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106
The Inspector does not give, even approximately, the total
amount examined; but the figures are suggested thus:—
If, during 1918, 4 tons, 8cwt., 2qrs.,27 lbs. were condemned out
of "approximately 250 tons" examined, how many tons were
examined during 1919 to secure the condemnation of 37 tons,18cwt.,,
3 qrs., 9 lbs. ? Very nearly nine times as much was condemned in
1919 as was condemned in 1918 !
If the proportion of unsound to sound meat was about the same
in both years, about 2,000 tons, in round figures, must have been
examined in 1919; or the proportion of unsound to sound meat must
have been very much greater in 1919 than it was during 1918, and
probably this was the case. In any event great quantities of this
"suspect" material were sent to Hackney alone, and it would be
interesting to know what was the total amount sent out by the
Ministry of Food to all districts to be similarly dealt with.
Similar "parcels" of bacon and hams are coming to hand
from time to time during this current year of 1920.
Comparison of the figures relating to all foodstuffs condemned
during 1919 with the corresponding figures given in the 1918 report
will be sufficient to persuade any reader that the year 1919 brought
to the Food Inspector a very large amount of extra and very
responsible work as the aftermath of the Great War—work which
would never have been necessary, had there not been a war.
How far the enormous food wastage that has occurred, and
is still occurring, has been due to bad management on the part
of the Ministry of Food, and how far to bad luck and unavoidable
causes, I have no means of judging; and, even if I had the knowledge,
it is not my business to apportion the responsibility. Nor is it
for me to decide as to how far a Government Department is
justified in endeavouring to dispose of, by quick sale without
coupons, materials of doubtful quality which admittedly require