HOUSEWIVES RUSH BERLIN MEAT SHOPS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 14048, 19 July 1916, Page 3

HOUSEWIVES RUSH BERLIN MEAT SHOPS.

TNTRODUCTTON OF MEAT CARDS, . BERLIN, June 7. One of the most important milestones m Berlin's food history was passed yesterday with the introduction of meat cards, closely modelled on the famous bread cards, which have proved so successful for the last' sixty-eight weeks. Family meat cards have coupons for four weeks, three coupons per week, while one-day meat oards with only one coupon are provided for hotel guests and other transients, who are not entitled to receive more than four cards during one week. The Berlin magistrates have fixed the meat ration at 330 grama ; slightly under [ twelve ounces,' per head, 'for the 'current fweek, each coupon therefore entitling the bearer to draw 110 grains of raw meat, or its shrunken cooked equivalent. Yesterday's eixperiences of lunching and dining under the meat card system became a fascinating game of chance and ■ skill-, requiring also considerable \ knowledge of mathematics and zoology. At the Berlin hotels and restaurants, m ( many cases, the gross raw weight of meat dishes was indicated on the bills '■ of fare, m addition to the price, so that ■ bargain hunters can convert their precious , coupons to the greatest aid by choosing , the heaviest oomrses offered. < In the populous sections the msas " stores were besieged early by Bqjf^n I

— ■ ' M-^ i—— i housewives, who preferred l<> play safe . by buying at once all the meat to which the cards admitted theni for the whole week. The rush had been foreseen, and " policemen were on hand m every case to regulate the traffic.