DERATIONING BRINGS CHAOS WITHIN A WEEK TO PEOPLE OF RUSSIA

Wanganui Chronicle, 30 December 1947, Page 5

DERATIONING BRINGS CHAOS WITHIN A WEEK TO PEOPLE OF RUSSIA

(N.Z.P.A.—-Reuter—Copyright) Reed. 7.45 p.m. London, Dec. 29 The uncensored news from Moscow describing'the situation at the end of the. first week of derationing in Russia reveals a chaotic state of affairs says the “Daily Telegraph’s” diplomatic correspondent. For the first day or two, owing to a carefully planned accumulation ot stocks, the shops gave an impression of abundance. Buying was kept within bounds by a scarcity of new currency, but after December 19, by which date half the month’s wages had by law to be paid in new roubles,

MtM 9. there was a sudden deterioration.' v Enormous crowds besieged shops and if nobody was alliwed to buv more >- tha» strictly limited amounts, res, gardless of the size of his household. >- Bread and eggs became practically unobtainable. As a result open air* o collective farm markets, which were d thought to have been put out of busin ness by the prospect of unlimited sup>t plies in the shops at fixed prices, bev gan to reopen and soon meat, butter, y cheese and other produce were being • s sold at from two to three times the s . official prices.