HARD XMAS

Grey River Argus, 18 December 1940, Page 5

HARD XMAS

IN MANY BRITISH HOMES Lack of Coal and Meat [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] (Received December 18, 1.2 a.m.) LONDON, December 17 The Christmastide will be a cold and an untraditional one in many homes in Britain. The "Daily Telegraph” says: There is a shortage of domestic coal already in Surrey and Sussex, and in the other parts of the South of England. The shortage is likely to spread to many more districts. The merchants’ reserves of coal for the future colder weather, have become already depleted or exhausted, and these supplies are not immediately replaceable. Many housewives will find it difficult to obtain the customary Christmas joint. Pork is also becoming a rarity. Poultry is in moderate supply, -but the prices are beyond the reach, of the poorer people. Rabbits are plentiful at present, but the caterers report that there has been for these a huge demand following new meat reduction. This is likely to exhaust the supply. The caterers are' now considering meatless days as an alternative to cutting down the portion. Some country districts have ueen extremely short of meat during the week-end and have been unable to provide travellers with meals. EVACUATED CHILDREN. LONDON, December 16. Local billeting' officers and members of the Women’s Volunteer Service are arranging Christmas parties for 480,000 evacuated London children. The entertainment allowance amounts to Is per child.