Post by NZBC on Aug 5, 2012 21:03:09 GMT 12
RICE RATIONS DOMINION CHINESE OPERATING OWN SCHEME
Though living far from his native habitat, the Chinese in New Zealand must have his daily bowl of rice. It is a most essential part of his diet, and to ensure equal distribution of the commodity throughout the Dominion the Chinese have formed an association and rationing is being introduced this week.
After the fall of Hongkong the Chinese in the Dominion were unable to secure supplies from the usual source. Several small shipments arrived from Australia, but soon the authorities there allowed rice to be exported to most of the Pacific islands. New Zealand, however, was not included in the list. Arrangements have now been made for the Chinese to be allocated their fair share of rice imported into this country under the control of the Government, but the distribution will be undertaken entirely by the newlyformed Chinese Food Merchant- Importers' Association, which has been duly incorporated. The rice will be handled by 21 Chinese merchants throughout the Dominion, chiefly in the four main centres.
Mr. Andrew Chong, of Auckland, who sponsored the scheme, and has been devoting much time and attention to ensure its success, stated today that the main purpose was to prevent monopoly and to distribute equally what rice stocks were available. The ration agreed upon in the meanwhile was 81b a person each week, but the rice would be sold in 561b bags, so that that quantity would have to last one individual for seven weeks. There was no differentiation in the adult and child ration. On this basis of rationing the stocks are believed to be sufficient until the new season's rice is available from Australia in May.
Ration cards containing six coupons are being issued, and to avoid duplication of supplies the Chinese have to get their merchant's stamp on their old ordinary ration books. The scheme has the approval of the Government and the Food Controller and is expected to achieve its object in allocating supplies on a fair and equitable basis. Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 260, 3 November 1942, Page 2
Though living far from his native habitat, the Chinese in New Zealand must have his daily bowl of rice. It is a most essential part of his diet, and to ensure equal distribution of the commodity throughout the Dominion the Chinese have formed an association and rationing is being introduced this week.
After the fall of Hongkong the Chinese in the Dominion were unable to secure supplies from the usual source. Several small shipments arrived from Australia, but soon the authorities there allowed rice to be exported to most of the Pacific islands. New Zealand, however, was not included in the list. Arrangements have now been made for the Chinese to be allocated their fair share of rice imported into this country under the control of the Government, but the distribution will be undertaken entirely by the newlyformed Chinese Food Merchant- Importers' Association, which has been duly incorporated. The rice will be handled by 21 Chinese merchants throughout the Dominion, chiefly in the four main centres.
Mr. Andrew Chong, of Auckland, who sponsored the scheme, and has been devoting much time and attention to ensure its success, stated today that the main purpose was to prevent monopoly and to distribute equally what rice stocks were available. The ration agreed upon in the meanwhile was 81b a person each week, but the rice would be sold in 561b bags, so that that quantity would have to last one individual for seven weeks. There was no differentiation in the adult and child ration. On this basis of rationing the stocks are believed to be sufficient until the new season's rice is available from Australia in May.
Ration cards containing six coupons are being issued, and to avoid duplication of supplies the Chinese have to get their merchant's stamp on their old ordinary ration books. The scheme has the approval of the Government and the Food Controller and is expected to achieve its object in allocating supplies on a fair and equitable basis. Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 260, 3 November 1942, Page 2