Speculation On Import Cuts

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31321, 17 March 1967, Page 16

Speculation On Import Cuts

(By Our Grocery Reporter)

The import licensing schedule for 1967-68 is expected within 10 days and grocers are speculating as to what changes there may be.

Already warning notes are being sounded by the Government and it would now appear that a 20 per cent reduction is expected on most commodities that have been already reduced in the last year or two.

This will mean, of course, that imported groceries will be even scarcer than before. After Easter, most traders will be stock-taking for the end of their financial year.

Pickled Onions. Pickled onions in Christchurch are not plentiful, but stocks have been arriving to help relieve the recent shortage. An innovation, introduced by a Northland packer, is a sliced pickled onion. The slicing has one obvious advantage housewives do not have to cut up onions which is an irksome chore, particu-

larly for cocktail snacks and other dishes. The 13oz jars should retail about 3s 6d, and about 7s 6d for quart jars. Dried Apricot*.—The Australian apricot crop Is much better than last year’s and according to a recent statement by the Co-operated Dried Fruit Sales Pty., Ltd., the tonnage is substantially up on last year’s. The response from all markets has been such that In spite of the larger tonnage offers have to be withdrawn. So far there has been no advice as to

whether grades will be varied. Meanwhile, offers are coining from places such as California and South Africa—the latter proving quite satisfactory last year, but this season their prices are considerably higher. Californian prices are also still slightly higher than the Australian, but the area is well known for its quality .

Cheese Spread.— A new Chesdale cheese spread will soon be available. This is cheese and mushroom which will be available in a soz glass jar. This new variety brings the total available up to six, giving a good range to choose from. The expected retail price Is 2s lid a jar.

Higher Profit By Tooheys (N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) SYDNEY, March 16. Group net profit of Tooheys Ltd. for the half-year to January 31 was higher than for the previous corresponding period. Interim dividend is increased from 4J to 4$ per cent, indicating another small rise in the annual rate. Dividend for 1965-66 was lifted from 8i to 8| per cent. Group net profit for the year was 1,775,000 dollars (up 38,400), equal to 13.4 per cent on capital. Directors say that sales showed an improvement in the latest six months.

Mason Bros. Move Mason Bros. Ltd., Aucklandbased engineer and boiler maker, and J. C. Riddell and Company Ltd., Wellington, are to merge their merchant companies as from April 1. The combined companies will trade under Mesco Riddell Ltd. Mason Bros, acquired all the ordinary shares in J. C. Riddell in 1964.