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Food Situationi Is Acute

In Mangaia

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. Mangaia, Aug.

mHE independent little island of Man- J. gaia, in the Lower Cooks, is slowly recovering from the disastrous hur ricane that destroyed most of its crops i n January. Our people rebuilt their homes, and re-planted their gardens, without State aid, but official generosity would not be denied an opportunity of well-doing. Nearly six months after the ruinous visitation, each household re ceived, as a slight consolation, one tin of boiled beef—“free of all gratis,” as the Jewish gentleman said.

However, in spite of this munificence, the food situation is still acute, one meal a day being our present “ration”; and unprecedented cold weather and heavy ra in has made Mangaia-life a grim busi ness, for money is nil.

The “pupu”-market has collapsed, owing to the application of export licences to the shell-bead trade with the USA. And that means no more funds for groceries!

Mangaians are spartans, and stoics:

driving 6 bltt swee?-poteto

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directly due to the straitened times, which are particularly hard for the aged and the sick.