AMERICA AT WAR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25238, 29 May 1943, Page 4

AMERICA AT WAR

TREMENDOUS ACTIVITY DOMINION’S EFFORT PRAISED (P.A.) AUCKLAND, May 28. “New Zealand is definitely on the map in America, and is well known to the man in the street,” said Mr A. H. Honeyfield, manager of the Internal Marketing Division in Auckland, who has returned after a three months’ visit to the United States. Canada, and Mexico as the representative of the New Zealand Government in connection with food supplies and processing for civilians and the Pacific forces. Mr Honeyfield said that the people generally were most enthusiastic about New Zealand, her fighting men, and fier war effort, and were most appreciative of the treatment given to American soldiers during their stay in the Dominion. In Washington the large Government war agencies were very sympathetic towards our requirements. The lease-lend organisation in particular had asked him to convey its appreciation of our co-operation and of. the temperateness and reasonableness of our demands. Production at Peak ,1 “American Var production has reached its planned peak, and is most impressive,” Mr Honeyfield continued. “ It gives a feeling of confidence in the future. The building of ships and aeroplanes and the making of arms and munitions are on a scale so vast that it beggars description. The Government agencies in Washington which have sprung up to meet the urgencies of war are most necessary 'to cope with the many problems of organisation, not only in America, but in dealing with the Allied countries. One building houses a staff of 50.000. i'he Navy Office has a staff of 35,000, the Department of Agriculture 40,000, the office of the Price Administration 40,000, the War Production Board 30,000, the British Supply Mission 8000, and in addition there are smaller agencies, such as the Dease-Lend, the Treasury, the Maritime Commission, and so on. “In addition to her war problems, America has internal problems similar to those in New Zealand. Food is becoming short. Meat is • not only rationed, but there are, two or three meatless days a week, depending on supplies. American women would gla'dly sacrifice their sheer silk hosiery for a round of steak. Butter, canned goods, sugar, coffee, and many other lines are rationed, and over the last four weeks potatoes have been practically unprocurable.” ! Warning to Housewives American housewives had been told, Mr Honeyfield said, that they might just as well disabuse their minds of any idea that. the present shortages were j[ust temporary. They had been advised that they were expected to last as long as the war and probably for at least two years after. The indications were that the present food shortages, especially in meat, poultry, potatoes and root crops, would remain more or less constant with the index showing only occasional upswings and always favouring the down side. Food production would probably be maintained, and even increased, but the farm labour shortage and the increasing demands would prevent accumulations, for some years to come. Millions of men, in uniform, Mr Honeyfield added, were eating three big meals a day, whereas they ate only one in civilian life. Earners of high, wages also were eating better than ever in the past. In addition there were somq millions overseas being fed under lease-lend, and as countries in Europe came under Allied control considerable shipments would be made, further aggravating the shortage. America was looking to Australia and New Zealand to produce their share of the world’s food requirements. Petrol, fuel oiL tyres, shoes and many other lines were rationed, and were in short supply.