MALNUTRITION IN BRITAIN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27041, 28 March 1949, Page 6

MALNUTRITION IN BRITAIN

Sir.—l do not know where “ Malnutrition ” has obtained his statistics with regard to food in Britain, and I agree with him that we in Britain are not starving, but I must protest against his assertion that all we require in the way of food is extra fat. It is true we can sit down to meals in restaurants without surrendering coupons, and for a modest sum can eat rissoles, chiefly composed of bread. The wealthy can indulge in higher-priced meals, but the majority of the people, esDecially in the large towns, have to rely on their 8d worth of meat, plus 2d worth of corned beef, and a very good variety of fish. In spite of “ Malnutrition’s ” statistics, the supply of eggs and milk when I left England in September. 1948, was roughly one egg per person per week and two and a-half pints of milk per person per week, the extra half pint being knocked off in the winter months. A friend has written since that the food situation has got worse and that bacon has almost disappeared. We never see cooked ham, rabbits were procurable one every three months per family, and a small quantity of offal once a month. Jams of inferior quality were taken off the ration last summer, but I believe only for a few weeks until the surplus had been absorbed. Children and old people have special privileges, but, as the mother of three sons of university age, I assert that the young people from 18 to 25 have been undernourished for nearly 10 years and it must have its effect on the rising generation. Had it not been for the very generous gift parcels from New Zealand and Australia, I, too, might have joined the company of “ moaners.” As it is—l am, etc:. Grateful London Mother