RATIONING PLAN

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 28, 13 November 1939, Page 6

RATIONING PLAN

CONDITIONS IN BRITAIN. NO RESTRICTIONS ON FOOD. COMPARISON WITH GERMANY. (United Press Association— Copyright.; (Received This Day, 9.5 a.m.) LONDON, November 10. With the exception of petrol, there is no enforced diminution in the coll ' sumption of any commodity in Britain compared with pre-war conditions. The rationing of petrol has had the effect of severely restricting pleasure motoring, but ample supplies are available for all essential business purposes.. Restrictions in the use of coal for household purposes to 75 per cent, of last year’s consumption was imposed early in October, but it has been raised to ioo per cent., as the position in internal transport and supplies for export is considered satisfactory. The Government will rely henceforward on the public exercising economy voluntarily. Consumption of gas and electricity is limited in respect of each household to the amount consumed last year and no reduction is contemplated. No foodstuffs are subject to rationing in Britain. In view of tho * temporary decline in supplies of butter and bacon, all preparations were made for the introduction of the rationing of these commodities, but a survey of the supplies available and in prospect resulted in a decision that the present rationing would be premature and unnecessary. The confidence expressed by the First Lord of the Admiralty (Mr Winston Churchill) that the volume of sea traffic can be maintained, and indeed accelerated, and the prospective increases in home production of food are factors taken into account in determining the policy adopted. In these circumstances the foreign language broadcast from Germany comparing the unfavourable proposed British butter ration with the position butter ration with the position in Germany loses its significance, but even if the British butter ration had to become effective and was restricted to the proposed four, ounces, comparison with the German allowance would be misleading, for, whereas in Germany maiv garine is drastically rationed grammes weekly neither margarine nor butter is rationed here. Another factor that deserves note \s : that a butter shortage in Germany was experienced long before the war. Fat is a war material and the shortage of consumable fats in Germany was caused by the long-term, calculated Nazi policy of preferring guns to butter.' The Ministry of Food anticipates that there will be no diminution of seasonable fare in at Christmas. Home-bred turkeys are in good supply and prices are likely to remain reasonable.

The home fruit crop is exceptionally good, and English apples will continue in good supply over the Christmas period. Fresh fruit is being imported, except certain hot-house fruits. The admitted shortage of iron in Germany, and the fact that supplies of soya beans and soya oil are to be sent by a long and very costly route via Siberia, are regarded in London as further evidence of the effectiveness of the British blockade.

Furthermore, it is reported that recourse is being had in Germany to receiving such small imports as are possible by parcel post.