OFFER DECLINED

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23257, 19 July 1945, Page 6

OFFER DECLINED

Penicillin From America (N.Z.P.A.) WELLINGTON. July 18. ! Supplies of penicillin were recently offered by the United States to the New Zealand Government for distribution through the retail drug trade, but have been declined. The offer was made to the Ministry of Supply by the Lend-Lease Mission, now known as the Foreign Economic Administration, j after the procedure in the United i States had been changed to permit a j limited quantity of the drug to be dis- | tributed to civilians through retail drug channels. This conformed with the policy of the United States that materials in short or even critical supply, but which are permitted for use by American civilians shall also be shared with the Allies. Export licences for penicillin were offered, the American plan being to confine the shiument to firms which have been supplying this region In the past. The offer was acknowledged and declined by the New Zealand Government.. The" reason given was that New Zealand was able to obtain supplies of calcium penicillin, which was preferred to sodium penicillin offered by the Foreign Economic Administration The Government stated that the offer was greatly appreciated as another gesture of pood will toward, and willingness to share with. New Zealand