Grocers Welcome Extra Allocations Of Imports

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28872, 17 April 1959, Page 13

Grocers Welcome Extra Allocations Of Imports

(By Our Grocery Correspondent)

The increases in import licences for certain grocery lines ! announced this week by the Minister of Customs (Mr Boord) were i received with satisfaction in the trade. Rumours had been cir- : culating for some time that a re- ■ laxation of the rigid restrictions , was likely but the announcement j nevertheless came as a pleasant | surprise to most. i Canned fish, canned and dried fruit, coconut, diabetic foods and greaseproof paper are the . items [of most interest to grocers’The increase in the allocation for canned fish is from 75 per cent, to 100 her cent, of 1958 licences. The extra imports under this heading will enable merchants to order more sardines, herrings and cod fillets, the main lines which have been scarce. An extra 16§ per allocation of 1959 basic licences will be available to import dried fruits.| There has not been any noticeable; shortage so far of dried fruit, but, the increase now granted will en-| able merchants to order dates.!

vine fruits, dried apricots and prunes. Some canned fruits had been competely excluded from the 1959 licences; the latest relaxation will permit the import of 50 per cent, of 1958 licences. No - allowance has been made for additional canned pineapple, which is in extremely short supply. Before using their licences importers will be anxious to know the results of New Zealand peach harvests: if 'good quantities are available locally this may . affect the proportion of licences used on canned grapes, guavas, tomatoes and apricots. The licences for coconut have

been raised from 75 per cent, to 100 per cent? of the 1958 licences. This increase will relieve an acute shortage, which has i>ecn a source of friction between customer and supplier throughout the trade.

Australian Dried Vine Fruits.— Earlier x advice from Australia was that a full range of grades of sultanas would be available. However. I the • Commonwealth Dried Fruits ( Control Board later reported that, i because of unfavourable conditions ! during the drying period, supplies I one and two crown grades would not be available. Three crown are expected to be scarce, and it is extremely doubtful if there will be sufficient quantity for export, and four crown will be substituted. It is thought that there will be no difficulty in supplying two and three crown currants. Liquid Starch.— From Auckland comes a new brand of liquid starch. It is a 12oz bottle and will retail at 3s Id, which makes it good value. Old-fashioned Irish Stew.—An Auckland canner is about to market an Irish stew. In the past numerous canners have packed meat combinations of varying types, including stews, with little success. This stew contains beef, mutton, onions, peas, potatoes, carrots, and gravy. It will sell at 3s per lib can and is attractively labelled. Drinking Chocolate.— Last week the price of drinking chocolate was stated to be reduced from 2s 3d to 2s, when it fact it should be 2s Id to .Is 9d. Toothpaste ' Prices Up.—Several toothpaste manufacturers have found it necessary to increase their prices because of rising costs. In future the medium size will retail at Is Bd. the large 2s 9d. and the economy 3s lOd. These are increases of Id. 2d. and 3d respectively. Australian Muscatels.—Agents are now quoting prices for new season’s Australian muscatels, and there have been no changes from last year's prices. All grades are once again available, and although the crop is down a little on last year, it is expected that al! New Zealand requirements will be executed.