No Need To Ration Butter Here

Northern Advocate, 28 May 1940, Page 6

No Need To Ration Butter Here

[Per Press Association Copyright.] WELLINGTON, This Day. Stating that there still appeared to be some misconception regarding the extent with which New Zealand was fulfilling her undertaking to make available to Britain the maximum possible supply of foodstuffs, the Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) mentioned the suggestion being made for rationing the local consumption of butter and cheese. He said that, while such proposals were well intended, they overlooked the fact that the United Kingdom had so far agreed to take a stipulated quantity of produce. He mentioned that the amount of butter Britain was taking this season was 115,000 tons, while the actual quantity New Zealand could make available is 125,000 tons. A similar proportion existed with cheese. The United Kingdom had given an undertaking, however, to buy within the limits of its requirements quantities which New Zealand might have available for export, subject to shipping space being available. For Britain to Say Restriction of supplies for the local market could serve no useful purpose, and might, by imposing additional demands on existing cool storage and shipping facilities, have the very opposite effect. Mr Fraser added that Britain, after all. was the final judge as to how her war effort could best be assisted. At the same time, he pointed out that it was-of the utmost importantthat the maximum. production be attained. * The situation might change at any time, and New Zealand would be failing in her duty to the Mother Country and the Allies if she did nol maintain and increase her output of butter, cheese and other primary produce.