BRITAIN’S WAR EFFORT

Southland Times, Issue 25357, 8 May 1944, Page 4

BRITAIN’S WAR EFFORT

PRESS DELEGATION IMPRESSED (P.A.) AUCKLAND, May 7. Much first-hand knowledge of the immensity of the war effort in Great Britain and the United States has been gained by the New Zealand Press delegation which has returned to the Dominion after an absence of nearly six months. The tour, which embraced many thousands of miles, was undertaken at the invitation of the British Minister of Information. The leader of the delegation was Mr W. A. Whitlock, of The Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune, Hastings. Other members of the party were Mr P. H. N. Freeth, of The Press, Christchurch, Mr E. V. Dumbleton, of The Auckland Star, Mr W. J. Green, of The Standard, Wellington, and Mr A. Hardcastle, of The Evening Post, Wellington, president of the New Zealand Journalists’ Association. After nearly five years of war the people of Britain were naturally tired and keenly looked forward to peace, said Mr Whitlock. Their present, attitude could best be described as “bulldoggedness.” They knew the war would be won, but the sooner it was won the better. “They take it for granted that the second front will soon eventuate, and they are confident of the outcome,” he added. “They are fully aware, however, that it will probably involve heavy sacrifices and casualties.” VISITS TO FARMS Mr Whitlock said the delegation had visited farms, factories, shipyards and naval and air establishments, and they had seen much of the devastation caused by the Luftwaffe. They had learned for themselves how completely Hitler had failed to crush the morale and the material resources of the British people. Recent raids, however, had made them realize they could still suffer from the Luftwaffe, although it»was amazing how the people stood up to these attacks. “Of the'achievements of the British farmer we cannot speak too highly,” he said. “We had asked that we be shown something of the war effort on the agricultural front, and we were given firstclass opportunities to meet farmers, to see their farms and to discuss with them things in which all farmers are interested. Emphasis in British farming, is now almost wholly upon cropping and whole-milk production. It is up to the Dominions to supply meat, cheese and butter to meet Britain’s war-time food needs.”

The party had found the food reasonably good, but monotonous through lack of variety. The absence of fruit was noticeable, although to a smalll degree this was now being relieved by the arrival of oranges and lemons from the Mediterranean. Workers were provided with good midday meals at restaurants, and in the cities many people dined out whenever they were able to. Considering the strict blackout the number of people about in the early evenings was amazing, and both restaurants and theatres were doing a big trade.