RATIONING SYSTEM

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26618, 14 November 1947, Page 4

RATIONING SYSTEM

AN OUTSPOKEN CRITIC EXPORT OF TALLOW COMPULSION SUGGESTED “Rationing at the present time is only a joke," said Mr W. R. Clarke, during a discussion yesterday by the Otago “Aid for Britain ” Committee of means by which increased exports of tallow could be made to Britain. Mr Clarke said that if Britain was to be helped the committee must get down to realities. If there was a quantity of tallow in Otago, it should all be taken and shipped out of the country. So far as the rationing of meat was concerned, both in town and country, it was only a joke. Where butter was made in factories there was some control, but where it was not there was no control over its use. New cake shops could open up all over the city and obtain supplies of butter. The speaker suggested that all tallow in store should be commandeered for despatch to Britain. Mr T. G. Tomkins said that if New Zealand was at present exporting 80 per cent, of the tallow from the freezing works and retaining 20 per cent, for its own use, there was no reason why it should not increase the exports to 90 per cent., which would force the local market to use fats that were now wasted.

Mr Clarke said that if an increase in the exports were made, and New Zealand’s own requirements ascertained, could they not announce that a reduction of 10 per cent, would be Mr Tomkins: If we are going to do (he job we should do it properly, and some sacrifice should be made compulsorily. , ~ . When Mr Clarke suggested that an investigation should be made to decide the percentage of fat to be exported compulsorily from New Zealand, Mr L F. Evans said that this would have the effect of bringing disused fat on to the market, so long as the freezing works fat was exported. The chairman, Mr R. C. Burgess, said that if the increase was to be effective, they would have to suggest a cut in the amount of tallow now being sent from the freezing works to the market. That was rationing at the source. , , Mr Clarke declared that if the rationing of meat were to cease more meat would be saved. After further discussion a recommendation, moved by Mr A. C. Stephens, was carried that for the purpose of bringing on to the market surplus fat which was now wasted ana to ensure the maximum export of fat. an investigation should be made nationally of the use of fat with a view to limiting the usage of fat locally from the freezing work.