Rationing
As soon as it became necessary to limit the consumption of certain kinds of food rationing became inevitable, and its postponement was undesirable. In time of war, with the extra burden put upon shipping for the transport of military material, and the slower movement of vessels under convoy, it is obvious that food imports must be limited so that they do not exceed the amount required for reasonable consump- lion. That being so, it becomes necessary to ensure that the total supplies available should be fairly distributed, and that can only be done by rationing. Moreover, the smooth working of the machinery of distribution requires that the food controllers should know exactly how much of each kind of food to send to each district and to each retailer, and that is why registration is so important a part of the scheme. But the authorities ought to aim at introducing as much elasticity as possible. The war has necessitated much movement to and fro of the population, and it ought to be made easier for a consumer to change the retailer with whom he is regis- tered, or to be registered partly in one place, partly in another. No one has reason to feel distressed by the quan- tities allowed, especially as there are so many substitutes not restricted at all.
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