REVERSE LEND-LEASE

Waikato Times, Volume 194, Issue 22244, 13 January 1944, Page 2

REVERSE LEND-LEASE

EFFECT ON DOMINION “Whatever the actual figures may reveal, there is no possible doubt about the effect of reverse lend-lease upon the civilian population of this country.” says Mr J. Russell Hancock. a manufacturers’ representative in Wellington, in a letter published in the December issue of the United States foreign trade journal, American Exporter. “For many months of last year our allocation of eggs was half of one dozen per week. For many months there were no apples tQ be had—an unprecedented experience in this apple growing country. “For months last year there were no potatoes to be bought. Fresh fruit and vegetables are very scarce and very expensive. Canned green vegetables. fruits, and soups are unobtainable. Ido not think my wife and I have eaten a dozen oranges between us in six months. For a while we could get limited supplies of oranges for the children by means of special arrangements with the Plunket Society, if we cared to use part of our ration of one and a half gallons of gasoline per month to travel the necessary three or four miles and return. “The housing situation in Wellington is very nearly desperate. With my growing family I bought an old property early last year with the idea of doing it up. During last winter we lived with a large part of the house open to the weather, not for days or weeks, but for months. After the earthquake, we had no chimneys for months”-and for months the water flooded the house whenever it rained. For nearly & year we have lived without wallpaperson the waff or carpets on the floors. “I may add that although I am an Australian, I entertain the greatest of respect for the New Zealand people, for their outlook peace-time achievements, and their war effort.” adds Mr Hancock.