GOODS IN SHORT SUPPLY

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22941, 10 February 1940, Page 12

GOODS IN SHORT SUPPLY

"V Effect of Import Restrictions

WAR ACCENTUATES DIFFICULTIES

With a little more than a year * gone since restrictions were first im- ' posed on New Zealand's import trade, shortages of a number of goods usually procured from over- N seas are becoming evident. Accord- - ing to retailers and warehousemeninterviewed yesterday, these shortages will be more acute in 12 or M weeks,

i As in many other trades and pro- ' fessions, difficulties in the importing business have been accentuated by the outbreak of the war. In thefirst place, in contrast with the position in 1914, importing houses werethis time caught with low stocks. < Second, prices in the overseas markets began to move swiftly upward soon after war was declared—prices of some grohery lines, as mentioned in the grocery review in “The, Press” from time to time, are .at their highest point for about 20 . years—and since only a certain sum, based■'on.- previous requirements, is/, made available to each importer, the' effective reduction in, imports is' considerably greater than that imposed by the New Zealand authori- , ties. As an instance, imports of cocpnut for the present licensing - period were reduced 50 per cent, by the-New Zealand authorities; but price increases pyerseasT have in- ; creased the cut to .about 75 per cent. . Many lines are affected in a similar way. • • - - ' • • '. Shortage of Matches 1 ! The shortages which how appear to be developing touch almost every J section of the community. Smokers. have found in the last week or two that matches are by no means picn- - tiful. According to statements made . by retailers, this is because local j manufacturers,, formerly supplying a- - j small part of the market and now - - | called on to supply the whole, have' | not yet been able to adapt their ; ■ j plants to the increased business. A system of marketing? under which ! the various cities and towns are supplied in rotation, has been adopted, . and no place can secure a second; . allotment, until its turn comes round i again. Smokers may also have lo , dc without some of their favourite/ brands- of cigarettes soon, as it js stated that there will be no more ' American . brands when presets' stocks are exhausted. ■ i Yf , Housewives, too. may soon have WIS® amend their lists of weekly purchase* r corisiderably. partly because of short,-'* . ages and partly because of' higher prices.. It is stated that some lines of ,■ tinned goods are going to be short because of' the difficulty of securing tinplate since the war began. Almonds. coconut, and curry powder were three lines which were reduced by 50 per cent. . for the present licensing period and. are now in short supply. Singapore pineapple was cut ■ 100 per cent. Neither macaroni nor vermicelli is plentiful, and a quantity of cream of tartar, which was already: ■ in short supply, was lost in the wreck of . the.. Waikpuaiti. - - Fruit;.salad from overseas also went down wjj.ii that ship:' Bulk cornflour is very short, although a small shipment of; packets =, is due. Stocks of arrowroot and greaseproof paper have been low, and although shipments of both are expected the paper .will be -considerably - higher in price than if has been. Grocery lines completely banned include packet soups, anchovy sauce ;; from England, and English coffee essences and vinegar. Hardware Supplies Young'people marrying now will' * find that setting up a home is by no. A meaixs as easy or as cheap as it used . to be. Ail domestic enamelware has' been cut by 50 per cent., and imported brands of pots, and pans, for use in. - coloured kitchens, are very short. The shortage of pudding bowls and mixing boWls is described as serious; and the, range of goods suitable for gifts has' been reduced by the almost total prohibition of crystalware and glassware. Glasses and tumblers, especially type* suitable for use in hotels, are parti-' ■ i cularly short. • The troubles of home-makers do not finish with the kitchen equipment. There are ' shortages of inlaid v-15no-leums. carpets, which have increased sharply in price, genoa and moquetle coverings for lounge suites, sheets, imported sewing machines. and towels. The manager of one large retail establishment said yesterday that if he had to satisfy a customer with a pair of sheets he would have to try to buy them from another store, as he had none. It is stated that a factory is to.be opened in New Zealand-to ■ manufacture plain stipple wilton carpets, but it is not yet built. The disruption of the English market, following, the outbreak of war. and Government orders for local factories have upset supplies of various items of clothing. A shortage appears to be developing in woollen, goods, dress materials, and underwear. Imports or handkerchiefs are prohibited in the meantime, and cotton piece goods are very short: . Importers now are anxious to know if any relief from the present restrictions "will be given them in, the fourth licensing period, from June to Decern- yher. '