DIFFICULTIES OF BRITISH HOUSEWIFE

Chronicle (Levin), 24 December 1946, Page 7

DIFFICULTIES OF BRITISH HOUSEWIFE

(Special correspondelit.)

LONDON, Dec. 22. Everything not controlied is ex- | pensive in Britain this Christmas ancl everything controlied is scarce. The traditional f eature . ; of the English Christmas, neither controlied nor expensive, became scarce today when the thaw broke the weel^jlong frost. ■■ The English housewife looking for materials for the celebration found most wants either beyond her pocket or not covered by the ration hook. There was a little extra sugar, but bread is still rationed, and she could not now use bread points for peel, nuts, and raisins for a pudding or fruit fox a mince pie. She still measiu-ed her fat rations in cubic inches and could not lind any lard for baking, but she might have two or three eggs, if saved since October. Turkeys and other poultry are scarce even at the lixed price of 5s a lb. Homegrown birds did not even appear on tho ordinary markets, but sold wliere growu. up to £10. If she wanted wiue thc housewife found there were thousands of gallons from Prance, Australia aud South Africa, but not enough bottles. Wahiuts averaged 5s a lb., grapes 7s and maiidarius at anytliiug tlio uueou trolled barrowmeu could get for then: above 2s. Holly- and mistletoe were selling by the lb., holly at ls 6d upward and . mistletoe at 2s 6d. Wood for Christmas fires was no longer sold by the cord. The pieces were counted and sold at £7 a thousand. If coal could be bought it could not be delivered. The gas pressme v/as Iow, and electricity was cut in the morning and evening.