WAR-TIME SCOTLAND

Evening Star, Issue 16625, 7 January 1918, Page 1

WAR-TIME SCOTLAND

" Conditions are getting worse every month," was the declaration in regard to Scotland made by tho Bev. Kobert C. Sands formerly of Geelong, who has Teturned to Sydney after three and a-half years spent in tho Lund of "Robbie" Burns." Mr Sands was, until ha left few Australia s couple of months ago, in dose touch with Scotland under -war conditions. JSenoe his statement that " conditions are getting "worse every month."

"The bread -was so' bad! that it surpasses description," said Mr Sande, r«ferxiiig to tho period just prior to" his "departure. "I'eopl© with sensitive or delicate constitutions were made ill by it, and in soma oases it had such a serious effect that suSeaJens had to "st medieval authority in order to be suppifed with a different kind of bread. Everything is diluted, even to clothing materiaJs mid soaps. Even milk is diluted, chemically treated. Tho position became very acute about the end of September. Tea conic! be obtained only in very small quantities—*oz or Boz at a time; and no more than lib of sugar could be obtained at once. The queues that form in the poorer sections are growing longer and more numerous, and tney have to bo managed by tho police. As regards coal, the people were advised by the authorities in the summer time to take in stocks as a precaution against certain dearness and scarcity in winter. As a general rule, they followed this"advice. Prices are vary high. A Glasg-qw merchant told me that during tho winter which, is now in progress money would toe of no great value, übcauee tho supplies would be. too small to mceii the demands."

Wonderful impetus has Veen given to tho production of foodstuffs, Mr Sands said. Plots were allocated to householders, and from them was produced abundance of vegetables—in fact, so many people devoted their small patches to potatoes that there was suoh a surplus that a problem arose as to what to do with tho orops. The plotholdere aro not allowed to sell any of the produce, though they may exchange with one another, ■ The grass land in public parka is being devoted to a continually increasind extent to these plots. Naturally this production has relieved tho food problem coneidsrftbly. Of meat and fats there is no shortage, though, prices are very high. Butter, for instance, was, when Mr Sands loft, ruling at 4s Cd per pound, and at that price could bo obtained only on special arrangements being made. Eggs cost from 4d to 6d each.

" The peoplo of Scotland are displaying a wonderful war spirit," Mr Sands continued. " Kspocially is thiß so in regard to the •women, whose courage and fortitude arc inspiring. They take the enlistment of fathers, husbands, and brothers as quite the right thing, and would be surprised if the menfolk did otherwise. They airo determined to saa the thing through to the end, and think nothing of making sacrifices. Their motto is: ; ' Tha war must be won.'

" Being from AustrtJia," Mr Sands concluded, '' T was very struck with the admiration the Australian- soldiers excit«£ wiiorever they went; but especially in Eciir> burgh. Large numbers of Australians, How Zoalandicrs, and Canadians visit that city—in fact, tliey are advised by the military authorities to do so in preference to remaining in London whilst on furlough. They all appeared to onjoy themselves, and certainly tflo Scottish people are always prepared to wel-' come them, and do what they oan to makt their time enjoyable."