THE PASS WORD.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 152, 28 June 1940, Page 5

THE PASS WORD.

" ANTIPHLOGISTIAN."

THE MATCH SHORTAGE.

POSITION STILL ACUTE. J A man entered a tobacconist's shop in the city this morning, and, tossing a penny on the counter, said, "Box of matches." "Sorry," replied the dapper little man behind the counter, "we are out of matches."

A moment or two later another customer entered. "Antiphlogistian," he said, placing his penny on the counter. And the dapper little man handed out — a box of matches! The customer knew password.

There is a shortage of matches inj Auckland to-day just as there has been for months past, although there have been occasions when it was possible to buy three, four boxes, or even a packet, but these occasions have been rare.

It is possible, according to those who deal in matches, that with the now partial "blackout" of overseas money, the position may become even more acute, although an easing of import restrictions would be of benefit. Outside the local output supplied by Wellington manufacturers, matches can only be imported from Australia and Singapore, and with supplies from the three sources there is barely sufficient offering cougistently to supply New Zealand requirements. Former Foreign Supplies. The import restrictions first operated from January to June, 1939, when importers were permitted to import to the extent of 50 per cent of their previqus English license only. Prior to this approximately half the imported matches had been supplied by foreign countries, but the restrictions completely erased this source. Then England found that she could not continue her supplies to New Zealand, so importers turned to Australia,

From July to September, 1939, a further cut was made upon importers, the quota allowed being 25 per cent of the value of previous English license. At this stage it was thought that because of extra plant being established in the Dominion, the output locally would be sufficient to cope with the demand, and

from January to July, 1940, there was a complete prohibition 011 importing matches. But evidently masters did not turn out as the Government hoped, because the license for July to December of this year permits up to 50 per cent of the English license in money value, not quantity. And as England '.•annot supply the Dominion the quota must be obtained from Australia or Singapore.

Mr. R. M. Barker, secretary of the, Grocers' Association, who has kept in [close touch with the position since the import restrictions were first imposed, said to-day that although the shortage of matches was acute, nobody lmd been forced to do without matches. If the public would only realise the position and co-operate the position would soon adjust itself. Buying More Than Needed. "Users of matches to-day are keen to buy more than they really need," said Mr. Barker. "If they would buy only sufficient • for their requirements the present difficulty would be quickly overtaken. There is no question that many matches are wasted. Smokers who sit at home in the evenings by the fireside i strike a match every time they light a| cigarette or pipe, instead of rolling a : piece of paper into a taper and using that. Housewives: when they light a jet on the gas stove throw away the partly 1 burnt stick instead of saving it to carry ' a light from one jet to another."

Mr. Barker mentioned that in the South Island wax vestas were in favour, but in the North Island safeties were preferred. The Wellington firm making safety matches had installed additional plant, but had experienced some difficulty in obtaining sufficient female labour. "If the public will co-operate and avoid unnecessary waste there is 110 need to fear a match famine/' added Mr. Barker.