War Economy

Rationing in the United Kingdom

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Rationing in the United Kingdom

A comparison of weekly food rations in New Zealand and the United Kingdom in 1944 is useful but does not give the full picture. Rations varied in some years, and, for most of the commodities, the United Kingdom commenced rationing several years before New Zealand.

Weekly Ration per Person in 1944
New Zealand United Kingdom
Commodity oz. oz.
Sugar 12 8
Jam N.R.2 4
Fats –
Butter 8 8
Other N.R.
Liquid milk N.R. 403
Cheese 24 3
Tea 2 2
Bacon and ham 34 4
Other meats5 40 20

2 N.R. means not rationed.

3 Rising to 80 oz. seasonally according to supply. Larger amounts for children.

4 Not rationed, but supply controlled at approximately this quantity per head of population.

4 Not rationed, but supply controlled at approximately this quantity per head of population.

5 Approximately. Actually expenditure was rationed at 1s. 9d. to 2s. a head in New Zealand and 1s. 2d. a head in the United Kingdom. Children received less in both countries.

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About this page...

Title: War Economy

Author: Baker, J. V. T.

Publication details: Historical Publications Branch, 1965, Wellington

Part of: The Official History of New Zealand in the Second World War 1939–1945

This text is the subject of: ‘Something of Them Is Here Recorded’: Official History in New Zealand

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