GIVEN PEACE, & A LITTLE TIME NONE NEED FEAR FOR BRITAIN THOUGH CONDITIONS ARE HARD

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 13, Issue 52, 11 February 1949, Page 5

GIVEN PEACE, & A LITTLE TIME NONE NEED FEAR FOR BRITAIN THOUGH CONDITIONS ARE HARD

Country Is Still Strong Says M.P. “Throughout Britain, industries are working hard to recover export markets, and to restore their clountry to a sound economic position. Given peace, and a little time, none need fear about her recovery; what’s more she will not let anyone down,” said Mr W. S,ullivan, M.P., discussing conditions in Britain at a public meeting at Whakatane on Wednesday night. “There is already evidence of substantial recovery. Inside industry appears well, with the . ‘exception of some material shortages. Mr Sullivan, who had the undivided attention of a large audience, also covered other angles of his observations overseas which have already been published by the Beacon .in interview form. “Britain’s exports are 40 per cent more in volume than in 1938. The target is more and more. Today the United Kingdom is making goods for everybody else, and little for herself. All over the country such slogans are t displayed as ‘more from each is more for each.’ Misinformed Criticism “There has been much misinformed criticism as to the use of Marshall Aid. It may be interesting to know how this has been apportioned.

“Food has taken 25 per cent, raw materials 27 per cent, machinery 14 per cent, shipping 7 per cent, tobacco. 12 per cent, films 4 per cent - and food for Germany 11 per cent. ’ The private petrol allowance is 90 miles travel per month. Britain’s •agricultural target is 50 per cent in- • crease on pre-war, this has already -gone up 20 per cent. Her aim is to increase total production 100 per cent on pre-war by 1952. , “The Dollar Trading Balance Debt has been considerably reduced. In the first quarter the debt stood at 147 million pounds, the second 107 : million, and the third quarter it is : reduced to 76 million pounds. This is a 50 per cent reduction in a short 'time. Responsible people consider that, all going well, Britain will be out of the wood by 1952. “Food is rationed severely, the monotony of diet is hard for a New Zealander to take. Poultry, fish, duck and pheasant are so common at hotels, that one sometimes wond- ■ ers if there is a feather left in this Island. Weekly Ration “One week’s ration for an adult -provides 2\ pints milk; 1/- worth meat; 2ozs bacon; l|ozs cheese; 3ozs butter; 4ozs margarine; 2ozs cooking fat; 2ozs tea etc. Expectant mothers are allowed among other items an extra 6d worth of meat per week, 1 pint of milk, one extra egg, •one bottle orange juice per 9 days, ope bottle Cod Liver Oil or one packet of Vitamin tablets every six weeks.- Most people will agree that this is a meagre ration, which would be consumed by a New Zealander in two days. “People who -get quantities of parcels, or dine at hotels or restaurants, may manage all right, but the average -Working man who has mot access to these places, or cannot afford the cost, is on a pretty lean oration.

“Food parcels sent from New Zealand and other countries are much appreciated. While in •London a “Thank You” Day was given, where the Prime Minister attended along with Memhers. Mr Noel Baker thanked New Zealand for the good work done in sending 3* million pounds weight of parcels. “Mr Fraser expressed pleasure • and satisfaction that New Zealand had done so muqh. British people .are very grateful for what - New Zealand is doing. In sending parcels it is Worth noting that meats, fats, . soap and' foods with a sugar content are the lines most needed. “It is true to say that housewives in Britain queue up for many hours to keep the household supplies up. '.Many do not get their housework done until late in the day. ' N.Z. Could Do More “New Zealand could probably do more in the supply of essential lines, anyway we should make the effort. While we have, during the last 12 months, supplied the United Kingdom with 51 per cent of the butter consumed, 50 per cent of the ■ cheese, and 35 per cent of the meat, •we have an opportunity to increase • our market permanently, because of the Argentina attitude. This coun- ' try is not delivering the goods con- • tracted for. Under contract she was to supply 420,000 tons of meat by ' ' the end of March next, So far Argentina has only supplied* 275,000 tons. 'The falling behind in deliveries

gives New Zealand an opportunity, as far as is practicable, to help fill the gap. Unless deliveries increase there will likely be a fall in the ration of meat at Home. Whatever is done,, our grading must be maintained, our products have a good name, we must keep it. “Britain’s own meat supply has dropped considerably. This occurred during the war and as yet is not built up. Although Britain is experiencing a hard road, short of essential materials and foods, she is not by any means down or out. We must bear in mind that today she is a great exporting Nation, where once she was a great importing Nation. ' Britain still plays her full part in trade in world affairs, and has the admiration of all for the doggedness and determination evident everywhere, which in the end is bound to succeed. V « Part Of Commonwealth “As part of the Commonwealth, because of Britain’s need, and the fact that she is practically our only customer, we must do everything possible in production and. transport to help in this tin*e of need. There is something wrong with Britain’s food supply. Has she ever been in this position, before? One searches to find the answer and runs up against a combination of possible reasons. “Is it due in part, to Government to Government buying? Has Argentina meat supply fallen short because State Governments are not so able to transact business, as those whose chief job it was to do this? Is our transport system working well enough to move quickly from supply sources the foods that are available? Are we in the Dominions making a real or a lip-sfervice effort to help? I think it will be agreed that we could do much more. Hindrances Existing “Are there hindrances existing in primary production that should be looked at? I believe there are. Our own pig meat production has declined seriously. The reason for this was price and cost of pig feed. Will the Government’s unwise handling of the fertiliser question have a detrimental effect on increased production? Is taxation hindering production? Is New Zealand making the most of her opportunities in land development and new farm production? - “Britain’s need is great, no time should be lost in remedying, or removing hindrances to food export or production. The time to move is now. Our policy must be expansionist, our job is clear, and hindrances should be remedied or removed,” Mr Sullivan concluded.