On This Day, 24 March 1917

Birmingham Mail

Saturday 24 March 1917

THE POTATO SHORTAGE.

The situation in the potato trade in Birmingham and the Midlands is even more acute than last week. The supplies to the retailers show in many instances a substantial falling off, and yesterday and to-day queues were generally in the suburban working-class districts. If anything these queues were much larger than usual, and many persons were content to wait a full hour or more in order to purchase a 3lb. bag of potatoes. The notice: “No Potatoes for Sale,” has become quite familiar; and in a few instances supplemented by such phrases as: “Enough said,” “Ask no questions,” and “We can’t make potatoes.” Many shopkeepers now decline to supply children, the suggestion being that some persons have been in the habit of sending their youngsters for potatoes to various shops. The queues, which are perfectly orderly, are usually regulated by police-constables.

The demand for other root vegetables has grown enormously. The chief call is for swedes, which are offered the full regulation price of 1 1/2d. per lb.; and there is fair enquiry for parsnips and carrots at 3d. and 2d. per lb respectively. Artichokes, which are in supply, and Brussels sprouts each command 4d. per lb.; and seakale, at 1s. and 1s. 2d. per lb. is also in request. The demand for butter beans, dried peas, and lentils has become brisk, notwithstanding the greatly enhanced prices.

A sidelight on the potato problem was supplied at Wolverhampton, today, when Moses and Benjamin Westwood, potato dealers, of Ruiton, Gornal, charged with failing report for military service, submitted that they had something like 25 tons of potatoes to dispose of and some pigs to look after. Further time was asked for order to get rid of the stocks. The cases were adjourned until Thursday, the magistrates intimating that defendants would have no difficulty selling up in the meantime.