RATIONING DEMAND

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20091, 10 November 1939, Page 7

RATIONING DEMAND

BRITISH LABOUR PARTY COMMONS REFUSAL (Reed Nov. 10, 9 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 9. Speaking in the House of Commons, the Minister of Food, Mr, W. S. Morrison, opposed a Labour Party demand for the immediate introduction of comprehensive rationing, declaring that it was unnecessary until actually required. He estimated that the largest quantity of butter that could be accumulated in a year was 20,000 tons, which was two weeks’ normal supply. Mr. Morrison denied charges of muddling. A member declared that the sudden rise in the price of New Zealand butter to 145 s per cwt. was not justified. He was unable to ascertain whether New Zealand was getting the benefit of it. Germany Compared The Lord Privy Seal, Sir Samuel Hoare, said that Germany would never starve out Britain, and for that reason the Government had decided not to impose full rationing immediately. “Our position is intensely stronger than that of Germany,” he declared. “I claim that we will continue to secure food and raw materials, despite the new U-boats being constructed in Germany, though there might be some dislocation and delay."

The Labour Party motion demanding immediate rationing was defeated by 187 votes to 104. The Overseas Trade Secretary, Mr. R\ S. Hudson, said that substantial contracts had been placed by the Rumanian Government under the Anglo-Rumanian agreement of July 12 and more were under negotiation.