WORLD’S FOOD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25384, 16 November 1943, Page 4

WORLD’S FOOD

FUTURE DIFFICULTIES CONDITIONS IN AMERICA (Special) AUCKLAND, Nov. 15. The New Zealand officials in America who were handling supply and other matters on behalf of the Dominion were doing a magnificent job, and seemed to be deservedly popular m both Canada and the United States, said Dr J. C. Andrews, of Auckland, who has returned from a five months’ visit to these countries. He made the trip on behalf of the Government to investigate the technical angles of food production and processing, with special reference to war-time needs. It /was obvious that many of the New Zealand officials in America were doing their work at considerable personal sacrifice, but in spite of this they wers cheerfully accepting the position and doing everythin!? nossible -or New Zealand, continued Dr Andrews. It was apparent from the recent food conference held in the United States and information from other sources that the food situation in the world was likely to be extremely difficult for some years to come, particularly in regard to fats and protein foods. Farmers in America were being encouraged to producs to the maximum. As a result of American aid to other Allied countries, the American people were experiencing a food shortage, and many foodstuffs, including butter and meat, were rationed. Vegetable production was being expanded, and canneries and dehydration plants were working to caoacity to deal with s large percentage of the crops. The war had stimulated development in many industries, and a remarkably fine effort was being made to overtake the rubber position by the production of synthetic rubber. It was expected that next year would see sufficient being produced to relieve the situation with regard to the war uses of thi3 material.

Many new products in plastics had been developed and ware being used for war purposes. “In view of the great interest being taken in these products,” Dr Andrews said, “it is necessary to point out that, while such products will have application in a post-war economy, they will be much more restricted than is the general belisf in New Zealand. For example, plastic building materials will have a restricted use on account of the supply of raw materials for their manufacture and the competition they will receive from present building materials, including glass, which has been developed in a most remarkable manner in the United States.”

The American people as a whole were doing a wonderful production job for the war. In all the factories he had visited, said Dr Andrews, there was a great spirit and a splendid effort to achieve maximum production. This was particularly noticeable in aeroplane factories and shipbuilding yards. In essential industries of this nature work was continuous seven days a week.