Food from the Empire
Description of film
This short clip shows butter and cheese making in New Zealand. The clip opens with shots of various cheese products and then cuts to cattle grazing on the pasture followed by scenes in a factory showing workers involved in cheese production.
The British empire was a vital source of food for Britain during WW2. Food supplies were constantly under threat until quite late in the war because of German submarine attacks on supply ships. In fact, rationing did not actually end in Britain until 1954.
Interesting or important points about the film
One of the key aims of this film is to show the British people that the empire is right behind them in their war effort. As well as supplying food and equipment, the empire also supplied millions of troops. The largest contributor was India, but British colonies in Africa also supplied troops. So did Canada, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.