e or less automatic (the Belgians' appetite is a
pretty regular clock), so its machinery was now trained to the twin
conservation of British stomachs and savings.

"Save the Food of the Nation," was the appeal that went forth on every
side. "No One is too Rich or Poor to Help. Every man, woman and child in
the country who wants to serve the state and help win the war can do so
by giving thought to the question of conserving food. Since the great
bulk of our food comes from abroad, it takes toll in men, ships and
money. Every scrap of food wasted means a dead loss to the Nation in
men, ships and money. If all the food that is now being wasted could be
saved and properly used it would spare more money, more ships, more men
for the National defence."

Now began a notable campaign of education which was carried straight
into the kitchen. Food demonstrators whose work ranged from showing the
economy of cooking potatoes in their skins to making fire-less cookers
out of a soap box and a bundle of straw, went up and down the Kingdom
holding classes. In town halls, schools, village centres and
drawing-rooms, mistress and maid sat side by side. "Waste nothing," was
the new watchword.

Backing up the uttered word was a perfect deluge of literature that
included "Hand Books for House Wives," "Notes on Cooking," "Hints for
Saving Fuel," "Economy in Food," in fact, dozens of pamphlets all
showing how to make one scrap of food or a single stick of wood do the
work of two.

The people behind this movement knew that with waste of food was the
kindred waste of money. They realised, too, that even the most effective
preachment for food economy must inevitably be met by the cry,
"Everybody must eat." With money, on the other hand, there seemed a
better opportunity to drive home a permanent thrift lesson. So the
forces that had built the bulwark around the English stomach now set to
work to rear a rampart about the English pocketbook.

Circumstances played into their hand. The Great War Loan of
$3,000,000,000 had just been authorised. "Why not make this loan the
text of a great National thrift lesson and give every working man and
woman a chance to become a financial partner of the Empire," said the
saving mentors. It was decided to put part of this loan within the range
of everybody, that is, to issue it in denominations from five shilling
scrip pieces up, to sell it through the post office and thus bring the
new savings bank to the