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Meat ration card produced by the Commonwealth Rationing Commission and issued to Charles Combe Deland in 1948.

During the Second World War shortages of certain foodstuffs and restrictions on household items were common. Supplies of imported goods, such as tea, were disrupted by heavy losses of ships. Rationing was introduced in Australia to manage limited resources and ensure more equitable distribution of resources. These measures were also introduced to encourage household savings which could then purchase government war loans, used to raise money for the war effort.

Food - such as tea, sugar, butter and meat - and clothing were rationed and coupon books were issued to Australian citizens. In order to buy rationed goods, consumers had to pay the money price and surrender the required number of coupons. Rationing was only gradually phased out after war ended in August 1945, as Australia continued to support Britain with food parcels and exports.

Meat rationing was introduced in Australia in January 1944 and continued until June 1948. The volume of meat available for civilians was heavily reduced particularly after the arrival of American forces based in Australia.

Clark, Rosemary. The home front: life in Australia during World War II, Melbourne: Australia Post, 1991

Connell, Daniel. The war at home, Australia 1939-1949, Crows Nest, N.S.W.: ABC Enterprises for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 1988

Clothing, food and petrol rationing during World War 2: Australian Bureau of Statistics Year Book Australia, 1945 [1301.0]

South Australians at warsee: Experiences of war: Civilian life