15 MARCH 1940, Page 6

I have tried in vain to find any reasonable explanation

for the decision to ration meat by value instead of weight. On the face of it there is everything to be said against the decision. If weight were the criterion people who could afford to pay for the better cuts would buy them, and leave to the poorer customer the cheaper cuts to which they regularly confine themselves. As things are the first-comers will naturally choose the cheapest meat available, so as to get the best weight they can, and others, who will include as many poor as rich, will have to be content with the trifling amount of better-quality meat which is. rod. will buy. In rationing by weight the question of bone has no doubt to be considered, but that caused no difficulty in the last war. * * * *