BRITAIN’S FOOD SUPPLIES

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 December 1940, Page 5

BRITAIN’S FOOD SUPPLIES

MEAT RATION REDUCED.

[by CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] LONDON, December 14.

The rneat ration on December 16 will be reduced to 1/10 per person per week owing to the decline in the quantity of home-killed meat available. The new ration is the same as that prior to an increase some time ago. ' The Minister of Food, Lord Woolton, referring to the reduction in the meat ration, indicated' that he is taking into consideration that there has been a decline in the quantity of Home-killed meat supplied by the farriiers, which'may make it necessary that the nation shall have, recourse to supplies that at present are in cold' storage.. Ari. interesting fact is that the present consumption of meat, with the ration fixed at two shillings and twopence, averages weekly one shilling., and ninepence. It is further expected that there will be a greater reduction in the meat ration after Christmas, or early in the New Year. This will be one affecting hotels and, restaurants, but not communal feeding centres.

FRUIT IMPORTS.

LONDON, December- 14.

Frut importers at present are not hopeful of the prospects of New Zealand and Australian apple shipments in 1941. Some of the largest dealers fear that Lord Woolton’s speech last month means that no shipping space will be available, but they point out that conditions may improve within the next two months, and recall similar pessimism at this time last year. A fair quantity was then shipped.. Meanwhile, apples are becoming a luxury. British supplies are dwindling, and shops are charging 1/-, 1/4 and some even 1/10 per lb for desserts.

It is expected that shipments of canned fruits and jam will continue to be restricted, but less drastically than apples, as they do not require refrigeration. GERMAN CLAIMS. BERLIN, December 14. Doctor Daare, in a speech to German peasants, said: “Germany lost the last war, mainly, through hunger, but now Germany has the highest food standard in Europe. Our milk supplies have been increased by from 10 to 15 per cent., as compared with those last year. Our butter has been increased by 30 per cent. Our fats ration is about 9| ounces per head per week. This is one of the highest in Europe. However, we must make fresh efforts in our production. The war already has been won for Germany in the military sense, but Britain still fights on. There can be no slackening until she is brought to her knees.”