Manawatu Evening Standard. SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 1940. DENMARK’S PRODUCTS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 115, 13 April 1940, Page 6

Manawatu Evening Standard. SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 1940. DENMARK’S PRODUCTS.

Now that the Nazi occupation of Denmark is complete iSritam has lost a very important source of foodstuffs. Eor the immediate future the Nazis have made great gains in this small but wonderful producing country, one-third of whose population live exclusively from their land operations. The Danes, too, realising the position in which the war had placed tliam also accumulated large stocks, particularly of petrol, and these have been taken by the invaders. The new season is starting in 1 lie Northern Hemisphere, and for several months the Danes will bo compelled by their overlords not only to produce to the very limit of their power, but also to sec their hated enemy take everything except what the inhabitants need for their bare nourishment. Prom Denmark came half of Britain’s bacon, one-third of her eggs, and one-quarter of her butter. The Danes have always been great traders and Britain found this commerce very profitable and valuable. Eor the time being it has gone, but when the Nazis pass the flush of this season and reach the next, if the war still continues, they must find their gains considerably reduced in value. For Denmark has lost her trade and she has to import coal, mineral oils, timber, manufactured goods, iron, hardware, coflee, tea, cereals, and—most important —feeding stuffs, oil seeds, and colonial produce. Germany must supply the coal Denmark needs and what manufactured goods can be spared, but Denmark must feed her cattle and other stock when housed during the very rigorous winter of the north. She cannot do so without the necessary foodstuffs from overseas. Britain has forbidden the export, except under license, of goods to Denmark and other countries affected by Hitler’s operations, and the vast minefields laid by the British Navywill bottle up shipping to a very considerable extent. The contraband control scheme will also operate against Danish shipping. Unfortunately, it is the Danes who will suffer most in this occupation of their country and even should the war be not prolonged to any extent some years imist elapse before their economy returns to normal. Besides the Danish market Britain also loses essential supplies from the Baltic countries. The Empire- must therefore come to the rescue and make up the deficiency. In this country there lias been a call to increase production. It comes many times more strongly now, but production cannot be increased overnight. Climatic conditions and the hardships of Socialistic legislation have operated to the farmers’ detriment these recent years, and production has fallen m several important branches of

farming enterprise. This must be recovered and a much higher output recorded. Britain wants all the butter, meat, and pig products we can send her. But production to the extent required depends on several factors. Apart from the very important seasonal one, there must be sound planning. Not a day should be lost if next season is to give the returns desired. The Government should co-opt the services of the country’s leading experts who in association with the Ministers and Departmental heads can give the necessary advice and bring down a long-range plan. Of the most vital importance is an adequate supply of farm labour. Without it producers cannot hope to achieve very much. If the matter is attended to without delay Britain will know that New Zealand is making a worthwhile endeavour to recompense for the loss of produce from Northern Europe. This is a grave matter and if its execution means the abandonment of some Government schemes it is far better to win the war without them. We owe it to the Motherland whose Navy keeps these shores inviolate.