THE MEAT RATION.

Evening Star, Issue 25113, 1 March 1944, Page 6

THE MEAT RATION.

TO IUK EDITOK Sir, —Is has long been the policy of the ' Evening Star ' to adopt a dictatorial attitude and attempt to lay down the law in an effort to render negative the opinion of the public, in the matter of the rationing or meat we have had two leading articles written in that tenor. Your latest article is in substance a mixture of sentimentalism and heroics with a little " back patting " thrown in. And so " the meat rationing scheme here will be accepted in the right spirit." Will it? It will be accepted—of that there is no doubt, since we are no longer free to refuse. And " we shall hope there will be no grumbling." No? Well all who resent will not care to waste time on futile grumbling, but most certainly we shall hear grumbling and more

Flight-sergeant M. J. Harrison, of 119 Richardson street, St. Kilda, broadcasting from London in the 8.8. C, programme ' Anzacs Calling New Zealand,' which is broadcast fortnightly in the 8.8.C.'s Pacific service.—B.B.C. photo.

grumbling. As a matter of fact, there is grumbling even now —yes, now. Has no sound of that grumbling reached the editorial chair?—l am, etc.. February 29. Riflht Front. TO THE KDITOK. Sir, —Your correspondent, A. Tremaine, is quite correct in saying there will be no meat for domestic animals. The different cuts of meat referred to by the Government for animals is what butchers always use for smallgoods. Beef skirts is one part mentioned, the retail iprice of which is 9d per l'b. It is absolutely certain that with a smaller quantity of meat coming forward there, will be none available for animals when rationing comes into force. A few years ago a dealer used to buy carcases at Burnside which did not quite come up to tho standard for human consumption but was quite good—not diseased. This was made available to those who required it at a depot near the wharf twice a week at 3d per lb, and judging by the crowd which were always waiting to he served it must have been a good proposition. In Britain horseflesh is obtainable and is quite a suitable food for cats and dogs provided it is cooked properly. If food of a definite kind is not provided many valuable animals will have to be destroyed.—l am, etc., February 29. Dog Owner.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —The letter in last_ evening's ' Star ' regarding animal rationing was of great interest to all animal owners. Having several friends in the trade, I, too made inquiries on this matter. The reply I received, was that the butchers would require every portion of unrationed meat for smallgoods, and that most of it is already being used for that purpose. Unless the Government allows the butchers a certain amount of extra meat to be used exclusively for animals, I can forsee the gasworks doing a very brisk trade during the coining month. Surely the rationing office could issue a rationing card for each dog when we pay our dog licenses next month. We will be'expected to pay the licenses even if no meat is available for dogs, and as they cannot live on air, I would advise owners to do as I have done, and make a stock of dog biscuits before mince meat is

rationed next week. My own. dogsare very keen on these biscuits, "and I enclose this recipe:—21b wholemeal (Vi-meal), -Jib ground rice, £lb mince meat, 1 cup bran, 4 teaspoons salt, 2 tablespoons dripping (2 condition powders, optional). Rub fat and meat into dry ingredients; mix to stiff dough with pickle jar of cold water; roll out fairly thick; place on slide, mark into •squares. Bake in slow oven two hours and let get cold.—l am, etc., February 28. Scottish Terriers.