In the crisis year of 1942, Brisbane people surrendered many of the customary freedoms of daily life. All civilians were required to register for the war effort and were issued with:personal identity cards. Children were issued with identity disks. Travel out of Brisbane was restricted, and censorship of publications and private correspondence was enforced. The opening hours of Brisbane’s pubs were shortened and their beer supplies were cut back. Schools closed and housewives became used to standing in long lines to get everyday food supplies.
Furniture and essential equipment was in short supply. The military requisitioned tables and chairs from government offices, suburban schools and the Army requisitioned all binoculars, even those of racetrack stewards. Newsprint was rationed from mid 1940 and General MacArthur’s press officers strictly controlled battlefront news.
In March 1942 the manufacture of all non essential items including perfumes, nail lacquers and eye make-up was banned. Petrol was rationed through fuel licences and even essential services such as the Police had strictly limited supplies. Anyone wanting to buy a new car needed a special purchase order. Families started to collect aluminium and rags for recycling.
Source: http://www.rnacarthurrnemorial.comaiu/restrictiotu.html