The Washington times., 1919-10-22
FOOD RAI|0NS IN
BRITAIN ARE LOW
People Pay Shilling a Quart
For Low Grade Milk.
Butter Scarce.

or Engiand's pantry shows that while
the country is in a far better POSI-
tion as regards supplies than last
year the situation does not call for
regards prices in several food essen.
tials is decidedly omnious. The
country will be no land of plenty, as
can be seen from the following data
obtained from the food ministry, but
no one will need to be hungry.
The Englishman will pay one shil-
ling quart for rather low-grade
milk this winter. In some rural COM
munities 1t may be less. but that's
to be the average town price. 1t will
be the highest on record.
There is a three months supply of
bacon. Prices are controlled. No
more stocks can be brought in be-
cause all cold storage warehouses are
full. Some meat cArgoes from abroad
have spoiled at the docks owing to
congestion. Next year bacon prices
will go up, because supplies win come
from America, the exchange rate. .
There will be very little butter un-
til January. when imports may come
in from Holland and Denmark. Until
then the ration here win be / u ounces
weekly per person.
Sugar at Is Cents.
There are several months supply
of sugar on hand, which re tails at
about fifteen cents a pouno, includ-
ing the government tax of five cents
pound. After present supplies are
exhausted the price undoubtedly win
go up.
Dried frnits are more difficult to
obtain. The Greeks, who provided a
great part of Europe With dried fruits,
are eating their product. Turkish
supplies are unobtainable.
Supplies of cheese are far below
normal Surplus milk is being made
into cheese, but the production is
way in the rear of demand. Cheese
is far more important factor in
the Europeans diet than in the
Americans.
The Indian government has for
hidden the expectation of rice, now
retafled here at the controlled price
of about cents pound. Present
rice stores are believed to be suffi-
GENTLY large to tide over untfl the
next harvest; il not Siam and Saigon
will have to be drawn upon, with a
consequent doubling of the price
here.
Bread Price Low.
The price of bread will continue at
the low wartime rate. owing to the
continuance of the government sub
sidy, no matter how high wheat may
go. The four-pound loaf sells at 9h
pence. This is made possible because
the government supplies bakers with
ingsings 9 pence, which is 80 shill-
ings below actual cost. However, the
government plans to stop supplying
such flour to confectioners and pas
try bakers, making them stand the
full charge.
Jam will not have to be rationed
this winter, but the supplies are not
sufficient to permit Great Britain to
resume her place as the worlds lead
ing exporter of jams and marmalade.
Prices will be the same as last win
ter, as the ministry has ordered. 9iz
pence to 1 shilling l penny per pound.
Attempts have been made by big
tea dealers, since government con-
troll was removed. to force uD the
price of tea, formerly set at shill-
ings pence pound. The government
is now bearing" the market by offer
ing 80. 900, 900 pounds OF tea for sale
monthly. The country's consumption
is but ss,ooo,oo0 pounds monthly.
Fish Pientiful.
Fish prices are high, though sup
plies are plentiful Much waste has
resulted from delay in getting fish to
market. The ministry of food is
seeking to remedy this. Prices are
not expected to go down this winter.
Eggs will be scarce and dear this
winter Most OF the country's eggs
are imported. Russian supplies are
cut off. Last winters prices, where
by freshly laid eggs sold at "a pence
each and imported eggs at penny
less, will prevail
Twenty-Five per cent OF the coun-
try's fresh meat-beef and lamb, for
little fresh pork is obtainable-is
home grown. Therefore British
prices, which are controlled, will
largely depend on American, Argen-
tine, and Australian prices.
Most of the country's canned goods
come from America-canned fruit, to-
matoes, beans, peas-so prices here
will depend on purchases made
abroad plus freight.
Fresh vegetables, except potatoes,
are not controlled in price. In small
lots potatoes may be had for 1 and
pence pound; in larger amounts for
less. Fresh vegetables comprise
mainly carrots, turnips, lettuce. pars-