I understand that, with the permission of the House, the Taoiseach will make a statement.
Committee on Finance. - Statement by the Taoiseach: Distress in Europe.
The Minister for Finance, in reminding the Dáil in his Budget speech of the moderate aid which, through the Red Cross, we have been able to give to those suffering from the conditions created by the war, informed you that.
"An interdepartmental committee has been for some weeks examining the question of the possibility of our aiding in the relief of the people on the Continent now in distress owing to the war. The committee (he said) was asked to make a report to the Government on the help that could be made available by the people of this country, and how such foodstuffs and other materials as we might be able to provide could be conveyed to the countries most needing relief, and how best they might be distributed."
He went on to say that:
"the problems involved are not easy of solution and that there are many difficulties to be overcome before any of the food that might be made available here can be transported overseas."
He said he was—
"certain that all Parties in the House and the whole community would earnestly desire that this country should give such assistance as may be practicable, not merely in money but in the form of food and other essential commodities, supplied even at the sacrifice of reducing our own consumption."
Deputies do not need to be reminded of the terrible conditions prevailing over most of the European Continent. Millions of people are already starving and many millions more are threatened with starvation. The exodus from Germany of prisoners of war and displaced persons is raising new problems in all the countries on her borders. And I am reliably informed that the danger of even more widespread distress and famine is very grave indeed. Every country that is capable of doing so is endeavouring to relieve this state of affairs. Great Britain, the United States and other members of the United Nations group who are in a position to help are beginning to put their large-scale plans into operation, but even when their plans are realised to the full extent, there will still be a great deal left undone. Two of the neutral States, Sweden and Switzerland, especially are playing a large part in relieving the people of the neighbouring countries.
Here in Ireland we have made several efforts to contribute our small share, but we have encountered so far insuperable difficulties, mainly difficulties of transport. In January, 1943, we tried to get permission to send food to Greece. We found that at that time the Swedes had been bringing two food ships a month from Canada to Greece, and that no further shipments could, for various reasons, be allowed. In January, 1944, we tried again and received the same answer. In May, 1943, the Irish Red Cross were able to send to Spain on an Irish ship a relatively small quantity of food and blankets for the relief of refugees there (1,000 blankets, 100 tons of sugar and some potatoes, milk powder and dried peas), and, this year, after considerable delays, a very small quantity of concentrated food for local relief was sent to the Vatican. At the end of 1944, and early this year, we endeavoured to obtain transport on behalf of the Red Cross to send 2,000 tons of food to France. The difficulties from the transport and military side proved to be insurmountable, and, after several efforts, the project had to be abandoned. That is all we have been so far able to do in regard to food supplies.
In 1944, we offered to bring 500 French children to Ireland, but the French authorities, who at first seemed to favour the project, later decided that they could keep the children in their own territory. During 1944 also a request was received from the American Government that we give shelter to 500 Jewish children from distressed areas for a certain time. We agreed to do so, but, in the new circumstances, we do not know whether those concerned will be in a position to carry out their original plans.
Deputies will remember that nearly a quarter of a million pounds has been granted for relief in a large number of places through the Red Cross by the State or directly from the Red Cross. Deputies are also aware that an Irish hospital unit is about to be established at an early date in France, and I should like to say how very glad we all are to be given an opportunity of sharing in the work of helping, in however small a way, a people who have always shown such friendship to this country. I should like to add that the French authorities and the French Red Cross gave a most cordial reception to our Red Cross delegates and gave them every possible assistance in preparing for the installation of the hospital unit.
I now come to what we propose to do in the future. I have here a list of articles of food and clothing, and of live stock to the value of some £3,000,000, which, provided no unforeseen circumstances arise, we are ready to send to Europe for the relief of distress, assuming that we are able to obtain the necessary transport. I wish to make this offer publicly here in the name of our country, so that countries in need may know what we have to offer, may communicate with us and may help us to secure transport, for this is the real difficulty. Some countries may prefer to purchase, but I should like, in the name of the Dáil, to have it understood that our people are ready to provide those necessities of life. It will involve a reduction in our ration of some commodities, but the sacrifice involved will, I am sure, be readily accepted by our people to help fellow-beings in dire distress.
A number of requests have been received from private, charitable organisations for permission to export second-hand clothing or other commodities for relief purposes. It is not possible to give unrestricted facilities. Some limit must, therefore, be set on the quantities to be made available. There must also be proper co-ordination to prevent waste of effort and waste of material in overlapping. In order to secure this and to allocate the collection of relief supplies among the various private organisations concerned, it is proposed to ask the Red Cross Society to form a committee for the purpose of co-ordinating and, perhaps, directing these activities. The Red Cross Society, which will give credit publicly to the individual organisations concerned, must be regarded as the central collecting agency for the relief of distress abroad. That society will, of course, take due account of the wishes of a particular collecting organisation in regard to the distribution of its quota, but it should be remembered that the receiving Governments abroad, or the receiving organisations selected by these Governments, may not, improbably, desire to distribute goods received by way of relief to certain areas and groups as being those in greatest need.
Some of the items we are prepared to supply in the period from May to December, 1945, are as follows:—
Live cattle, for immediate slaughter —20,000 head.
Draft horses—1,500.
Bacon, specially hardcured — 16,000 cwt. This would involve a reduction in home supplies.
Canned meat—10,000,000 lbs. This could be provided over and above exports to Great Britain, at present amounting to 22,500,000 lbs. The supply for export would depend on the necessary tins and solder being obtained.
Butter (creamery)—20,000 cwt. This could be made available by maintaining the ration at 6 ozs. a week throughout the entire year instead of increasing it, as was done last year, to 8 ozs. a week for three months in the winter. Boxes would be available to transport the butter and the quality could be maintained if chilled before dispatch and distributed quickly on arrival on the Continent.
Dried milk (full cream)—1,000 cwt.
Condensed milk—5,000 cwt. This would involve a reduction in supplies to the home market.
Cheese—5,000 cwt. This would also involve a reduction of home supplies.
Sugar—200,000 cwt. This quantity can be obtained from stocks of refined beet sugar held by the sugar company and its release could be effected by reducing the ration for domestic consumption not later than the first Saturday in June—2nd June—from ¾ lb. per week to ½ lb. per week, a corresponding reduction being made, as from the same date, in the allowance of sugar to hotels, restaurants, etc., for catering. It is not suggested that any reduction should be made in the allowance of sugar for manufacturing purposes or for hospitals, nor is it proposed to withdraw the special allowance which, heretofore, has been permitted to growers of beet.
Blankets—100,000 blankets could be released for Europe as a first instalment.
Textiles—Though the position with regard to textile supplies for home consumption is by no means good, it should be possible, without any special tightening of the clothes rationing, to release 100,000 lbs. of cross-bred worsted hosiery yarn in the form of 16,000 dozen knitted undergarments for children or a proportionately smaller number of knitted undergarments for adults. It should also be possible to provide 20,000 dozen woollen socks and 5,000 dozen woollen gloves, as well as 50,000 lbs. of hand-knitting yarn. These are the only releases of garments made from textile materials which could be recommended.
Baby Foods—A quantity of 50 tons of groats and patent barley could be spared and five tons each per month of other baby foods. These foods would be packed in paper bags and early distribution would, probably, be desirable to prevent deterioration.
Stoves and Cookers — About 500 stoves and cookers and field kitchens could be exported.
That is the list, so far. As has been pointed out a number of times, transport is the real difficulty. My object in making known publicly that these supplies are available here is to try to secure that this difficulty will be overcome.
I think that it would be true to say that it is the universal wish of the people of this country that, whatever can possibly be done to relieve suffering or starvation in any part of the world, we are the first who should make the effort. It is true to say that, comparatively speaking, we have been living on the fat of the land and in the lap of luxury while the world was undergoing torture. Any and every effort made by Parliament, the public and the various organisations of the country to come to the assistance of those in distress will be welcomed. I presume that an opportunity will be given us to consider the details of the scheme at some later time.
By way of a Vote.
I take it that the proposals and the method of distribution of the articles selected have been arrived at as a result of prolonged and serious consideration, based on information with regard to ways and means. There is just one suggestion which I should like to make. If we propose to assist others by rationing—even drastic rationing—here at home, I do not think that any complaints will be made or that any restlessness will be produced, provided our rationing results in equal treatment. Being an agricultural country, where the great areas are the producing areas and the tiny areas are the consuming areas, a flat-rate system is not an equal system of rationing. In any new rationing code we may have as a result of an admirable endeavour to export more and consume less at home, the ration should be balanced as between the people living, say, in slums and the people living where the article is produced. Flat rate rationing of butter, for instance, in the butter-producing household and the household in the denser areas is not an equal system. Whatever we do, we should aim at equality at home. The greater the sacrifice by each, the cleaner and the better we shall feel for having made it. On behalf of this Party, I welcome the proposals and, if we are asked to co-operate or assist in any way in the effort, we shall gladly do so.
Never in the history of the world was there such widespread devastation and hunger, particularly on the Continent of Europe, as there is now. As we are a people who were always noted for hospitality and charity, it is right that we should support the proposals put forward by the Taoiseach. Almost 100 years ago, we, in this country, experienced something similar to what many countries in Europe are undergoing now. We were very grateful then and are still grateful to the countries which came to our aid and who gave us succour at that time. Even if that had never occurred, I believe that the proposals before the House would receive a very cordial welcome. On behalf of the Clann na Talmhan Party, I wish to say that the proposals have our cordial and wholehearted support and that we are very glad the Taoiseach and the Government have taken this step. Through the mercy of Providence, we have been spared the horrors of a war which ravaged the whole of Europe, with the exception of a few neutral countries, which have, no doubt, felt the effects of the war in other ways. I think that everybody, rich and poor, and particularly the poor, will welcome this gesture, and will, be prepared to make any little sacrifice or contribution that may be necessary.
I think every Irishman and woman with sympathy for suffering humanity will cordially welcome the proposals for the export of commodities to Europe in order to relieve the appalling plight of the people there. Under Providence, by the unity of all Parties and with the assistance of a united people, we in this country have been spared the horrors of war, and the devastation and slaughter which have been the accompaniments of that war. Even on the meagre newspaper information which is available to-day, it must be obvious to all that the position in Europe from the point of view of availability of foodstuffs is truly appalling to-day. Later in the year, however, if all the prognostications can be relied upon, the position promises to be even more terrifying, with the strong probability that chaos and disease will radiate from the heart of the Continent of which we are a portion. In this country, there are, as the House knows, many people who have not all they want, but even so, they are infinitely better off than the peoples of Europe, whose sufferings from hunger have been multiplied by the loss of their homes, the loss of their positions and the loss of loved ones in the catastrophe through which Europe has passed. If war had come to us in this small island, it would have brought in its train death, destruction and intense suffering for all our people. We would have had to bear a very heavy cross for a generation, and immeasurable sacrifice would have to be made by our people for a long period to come. Thanks to Providence, we have been spared the horrors of war and, in thanksgiving for that dispensation, we here ought to try within the limits of our resources to help in every possible way suffering mankind in Europe.
I feel sure that those who have least here will strive to give most, in the effort to make an adequate contribution to the relief of the sufferings which are being endured by the people of Europe. By our action in this matter, we again demonstrate to the world the sense of Christian values which inspire our people to-day, just as we did when our missionaries brought light and knowledge to a dark Europe in the generations which have now passed from us. I think the whole country will welcome the proposals which have been submitted to the House. I think each and every Deputy will lend his influence and support to ensure that national enthusiasm will be behind the proposals which have been formulated by the Taoiseach.
Am I permitted to say this word? There is something peculiarly gratifying about the atmosphere of this House when it combines in a generous impulse, and I think that atmosphere obtains at the moment. I think it is a matter of satisfaction to all of us that we have been able to take this first step to help in the relief of our afficted neighbours in Europe, and to indicate that we are prepared to go further if our resources permit. My record, perhaps, peculiarly fits me to say something which might well be misunderstood if it came from other sources. The whole world, emerging from the maelstrom of war and the hatreds engendered by war, may be misled into forgetting that all men are our neighbours, and that a hungry German is as much deserving of pity as a hungry Pole, and that if a woman or her children are afflicted in the territory of the Reich, they are as much a charge upon our charity and love as would be an oppressed and afflicted person in Poland, Holland, Belgium, Denmark or Norway. I trust that the spirit of charity and duty, which I believe moves every Deputy in this House is but a reflection of the spirit which will move those responsible for the executive task of relieving suffering in Europe.
Without further elaborating that simple thesis, I want to make one practical suggestion to the Taoiseach. It is quite likely that our help in the way of material goods will continue over this harvest and possibly into the next. I am sure a great many Deputies would like to be in a position to make suggestions, but there is really no use standing up in this House and making suggestions if, in fact, expert advice would demonstrate that these suggestions were impracticable. Therefore, I suggest to the Taoiseach that a special Committee of the House might be set up to examine this question, which would have access to expert advisers of the Government from the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Supplies with a view to putting forward suggestions and, in collaboration with informed experts, to proceed with them or abandon them as their practicability is determined. Generous impulse may suggest that we should attempt all sorts of impossible things and if these suggestions are properly turned down, grave misunderstanding could arise amongst those who have not heard the full reason why they have been turned down.
I was glad to hear mention of one item, baby foods, which will be badly needed. The raw material of one variety is oats. The capacity of this country to produce first-class oats is well-nigh inexhaustible, and co-operation could ensure a very much larger output than is at present forthcoming. That is just the type of matter on which consultation with experts might produce very valuable results.
Subject to those general observations, I desire to go on record as being whole-heartedly in support of the Government in this policy of providing relief for Europe and in being resolved to do my part to explain to our people, in the event of its becoming necessary to reduce existing rations, the reasons why the Government had made these reductions, and the solemn obligation there is on rich and poor in this country to do their part according to their ability to help the Government in conveying to afflicted Europe, friend and enemy alike, the limit of what we are able to send.
I should like to say that I am not surprised at the way in which the offer has been received from all sides of the House. It is exactly what I expected. Of course, at best, I am sorry to say that what we will be able to do will be only a drop in the ocean. If transport, which is again the main difficulty, can be got over, then I think we can organise in a very much better way than we could otherwise do. But we do not know what we can send, so that there is no use in trying to collect and to make available commodities which cannot be transported. This is but a first step. We tried privately to get something done, but finally came to the conclusion that it was only by a public statement, indicating to all those who would be concerned our readiness to help, that we could hope to make the progress which is necessary. If transport facilities are made available, then, knowing what transport will be available, we could set about getting a regular succession of these supplies.
With regard to the suggestion that a committee of the House be set up, I will certainly consider that, although ordinarily the Government should represent the whole nation in a matter of this particular kind, in which everybody wants to feel that he has a personal share. I would be very glad to consider that suggestion if it is going to be of real value. It may or it may not be. We shall see. There was also the suggestion that we ought to try to see that any hardships that may have to be borne will be put on shoulders that can bear them best. In this matter, I have my own original views, that we should try, if possible, to get that done freely by individuals. Of course, it would be very much better if you could put the burden on backs that you knew could carry it. If we could organise in that way, it would be very much better than Government action. That is what was examined originally. Those who know better than I do, and who have a good deal of experience of work of this sort, tell me that these ideas are really impracticable; that the method of organising would be too difficult, and that the only way is by a method of rationing. I do not think it will be possible at all to do it as a sort of different rationing system for country areas which are producing and for cities which are not producing. The Minister for Supplies is present and he knows more than I do about these matters, but looking at it without any expert knowledge, I think that is not practicable. However, the idea is naturally one that should be followed up to see if it cannot be put into practice. Of course, it is the right way to do these things. During the whole time of the emergency, burdens had to be borne. We would like to have distributed these burdens better than they were distributed, but there are things which you cannot do, even by elaborate human organisation. If the burdens have not been equally distributed, it is because the real difficulty was to devise a method of distribution in the way one would like. I repeat, I am not surprised at the manner in which this proposal was met, and I am sure the Dáil represents the country as a whole. I should like to say also, that if the poor, by any system of rationing, have to bear their share, as was said on a previous occasion, there are no people more generously ready to bear it.
The Dáil adjourned at 1.35 p.m. until 3 p.m. on Wednesday, 23rd May, 1945.