SHORT RATIONS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 August 1940, Page 6

SHORT RATIONS

IN PROSPECT IN FRANCE WARNING BY MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE. SERIOUS DEPRIVATIONS. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) (Received This Day, Noon). VICHY. August 2. France will have to submit to short rations next winter, according to a serious warning issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, which predicts additional meatless days and more extensive food restrictions. The Ministry has also issued a warnning that severe rationing of milk and butter is necessary because of the lack of fuel for transport. Measures are being taken to equip vehicles with charcoal-burning devices. Meat would be short because of the need to build up livestock, of which the Germans in the occupied area have taken over large numbers. The position in regard to edible oil is even more difficult, because it came from the colonies, from which transport is very difficult. Eighty per cent of France’s sugar is imported from regions severely affected by the war. People are urged to remain in the country during the winter instead of returning to the towns, where shortages will be greater. “France,” the Ministry states, “is not facing a famine, although the British blockade and the presence of a German army force us to adopt short rations. “Le Temps” declares that the British blockade authorities seized 250 tons of food consigned to France.