DARK DAYS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26628, 26 November 1947, Page 4

DARK DAYS

ACCEPTED PRACTICE MR NORDMEYER’S REPLY P.A. WELLINGTON. Nov. 25. The critics of the decision to make ewti;a butter and lamb available at Christmas apparently overlook the fact that this decision foHbws the practice which has been adopted every year, even during the war period,” said the Minister of Supply, Mr Nordmeyer, in a statement released tonight. “Is it seriously suggested.” he asked, “ that at this stage we should reverse a practice which in the dark days of the wftr was regarded as justifiable? “It is well that we should remember the 6oz of butter allowed per person in New Zealand is equivalent to the 6oz of margarine allowed in the United Kingdom,” continued the Minister. “ While it is true that there are many persons in this country who have ample butter and cream, it is also true there are more, particularly in the cities, who find the present ration much below their normal usage. The supplementary ration issued at Christmas is the only opportunity they have of baking a Christmas cake.. “I have no doubt that if the past practice of allowing this extra ration had been discontinued this year it would have been condemned as an example of unjustifiable control and unwarranted restriction,” the Minister added. “If any person has sufficient butter for his needs without uplifting the extra ration, he will no doubt surrender his coupon and thereby make his share available for export.”