Britons Mow On Rations

Northern Advocate, 9 January 1940, Page 7

Britons Mow On Rations

LONDON, January 8. The rationing of butter, bacon, ham, eggs and sugar starts today. The King has requested the rationing of the Royal Family shall be as strict as possible. The Queen ihas drawn up special menus, eliminating tw.o courses from luncheon and dinner, in order to use more fruit and vege- . tables. The Minister for Food (Mr W. S, Morrison), in a broadcast speech, said: “We have all the food we need. “Neither U-boats, mines nor German piracy have compelled us to ration. “The scheme was worked out before the war. “Reserves of the main foodstuffs were accumulated as a matter of prudence. “We are not waiting for food queues, but are forestalling and preventing them.” Regarded as Necessity. Rationing is being regarded by the country generally as a necessity, even a helpful expedient under the present conditions. 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. Will be Gladly Faced. “Had the public needed a stimulus to the cheerful acceptance of the plan, it was to be found in the plea of the Minister for Food (Mr W. S. Morrison) that we should not ask seafaring men and the navy and mercantile marine to add to the risks they are hourly taking, with such fine courage, by bringing us an excess. “The few minor alterations in our accustomed dietary will gladly be 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.” More For Troops on Leave. Soldiers, sailors and airmen on leave in Britain 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.