SALES OF BUTTER.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 63, Issue 190, 24 May 1943, Page 2

SALES OF BUTTER.

BUYING AT ASHBURTON. NO EVIDENCE OF PANIC. ' While there has been no panic buying of butter at Ashburton many persons have been buying a Jittle extra to tide them over for a while in the event of a sudden announcement el rationing. ' “when does butter rationing start?’' is a question Asuburton grocers nave been asked on recent mornings. Generally, on being told that the grocer was just as much in the dark as the inquirer, customers have bought two or three pounds of butter extra just to be on tha safe side.

This has been going on for more than a week, and rumours iiava also been circulating about the amount oi butter each person may receive if rationing is carried out.

Shopkeepers have pointed out that it is unwise to buy a largo amount of butter and keep it for a long period in an ordinary safe or cupboard, as most of the butter on the market is nine months old and will go rancid nn. less kept in a cooler. Ono shopkeeper said that a rationing scheme, if brought into effect, would hit townspeople harder than those in the country. Another said, however, that persons in the country who were supplying cream to factories or butter to retailers would bo compelled to continue their supply, but it would be difficult to cheek up on a few pounds less a week of cream or butter.