No end to rationing

With the war over, the question on the lips of many was how long rationing would continue.

Some of the rationing regulations had been relaxed and it was hoped restrictions on sale of some commodities would disappear during the forthcoming summer.

But the Observer had it on “very high authority” that it would be necessary to ration meat for another 18 months.

It was also expected that officials of the Food Control Ministry would remain in post for another two years.

The Observer commented wryly : “Some discount must, of course, be allowed for the natural desire of these officials to remain in their comfortable and easy berths as long as possible.”

And it was not only meat in short supply. Sugar was scarce and one of the reasons was large supplies of the commodity were accumulating in Port Said, Egypt, because of a dispute involving Mediterranean shipping rates.

The sugar in question had come from the French colony of Reunion on Japanese ships. While the war was on the Japanese vessels would go no further because of the risk of attack by submarines.

Following the ceasefire the owners of the ships said they were willing to take them to other ports such as Marseilles but the rates being offered were unacceptable. As a result the sugar was being unloaded at Port Said and risked going off there.

The Observer said: “The matter is primarily one that affects the French government but, as the food supplies of the Allies are being pooled, it concerns this country as well.”