The Dominion. THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 1944. RATIONING OF MEAT

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 97, 20 January 1944, Page 4

The Dominion. THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 1944. RATIONING OF MEAT

The "urgent consideration” said to have been given to the question of rationing meat in the Dominion makes the postponement of any official reference until the Prime Minister was in the. Australian capital difficult to understand. Possibly, finding that rationing was already in operation in the Commonwealth, he felt constrained to say something to indicate that the Dominion was not lagging far behind. But, while the people of this country realize fully the purpose pf limiting domestic consumption, it will be necessary for the authorities to make it quite plain how whatever scheme they may adopt will opeiate. There must be detailed explanation preparatory to the commencement of the scheme, to ensure that the interests directly affected aliri the public generally know exactly what part they will have to play,. Unless that is done there will be confusion and needless irritation. There must be no idea of leaving the housewives and the butchers to learn by experience. ’ . . . There are various meat rationing schemes already in operation in other countries. In Great Britain the plan is based on a strictly limited expenditure —1/2 per week —while in Australia it is based on weight 2ilb. for each adult and 18oz. for children under nine years.of age, butjthe “points” system will permit an increased ration of inferior cuts of meat. In Canada the ration enables the customer to obtain from 11b. to 2|lb. weekly, according to the quality of the. meat purchased. But whatever the basis adopted it will be essential that the individual purchaser shall know exactly what the limits are and how the scheme is to work, and equally necessary that it should be equitable and universal in its application. The rationing of meat presents problems much more involved than does any other item of diet. It has been estimated that by imposing a meat ration on domestic supply, 'Australia will be able to make available an additional 150,000 to 200,000 tons of meat for export and the Services —a. substantial contribution to the Allied supply pool. Figures relating to the position in the Dominion should also be made available in due course. The Australian people know that their average meat supply has been reduced by about 20 per cent, and the purpose has been made quite clear, as has the extent to which this system will enable the country to maintain the flow of supplies to the United Kingdom and the fighting fronts. There, as here, climatic conditions have tended to reduce the production of essential foodstuffs. There could, therefore, be no criticism of any practical plan which would enable the supplies to be fairly distributed. Any suggestion that exports of these vital supplies should comprise whatever was available after the full requirements of the domestic market had been met would mean that there would be less meat than, ever available to the people of Great Britain, who are already On a very small ration. As was the case with butter, there could be no objection to local rationing if by that means shipments overseas could be maintained at least at their former .level. Even if improved conditions brightened the outlook, for the primary industries some restriction of the internal consumption of foodstuffs would still be fully justified. Senator Keane told the Australians that if production were doubled it would not alter the position in the Commonwealth, but would.simply mean that "more would be available for those who needed it/’ That sums up the purpose of both production and the local rationing of food and no further justification could reasonably be required. •■- >