THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is Incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY. “Public Service.” MONDAY, MAY 17, 1943 BUTTER POSITION

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3264, 17 May 1943, Page 4

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is Incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY. “Public Service.” MONDAY, MAY 17, 1943 BUTTER POSITION

It probably will puzzle many people why the announcement that the Britsh Government had asked both Australia and New Zealand to ration their butter supplies “so that the ration of 2oz. a person can be maintained in Britain” was not accompanied by some official action. The Minister of Marketing apparently was content to affirm that “the people of New Zealand will be behind the Government if it accedes to the request.” It so happens that an unusual domestic demand, and the fall in production due to adverse climatic conditions, have reduced our exportable surplus. There is no alternative source of supply open to Britain, for Canada has already placed the community on a ration and the United States has a growing demand for locally-pro-duced supplies. The maintenance and if possible the increase of butter shipments from the Dominion form .about the only way by which the meagre ration in Britain can be assured. For some time there has been a weekly ration of Boz. per person in Canada, and for a time that was reduced in order that supplies could be sent to Britain. And the annual consumption per head in this country could be cut by 161 b. before it reached the Canadian level. Had conditions been such that production was fully maintained then possibly the request from London would never have been made, but if local rationing will enable shipments to be increased then it will be willingly accepted. Even if jt entailed a measure of hardship there could be no complaint, for no New Zealander wishes these war-time difficulties to fall heavily on the people of the Mother Country while we enjoy immunity. This country will depend largely on Britsh markets for the sale of its surplus produce after the-war, and it wants to keep its hold on the biggest possible body of consumers. Those forced to take margarine may not be so readily inclined to.return to butter when the opportunity is presented, so that, on a very material plane, the maintenance of butter supplies to the Mother Country can be advocated.

But the reason which dwarfs all others is the actual need of the British people, . and if this country by rationing its own supplies can do anything to meet that need then let it be done. At a later stage people can try to ascertain why an important matter such as this shduld be reserved for disclosure to a small meeting of people in a northern country district. Is it to be understood that the British food authorites have been left in doubt, wondering if the people of New Zealand will fall in with the request? If so, then the sooner the position is made plain the better. How could it possibly be refused?