Pork prices set as the war rumbled on
HERE in this weekly feature we take a look back at the Rochdale Observer from 100 years ago...
●●ROCHDALE FOOD COMMITTEE
The maximum prices for the sale of pork by retail were fixed at the meeting of the Rochdale Food Control Committee held on Wednesday, when Coun R Turner, J. P., presided. They very from 1s 9d per lb for joints to 1s per lb for ribs. A circular was read from the Ministry of Food in regard to the use of potatoes in bread. The chief executive officer was authorised to call a meeting of bakers if he should consider this necessary to discuss the matter.
The mayor and chief executive officer gave a report of the conference held at Liverpool to discuss the price of milk and the maintenance of supplies.
It was agreed that the chief executive officer should make enquiries with a view to ascertaining as far as possible whether the milk supply is being maintained in the borough. Persons who experience any difficulty in obtaining their usual supplies are invited to send particulars to the Food Control Office.
●●WAR CASUALTIES
Sergeant D Lewis of the Lancashire Fusiliers, whose four surviving children reside at 14 Ruby Street, Rochdale, was killed in action of November 13.
Private William Walmsley of the Royal Army Medical Corps, Military Medallist, has been killed in action. His home was at 8 Corporation Road, Rochdale.
●●IN MEMORIAM
WRIGHT - In loving memory of Private C H Wright, H. L. I., who died in France on December 7, 1915.
Always I think of thee, dear son,
My heart is filled with pain,
Oh, this world would be a heaven,
Could I hear your voice again.
When in my sorrow, all alone, Your name I oft recall, There is nothing left to answer,
But your photo on the wall.
From mother and Elsia.
●●FREE CHURCHES AND NATIONAL WAR BONDS
To the editor of the Rochdale Observer
Sir, I have been much impressed by the appeals in your advertisement columns of leading commercial firms to the people to buy National War Bonds. This is a patriotic example which, I think, might well be followed by our churches, especially Free churches, not so much by pleading for others to take up War Bonds, but by themselves as important and independent societies subscribing to the utmost of their ability.
There is no question, I fear, that attendance at public worship (speaking generally) is declining and the structure built for church-going people, of a generation ago, are proving a heavy burden to the comparatively few devoted worshippers who now attend. Without endowment, many of the smaller interests must, in the lean years of the future, be given up while all-large or small will have, as indeed most have today, the whole of their energy and activity concentrated to the exclusion of all else on the problem of keeping out of debt.
A purchase of War Bonds would provide such an endowment.
Which of our leaders will initiate such an enterprise and make Rochdale, again, the pioneer in what might well become a national movement?
Yours etc, John Power.