An eggs-acting scheme

THE egg-rationing scheme, both in its amended and unregenerate forms, has received a considerable amount of attention in the Press, for every poultry-keeper is vastly interested to know how the output of the hen can be efficiently controlled. The original order, by which the owners of more than 12 birds were required to sell all their eggs to a licensed dealer at 2s. 6d. per dozen and obtain their own private supplies as a ration later at 2s 9d per dozen, appeared to have as many loopholes as a present-day pill-box.

‘An official pattern padlock on every henhouse in the land and a daily call by a collector with the key—a system requiring an army of officials and an ocean of petrol —would have been far from watertight, as hens in summer-time have a craze for laying abroad, and with a little instigation in the form of china eggs in suitable sites, practically the whole community would be delighted to lay outside the house, obtaining as much satisfaction from outwitting the official as they do in normal times deceiving their owner.

‘Although the main door may be locked, there is the fact that the average small boy can crawl through the trapdoor, and most sultry men have small boys available, either in the form of their own progeny or evacuees.’ (A Countryman’s Notes, July 5, 1941)

The enemy who plotted the enslavement of all men of all races has been brought to his knees. Surely this is cause enough for rejoicing

Leader, May 11, 1945