FOOD FOR INFANTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23860, 10 January 1941, Page 8

FOOD FOR INFANTS

SHIPMENT TO FRANCE LIFTING OF BLOCKADE AMERICAN REQUEST GRANTED By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright British Wireless LONDON, Jan. S As reported from America, the British Government, at the personal request of President Roosevelt, has agreed to pass through the blockade, a shipload of foodstuffs and clothing intended for infant children in unoccupied France. The foodstuffs will consist of vitamin-concentrated and dried milk goods, to be. admitted in strictly limited quantities, and to lie distributed under the direct control of the American Bed Cross organisation. It is pointed out that the concession will in no way affect the British policy of blockading unoccupied France as a whole. The fact that ihe distribution of food and clothing is being undertaken by tile American Red Cross has been accepted by the British Government as sufficient guarantee that the concession will not be abused. Further Consignments Possible Mr. Roosevelt's request was received in London through tlio usual diplomatic channels in the course of the past, few days. If is understood that the President made clear his desire not to see. impaired the efficiency <>f the economic weapon being used against the aggressor ■States. I lie concession to date covers only a single ship-load to be unloaded at Marseilles, hut if the methods of distribution prove satisfactory to the British Government there is no doubt that similar consignments will be allowed through. Wheat for Spain Under the arrangement some vitamin capsules confiscated at Bermuda recently from Madame Schiaperelli, the American dress designer, will be released and handed to the American Red Cross for children in unoccupied France. In the same vessel there will be a cargo of wheat for Spain. This cargo is being sent, by America, and no question ot arrangements arrived at between the British and Spanish Governments arises in this instance. Spain is not subject to the British blockade. Existing measures aim at ensuring that while Spain has sufficient for her own purposes no imports capable of re-export to enemy countries are permitted to lie sent there. Accordingly, suggestions regarding a modification of the British blockade policy have no relevance in connection with the arrival of this cargo. SHORTAGES IN PARIS LACK OF FOOD AND FUEL VICHY, Jan. 8 Tension between occupied and unoccupied France is reported as a result of an allegation that Paris is severely short of fuel and food, particularly meats, aggravating the effects of the bitterly cold storms. BRITISH MEAT RATION USE OF SHIPPING FOR WAR British Wireless LONDON, Jan. 8 The Ministry of Food has announced that during the next few months it will be necessary to vary the meat ration at short notice. This had already been forecast by the Ministry. The statement made it clear that this was being done because of the diversion of shipping for war purposes. NORTHERN IRELAND VOLUNTARY ENLISTMENTS CONSCRIPTION FAVOURED British Wireless LONDON, Jan, S The Prime Minister of Northern Ireland. Mr. J. M. Andrews, made a statement recalling that the Government of Northern Ireland had made strong representations to the British Cabinet at the time conscription was introduced in the United Kingdom that it should be extended to Northern Ireland. For reasons which appeared sufficient to the British Ministers, recruiting for the war continued in Northern JrcUnd on a voluntary basis. Ulsterinen were serving in largo numbers, and with great distinction in all the fighting forces. Mr. Andrews said, and lie pointed out thai the Pnrli iment of Northern Ireland was debarred from itself exacting compulsory military service. Mr. Andrews also emphasised that the Government of Northern Ireland was not a party to the transfer ot ports to Eire in 1938—a measure which they, at that time, opposed. MUNITION TRAIN CRASH LINE TO RUMANIA DAMAGED GERMAN TRACKS SNOWBOUND BTJCHARKST, Jan. 8 A terrific explosion occurred when a German munition train collided with another on the main line. The number of casualties is unknown. it 'nill probably take weeks to repair the track. There are only two other tracks to carry German troops and materials to Rumania. The censor has suppressed details of tile accident. A big detachment, of soldiers dug out von Bibberitrops special train Irom the snow in the Thuringia Mountains, says a Zurich message. Thousands ot passengers are waiting in Berlin and .Munich for a clearance ot the snow from the railways. One train took five days to reach Munich Irom Berlin. HEALTH AND SHELTERS (Received January 0, (i p.m.) British Wireless .LONDON, Jan. H Satisfaction is generally felt at the reassuring statement of Sir Wilson Jameson, chief medical officer for the Ministry of Health in the London area, concern ins; public health in Britain in wartime, with special reference to conditions in air raid shelters. The Times says the welfare of the whole community is bound up with securing healthy conditions in shelters and therefore the statement, that no infectious outbreak has been reported in any of them is all the more welcome.