CHRISTMAS CHEER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26632, 1 December 1947, Page 5

CHRISTMAS CHEER

EXTRA" *MEAT AND SUGAR IN BRITAIN POULTRY COMING FROM EIRE N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent LONDON, Nov. 28. The Minister of Food, Mr John Strachev, announced as extra rations for Christmas 6d worth of carcass meat, 240 z of sugar, and 4oz of sweets. There is general satisfaction that the 6d increase in the Christmas meai ration announced will be in carcass and not corned meat. Last year half the extra ration of 8d during Christmas week was in corned beef. There is also satisfaction that the extra 4oz sweet ration will be available: for everyone. Last Christmas only those under 18 years of age and pensioners over 70 received extra sweets. The extra sugar ration is the same as last year, though it is not expected that the full extra pound will be available in the early part of the Christmas rationing period. .. . Mr Strachey also disclosed that, in spite of the reduction in poultry supplies caused by the fowl pest, supplies of Christmas turkeys will. be better than expected. Present indications •vere there woiild be about 1000 tons more general poultry and about 2000 tons more turkeys than last year. The new agreement with Eire is expected to provide some of the extra supplies. The Minister said he thought that the supplies of Christmas puddings would be slightly better than last year, but there could be no increase in the potato ration over Christmas.