Urgent Civilian Needs

Northern Advocate, 6 March 1945, Page 2

Urgent Civilian Needs

LONDON, March 5,

“The time has come when the most urgent, civilian supplies should be equal in importance to military needs,” says a statement issued after a conference oi European Socialist parties representing Britain, Belgium, Italy, Holland, France. Norway, Czechoslovakia, Spain and Poland, which sat privately in London under the presidency of Dr. Hugh Dalton, President. of the Board of Trade. The statement adds: “The immediate aim should be the achievement at least of some increase in living standards after liberation, compared with those prevailing under enemy occupation. Those who fought loyally for freedom should have the first priority. Rationing should continue in all countries until urgent needs for relief in each of them have been met.

“Soup kitchen methods are not enough. Assistance should be afforded to give inland transport for raw materials, livestock and essential goods. Immediate efforts should be made to place ships at the disposal of Unrra. Probably less than 2 per cent, of the merchant shipping available to the Allies would be sufficient to secure a substantial improvement.” The declaration also advocates a conference of representatives of,Britain, America. France and Russia to consider the problem of 15.000.000 deportees and war prisoners who are in peril in Germany. It also demands full reparations for Germany's crimes against Jewish populations.