REPORT ON AID FOR BRITAIN

Chronicle (Levin), 11 September 1947, Page 7

REPORT ON AID FOR BRITAIN

Press Associatiun)

SOME PROBLEMS HAVE THEIR COMPLICATIONS J

(Per

WELLINGTON, Sept. 10. "It lias become elear that there are uiaiiy difficulties assoeiated with the question of saving dollars on tobacco consumption but meanwhile the cominittee has deeided to recommend a eontinuation of the appeal for a 10 per cent. reduction in consumption," itated Mr. E. P.. Walsh, chairman of the Aid for Britain coinmittee tonight. He added that most of the recommendations of the committee at its inaugural meeting, had been approved -"by the Government and the neeessary action was already well under way and in some cases completed. Mr. Walsh said reports froni the Tobacco Board indicated a substantial increase in aereages during the coming growing season and the higher production of local leaf would certainly result in a substantial saving of dollars next year. The committee deeided to recommend that growers be provided with additional kilns and other neeessary facilities including accommodation for extra workers. The resident executive of the committee would meet all tobacco manufacturers next week to discuss plans for increasing loeal manufacture. Mr. Walsh said the question of seeurng additional tractors and farm imple-. nents for farmers was examined by the jominittee and the resident exeeutive proposed to meet the Agriculturai nnplements Federation next weelc as .vell as departmental representatives, to exainine the prospeets of securing aicreased trans-Tasman shiximents of iteel and pigiron to assist the local manufacturers of iinplements. Mr. H. E. Blyde, a niejnber of the committee and viee-ehairman of Federated Farmers, is to wisit the East Coast of the North Island to secure increased mai/.e production and 'it was reported to the committee. that Sir Apirana Ngata olfered full cooperation in the organisation of maize and kumara planting by the Maori people. Problems related to the achievement of a target of 25.000 acres of potatoes ' next season, particularlv coastal sliip pitig and the availabilitv of sacks, were also discussed. Lengthv consiaeration was gxven problems assoeiated with the proposed reductions of imports from dolla: sourees of newsprint, various classes oi paper, magazines and periodicals. "The question proved to be most complicated, " said Mr. Walsh. "The Customs and lndustries and Commerce Uepartments are to report furtlier to the next meeting after consultihg the various trade interests concerned and . arriving at appropriate recommendations. "It is proposed to meet representatives of the wholesale distributors of petrol and Ihe Oi! Fuel Coutroller this week to review the campaign to save 10 ]ior cent. in the overall consump tion. ' ' A discussion with the New ZealanM Taimcl's'" Associat-ion centred 011 tlu» means of conserving the use of New Zealand hides, pelts, calf skins and woolly sheepskins for certain local uses with the view of increasing exports to dollar countries. Furtlier consideration of this move was neeessary.