SCOTLAND IN WAR TIME

Otago Witness, Issue 3338, 6 March 1918, Page 55

SCOTLAND IN WAR TIME

A CLERGYMAN'S IMPRESSIONS. "Conditions are getting worse every month," was the declaration in regard to Scotiand made by the Kev. Robert C. Sands, formerly of Geelong, who has returned to Sydney after three and a-half years spent in the land of "Bobbie" Burns. Resigning the Geelong charge in order to visit Europe and America, Mr Sands arrived in time to represent New South .»ales at the United Free Church of Scotland Assembly at Edinburgh in May, 1914. The war breaking out just prior to the date he intended to commence a tour of Europe, he remained for ministerial duties in Scotland. Mr Sands was, until ho left _ for Australia, a couple of months ago, in close touch with Scotland under war conditions. Hence his statement that "conditions" are getting worse every month."

" The bread • was so bad that it surpasses description," said Mr Sands, referring to the period just prior -to his departure. ''People with sensitive or delioate constitutions were made ill by it, and in some Cases it had such a serious effect that sufferers had to get medical authority in order to bo supplied with a different kind of bread. Everything is diluted, even to clothing materials and soaps. Even milk is diluted, chemically treated. The position became very, acute about the end of September. Tea could be obtained only in very small quantities—4oz or Boz at a time; and no more than lib of sugar could be obtained at once. The queues that form in the poorer. sections are growing longer and more numerous, and they have to be managed by the police. As regards coal, the people were advised by the authorities in the summer time to take in stocks as a precaution against certain dearness and scarcity in winter. As a_ general rule, they followed this advice. Prices are very high. A Glasgow merchant told me that during the winter which is now in progress money would be of no great value, because the supplies would be too small to meet the demands." Wonderful impetus has been given to the production of foodstuffs, Mr Sands said. Plots were allocated to householders, and from them was produced abundance of vegetables—in fact, eo many people devoted their small patches to potatoes that there was such a surplus that a problem arose as to what to do with the crops. The plotholders are not allowed to soil any of the produce, though they may exchange with one The grass land in public parks is being devoted to a continually increasing extent to these plots. Naturally this production has relieved the food problem considerably. Of meat and fats there is no shortage, though prices are very high. Butter, for instance, was, when Mr Sands left, ruling at 4s 6d per pound, and at that price could be obtained only on special arrangements being made. Eggs cost from 4d to 6d each.

" The people of Scotland are displaying a ■wonderful war spirit," Mr Sands continued. Especially is this so in regard to. the women, whose courage and fortitude are inspiring. They take the enlistment of fathers, husbands, and brothers as quite the right thing, and would bo surprised if the menfolk did otherwise. They are determined to see the thing through to the end, and think nothing of making sacrifices.; Their motto is: ' The war must be won.' " |