Canada at War: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS: Flapdoodle

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U.S. Reporter Earl Banner zipped into Montreal, shot a quick glance around, then sat down and whipped off a dispatch for the Boston Daily Globe and the New York Times. Gist: Canadians are living the life of Riley; there are no shortages of meat, butter, cigarets, liquor, fuel, women's & children's clothing. In fact, said Reporter Banner, "rationing has inflicted just one inconvenience" on Canadians—they have to tear out stamps.

This rosy news left Canadians goggle-eyed. Actually, Reporter Banner's dispatch was just flapdoodle. Cigarets, in plenty, there are. But Canada's butter ration is 6 oz. a week (and there is no margarine). Liquor is severely rationed in every province. In mid-February, coal was so scarce the Government restricted deliveries, gave priorities to householders with seven days' supply or less. Because of anticipated increases in Europe's needs, the Government last week was reportedly considering resumption of meat rationing. The manufacture of evening dresses, double-breasted coats and pleated trousers is prohibited. In Ottawa a Government spokesman said: "There certainly is no abundance of women's & children's clothing. . . . We are pretty darn short of things."