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Around Sydney Shops

End Of Clothes Rationing: The

great news oi the month, as lar as Aus tralians were concerned, was tne lilting oi ciotnes rationing which haa peen in operation since mis snouid maKe tilings easier lor islands shoppers also.

Formerly Papua-New Guinea residents were able to buy couponed clothing only from mail-order estabiisnments, vvmcn are few and lar between tnese days, residents oi other Island territories lound it difficult to purchase any rationed goods.

People who remembered the panic buying of the immediate pre-rationing period in 1942, expected a stampede on the snops alter rationing came on. But tms has not nappened. Tne extra ordinary high prices of commodities are sufficient to put a damper on ah but tne wives of war-time pronteers. Most Aus tralians, in this winter of 1948, nave other things to thmK about —the fuel crisis, tor example, it is hard to whip up any en thusiasm for a spending splurge when gas and electricity me available lor only three short periods per day; coke and coal are “frozen” at their source by the authorities; fire-wood is unprocurable; radiators are banned. Most peoples' energies are engaged m producing lukc warm food in tne hour permitted for it, and learning how to batne adequately in a small disn of hot water heated sur reptitiously over gas stolen after officially permitted hours.

HOUSEHOLD LINEN; Since the lift ing of rationing, this has been in greatest demand from nousewives who have, dur ing the rationed years, shied away from spending half their year’s ration of cloth ing coupons on one pair of bed-sheets.

Sheeting is in short supply but some is available. Bath towels, on the other hand have become something of a col lector’s item and are virtually unobtain able. When they occassionally are avail able it is interesting to note that the variety that cost between 2 11 and 3/6 in 1939, now costs about 9/11. There are a number of towel manufacturers in Australia —sufficient anyway to supply the 1939 market. What they are doing these days and what happens to their pxoduct is one of the mysteries of the agr Pea-towels have also soared in price— at least 100 per cent, on pre-war values.

TENNIS: It is possible to get a 24 hour racquet lestrmg. New Guinea residents therefore should be able, if they use air ireight (and there is no off-loading) to send their racquets down and have them oack within a week.

FOOD FOR BRITAIN: Parcels for Britain can be sent for you. The value oi me parcels range from about 16 - to 27 6. These are carefully chosen to in clude the kind of foods most needed in Britain—meats, fats, sugars, etc. It should be realised that out of this amount almost 6 - represents postage.

Eleven pounds is the limit of the parcel that can be sent—although they can be sent as frequently as you wish. Some people have made a practice of sending sweets or chocolate in their parcels and have been disillusioned recently to see British chocolates on sale in Australia —at 8/- per pound.

Those who wish to send parcels to Britain to arrive at Christmas should be gin thinking about them shortly. A special pack of crystallised dessert fruits has been available here at 29/9 (includ ing postage). These fruits are not “dried” fruits, in the usual sense, but are to be eaten as they are. They are par ticularly attractive and would make an

admirable Christmas present lor British friends.

KNITTING WOOL: Another item which is received with emnusiasm oy British women is Knitting wool. Al though English Knitting wool is some times available m Australia at high prices, we are told by women in Britain that the knitting wool available to them is coarse and inferior, and exceedingly hard to get. You are permitted to. send up to two pounds of Australian wool to persons in Britain—and although Knit ting wool is at present in short supply in Australia it is possible to get some thing, As the warmer weather comes it will become easier. Your Knitting mends in Britain woud appreciate this thought.

Twelve ounces are sufficient for a good sized sweater.

News has been received In France of Captain Mureau, a former master of Nickel Company colliers plying between Noumea and Newcastle and Sydney.