RATIONING CLOTH

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 130, 29 November 1939, Page 11

RATIONING CLOTH

The correspondent of Copenhagen '/Politiken" learns that cloth rationing aards are to be introduced in Germany on the same lines as food rationing cards, says "The Times." The present system proved too unpopular. Hitherto anyone wishing to buy a handkerchief or a frock coat had to apply for Bezugschein, which was only granted after a careful investigation, including a personal visit of an official, at the applicant's home in order to see for himself if the applicant really needed the article of clothing, or whether .he could not go on for some time longer/11 The authorities have now decided to change this impracticable system for ration cards, consisting of 150 sections or coupons. One coupon gives the right to purchase one collar. A child's frock needs 25 coupons, and a woman's cloak 40 or 50, according to quality. One hundred and fifty coupons will be one year's ration. Business circles fear that all the. coupons may.be used at once, thus paralysing trade for the rest of the year. This, however, has also been foreseen by the authorities, who at the appropx'iate moment intend to transfer free labour from the private dressmaking industry for State activity,' for instance, the making of uniforms.