FOOD FOR BRITAIN

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 58, 4 December 1946, Page 2

FOOD FOR BRITAIN

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‘A SPLENDID EFFORT”

The following extract is taken from a recent issue of a leading Dominion Metropolitan newspaper, and concerns the splendid effort made by the people of New Zealand in donating coupons in order to increase the quantity of foodstuffs being sent to Britain:— More than seven months after the campaign was started for the voluntary saving of butter and meat ration coupons, in order that increased quantities of foodstuffs might be shipped to Great Britain, the totals last week established a record for a normal period. That is something of deep significance. The coupons are surrendered by potential users, that is, their action affects the domestic supplies, and probably few people anticipated that it would be so well sustained. There have been no stirring appeals, but the spirit which has actuated the people is a splendid one. It show's, if additional proof were needed, how very real is the tie between the peoples of the two countries. Further, it is a tribute from a country which was on the outer fringe of war to one that was in the centre of it. The food made available through the surrender of coupons goes to some unknown destination; to some home somewhere in the British Isles, and the knowledge of that fact is sufficient reward for those who make the contribution here. It is quite evident that very many homes have made it a practice to surrender coupons weekly. In Christchurch, it has been stated, the savings are equivalent to nearly three coupons per household per week, indicating both system and a splendidly sustained effort to assist. Unfortunately there are no indica- • tions of the food situation in Great Britain showing any marked and early improvement. The most serious shortage at. the moment is said to be of fats, but it is obvious that monotony of the food available, the scanty prospect of a variation of diet, must continue for an as yet indefinite period. Something is to be done to make Christmas fare a little more plentiful and a little more varied, and although no doubt that will be most welcome, it will also accentuate the monotony of the rationed supplies when the festive period is over. There is probably no need to appeal to those who have assisted so materially during the past seven months by limiting their own use of coupons in order to make more food available for the people of Britain to continue the good work, but the success which they have achieved through their persistent efforts should bring them large numbers of recruits, who will

be able to make a further contribution in this way. Everyone hopes that 1947 will see the worst phases of the world short-

age of food safely passed but while the need remains the effort to assist must be maintained. In the fine record of the Dominion since war broke out in 1939 this voluntary effort by unknown people, with the self sacrifice which to a greater or less extent it has imposed, will be by no means the least impressive or valuable. It has been, and is, the expression of a fine spirit, a gesture—and much more than a gesture—

above everything else, ensured vie

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