Rationing was necessary in large part because of the difficulty of importing and exporting by sea. Also, many materials, including food, was a priority for the military. The Japanese capture of the principal rubber-producing areas of the Far East eliminated the sources of 90% of the world’s natural rubber, which in those days all tires were made of. In the US, rationing of materials for clothing was less severe than in England. Marguerite was very lucky to be able to get clothes for her college wardrobe.