AUSTRALIAN RATIONS

Grey River Argus, 10 June 1943, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN RATIONS

LAY-BY RUMPUS. ~ SYDNEY, June 9. Rumours that flour and soap are likely to be rationed soon have been denied by th e Minister of Trade and Customs (Senator Keane). Mild panic buying had started in these commodities. Some people are reported to have brought soap, by the hundredweight. The Minister pointed out it is an, offence for any person to spread rumours about the likely rationing of any commodity. Following appeals to surrender lastj year’s clothing coupons, many people however feel they have been unfairly* treated by the inclusion oi certain Manchester goods (towels, sheeting, and other cotton goods), in the coupon coverage for personal clothing. City stores report that thousands of women beseiged their lay-by departments, demanding refunds of deposits an instalments paid on Manchester goods. Coupons must now be surrendered for these goods immediately the intending purchaser makes a lay-bv. N.S.W. MINERS’ DEMAND. DOUBLE BUTTER RATION. SYDNEY, June 9. Complaints about bu Iter-ration mg I'.avc been made by Australian coal miners, wharf labourers, and railwaymen, At one colliery. 490 minors staged a onc-dav strike as a protest, against the rationing, claiming that half-a-pound of butter weekly for each person was inadequate lotminers. The Newcastle Waterside Workers’ Federation decided to seek an increase in the ration of butter to wharf labourers. Their complaint is that they are forced to take many meals to their work, sometimes two a day. Thev contend' that this fact, together with the nature of their worn justifies a double ration of buttei. The majority of Australians have accepted the butter rationing without complaint, the amount being considered adequate for the average consumer. ,