BRITAIN AT WAR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26232, 16 August 1946, Page 3

BRITAIN AT WAR

TRIALS OF THE BRITISH

An enlightening address on the trials and deprivations of the people of Britain during and immediately after the war, was given by • Miss Brenda Bell in the Peter Pan Theatre on Wednesday night The address was sponsored by the women’s committee of the Oamaru branch of the National Party, and Mrs S. G. Smith (chairwoman) presided and extended a welcome to the speaker. Miss Bell, Svho served with a women’s organisation in the services in England during.the war, travelled to England from New Zealand with members of the Women’s Institute, who were attending a world conference of Countrywomen in London and the Continent in 1939.

“ Clothing rationing in New Zealand seems to me to be a complete farce.” continued Miss Bell, when commenting on the position in England. The English ration of 40 coupons for 16 months gave one the minimum of clothing considering a suit reouired 26 coupons', shoes 9. socks 2 and a handkerchief 1. Besides clothing, house linen also had to be purchased from that issue of 40 coupons. Miss Bell’s final message was an appeal for fat. The people of Britain to-day- were rationed down' to loz of fat per week, and that ration cut into e'ght pieces was very small. She could not understand .whv no earlier attempt had been made to forward fat from New Zealand, but she asked that everv parcel forwarded to Britain include edible fats. A vote of thanks to Miss Bell was moved by Mrs T. R Beatty, and carried by acclamation.