AID TO BRITAIN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26620, 17 November 1947, Page 9

AID TO BRITAIN

Sir.—ln view of the fact that the Aid to Britain campaign seems designed to appeal to our patriotism, to our gratitude to Britain, and even to our self-interest, it is not surprising that in some people’s minds these quite secondary reasons overshadow the primary one. The primary reason of aid to Britain is that Great Birtain is one of those countries in which children, women and men are short of the food which we have it in our power to provide. Patriotic and political reasons may be expected to reinforce our obligation, but the deeper obligation stands unchallenged. The doctrine that food should be supplied to the needy as their " reward ” or by reason of the giver’s gratitude is the same pernicious or.e that in the days following World War 1 did much to discredit the efforts of the Hoover Relief Organisation and to nullifv its best ideals. Can we not realise that "Aid to Britain ” is a response to the universal urge to " freedom from want,” and when seen in perspective is beyond the conflicts of political systems and alliances. It is not doughty fighters, ordangerous imperialists, or starry-eyed Socialists, or any such categories we are called to aid, but men and women and children who are (by our own standards) uncomfortably underfed. —I am. etc., H. P. Fowler.

Sir,—Permit me to inform «your cor respondents, "Warßride” and "Willing that the Prime Minister did not answer or even refer to a letter addressed to him at the Aid to Britain meeting held on October 15 as to whether food from New Zealand went through the International Emergency Food Council, New York. Mr F P. Walsh has inferred that the rationing system is the important thing in itself, and Mr F Crook said last week in Dunedin, “the national economy (of New Zealand) must not be upset in aiding Britain.” I wonder how much longer it will be before the people realise that the position to which Great Britain has been brought is part of the pernicious plan for world rule bv finance via rations.—l am, etc.. Dunedin. Nov 14. A. S. M.

Sir The person who stated in a recent letter that England was not in dire need of food as was imagined is to my knowledge in complete ignorance of world affairs at the present day and should remain silent on this subject. Being an ex P.O.W who has travelled in many countries I can personally state that shortage of food in the Old Country is no mere exaggeration. Even in 1944 during the grim fighting days, their rations were far below that of New Zealand. Since then again many drastic cuts have been made and I can only add that C. R- C. should have experienced real hunger as pointed out by "War Bride’s” reply before making this statement—l am, etc., Ex-Prisoner of War.