23 Nov 1942, John Charter's wartime journal

((More about the meeting to discuss the bulk IRC rations)) I think it would not be incorrect to say that the majority of people who wanted to be issued with their full quota of rations had made a point of attending the meeting, while those who had nothing in particular to shout about (and those constituted the majority of people in our blocks) had not bothered to turn up. This was unfortunate because, after sundry pointed questions to the Chairman, a motion was proposed and carried (almost unanimously) that the Japanese should be sounded and if found to be amenable, the suggestion be made to them that the food be distributed pro rata.