FOOD IN WARTIME

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23649, 5 November 1938, Page 20

FOOD IN WARTIME

BRITAIN'S MEAT SUPPLY ELABORATE PLANS PREPARED NEW ZEALANDER'S IMPORTANT POST (From Our Own Correspondent) (By Air Mail) LONDON, Oct. 18. The recent European crisis and the near approach of war afforded many departments of the British Government an opportunity of placing into operation initial plans for safeguarding the country's vital interests. One of the most interesting from New Zealand's point of view was the scheme dealing with Britain's meat supplies, particularly in view of the fact that, at a time when all hope of averting war was almost lost, Mr R. S. Forsyth. London manager of the New Zealand Meat Board, was appointed Director of Imported Meat Supplies for Great Britain. This was a tribute not only to Mr Forsyth's ability, his understanding and grasp of methods and conditions at Smithfield market, but also a direct honour for New Zealand. For the past two years the Food Defence Plans Department of the Board of Trade has been investigating the question of Britain's food supply in time of war. Recently an interim report was published, and included in this was a plan for the control and distribution of meat supplies. In common with other food supplies, meat, both in stock and in transit, was to become the property of the Government, and a system of rationing was to be introduced, immediately. There was to be no period of waiting, such as occurred during the Great War, before the Government took charge. The importer, .the wholesaler and the distributor of meat were to lose their individual identity. They were to work as a trade association, providing the staff, carrying out the 'routine and obtaining their remun-, eration from the association, which would be paid by the Government. As a precaution against wholesale loss by bombing, Smithfield market, the greatest meat market in the world, where the bulk of New Zealand's meat is disposed of, was to be abolished. In its place, a system of depots was to be established in suburban districts to deal with the distribution for the London area. Plans were also drawn up for the elimination of the port of London. In this gigantic and hurried reorganisation it would have been a New Zealander who would have been called upon to take a major share of the responsibility. When it appeared that war was not improbable, Mr Forsyth was sent for lay Westminster, and it was his task to set the plans into motion, and at Smithfield to explain the Government's intentions to the traders.,-, The greater portion of the plans naturally remain a secret,: but it is known that home-grown and imported supplies of meat were to have been divided and used for different sections of the nation. Telegrams were despatched to captains of incoming ships in which there were cargoes of meat, advising them to be ready to follow certain instructions theft would be delivered in the event of an outbreak. '■) These instructions were already compiled in telegraph form at Westminster awaiting instant transmission. Fortunately, the order tq despatch them never arrived. Depots for the storing of meat in various parts of the country round London were ear-marked. These, naturally, have not, and will not, be divulged.