Experiences of War : Civilian life : Rationing

Over the duration of the Second World War shortages of certain foodstuffs and restrictions on household items were common. Supplies of imported goods, such as tea, were disrupted by heavy losses of ships. The volume of meat available for civilians was heavily reduced particularly after the arrival of American forces based in Australia. Clothing dependent on imported cotton was in scarce supply. These items were all subject to rationing. For example in order to buy meat, consumers not only had to pay the money price, they also had to surrender part of their meat ration.

The civilian population was encouraged to assist in the recovering of materials needed for recycling the production of war goods, for example motor tyres, aluminium items, including toothpaste tubes.

This was a role in which young people were involved, schools and youth groups were recruited for door to door salvaging in their local neighborhood, through organisations such as the Schools Patriotic Fund.