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MALTESE FINDING IT HARD TO MAKE ENDS MEET
A Maltese farmer harvests his grain
Despite the arrival of Monday’s convoy, shortages of essential commodities are becoming a serious problem, with the inevitable increase in prices of both local and imported goods. Even in peacetime, Malta was unable to feed itself from its limited farmland. With thousands of extra military personnel on the Island much-needed supplies can only come by sea – which means passing through hostile enemy territory.
The Governor, Lt Gen Dobbie, is already concerned at a sharp rise in prices. The cost of food has almost doubled, and prices of many other essential commodities have increased by almost 70 per cent. Even established companies pay less than four shillings and sixpence a day in wages and the Maltese are finding it difficult to make ends meet.
It has been decided that special measures are needed and a new government advisory body has been set up, with Regional Protection Officers given the job of monitoring fair trading by local businesses. The price of essential commodities will be fixed at or near pre-war levels.
PRICES FIXED NOVEMBER 1941 (previous inflated price; 12d = 1s) (1)
- Bread 3d (3½d)
- [Tomato] paste 6d (9d)
- Sugar 4d (6d)
- Coffee 10d (1s 2d)
- Lard and margarine 1s (1s 8d)
- Bar of soap 3d (4d)
- Box of matches 1d (2d)
- Bottle of edible oil 6d (8½d)
- Tin of milk 7d (9½d)
- Gallon of kerosene 1s (1s 3d)
GOVERNOR SEEKS CONFIRMATION OF BOMB DISPOSAL SECTION
From: Governor & C in C Malta To: The War Office
Bomb disposal sections Malta first raised to establishment 111/1931/90A/4. Establishment 111/1931/20B/1 now received. Which is applicable to Malta? If former send appropriate equipment if possible by air mail…
AIR RAIDS DAWN 13 NOVEMBER TO DAWN 14 NOVEMBER 1941
No air raids.
OPERATIONS REPORTS THURSDAY 13 NOVEMBER 1941
ROYAL NAVY Regent arrived from Alexandria with military reinforcements, stores and kerosene.
LUQA 107 Squadron 3 Blenheims were despatched to attack barracks and motor transport park at Mellaha. All aircraft turned back owing to bad weather.
TA QALI RAF vacate Villa Alfano, Lija, and personnel accommodated at Parisio Palace, Naxxar.
FORTRESS ROYAL ENGINEERS Bomb Disposal UXB Reported 6; dealt with 10 (Thermos).
(1) Source of prices: When MaltaStood Alone (1940-1943), Joseph Micallef, 1981
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