London, England, July 4, 1954
Several unusual things happened today: Smithfield Market opened for business at midnight, rather than 6.00 a.m. the London Housewives’ Association could be seen in Trafalgar Square conducting some sort of arcane ritual, and Geoffrey Lloyd, the Minister for Fuel and Power, set fire to an oversized model of a ration book.
On such a day,
however, a little self-indulgence seems appropriate as British households are released today from 14 years of careful husbandry and self-restraint. Yes, rationing is officially at an end, with all remaining restrictions lifted on the sale and purchase of meat.
During the course of the war
many types of food were rationed, essential, and unessential, as well as petrol, clothing, soap, and furniture. The system was introduced owing to the difficulties of importing goods in a wartime environment, and to try and ensure fair distribution. The rationing era also developed a memorable, if not always enjoyable, culture of its own, with coupons, private bartering, lengthy and tiresome queues, a black market, and a number of explanatory characters such as potato Pete and Doctor carrot. Restrictions were not eased until 1948 and the process of de-rationing has been a very gradual but very welcome one.
