BRITISH HOUSEWIVES

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 190, 10 May 1944, Page 6

BRITISH HOUSEWIVES

Mr. Amery Tells Of Food Problems They Meet The story of the vital part the British farmer and the British housewife are playing in the war, was told by Mr. W. Bankes Amery, leader of the United Kingdom Food Mission in Australia and Aew Zealand, speaking at a women’s luncheon at the E.S.U. in Wellington yesterday. The part shipping played was introduced to show the transition that had been necessary to replace foodstuffs with vital war materials, needed so much more by Britain. To meet this reduction on the food front, the farmer had to ensure greater production and the housewife had been taught to combat the lack of imported fruits and eggs, with nutritious foods, which had helped to preserve a balanced foods containing much moisture were ruled out of imports early in the war. Thus oranges, lemons, pears, apples and pineapples, as well as eggs, vanished from the British larder. Formerly 3,000,000,000 eggs was the yearly importation needed to meet requirements; now an egg a month was the allowance, unless you “grew your own.” Mr. Amery said he doubted if a British child up to the a-e of six would' know what to do with a banana, if given one today. Bananas were the first fruit cut from the imported list and except for a freak bunch, hothouse grown and exhibited on account of its rarity, he had not known of any bananas for four years. Now that children under five had oranges, he had heard of them “selling a smell” to other children. before eating. , The science of nutrition was not much known in the last war and m the days that followed, but it had been vowed that the legacy of malnutrition would not be left with Britain’s children after this war. Age for age, children now were taller and weighed more than those in Britain just before the war. Better. feeding for mothers and children was introduced early in tjie war. Special Allowances.

Expectant mothers received two ration books instead of one and were encouraged to eat the double allowance. They had nine to 11 pints of milk a week,, instead of two to four pints, the fluctuating normal allowance. There were two pints a day for babies and a graduated scale a - lowed tin till the age of 16 years. All such milk is 2d. a pint instead of the usual 4id. Cod liver oil was available for mothers-to-be and babies and there were other vitamin-content things like black currant puree, rose hip syrup, and. mter, concentrated orange juice from the U.S', for children as well. The health of both mothers and children had improved beyond recognition ; births were increasing and the infant mortality rate was down. With the ration at orie pound of meat a week each, two ounces of butter, which was enough to go into a largish matchbox, Mr. Amery said.' and the other meagre rations available, the most difficult job was being done by the British housewife. Medically and scientifically, the people were getting enough to eat, but they could and did still feel hungry. Lately the jam ration was increased trom one th two pounds monthly, in the meantime. The Government was concerned lest at some future time the existing rations would have to be further cut. owing to falling production, but every effort would be made to avoid such a possibility. Some of Britain’s wealthy were a good deal healthier since they had been eating less and lots of the poorer class, those who lived “out of a tin.” were now faring better nutritionally, because they had been taught to use their vitamin knowledge. , . , Mrs E. D. Good, chairman, proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Amery. The luncheon tables were bright with bowls of chrysanthemums, irises and other flowers and the women’s committee prepared and served luncheon.