Ministry of Food : Bulletin. No.16

              MINISTRY OF FOOD
Great Westminster House, 
London, S.W.1.
BULLETIN NO.16    Friday, 12th January, 1940
CONTENTS
Editorial
Notes and Comments
"Share and Share Alike", - an address broadcast by the Minister of Food on the 6th January.
Milk Prices, - a report on the debate in the House of Commons on 14.12.39.
The Editor's Bookshelf
Index and Summary of Orders
EDITORIAL
It was hoped and intended that the last number of the Bulletin, - No.15, dated the 22nd December, 1939, - should be the immediate forerunner of the printed Journal which is to take its place. To delay the matter for two or three weeks however, has proved unavoidable, and it is trusted that readers will accept the Editor's regrets, pending the completion of the fresh arrangements.
Since the Christmas holiday and the beginning of this New Year, the major event on 'the Home Front' is that of the actual introduction of Rationing, on the eve of which the Minister broadcast the address reproduced in full on another page. The reports coming in from all parts of the country are indicative not only of smooth working, but also of a marked degree of welcome to a scheme which is designed to give fairness of treatment to all in the matter of our food supplies.
That there is no hardship, nor need be of such, was vividly described by Sir John Orr in a broadcast on 'The Front Line of Food Defence' given on New Year's Day. Emphasizing that in this war of nerves, nerves depend upon health, and health depends upon food, this eminent speaker drew attention to our home resources of health giving foods, - milk, vegetables, potatoes and oatmeal, — and pointed out that if we produce enough of these, we shall have all the vitamins and minerals necessary. For variety, he added, there are many other home-produced foods, and we do not really need butter and bacon. Sir John closed his very inspiring address by pleading for the maximum amount of the right kind of food to be produced within our own shores, and for every family to take its place in the front line of food defence.
We are already familiar with the exhortation to "Dig for Victory" and have ample evidence of the extent to which popular attention is being given to the production of home-grown foods. In some parts of the country the demand for allotments appears almost insatiable, and in others there are many stories of treasured lawns and flower-beds being converted into vegetable gardens. To those who know, both men and women, there is something infinitely satisfying in the wielding of hoe or spade. War-time needs should extend this experience whilst adding to our national strength.
How different the present position is from that of the rationing scheme of the last war has been realistically and amusingly described in a recent article by Sir Stephen Tallents published in the Dally Telegraph on the 5th January. In contrast to the shortages and discontent which confronted the Government in 1918, the arrangements initiated this week have been made and received with the calm confidence of a determined nation.
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