramount importance of completing urgently and adequately arrangements to take supplies and personnel to the liberated countries. Dr. Chudson said all far eastern countries had submitted figures, mostly for the first six months of the year, but some were not yet complete. Dr. Chudson added that an important aspect which was not at first appreciated by some delegates was that Unrra had two duties, firstly to assist the countries which lacked foreign exchange and secondly to referee the distribution of relief supplies among the liberated areas, including the areas each were operating on their own funds. Unrra's principle was that no country should receive a lion’s share.