10 MAY 1946, Page 14

Sra,-f--In view of the parlous state of the food situation

in Europe, and the efforts being made by all the Dominions in this direction, it is a• little difficult to understand why dehydration plants in New Zealand; which formerly supplied the American Forces in the Pacific, should be closed down, and friends of mine, as instanced in a letter from New Zealand this week, be asked to incorporate large tins of dehydrated carrots, potatoes- and cabbage in a mash fed to poultry. It may be a fact, for all I know, that wheat fed formerly to poultry is being diverted to Europe, and the dehydrated vegetables offered as a substitute ; but surely this food could be put to better use at the present critical time.— I am, Yours, etc.,