Would you have bought stuff on the black market during the War? - General Discussion

kimindex · 31-10-2005, 09:08

Or would you have considered it to be immoral and not be tempted?

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/2WWblackmarket.htm
The trade in goods in violation of the official regulations became known as the black market. A secret staff at the Ministry of Food investigated attempts by people to deal with black marketeers. Parliament passed legislation which enabled the courts to impose fines of up to £500, with or without two years' imprisonment, plus three times the total capital involved in the transaction. Eventually around 900 inspectors were employed to make sure that the the statutory orders of the Ministry Food were obeyed by customers, retailers and wholesalers. Investigators discovered that farmers and smallholders were the main source of producing food for the black market.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A533918
It was on 8 January, 1940 (four months after the war started), that food rationing came into
force.
To start with, the rations were (per person per week):
Butter or lard: 4 ounces (113.4 grammes)
Sugar: 12 ounces (340.2 grammes)
Raw bacon or Ham: 4 ounces (113.4 grammes)
Eggs x2
Cooked bacon or Ham: 3.5 ounces (99.3 grammes)
Meat rationing started 11 March, 1940.

Tchoupitoulas · 31-10-2005, 09:13

I buy stuff on the black market now. Times are hard!!!

kimindex · 31-10-2005, 09:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tchoupitoulas

I buy stuff on the black market now. Times are hard!!!

I'll send a food parcel!!

Hope things are improving and you've at least got a roof over your head.

Tchoupitoulas · 31-10-2005, 09:27

I'm very lucky. I work for a hotel and I've been living in one since August 28th (with my mother, yikes!!). We have the necessities but no movie theaters are open. Hardly any stores open. Mostly bars and some restaurants are open in the city. The 'burbs have a lot more stores open. The problem is everyone evacuated and hardly anyone returned. EVERY place that is open is hiring!!

I mostly buy movie DVD's. Never did before this, though.

trash80 · 31-10-2005, 10:22

i think buying on the black market was the 40s equivalent of speeding

kimindex · 31-10-2005, 10:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tchoupitoulas

I'm very lucky. I work for a hotel and I've been living in one since August 28th (with my mother, yikes!!). We have the necessities but no movie theaters are open. Hardly any stores open. Mostly bars and some restaurants are open in the city. The 'burbs have a lot more stores open. The problem is everyone evacuated and hardly anyone returned. EVERY place that is open is hiring!!

I mostly buy movie DVD's. Never did before this, though.

Glad you and your mother are OK and loving living together! Just shows how much we take the luxuries of modern life for granted.

I saw a load of mobile homes being delivered to the area on Sky News yesterday. A lady was crying with joy. It's unbelievable.

jesaya · 31-10-2005, 10:28

I am not sure what I would have done to be honest. I asked my mum and she said that as her father was a policeman they did not buy black market food, but obviously knew a lot of people that did.

She said that most people she knew did not object to people buying a bit extra for special occasions, like a wedding, or for people who had special needs (such as her father, who was gassed in WWI and could not eat many foods that were more readily available)... but people did object to rich people who effectively did not change their lifestyles at all, and always had whatever food they wanted.

31-10-2005, 09:08	#1
kimindex Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Cornwall (ex-London) Posts: 40,038	Would you have bought stuff on the black market during the War? Or would you have considered it to be immoral and not be tempted? http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/2WWblackmarket.htm The trade in goods in violation of the official regulations became known as the black market. A secret staff at the Ministry of Food investigated attempts by people to deal with black marketeers. Parliament passed legislation which enabled the courts to impose fines of up to £500, with or without two years' imprisonment, plus three times the total capital involved in the transaction. Eventually around 900 inspectors were employed to make sure that the the statutory orders of the Ministry Food were obeyed by customers, retailers and wholesalers. Investigators discovered that farmers and smallholders were the main source of producing food for the black market. http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A533918 It was on 8 January, 1940 (four months after the war started), that food rationing came into force. To start with, the rations were (per person per week): Butter or lard: 4 ounces (113.4 grammes) Sugar: 12 ounces (340.2 grammes) Raw bacon or Ham: 4 ounces (113.4 grammes) Eggs x2 Cooked bacon or Ham: 3.5 ounces (99.3 grammes) Meat rationing started 11 March, 1940.

31-10-2005, 09:13	#2
Tchoupitoulas Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 214	I buy stuff on the black market now. Times are hard!!!

31-10-2005, 09:27	#4
Tchoupitoulas Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 214	I'm very lucky. I work for a hotel and I've been living in one since August 28th (with my mother, yikes!!). We have the necessities but no movie theaters are open. Hardly any stores open. Mostly bars and some restaurants are open in the city. The 'burbs have a lot more stores open. The problem is everyone evacuated and hardly anyone returned. EVERY place that is open is hiring!! I mostly buy movie DVD's. Never did before this, though.

31-10-2005, 10:22	#5
trash80 Banned User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: B'ham / Metro Manila Services: Telewest TV, Phone & BB, DAB Posts: 20,752	i think buying on the black market was the 40s equivalent of speeding

31-10-2005, 10:28	#7
jesaya Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: My green valley in South Wales Services: Liberal and Proud Posts: 15,537	I am not sure what I would have done to be honest. I asked my mum and she said that as her father was a policeman they did not buy black market food, but obviously knew a lot of people that did. She said that most people she knew did not object to people buying a bit extra for special occasions, like a wedding, or for people who had special needs (such as her father, who was gassed in WWI and could not eat many foods that were more readily available)... but people did object to rich people who effectively did not change their lifestyles at all, and always had whatever food they wanted.