MATERIAL SUPPORT FOR FRANCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24326, 17 June 1940, Page 11

MATERIAL SUPPORT FOR FRANCE

TO THE EDITOR Sir, —The cablegram to the Prime Minister of France sent by our Prime Minister is well timed, but it must be admitted that circumstances warranted a much more practical offer of support, in view of the tremendous sacrifices that brave nation is making on behalf of every individual in this country, the British Empire, and all free peoples, including those whose beloved countries have been overrun by the barbarians. As we are not a manufacturing country we are, therefore, not likely for some time to be in the position to supply munitions. On the other hand we are fortunate in possessing abundance of food, thanks to the British Navy. »Why, therefore, should we not supply food instead? If we have not sufficient to spare for the cause of freedom, then all our able-bodied men should, irrespective of hours of work, pull their weight in their, various occupations. as our fellow-ccuntrymen are doing in other parts of the Empire, and as well as our brave Allies are doing. In this connection I would strongly recommend that the Government' send another cable offering, as a free gift to the French nation, a shipload of food —the ways and means to be decided afterwards. Should this idea be found practicable—and there is no reason \yhy it should not—the writer will be pleased to have the opportunity of subscribing £SO, confident that in such a cause at this most critical time in history, money would •be freely subscribed within a few days by numerous people throughout the country conscious of the fact that our war contribution should be made as quickly as possible, irrespective of temporary inconvenience.—l am, etc., Philip Barling. Dunedin, June 15.