SYSTEM IN BRITAIN

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20140, 9 January 1940, Page 6

SYSTEM IN BRITAIN

REACTION OF PUBLIC HELPFUL EXPEDIENT NOT DEPRIVATION (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (British Official Wireless.) Reed. 1.50 p.m. RUGBY, Jan. 8. At the King’s request, the rationing of the Royal Household’will be as strict as possible. The King and Queen and other members of the Royal Family, in readiness for the rationing of bacon, ham, butter and# sugar, which begins to-day, were issued with travelling ration cards similar to those used by commercial travellers and others who have continuously to move about the country. The Queen has drawn up special menus which eliminate two courses from luncheon and dinner and has instructed that more fruit and vegetables be used. To implement this order, the kitchen gardens at Windsor Castle are being extended. The rationing is being regarded by the country generally as a necessary and even helpful expedient under the present conditions. Relief to Shipping The Manchester Guardian says: “Properly regarded, the system is not one of deprivation, but of convenience. With quantities assured and alternatives available, the diet of the nation will lose nothing in food values, while the relief to shipping will free it for the carriage of cargoes vital to victory.

“Had the public needed a stimulus to the cheerful acceptance of the plan, it was to be found in the plea by the Minister of Food, Mr. W. S. Morrison, that we should not ask seafaring men, naval and mercantile, to add to the risks they hourly are taking with such fine courage by bringing us excess. The few minor alterations in our accustomed dietary will be gladly faced by every citizen who can envisage the saving they entail in cargo space, in the export of currency and in the demands made on our sailors.” Soldiers, sailors and airmen on leave hi the United Kingdom will have much larger ration allowances than civilians. The latter are entitled to 12 ounces of sugar, four ounces of bacon and ham and four ounces of butter weekly, whereas members of the forces on leave may have 21 ounces, 14 ounces and seven ounces respectively of these commodities.