QUICK RESPONSE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26556, 3 September 1947, Page 4

QUICK RESPONSE

FAT FOR BRITAIN DIRECT SHIPMENT ARRANGED NEW FACILITIES WELCOMED Realising the great need of the British people for increased supplies of edible fat, Mr P. Barling, of Dunedin, recently launched a scheme for fat to be shipped direct to Britain. At his own expense, he has. had installed special equipment for rendering and sterilising fat sent in to him at the Savoy and he has procured almost unlimited supplies of four-gallon tins for the first big shipment of fat which he expects to make in November or December. At first he intended to ship the fat to Britain at his own expense but the shipping companies have agreed to assist in the cause he is sponsoring. Already contributions, large and small, have been received and several requests have been made, especially from country districts, for four-gallon tins so that fat can be saved and sent direct to Britain. These tins are inscribed with the sender’s name and address, and the name of the sponsor of the scheme does not appear. Every gift is thus given a personal note. Results of Two Years’ Work

“It is interesting to learn that the Dunedin Famine Emergency Committee, which is sponsored by the Government and consists of representatives of the Federation of Labour, the Manufacturers' Association, the Red Cross Society, and the Chamber of Commerce, has! with the aid of the Government's vague advertisements. ‘ Save Fat for Britain,’ collected seven tons and a-half of fat in two years," Mr Barling said. “A mathematician might be able to enlighten us just how much energy has been expended in the effort. It is obvious that a state of appalling apathy exists for want of a clear-cut policy and a definite assurance that when fat is asked for to meet the urgent needs of Britons the contribution of the public will not be substituted for some other products. The public would like to know, too that there would be no delay in having the fat shipped to Britain.” Response from Country

Mr Barling went on to speak of the response he had already received to his appeal for fat. One letter from a a woman in Tapanui, he said, was typical of the many letters he had received from the country in the past few days. “ I live on a farm,” the woman wrote, “ and since I first learned that fat was needed for Britain I started to collect but I have nevei known where to send it. You are very welcome to my little saving of 3601 b, and please send some tins as they are very difficult to procure and J wish to go on collecting.'' "Although our appeal is directed mainly to country people whom we are glad to supply with new fourgallon tins, it is pleasing,” Mr Barling said. “ to receive a number of smaller parcels each day from city residents. It made me realise how badly this fat is needed in Britain when I heard a 8.8. C. radio commentator now visiting Australia tell how the people at Home have to eat so much fish and yet have not the fat with which to fry it. I can well imagine how monotonous and unpalatable boiled fish must become, and even if it is only to help the people of Britain to have fat in which to fry their fish I am sure my appeal will be worth while. “ From the response I have already received.” Mr Barling added, “ I am confident that we shall be able to make a substantial shipment of fat in Novqpiber or December to help Britain. The fat is available but the people must know that what they contribute will go to Britain."