Shop supplies may be cut

Press, 14 October 1985, Page 1

Shop supplies may be cut

Toilet paper supplies might run out in shops and supermarkets today because of the drivers’ strike. “We are out of toilet paper in the warehouse,” said the sales promotion manager of G.U.S. Wholesalers, Ltd, Mr Brian O’Callaghan. Items which sold quickly would be affected the most by the strike. Toilet paper sold so quickly that there could be shelf-shortages today, he said. Soap powders, tea, coffee, and meat could also be affected, but there would only be slight shortages of vegetables because many growers carted their own produce. Stores still had a good supply of frozen items, said Mr Callaghan. The director of the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association, Mr lan Howell, said there had been no big

shortages of raw materials reported but there were problems with outgoing goods, including exports. If the strike continued after Wednesday there could be problems with raw materials, he said. The drivers’ strike will not delay today's opening of a new stopover complex for truck drivers at Harewood. The owner of Scott’s Truck Stop, Ltd, Mr Bill Scott, said last evening that the $1 million complex at the corner of Johns Road and Sawyers Arms Road would still open at 6 a.m. He said the strike would have some effect on business, but it was just “one of those things.” The complex, which will provide accommodation, meals, recreation and truck servicing, was aimed at long-haul drivers, said Mr Scott. Five drivers were booked to stay this evening.