LOCAL HISTORY - Rural Roots # 11
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The end of the ‘hungry thirties’ depression years had less to
do with politics and more to do with the onset of the Second World War. Today,
we are experiencing the beginning of what could be a prolonged recession.
Some are speculating on the possibility that the current global financial
crisis could even lead to another depression. It is also possible that those
of us living in rural areas like Nolalu, with an abundance of land for cultivating
and forests full of edible game, are well positioned to survive.
What, if anything, did we learn from those difficult times? Although very much
a way of life in rural areas, ‘Victory Gardens’ were one way the
average citizen dealt with food shortages and contributed to the war effort.
Empty lots, school fields, former flower gardens and back yards were cultivated
for viable sources of fresh and preservable foods. With war rationing in effect,
there were limitations on many goods, including essentials. Signs appeared in
store windows – “Loyal citizens do not hoard”, “Sugar – ½ lb.
a week per person, Tea – ½ of the usual purchase, Coffee – ¾ of
the usual purchase”.
One of the changes many made in their diet was the substitution of margerine
for butter. Dubbed "poor man's butter" before the war, margarine became
a staple on many people's tables. To stretch real butter, people mixed it with
light cream (or top milk), custard or unflavored gelatin. Cottage cheese was
often substituted for meat. Some stores sold only non rationed items like canned
chicken, pastas, pancakes, pickles and eggs to attract the customers tired of
trying to figure out what coupon went with which item.
My sister Violet showed me an actual ration coupon book that had been used in
the Hunnakko household during the war. Many coupons are missing although several
still remain intact. Issued by the Ration Administration – Wartime Prices
and Trade Board, each coupon book had its own Prefix and Serial Number. Hers
was Ration Book 6 -- “WE 281536”. Each showed the name and address
of the holder on the cover. On the top of the inside cover it reads – “Primary
producers, such as farmers, who produce rationed foods, must collect coupons
for all sales of rationed foods and deliver them to their Local Ration Board.
Primary producers must also deliver coupons to Local Ration Boards, according
to current regulations, against the consumption in their household of certain
rationed foods produced by them”.
That follows with strict “Book-Holders’ Responsibilities” such
as “ration books may be used only by or for the person to whom issued.
Severe penalties are provided for misuse of the ration book or false statement
in connection therewith”. It also states that the bearer should “take
the Ration Book with you when traveling. It is good anywhere in Canada”.
Difficult times with strict limitations. But we survived.
In the March issue of ‘Rural Roots’, we end our three part series
on the war years. With the war over it was a time of healing, remembrance and
optimism. And yet, unfortunately, there still remained some dark clouds on the
horizon.
(February
2009)