MEN’S BICYCLES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 62, Issue 56, 16 December 1941, Page 2

MEN’S BICYCLES.

PROHIBITION OF SALES. (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, Doe. 15. Tlio demand for bicycles, accentuated by the petrol restrictions, met a sudden chock early to-dav when dealers received orders from the Government not to sell their stocks. The order, which affects new and secondhand men’s bicycles, was applied by the Industries and Commerce Department under the War Regulations. The explanation to-day was that the Army wanted a certain number of men’s bicycles, and in the meantime all stocks were being withhold from sale.

The cycle trade understands that the position in the meantime is that no men's bicycles can be sold until a survey is conducted of the stocks in the country, which it is stated, are lower than normal because of the import restrictions. It is thought possible that a few machines may later be released for sale to the public. The demand for bicycles, always big before Christmas in Christchurch, was bigger still in the last few days because of the restrictions on petrol, and after to-day’s embargo was applied about mid-day many dealers had regretfully to turn away cash clients whose orders a few hours before would have been eagerly filled. It is not yet known how soon it will he before dealers know whether they can sell any of their stocks of men’s machines.