ESTIMATED SAVING

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 123, 19 February 1944, Page 8

ESTIMATED SAVING

Systems In Use In Other

Countries

An officially-estimated cut of one-third in New Zealand’s consumption of beef, mutton and lamb will meau a considerable saving of meat for export.. In 1942, total killings, and numbers of carcases' or their equivalent, exported were as follows, for the three classes of stock: Sheep, 4,632,411 and 2,105,100; lambs, 11,700.900 and 11,462,700; cattle, 631,029 and 286,400. These figures mean that 544 per cent .of the mutton, 2 per cent, of the lamb, and 544 per cent, of the beef produced was consumed locally. In the same period, a little under 15 pci' cent, of the butter output was used for local consumption. In adopting price as a basis for meat rationing, New Zealand has copied Britain, where this course was taken to prevent a demand for the more expensive cuts and consequent wastage of cheaper classes of meat. In iVustralia and Canada, meats are classified into four grades, for which different numbers of coupons are required, and the same result is attained by different means.

Early in the war, the British ration was at the rate of 1/10 a week. At the end of 1940 it was raised to 2/2, but was lowered soon to the former figure. Since the early months of 1941 it has stood a1/2. This will buy 14oz. to 15oz. of average cuts. Offals, sausages and meat pfr* are not rationed. However, the conten’ of sausages does not seem to be controlled at all strictly. A recent letter from England said that they were made mostly of wholemeal breadcrumbs soaked in meat extract and enclosed iu a synthetic sansage-skin.

■Workers who have a meal a day in works canteens are able to obtain an additional 12oz. to Soz. of meat weekly by this means, according to whether they are in heavy or light industry. In Australia, where meat rationing was introduced on January 17, four coupons are issued for each fortnight and a coupon will purchase Jib. to 21b. of meat, according to grade. The previous normal weekly consumption was 41b. to 51b., compared with a maximum of 41b. under rationing. Poultry, rabbits, pig meats, offals and canned meats are not rationed. The Canadian rationing scheme is similar, but covers sausages and pig meats. In the United States there is a rather elaborate plan which allots 16 “points” weekly to meat, cheese, butter and other fats. On an average 12 points will obtain 21b. of meat and 2 points cover .ill)., x>£ butter.