PLENTY OF FOOD

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21200, 24 August 1940, Page 10

PLENTY OF FOOD

CONDITIONS IN BRITAIN INCREASE IN IMPORTS NAZI REPORTS DENIED (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, August 22 ' Publication of the Board of Trade figures, showing that during the seven months ended July, imports into Britain amounted to £698,500,000, including £268,000,000 worth of foodstuffs, offers an eloquent commentary on German efforts to convince their people that Britain is on the verge of starvation. The German radio yesterday asserted that her “total blockade” announced on Saturday would complete the starvation process in the not distant future. As this “blockade” for many months has been as “total” as the Germans are capable of making it, the threat arouses no concern here. It is recognised that occupation of the French coast has enabled the enemy to wage intensified war on British ships passing up the Channel, yet in July about £87,000,000 worth of goods were imported. The further fact emerges that from trading areas still open to Britain imports in July showed a 60 per cent increase this year, compared with last year, and the value of exports to the trading area was £21,500,000 higher than in July, 1939. Exports to North and South America, which have been increasing steadily, reached the highest level in July since the outbreak of the war. The Daily Telegraph, commenting on food situation in relation to these figures, says: “Actually, we know from official sources that our food stocks are substantially higher than they ever have been before. The merchant shipping tonnage under our control is greater than at the outbreak of the war, and the enemy has not the smallest prospect of interrupting the abundant flow of our supplies from overseas.”