EXTRA RATIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26629, 27 November 1947, Page 4

EXTRA RATIONS

CRITICISM SUPPORTED VIEWS IN OTHER CITIES The recent announcement that the Government had decided to make available an extra eight ounces of butter at Christmas and to facilitate the purchasing of spring lamb has evoked considerable discussion and criticism. In Invercargill, says the Southland Daily News, most people are overwhelmingly against the proposal, and the general opinion advanced is that at a time when Britain and Europe are badly in need of food, and at a time when starvation and malnutrition are taking their toll in so many parts of the world, the whole principle of the gesture is wrong. “Totally unjustified,” was the comment of an office worker. New Zealanders, he said, ate too much at any time; at Christmas they not only ate too much, but also the wrong types of food. In the height of the summer they consumed hot roasts, plum puddings, and similar dishes, quit? unsuited to the time of the year. Cold fowl (or ham) and salad, with a light sweet would make a much more sensible Christmas dinner. Instead of extra rations at Christmas, he added, the rations should be reduced. Britain would benefit and the digestions and tempers of New Zealanders would benefit appreciably. A female employee of a local firm, a minister, a .bank employee, and a housewife were all unanimous in their opinions that Britain could do with the extra rations more than the people of the Dominion. “We won’t miss it,” they said, “Send it to Britain.” Commenting editorially on the proposal, the Press, Christchurch, says: “New Zealanders are not bound to accept their Government’s misdirected benevolence; they have it in their power to see that this Christmas present goes where it will do the most good.”