IMPORTS CUT OFF

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 January 1941, Page 5

IMPORTS CUT OFF

PREPARATIONS FOR .WORK IN EIRE DEMANDED BY DE VALERA. SOME SERIOUS SHORTAGES. •By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) DUBLIN. January 30. "We have not a moment to lose in preparing for the wofl-st regarding all supplies which are normally imported. declared the Premier. Mr de Valera, in a broadcast. " V e shall be extremely foolish il we prepare for anything less than the worst.

"If the war lasts a considerable time a total blockade would cause Eire much suffering, but it need not compel the nation to succumb. In blockading each other the belligerents are blockading us, and the results of this are serious."

He urged farmers to grow wore foodstuffs. Tlie i eserves of wheat would scarcely suffice after the next harvest, and cattle must be destroyed unless root crops were increased. Tea rationing was being introduced immediately. "We cannot be sure'of obtaining anything not produced in Eire,” he added. "We must create a war economy capable of withstanding the stress, which henceforth will be acute."

The Eire Supplies Department announced that because of the country’s limited supplies no licences for petrol were being issued after February 1 to private car owners. except for small quantities to clergymen, doctors, and others engaged in work of national importance. Limited supplies would also be available for rail and other, public transport services, and for industrial plant, agricultural tractors, and machinery.