LESS BAKING

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 5, 17 October 1940, Page 6

LESS BAKING

CREAM OF TARTAR SHORTAGE. MANY HOUSEWIVES COMPLAIN. GROCERS ALLEGE “HOARDING” Cream- of tartar, that cooking ingredient-, the lack of which in any household pantry is a minor domestic tragedy, is in very short supply in New Zealand and, along with other towns, Ashburton is feeling the result of rationing. The consequence is that local housewives are compelled to restrict their baking operations severely.

The bulk of cream of tartar has come from France, but now the war has disrupted the sources of supply and stocks are at a premium. Rationing in New Zealand was commenced some months ago and, according to what local grocers told a “Guardian” reporter to-day, housewives immediately on hearing rumours of a shortage, went in for a form of hoarding. They bought baking powder wherever they could. Grocers agreed that in many cases it was the women’s own fault. “Themselves to Blame.” For instance, when the representative of one grocery firm called on a housewife and had to decline an order for a tin of baking powder, her reply was: “Oh, that’s all right; I’ve got four tins, anyway.” It is estimated that one tin should last a family about six weeks, consequently women guilty of hoarding have onjv themselves to blame when they find they are out of this essential cooking commodity. Naturally the grocers study the interests of their old clients, and to-day a stranger, asking a grocer’s assistant for one tin, would be disappointed most likely. There is only one big factory operating in New Zealand, and it has had to go in for a system of rationing. There has been difficulty, also, in getting tins, but the ingredients have been the chief source of concern. Australian Experiment.

It- is stated that a firm in Australia is experimenting with 'a phosphate to take the place of cream of tartar, and while this may relieve the position considerably, if success is achieved, there will still be a shortage for a considerable time to come.