MARMALADE

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 13139, 13 September 1940, Page 7

MARMALADE

POPULAR WITH TROOPS OF

TO-DAY (

Melbourne, Aug. 26

Marmalade, characteristic of the English breakfast table, is growing in favour among Australian soldiers, and is finding a bigger place in Army rations, „

Men of the old A.1.F., mindful of the eternal plum jam, which rivalled bully beef among the “Oldest Contemptibles” on Gallipoli, will be interested in this' lighter sidelight on modern warfare revealed to-day by the Minister for the Army (Senator Mcßride).

It is perhaps significant that men of the old A.I.F. now in garrison battalions are mainly responsible for bumping up the Army’s consumption of marmalade.

Formerly two tins of marmalade were issued for every 12 tins of jam. Now, states the official report, this ratio has had to be readjusted.

The younger troops continue to prefer sweet jam,with plum still in the vanguard, followed by apricot, melon and pineapple, fig, black currant and raspberry..

A curious fact is that marmalade —most British of breakfast-tabe traditions—tickled the palate of interned enemy aliens, who have asked for large supplies.

“The effort to give acceptable variety to all troops is never relaxed, the Minister states.

Illustrating the task of catering for troops in all camps in Victoria, Senator Mcßride said that the weekly consumption averaged:— About 55 tons of beef, 50 of mutton, six of bacon, 11 of sausages, eight of corned beef and 11,000 rabbits.

About 90 tons of potatoes, 20 of cauliflowers, 24 of sugar, 11 of butter and 35,000 eggs.

In addition, the troops -consume about 21 t.on§ of black cake every week. ‘

Army catering in New South ’W ales was on a similar seals. Provision of fish, brains and other suitable diet for invalids was a .relatively small consideration in the bulk handling of other supplies, said the Minister, but it was given close attention.