TOBACCO SUPPLIES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XL, Issue 9198, 8 January 1920, Page 6

TOBACCO SUPPLIES

PRICE PftOSP.ECTS.-

The intimation from Australia^ to the effect that prices will shortly be doubled, is rather disconcerting to the trade, but it is not. altogether unexpected, as it has been exceedingly difiieult to. get supplies (says the "New Zealand Herald"). Never before have' local stocks of tobacco, cigars, 'and cigarettes been as low as they are at present, and it has been impossible ■to build up any stocks against a rise, seeing * that importations haver been so limited that distributors hicvG been compelled to ration their supplies.-The official import returns hardly- accountfor the pronounced shortage that exists at present, aud it seems iw if the consumption is increasing. leciports during the last few years compare as under:—

In cigiirs the position: is plain enoiigjtu. Stocks' are exc(;edihgly low, and brands that- lisjvc been in regular' sale f@P yeai's are quite unobtainable now. But in tobacco and cigarettes ihc importations during this yeser have been wellup to- the average, whereas the shortage- is far more pronounced than it was in 19!l!7 and 1918, w&ena heavy falling off took place. As the only material alteration in the population lias been the return of soldiers, the evident increase' in consumption is, no doubt, due to* them. ; ,

.Most of the tobacco for New Zealand now comes from Australia, including some of the brands in, most popular use. It is imported into Australia in the leaf and there manufactured, the importations of mauufaetured tobacco into Australia being quite insignificant. For a laaig time the shortage of supplies iii. New Zealand was attributed to an inadequate shipping service, but. the news this week confirms the impression that has been gaining ground lately, that stocks were being held back for .a. rise. Tlie Australian statistics do not throw any light on this point as* no quantities are officially given. The- values imported during their iinimdal year ending June 30 last were roughly 50 per cent above the previous-.'year, but part of this may have beoir. attributed to the steady riso in prices in America.

1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919Tobffleeo lbs. 2,713,804 2,io7, 337 2,819,354 2,010,522: 2,294,077 2.680.023 Cigars lbs. 77,963 50,308 ■■•52,967. 42,188 , 19,600 .20.522 ©ig'ts lbs. 70*,.O88 577yfi69 97P|515 431,073 750,313: 763.909