FOR WORKING CATS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 48, 2 July 1947, Page 8

FOR WORKING CATS

RATIONED MEAT FROM BUTCHERS SIXPENCE WORTH A WEEK Lately butchers have been tightening up on meat rationing, and the latest instance of this has caused some consternation in the cat world. It seems that a ~ cat who is a “worker” cat is entitled to a ration of meat but all other cats who are presumably drones in the community must go catch their own meals. There are plenty of working cats in the shops and warehouses of Whakatane. Most business premises seem to have a couple of cats which live on the premises and frighten rats away. When shops are closed they may often be seen through the plate glass windows. While few people may be aware of the regulation, there is one in force in New Zealand today which provides for a meat ration for .“working” or commercial cats. t

In some New Zealand towns the butcher's have recently invoked this little-known clause in the rationing regulations, and have requested the production of a permit for meat for commercial cats. The result has been new applications for permits. A Truly Useful Cat The regulations deal with the matter at some length, but in the main provide for a ration of two shillings’ worth of meat in each four-weekly rationing period, for commercial cats only. To qualify, a cat must be proved to the satisfaction of rationing authorities to be truly a useful cat. He or she must be kept in a warehouse, or shop handling foodstuffs, with the object of keeping rats and mice in check.

The form requiring to be filled in to obtain the ration is the standard form for covering applications for rationed foods for miscellaneous purposes, such as staff teas, etc. It must present some difficulties for the conscientious applicant for along with the purpose must be stated the hours worked daily, and the days worked weekly, by the users of the rationed commodities. It is not clear whether these lines may be left blank or whether an estimate must be made of the hours which the cat actually spends on the job. The regulations are most emphatic that the ration is not for household cats, but merely for “workers.” It is conceivable that this might result in fostering class distinction in the cat world.

A ration of sixpence a week for working cats does not appear overgenerous on the surface, but no doubt the cats so treated are satisfied, . Prominent Cats Comment - Comments from the cat world on this latest difficulty in the matter of meat only for working cats elicited some forthright comment, states “Jayforce Times,” the servicemen’s paper which circulates among the New Zealand Forces in Japan. In general it seems that working cats are in absolute agreement with the enforcement of the rationing provisions. Naturally, retired and elderly cats who have been receiving unrationed meat from generous butchers are the most concerned. “It looks as though there is no appreciation for what a cat has done,” said one ragged-eared tabby. “I have spent a useful life of rat and mouse catching, and in addition have raised families of over 100 kittens. I have now lost’ count of the exact number. In addition, I have amused babies, chased birds, and kept the Pomeranian dog next door out of the lettuce patch.

“It’s h Poor Show”

“With the winter coming and a recurrence of my rheumatism, I find the greatest difficulty in getting about as I used to. It looks as though I will have to live on offal and scraping from the garbage can. It is a poor show.” Another Tom said: “This will have severe repercussions. With the shortage of wheat and the still earlier rising and retirement of early worms, there are not the number of birds about that there used to be. Those that are about are quicker flying and more alert than the fatter birds of my youth. This autumn I have only caught one linnet and a paralysed fledgling, while in the course of my birding operations I have sustained several nasty falls. It is a serious matter.” A slinky Persian had this to say. “For my part I am willing to forgo my unrationed meat to help those who are in greater need in Britain. I understand that cats there are leading a dog’s life and any Tittle morsel that I may be able to save to tide them over a difficult period is a pleasure for me to do without. The effect of the regulation merely means that cats will have to follow

the milkman closer and forage harder. Rats are fighting more fiercely this year and are more elusive than ever, but I am quite willing to tackle them more earnestly and hungrily.” Said the Printer’s Cat Said a very fat, black, printer’s cat: “The worker cats have long advocated some such measure. For three years now I have lead a busy and useful life pursuing mky rats and papery r.huu a 1 az~ of machinery and dangerous guillotines.. For too long now pampered cats of the drawing room variety have lead a life of purring ease. I even know of one cat whose choice steak is lightly grilled each day, and who is put to bed with a hot water bag. The rising generation is gaining a false idea of the purpose of a cat’s life. I work for my life and consider that the supply of a small change of diet in the way of fresh meat is thoroughly warranted.” The president of the warehouse rat-hunters’ union said: “We have long advocated this step. Any attempt by luxury cats to defeat the provisions of this regulation by trespassing and slinking around butchers’ shops will be dealt with by our town vigilance committee.” A number of household cats were interviewed but in the main they seemed to think that they could get along nicely with the present arrangement. Although no provision was made in the regulations for their rationing with meat, they were able to fend for themselves fairly well from the table and kitchen.