BACON RATIONING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 January 1940, Page 7

BACON RATIONING

COMMENT ON RECENT INCREASE.

LOWER PRICE URGED.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON, January 27.

The increase in the bacon ration is the subject of editorial comment in today’s newspapers. Various reasons for the decision are suggested, including a suggestion that the price is beyond the purse of a section of the population ordinarily consuming ; large part of the available supply. The “Daily Telegraph's" comment gives a typical opinion in saying' "Gratitude for the ampler nation mat even overbear any disposition to inquire why, if an allowance of eight ounces is found to be not excessive on January 29. half of that allowance was all that could be spared on January 8 The official explanation that the supply position has improved considerably will be accepted, and the Ministry of Food allowed the merit of being sc quick to admit a mistake. “It seems that under the four ounces allowance many persons have not troubled to demand a portion, with the consequence of supplies being accumulated in the retailers’ hands. The circumstances suggest it might be possible to ’accompany the increased ration by a decreased price—an additional boon which would be extremely well received by the public." Investigation of the rise in the cos: of living between September 1 and December 1 reveals that meat rose by 5 per cent and bread, potatoes and milk by 3 per cent. Eggs, of which there are unlimited supplies, tire no dearei than is usual at this time of the year. Such increases as these have beei largely offset by the wage advances, but well-informed quarters emphasise that the price increases were not themselves due to the wage advances but to increased world prices and transport costs.