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. RATION BOOKS Ration Books were issued by the Federal Government in 1943 and continued . until shortly after the Second World War ended. In wartime, goods were rationed because they were in short supply, or to prevent "shortage supply" caused by the selfish, or unnecessary overbuying by some at the expense of _ others essential needs. The goods rationed were tea, coffee, canned milk (carnation evaporated), meat, butter, soap and gasoline; even gas-run washing machines were in very short supply. Each member of a family was issued a ration book, also if you had hired help you could get stamps for them. Ration Books were guarded and used carefully. If you used all your stamps for the month, you went without or borrowed from your neighbour; ifthey had any to spare. During the canning season youtould apply for special canning sugar. ' Canada produced only about one-fifth of the sugar that it consumed. Some of North America's largest sources of sugar supply were in enemy hands and war won on the high seas had greatly curtailed the imports from the ' remaining sources of supply. These imports were brought in only at great danger to sailors and ships. In 1943 the Sugar Administration was able to secure for home-canning purposed 100,000,000 pounds of sugar. This supply of sugar was to be divided between eight and half million people who had applied for canning sugar. This did not count all the sugar applied for. The canning sugar which was purchased from June lst to September 301h could only be used for canning fruit, and jam and jelly making until November 30th, any sugar not used for such Jer,pose.s, was to be declared to your Local Ration Board by December 15 .The rationing of gasoline caused hardships sometimes. Most your men and boys, and maybe girls too, put a lot of miles on their bikes, going to ball games, picnics, church or maybe to a Saturday night dance. By the time the War was over and everything was back to normal the ration books were soon forgotten. Jean is attaching some ration stamps from the Johnson Family and a copy of . a ration book. Jean Johnson (Reid) Kipling Curator 2009