NOT YET ASSURED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 88, Issue 94, 21 April 1944, Page 5

NOT YET ASSURED

BRITISH MEAT RATION (P.A.) Wellington, April 20. Asked whether the statement by the Australian High Commissioner, Mr. D’Alton, that Australia’s planning to increase meat exports to Britain by another 100,000 Zons meant ihe 14d meat ration in Britain was now secure for 1944, Mr. Bankes Amery, leader of the United Kingdom Food Mission to Australia and New Zealand, said to-night that unfortunately the ration was still not assured. He knew, of course, that Australia, under guidance of the Minister of Commerce and Agriculture, Mr. Scully, was mak.n.g strenuous efforts, through the newlycreated Food Directorate, to step up production. Unfortunately, however, because ol heavy demands for various war-timu purposes upon Australia's food production the amount of meat available for export from Australia to Britain had—as recently announced by the Commonwealth Government—fallen from 260,000 tons in 1939-40 to 110,000 tons. This decline was viewed very tons This decline was viewed very seriously in Australia, and, as stated above, the problem of reducing this deficiency was being vigorously tackled. The proposed increase of 100,000 tons would not, however, bridge this deficiency, and would, therefore, not, of itself, ensure sufficient meat in Britain to maintain the ration.

Mr. Amery added that he was positive that, as a result of his recent tours to most parts of New Zealand, every possible step would be taken by all concerned to restore the meat exports from New Zealand to a point nearer the pre-war level than thc present level. If that was done, workers and others in Britain would be able to receive sufficient food to ensure the strength fnd energy required to discharge the terrific tasks facing Europe in 194.4 (See earlier message on Page 3).