RATIONING LIKELY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 63, Issue 169, 29 April 1943, Page 4

RATIONING LIKELY

MEAT IN AUSTRALIA.

great increase in demand.

(Rec. 1.10 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. A warning that meat is likely to be rationed in Australia has been given by the Minister of Commerce. (Mr Scully). He said that: although the mutton and good quantities of beef arid liamb it had only limited reserves of skilled labour for killing, chilling, canning and dehydration. Before the war Australia’s civilian meat requirements were between 650,000 and 750,000 tons, While the export needs were 250,000 tons. Now the civilian needs were 900,000 tons, while service and export requirements this year would bo 500,000 tons.

Wheat, on the other hand, provided an embarrassment of riches. It was estimated that there would ho a earryover of 200,000,000 bushels the 1943 season.

Other food supplies, including soft fruits, were in abundance, but distribution difficulties precluded the benefits being shared by all the people. Mr Scully declared that the supply position was a record of achievement in the face of difficulties. Despite the handicaps, the dairying industry had been able to supply butter requirements of Great Britain, the services, and Australian civilians. While the normal Australian might have to do with less of some things normally regarded as indispensable three was no evidence that he would ever go short of food.