REDUCTION IN RATIONS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 78, 5 June 1945, Page 5

REDUCTION IN RATIONS

MEAT AND BUTTER START ON JUNK U A reduction in the weekly ration of butter from eight ounces to six ounces and in the weekly meat ration from Is 9d to Is (id was announced by the Minister of Supply Mr Sullivan on Friday night. Mr Sullivan said the British Government had appealed to the people of New Zealand on behalf of its own people and those of liberated Europe for more butter and more meat. The New Zealand Government and War Cabinet had faced up to the problem which the Dominion was sharing with its Allies in regard to food production and distribution and after mature consideration it had been decided to reduce both the butter and meat rations almost immcdiatcly. "From Monday June 11 the standard ration of butter will be reduced by 25 per cent., that is from eight to six ounces a week" Mr Sullivan said. "The standard ration of meat will be reduced from Is 9d per week to Is Gd per week. Tn the case of butter because of the impracticability of operating a threcounce weekly ration, the special rations of four ounces a week issued to certain classes of workers needing extra such as miners, bush workers and frozen chamber hands will continue unchanged. In the case of meat however, the extra half-ration will be proportionately reduced to conform with the iicav scale. Position of Manufacturers "As far as manufacturers arc concerned butter rations will be reduced by a minimum of 25 per cent with provision for greater reductions to the extent that margarine can be used as a substitute and is available " Mr Sullivan continued. "Manufacturers' ration of meat is being reduced by 20 per cent. Also because of the impracticability of making a reduction emergency coupons and armed forces leave coupons will remain unchanged at eight ounces of butter a week.

"Butter coupons will continue to be redeemable at eight ounces each," Mr Sullivan said, "but every fourth coupon will be cancelled, so that the serial numbers of available coupons for the three rationed foodstuffs will continue to be the same in each period. It will still be necessary to surrender a 3d coupon for each rationed meal secured in an hotel or restaurant. No alteration is being made in the present range of .'oupon free meats."