Strike Poses An Import Problem

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31076, 3 June 1966, Page 13

Strike Poses An Import Problem

(Bp Our Grocery Reporter)

Britain’s three-week-old national shipping strike is posing a problem for importers as many grocery lines that should have reached New Zealand before the end of the import licensing period, June 30, are in the holds of vessels strike-bound in British ports,

No announcement has been made about these shipments, but it seems that they must be included in the 1965-66 importing period. Ships scheduled to reach here from Australia before the end of the month could bring some lines in before time runs out..

However, no ships are scheduled from Brisbane to reach here in time, and this could be a little awkward for importers of pineapple.

New Rice Dish.— The makers of rice risotto, which has proved very popular, are now introducing sweet chicken curry with rice under the ‘'CountryKitchen” Brand. This contains tender pieces of chicken and a rich curry with rice. Simple to prepare, the new line is expected to retail for about 3s 6d a packet—sufficient for four to six people.

New Soluble Aspirin.— Cooper, McDougall and Robertson (N.Z.). makers of insecticides, are introducing to the market 'an instant soluble aspirin, "Cosprin.” It comes in a simple dispenser pack, with each tablet foil wrapped and easily detached. Each pack contains 30 tablets for a suggested retail price of 2s 9d.

Ceylon Tea. — For some time the Ceylon tea market has been depressed after being at a high level for the previous fev months. This market could possibly go lower because o! the shipping strike. The United Kingdom Is one of the largest buyers of Ceylon tea and if it

cannot be shipped to England there could be a glut in Ceylon Australian Dried Vine Fruit.— Further information about supplies of Australian dried fruit is that 5 crown sultanas and 4 crown currants will be in short supply. New Zealam agents have been asked to get buyer's approval to substitute lower grades for any further orders placed. This app/ie only to sultanas. Allocations for currants have already been advised and completed. Peanuts.— Good reports are coming to hand about the Australian peanut crop. It wa' disastrous in 1965 and' there was no surplus for export. Peanuts have been In short supply in all parts of the world

and this crop Increase in Australia is good news. So far there has been no advice about the quantities that w'lU be available from South Africa—New Zealand’s main ruppMere-—but particularly good crops are not expected and buyers will more than likely have to accep quotas. Disinfectant Prices.—According to a list recently issued for disinfectants made in Christchurch there have evidently been some anomalies in their price structure. The brands are Camfosa, Jeyes Fluid and Jav pine. In some cases slight Increases have been made. Four ounce bottles have been increased and so have 16oz cans.