RATIONING OF SUPPLIES

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21176, 27 July 1940, Page 8

RATIONING OF SUPPLIES

READY FOR EMERGENCY RESTRICTED DIET (United Press Assn.—Elcc. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, July 26 The importance of the war on the “kitchen front” has been impressed on British householders ever since the rationing of sugar, butter and bacon was introduced, culminating in the rationing of tea and cooking fats. Now the Minister of Agriculture, Mr Hudson, has told the House of Commons that, although there are adequate supplies of food and feeding stuffs, the Government must, as a measure of prudence, anticipate that the country may not continue so fortunate in the event of an intensification of the U-boat campaign. which would interfere with imports. Therefore, Mr Hudson foreshadows a new restricted national diet on which, nevertheless, scientists and dietitians assert, people can exist with health and energy, able to work and fight hard. He admitted that it might not be a very palatable diet until one gets accustomed to it. Apparently the idea is to eat less meat and more fruit, beans and vegetables, particularly potatoes, and also bread made from potato flour. Mr Hudson received a cheer when he announced that he was recommending arrangements to provide for ample supplies of beer. This recalls measures in the Great War-—-not repeated in this war—to produce thin “war beer,” with reduced alcoholic content, which caused great dissatisfaction among the workers. Mr Lloyd George described the deliciousness of the Welsh dish of hot oatcakes dipped in cold buttermilk, which was the staple diet of his childhood days. He also praised bread made from mixed barley and wheaten flour.

Opinion of Doctors Doctors practising in workingclass districts consider that the tea ration of two ounces a person weekly must be increased if the nation’s morale is to be maintained. They accept the statement of the Minister of Food, Lord Woolton, that consumption was rising steeply, but point out that adult consumption before the war was four ounces a head a week, and it is widely doubted whether shipping restrictions will necessitate halving the ration permanently. It is emphasised that a cup of strong, sweet tea—although not necessarily the best thing for the human body—is regarded as an essential pick-me-up, especially by women, during and after air raids. Possible explanations of the increased consumption of tea are the enormous massings of men and women of all services, particularly women A.R.P. workers, doing dull night shifts, and the increased working pressure in factories.