FOOD SHORTAGE

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21227, 25 September 1940, Page 8

FOOD SHORTAGE

RATIONING IN FRANCE VERY GREAT DISCONTENT GOVERNMENT UNPOPULAR Press Asn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Sept. 25, 3.15 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 24 The Times’ French frontier correspondent states that the new rationing regulations have dismayed the French population, which was unaware that conditions were so critical. The average Frenchman considers that 100 grammes of rice monthly for children, 100 grammes of fat and 100 grammes of cheese are far below a safe minimum, while 125 grammes of soap monthly per capita is believed to be dangerous to health. France must deliver to the 1 German army of occupation all the army’s bread and part of its meat requirements. Discontent is very high in the towns, where the severity of the rationing has increased the unpopularity of the Petain Government, which precautionarily has withdrawn the civil Government from five chief towns in unoccupied France. ANOTHER DIVISION AUSTRALIAN OVERSEA FORCE STATEMENT BY PREMIER (United Press Asn.—*Eiec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Sept. 25, 3.15 p.m.) MELBOURNE, Sept. 25 The Federal Prime Minister, Mr Menzies, announced yesterday that the War Cabinet has decided to increase the strength of the Australian Imperial Force by the formation of another division. The present objective strength of the Imperial Force will therefore be an army corps, comprising four divisions, with a corps of troops. The present divisions are the sixth, seventh and eighth, and the new one will be the ninth. Mr Menzies said the nucleus of the ninth would comprise certain units at present abroad, the division being brought to strength by the despatch of existing reinforcements for organisation into the units abroad. The new division would not entail the immediate resumption of recruiting, but it would be necessary later to replace certain units taken into the ninth and provide reinforcements. When recruiting was resumed a definite quota would be periodically laid down and the enlistments made selective, preference being given to single men. NEW ZEALAND TROOPS LOOKED AFTER IN ENGLAND EAGER TO ENTER BATTLE (United Press Asn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Sept. 24 “ It will be of great comfort to all in New Zealand to know that New Zealanders in London are looking after our boys,” said LieutenantColonel F. Waite, Overseas Commissioner of the National Patriotic Fund Eoard, in a broadcast today. “ Our boys are looking forward to striking a real blow for old England.”

Lieutenant-Colonel Waite said there were not many New Zealand troops in London at present. Most of them were in the field. While Londoners were being bombed, the New Zealanders were waiting for the Hun in comparative safety. In the fortnight he had been in Britain, the commissioner continued, he had visited the north and had also been in Dover and Folkestone. He had been in air raids. There was no defeatism in Britain today in spite of Hitler’s bombing. There was plenty of food. Although a few articles were rationed, there were many alternatives. One could go into a restaurant without ration cards and eat all one wanted. And to him meals seemed cheap. The damage to shops and houses in some parts was appalling, but London was a big place and comparatively the damage was Small. Damage to military objectives seemed to be negligible. “ You Are a Great People ” Lieutenant-Colonel Waite said New Zealanders would be interested to learn that General Sir Alexander Godley was a full private in the Home Guard. His commander was the local jeweller. His impressions of London, concluded the speaker, could be summed up by the telling of this incident. While the King last Friday was visiting people in the East End whose homes had been smashed to pieces by Hitler’s bombs, one Londoner said to him, “ You are a great King.” To this the King quickly replied, “ You are a great people.” AMERICAN CRUISER REPAIRS AT SINGAPORE TREMENDOUS REPERCUSSIONS United Pres? Asn.— Elec. Tel. Copyright) WASHINGTON. Sept. 23 Mr Cordell Hull said he had no confirmation officially of reports that the United States cruiser Augusta might go to Singapore for overhaul. He added that if it was true it was a common custom and courtesy among nations to permit a vessel to enter the nearest dry dock if repairs were urgently required. Other quarters, however, suggested that the dry-docking of the Augusta at Singapore might have tremendous repercussions, since it would be the first official use of Singapore for servicing an American warship.

The Legislative Council of Northern Rhodesia has unanimously resolved to loan £200,000 from its surplus balances to the British Government, free of interest, for the duration of the war.