LEND-LEASE

Timaru Herald, Volume CLIV, Issue 22738, 12 November 1943, Page 4

LEND-LEASE

Application To Supply Problem Foodstuffs Furnished lo U.S.A. (N.Z.P.A.) WELLINGTON, Nov. 11. “We have done everything in our power to case the supply problems of the United States authorities in accordance with the mutual aid agreement,” the Hon. W. Nash stated to-day when reviewing lend-lease and reverse lend-lease. "The total of goods and services so supplied to October 31 amounted to £24,913,000 and this assistance is increasing at a progressive rate.” Mr Nash said that New Zealand was providing hospital beds for no fewer than 8000 United States servicemen, and already it was estimated that camps, hospitals and other buildings constructed for the United States authorities, at a cost of £8,790,000, had utilised more than half of the annual building capacity of the Dominion. More than 500 American ships had already been repaired and refitted in the Dominion. Many foodstuffs were in short supply owing to the diversion of production to meet the heavy demands of the United States Forces, said Mr Nash, who quoted the following figures to show what had been supplied:— Lb. Boneless beef 23,474.000 Pork 7,492,000 Bacon and ham .. .. 11,388,000.. Butter and cheese .... 10,608,000 Apples 8,733.000 Fresh vegetables 20.526,000 Potatoes 12,619,000 Canned and corned beef 7,033,000 Canned vegetables .. .. 3,579,000 Sugar 13,729,000 In addition 1,718,374 dozen eggs had been supplied. “We are receiving a considerable volume of goods and services from the United States on a lend-lease basis,” continued Mr Nash. “To September 30 it amounted to £47,384,000. Of this amount direct supplies to the Armed Forces, such as ordnance, ammunition and aeroplanes, totalled £39.149,000. The balance of £8,235,000 is made up of supplies essential to the war effort.” Mr Nash concluded by saying that any attempt to compare the relative contributions of two nations would be entirely contrary to the conception of the mutual aid agreement, which did not envisage the setting off of contributions but for each member of the United Nations to utilise its man and woman power and material resources to the utmost.