FAMINE IN FRANCE

Korero (AEWS), Volume 2, Issue 14, 17 July 1944, Page 16

FAMINE IN FRANCE

Thousands of the French peasantry (alternative word, proletariat) are starving in the worst famine ever to smack France. Taxes are even heavier, domination from the ruling classes more oppressive. Political observers predict a violent upheaval from the masses before many years.

“I reckon I know every currant in the Pacific pudding, and I’ve chewed at most of them,” Captain Cook said last evening when interviewed in, his cottage by our Hampshire representative. • Smilingly busy with her work, and justifiably proud, was the captain’s god-child wife (nee Batts). We sailed between 60,000 and 70,000 miles, taking three years and eighteen days, with the loss of only four men— by accident and one from stomach trouble and a quart of rum. Not a one died from scurvy. I saw to that,” the Captain continued. “We struggled for three years with ice and hunger and hardship to prove the fabled wealth of Antarctica was a mischievous myth. Now there is no doubt about it.” Captain Cook (promoted after his new-world voyage I, 1769-71), gave details of his appointment in 1772 to an exploratory expedition to settle once and for all the existence of a great southern continent. H.M. sloop “ Resolution ” was his ship (462 tons; crew 112; cost £4,145), and with a smaller ship, “ Adventure ” (Captain Furneaux, captain; crew 81; cost £2,103) he sailed from Plymouth, July 13, 1772. The ships touched at Madeira and the Cape of Good Hope, setting out from there to explore the southern latitudes for

approximately six months■“ And all we found was ice.” The two ships sailed for New Zealand (previously charted by Captain Cook), but were separated, “ Discovery ” berthing at Plymouth a year ago. “ After leaving us, Furneaux reached New Zealand, where his relationships with the Indians —iappy—they killed and ate ten of a boat’s crew. I had always suspected these Indians were cannibals; this melancholy occurrence affords definite proof,” Captain Cook said. - “ Resolution ” eventually reached New Zealand safely, and after some time set out to spend the winter among the Society Islands. Came the spring, and Captain Cook made further exploration eastwards, and later steering northwards he navigated the southern tropic from Easter Island to the New Hebrides and discovered an island named by him New Caledonia. After a third try, he gave up all hope of finding a landmass and returned to England. Informed circles mention unofficially that Captain Cook is to be raised to the rank of post-captain, and to be appointed captain of Greenwich Hospital. It is also suggested that he will be balloted a member of the Royal Society in recognition of his paper on scurvy.