WOMEN'S CONCERN OVER FOOD SITUATION

Chronicle (Levin), 9 April 1946, Page 7

WOMEN'S CONCERN OVER FOOD SITUATION

PKOBLEM MUST BE TACEXED EKOM PRODUCTION END In the course of a discussion on the food situation generally, at a iixeeting of the Manawalu branch of the Na-. tional Council, the suggestion put forward by the Governnient for a voluntary ration cut was not approved. Mrs. A. Adcock quoted from the pointed remarks of Mr. G. G. Gooday in a broadcast address from the Brooklyn Baptist. Church, Wellington, who made a strong appeal to the (iovernmeut to refuse to be intimidated into inaction by disgruntled elements, or a minority content to have its .own tables full while millions died in other countries. Unless we did something worthy, those who died in the stricken countries would remember us only to curse us for our sellishness and a new era of suspicion and hatred would be born, the preacher declared. In the light of such pro-

uounceiuents Mrs. Adcock thought the women should press for a further cut in rations. It was pointed out that any further cuts would be extreniely hard on certain individuals. The butter ration was little enough and there was no fat to take the place of butter for children, in the opinion of Miss L. M. Banks. Mrs. W. F. Field spoke from the point of view of the fariner that it was the taxation tliat was crippling the production side. She felt the proper point to tackle the sliortage was nn the production side — to lessen the • lurden of those who did the real work. ui this the chairman (Mrs. J. Harris) concurred. It was a fact that, while Britain's production increased enormjuslv under bombing conditions in wartime, that of • New Zealand had fallen lo an aianning extent. The first grave breach had been the 40-hour week, which had been a serious knock to the primary producers. New Zealanders were niore concerued with social securtty than national security, the speaker declared, aud she felt it was high time the women did something about it. Our economic wealth was based on primary production, the speaker continued, but the kick would eventually come to the towus and affect their dining tables. The primary pToducer got no 4U-hour week. out secondary industries paid the higliest award wages and olfered tempting baits for peoiile to work in the towus. All this- eventually caiue back 011 the country. Ghe counsclled the women to give serious thought to these problems and to be independent in their thinking, for such

people were the bridge builders of the world. There had never been a greater need for great thinking. The pioneers liad built 011 faitli, but what have wef the speaker asked. lvee{> a broad view md protect your national security, Mrs. Harris eoiicludcd. After sonie turther discussion the i'ollovviug resolution was passed, to be sent to the Dominion Uouucil askiug that the subject matter be giveu urgencv: "Tliat this meeting of Lhe Manawatu branch i> the N'.C.W. desires to register its protest against the sugg.estion advovaled by tlic Government for voluiltary ration cuts, realisiug tliat, ihe funda-' mental romedy for the food problem lies in increased production, And, Lherefore, requests that every 'encourageinciit be given to and all iinpedi-' nients removed from the primary producing organisations and all kindred organisations associated with the hand.ing oi' our primary products. " ;