World War 2 commenced in 1939 in Europe. The first controls over the production and distribution of products in Australia were introduced in 1940, partly due to disruption of shipping. In 1942, after Japan entered the War, comprehensive rationing was introduced to manage shortages and control civilian consumption. After the War, rationing was gradually phased out. Clothing rationing was abolished on 24 June1948. The last rationed product was tea, which ended in July 1950.Many young men from the City of Moorabbin volunteered for active service during WW2 .The market gardeners had to manage their farms with reduced labour. Farms and businesses over the whole country were affected so rationing was introduced to control the civilian use of commodities. Pink-coloured card, printed in black with coupons to be cut off from the left side, originally 24 supplied. 2 original, partly used paper ration cards issued in Melbourne 1948. !x Identity Card for Emma Marriott 1) Meat Ration 2) Clothing Ration 3) Identity Card1)If this Card is found it must be returned at once/ to the Deputy Director of Rationing Melbourne/Commonwealth of Australia/ 1948/ B 891314 MEAT/RATION CARD/Rg,D.1/ Issued to/Name Reed G.M/Address 251 Centre Rd/SE14/ tickets -MEAT 104 - 54 2) as above / B891313/ CLOTHING/ RATION CARD/ tickets 1- 56 3) OHMS / Identity Card ...........1942ww2, melbourne, bentleigh, food rations, food supply, farming, market gardeners, city of moorabbin, cheltenham, marriott emma, reed george, william green, kenneth j blackman