Evening star., 1946-02-10

prevented starvation in the hilly
isolated areas. The country was
hard hit by a half-nornal wheat
harvest.
Netherlands-Enough food, but
little variety is the lot Of Hollanders.
There is shortage OF potatoes,
and fresh meat is almost nonex-
istent, although canned meat is
available.
Bread is rationed but continues
of good quality. For fuel. most
families scour the countryside for
wood. The winter allotment of
coal was only 200 pounds. Coal can
be bought in the black market, but
most Dutchmen cannot afford the
sky-high price.
Norway-This country is fairly
we'll of for food, but clothing and
housing shortages have imposed
hardships.
Meat Scarce.
Meat is scarce and strictly ra-
toned, and a seasonal shortage of
fish has begun. But rather ample
supplies of margarine fill the de-
mands for fats.
Russia The Soviet wheat crop
was cut by heavy rains in harvest
time, and bread rationing still con-
tinues. Meat, sugar and vegetables
are more plentiful than last year,
largely because of areas cleared of
war, and prospects are bright for
the coming year.
Denmark-The Danes rapidly are
resuming their peacetime position
of being the larder of Europe
Denmark's own population has
been allotted enough rations to live
reasonably we'll, and vital foodstuffs
are flowing out Of the country into
liberated and occupied nations.
Exports include butter, bacon, and
eggs, and Danish farmers are hope
full of increasing milk production.
Sweden-Food is no longer a prob
lem in Sweden. Bread, butter, meat,
sugar and cheese are rationed, but
the rations are ample, and sub
stitutes are plentiful. Even fruit is
now easily obtainable, and news
papers have been speculating about
abandonment of all rationing.
British Supplies Tight.
Britain-Britain is nowhere near
starvation, but the food supply Is
tighter than ever, and just this
week Sir Ben Smith, food minister,
told Britons he must postpone
fulfillment" of hopes for a better
diet.
In fact. he announced that be-
cause of a continuing wheat short
age, Britain must return to the black
bread formula and that a decrease
in livestock feed would mean less
bacon, poultry and eggs. Unless
wheat consumption Is decreased, he
said. 1t may be necessary to ration
bread.
Meats, fats and most canned foods
are still tightly rationed. Eggs are
rationed at one week per person,
but actually can be found only about
half that often. Restaurant meals
are the kind that leave the diner
still hungry, and rabbit forms daily
head on most menus.
British homes are chilly but not
cold on a ration of 110 pounds Of
coal week.
Belgium-This country is compar-
atively well off. Many foods are ra-
toned, but some informed persons
believe rationing of everything but
meat, fats and sugar could be aban-
doned If 1t were not for the posi-
bility that supplies might leak across
the border into other countries
black markets.
Coal Production Up.
Coal production is almost at pre-
war level, and more can be bought
lat $125 ton in. the black market,
Black markets operate openly to
provide citrus fruits, chocolate and
cigarettes at astronomical prices.
Spain and Window dis
plays of food and clothing make the
European traveller think he has
stumbled into paradise. but many
of these items are sold at uncon-
trolled, high prices. and rationing
is enforced.
Both countries suffered severely
from drought, cutting their grain
and vegetable supplies. In Portugal
-four sales are held at a little over
a half pound per person weekly, and
in Spain bread rations are only four
ounces day.
In Portugal, meat is scarce, and
the peasants feel keenly shortages
of corn, wheat, rice and olive oil.
Food is abundant in Madrid at
black market prices.
Switzerland-The usual monthly
ration of two eggs was increased to
six for February. There was slight
increase in meat, to a total of almost
three pounds for February. Fats,
meal and milk rations also were
slightly increased. Overall pork
supplies are increasing, but the war
food administration says the black
market is absorbing an increasing
percentage. Beef and sugar short
ages are expected to continue in
definitely. Expansion of the over
seas traffic and the revival of Rhine
Rhone navigation, together with in
creased releases from Swiss supplies
suggest an eased food situation by
spring.
Survey Shows Most Of Europe
4. u, d. N>x cx~:-