BUYING UP FOOD.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 210, 6 September 1939, Page 14

BUYING UP FOOD.

PEOPLE RUSH ROUND.

NO SHORTAGE OF SUPPLIES

GROCERY TRADE PROTEST.

"Some people are rushing round like scared rabbits, buying tea, sugar and other groceries obviously for the purpose of hoarding," said a leading member of the retail trade this morning. There

was no real shortage in any line, he continued, but over-bin ing by consumers was quickly clearing the shelves and causing temporary embarrassment to storekeepers, forcing them to ration

Most city grvcers are ;it present refusing to sell ntore than 111) of tea, filb of sugar. or ii single packet containing a dozen boxes of matches at a time. This wan necessary, not because of a shortage of supplies, but as a result of overpurchasing by consumers. Wholesalers agree that the unreasoning attitude of consumers, which is disorganising trade, is quite unnecessary as supplies are sufficient to cover normal requirements. It is to be condemned at such a time of national emergency.

Meantime, in the absence of any floveriiment regulation, grocers are doinw their best to check hoarding and restore normal trailing conditions by an un•oflicia] rationing policy. Ttie Auckland Maxtor Grocers' Association and the chain store organisation are co-opera-ting in the matter. Abnormal Demand. The manager of one large chain store company said this morning that, abnormal demand for certain lines was still causing embarrassment in spite of rationing. Obviously, although onlv. lib of tea or filb of sugar could be purchased at each of his shops, some customers were "doing the rounds," buying as much as tliov could.

On Monday his firm obtained its usual quantity of sugar from the supplying company, but. owing to excessive con-siluier-buying stocks were running vcrv low. More would lie obtained to meet the situation, but the company's fleet of motor vans had to work at hiirh pressure to prevent the different retail units frim running out of supplies of this and other commodities. He expected that tra.ln would return to normal next week when people would probably nettle down again.