FOOD IS REALLY SCARCE IN BRITAIN NOW

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 56, 28 October 1949, Page 5

FOOD IS REALLY SCARCE IN BRITAIN NOW

Food is really scarce in British homes just now. And the British people, though still a proud people determined to win through to better times are tired and disappointed that the years since the war have brought them nothing but a further tightening of the belt. Having battled out of a grim struggle for existence they live in a hungry present and feel they look forward to a somewhat bleak future.

Those are the impressions of Miss R. T. Cameron, Nursing Selection Officer for the New Zealand Government Immigration scheme, during her recent two years tour of duty in Great Britain. She spoke feelingly to a Beacon representative yesterday about the very real need of the British people for more food. Other conditions, she said, were fair. The present big drive for export was keeping workers fully employed, though there was some unemployment occasioned by the present shortage of steel.

But the food position was grave. True, there were said to be big reserve stocks of imperishable foods held supposedly against the threat of a third world war, but in. the average household table supplies were meagre and as a consequence the people lacked vigour, seemed tired.

Rationing, she said, was necessarily rigid. It seemed to her the only fair means of distribution. Those with plenty of money could augment supplies from a thriving black market, but the ordinary citizen had to struggle along on rations and parcels from well-wishers overseas.

The importance of parcels of food for Britain. could not be overstressed, she said. The rationed diet was woefully deficient in meat, fats, cheese and milk. Fruit and vegetables were obtainable, but often priced beyond a wage-earning family’s man’s means.

To men underfed, tired and discouraged, pei-haps the worst hardships of all were having to pay 3/6 for 20 cigarettes and 1/3 for a glass of beer. Small comforts and luxuries could mean much. That was why Miss Cameron suggested that most welcome additions to food parcels might be a tin of fruit, or a cake. Main essentials to send are meats, fats, cheese, soap and dried milk. Address To Women Knox Church Hall was filled to capacity by women from all. Churches to hear 'Miss Cameron speak on conditions in Britain and the New Zealand Government I immigration scheme. The hall was beautifully decorated with spring flowers by Mrs Sutherland. Mrs R. T. Dodds presided, Mrs Davies sang two solos. After Miss Cameron’s interesting address she was . presented with three bouquets and a shoulder spray of pink carnations. Mrs J. C. J. Wilson moved the vote of thanks. Afternoon tea was served by Knox Church women.