FROM THE ARCHIVES:The first winter of the second World War was notable for minor skirmishes in western Europe and all-out warfare in the east of the continent while people in Ireland were still adjusting to the constraints and practices of "The Emergency". Some of the preoccupations of the time were recorded by Quidnunc in the Irishman's Diary on this day in 1940.
I SUPPOSE that the great majority of my readers by this time have grown accustomed to listen in to the English news from Hamburg and Station DJA, whatever that may be, and to recognise the dulcet tones of His Lordship of Haw Haw, as well as those of his anonymous colleague who, in my humble opinion, speaks far more respectable English, and whose criticisms are likely to be far more damaging than those of the now world-famous announcer.
How many of them, however, have been listening to the infinitely more interesting and better-informed English broadcasts from Sweden, which nightly give an admirable survey of the present situation in Scandinavia, with particular reference to Finland?
Every night, with the exception of Sunday, the Swedes broadcast in English at a quarter to 10. Their broadcasts can be heard best on the medium wave band at 265 metres. They only last about five minutes, but they should not be missed.
Another Boundary Problem
Several citizens of this State have been wondering what will happen to them when, and if, they have occasion to visit the six counties. I am not suggesting that they have reason to fear imprisonment or anything similarly drastic. Their concern is entirely for the inner man.
What will happen, they ask, when they want a meal at a hotel or restaurant in Belfast? Will they not be entitled to butter, sugar or bacon?
On that point, I think, they can be assured, that is to say, if the Belfast system agrees strictly with the English plan. I gather from the cross-Channel newspapers that anybody who takes a meal in a public resort is entitled to a certain amount of the rationed commodities, even though he has no ration card.
That does not solve my own personal problem. Normally, when I visit the North, I stay with friends. My friends certainly will not be entitled to claim an extra ration of butter and bacon for me. Certainly, too, I shall not accept a portion of their very scanty ration. What am I to do? I like butter and bacon.
Will I be permitted to take a small quantity of each in my suit-case when I cross the Border? Will the customs man believe that the contraband is for my own personal use? I can only hope so.
Evacuation
An Irish girl who has been teaching in England has told me some interesting things about the evacuation scheme over there.
It has been clear recently that the scheme has not been working with the expected smoothness. The children who had been evacuated from the crowded cities to less thickly populated area have been “seeping” back again
The scheme, apparently, has suffered from opposition on all sides. Parents, lonely for their children, have snatched at every opportunity to bring them home. Many school teachers have accepted the scheme grudgingly, and sneer at it openly. The children’s “hosts” have resented their presence, while many families in the “reception areas” have been hard set to fee and shelter their little guests at 8s. a head.
In addition, many people think that, because there have been no air raids yet, there never will be any – which seems to be a dangerous assumption. I hope, however, that it will be justified.
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