Meagre British Food Rations In Jeopardy

Northern Advocate, 14 March 1944, Page 2

Meagre British Food Rations In Jeopardy

"I know how the primary producers have put their backs into their side of the ■ war effort, and I know about the manpower difficulties and the shortages of fertiliser and machinery, and the difficult season in some districts. I know that the forces have had to be fed, as well as the civilian population. But unfortunately there has not been so much food available for export to Britain as there was prior to the war and it is my job to see what can be done about that,” said Mr W. Bankes Atnery. principal assistant secretary to the British Ministry of Food and head of a food mission to Australia and New Zealand, in a broadcast address last, night. Mr Amery is to visit Northland this week. ' ‘•You all know that Britain was New Zealand’s best market before the war," he added. ."That market was built up in the ordinary course of trade and it is essential that it should he preserved, so as to keep up trading connections, is well as to ensure the continuance of Britain’s ration of butter, cheese and meat.” Britain’s butter ration has been only two ounces a week a person for the last four winters. A temporary reduction of the cheese allowance of three ounces weekly had recently been announced and the meat ration was only 1/2 worth, or about one pound a week for each person. Even those small rations were today in danger and unless Britain could during 1944 get something nearer pre-war imports from New Zealand they would have to be reduced. 5 Years of Strain This was all the more serious because the British people had been encouraged to cat cheese to make up for their small allowances of meat, milk , and eggs. For ordinary adults there had not during the past three winters been more than two pints of milk a week each, or more than one egg a month. The millions of British war workers had produced war material in quantities which had staggered the world and had sent over £180.000,000 worth of goods to Russia under lend-lease, but if they could not be fed thev could not produce, Mr Amery continued. They could not stand cuts in their basic foods after five winters of privation, black-out, danger and monotony. When these facts were sufficiently known, producers and consumers in New Zealand would see to it that no ship left the Dominion with space which could be occupied by meat, butter and cheese, not to increase the British rations, but to ensure that they were maintained.