FOOD RATIONING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 January 1940, Page 5

FOOD RATIONING

"V SUPPLIES WELL MAINTAINED IN BRITAIN. SOME PRICES LOWERED. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, January 22. ■With the war in its fifth month and rationing in its third week, a survey of food supplies and prices shows that many foods are as cheap and plentiful as before the war, and some prices are actually lower. Butter is rationed and fat supplies restricted, but of eggs there are unlimited supplies and unchanged prices, whereas the Germans have one egg a week. The consumption of margarine has gone up because of the rationing of butter, but there is no shortage, and the prices, 5d to 8d a pound, have not advanced. Game is as cheap or cheaper than ever, and is not rationed. A hare weighing' seven pounds at 2s 6d is actually 6d to Is cheaper than before the war.

Though the more delicate fish are generally dear and scarce, herrings are 2d per lb cheaper than before. Dried fruits are in ample supply since a trade agreement was signed with Turkey and controlled prices are to be reduced.

There is no shortage and no increase in the-price of coffee and cocoa. The pre-war prices of tea have been maintained and there is no difficulty in obtaining supplies. Unlimited sup- , plies of biscuits are available without price increases. The Government ndw has a surplus of bacon and ham. Prices have slightly advanced.