BRITISH HOUSEWIFE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 12, 31 March 1947, Page 3

BRITISH HOUSEWIFE

LEARNING TO DO WITHOUT DAILY SHOPPING EASIER The British housewife’s dream of being able to make up her shopping list, pick, up her basket, go to any shop, and buy what she likes still seems far off. The rationing net has spread to cover many more foods during the year. Though this means more work for the housewife in scheming with points, it doesn’t necessarily mean that people get less. Without rationing, scarce foods disappear. With rationing each gets a small amount.

Bread rationing continues. But there are now no extras as a result. For the first few months spare bread units could be changed for points to buy canned meat or fish or prunes. But this has been stopped. Bread units now buy only bread, rolls, cake or flour.

Shopping, on the whole, is easier, since there are more assistants in the shops. But there are still “queue districts,” where long lines of people wait on the footpaths outside greengrocers’ and butchers’ shops. There are also queues where things like oranges or bananas are being sold. But the Food Minister, Mr John Strachey, promises that shipments of fruit will be doubled in the present year.

With the conversion of British war factories to the production of domestic equipment, housewives have been able to buy toasters, vacuum cleaners, and electric heaters to replace those which wore out during the war. Sheets And Towels Scarce Renovation of the household linen is no small problem. Even good prewar stocks of sheets and towels are getting thin. But this is to be remedied in the near future, it is expected. Even now blankets and sheets may be bought without a permit. The clothing ration, too, is to be 32 coupons for six months, compared with 30 for seven months, with a supplementary ration for children. What effect has all this control had on the British housewife? ..f

Her standard cook books—Mrs Beeton—was relegated to the top shelf when rationing began. These recipes, calling" for eggs, milk ,and cream, were outmoded. A generation of housewives has come along who just don’t know how to cook with fresh eggs. But they are adept at disguising the powdered variety so you, would scarcely know the difference. Many culinary prejudices and traditions have disappeared. New cook book and new methods have been worked out. Men Study Cooking There are new sources of information and instruction, too. The Minister of Food takes space in women’s journals and daily‘papers to give topical rrecripes. The gas and electricity showrooms have fequent demonstrations in cooking and canning. The women’s voluntary services and women’s institutes in the villages all hold classes. Food rationing seems to have stimulated interest in cooking. New hints and recipes are swapped with the enthusiasm of small boys exchanging stamps. Cookery schools have waiting lists for their six courses. And evening classes now have more and more men students. Perhaps the new husbandry interest may foreshadow a new deal for the overworked British' housewife!