FRANCE'S PLIGHT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23861, 11 January 1941, Page 10

FRANCE'S PLIGHT

SERIOUS MALNUTRITION SICKNESS RIFE IN PARIS HARDSHIPS IN HOLLAND , i 4 By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright LONDON, Jan. 9 The desperate food shortage is spreading sickness and disease through Paris, says Le Temps. Through lack of vital fats, thousands of children arc the victims of malnutrition, and many adults are stricken with serious diseases. Vegetables and eggs are unobtainable in Paris. Butter is a luxury and meat is unfairly distributed. The Vichy Government has ordered drastic steps to relieve the iood shortago. A decree orders the requisitioning of food supplies in unoccupied France, a reduction of retail prices and the speeding of food transport to Paris. Dutch Unemployment The Times reports that uncensoral letters from Holland reveal that the Dutch are listening carefully to broadcasts from Britain and are widely spreading all accurate news by a, "whispering journal" and by secret news sheets. Tho Germans are retaliating by heavy penalties and also by controlling the wireless. The uncensored letters are unanimous regarding the seriousness of unemployment and say nearly 100,000 Dutchmen have been taken to Germany for the factories or for repairing raid damage. Trade has slumped, but dismissals of staff are forbidden. Many staffs are on half pay. Livestock Slaughtered The cost of living is soaring. Rationed foods are expensive, and hardly any foods are not rationed. This is resulting in diseases due to malnutrition. Half the country's cattle and poultry have been slaughtered owing to the scarcity of fodder. German replacement of guilders by credit marks is draining the Treasury.

MORE AGE GROUPS BRITISH REGISTRATIONS CHOICE OF CIVIL DEFENCE British Wireless LONDON, .Tan. 0 Further registration for national service will take place on Saturday, aflccting men born between July 1 and December 31, 1901, and men born between November 10 and December 31, 1920, all inclusive. The Home Secretary. Mr. Herbert Morrison, has announced that the men over 32 registering on Saturday and on Saturday week, who are not in reserved occupations, may apply to be posted to vacancies in the civil defence services. "These vacancies," said Mr. Morrison, "may not bo in their own town or district, and their civil defence service may resemble service in the Army involving transfer away from home. Vacancies are in the auxiliary fire service, first aid parties and the police war reserve."