DWINDLING STOCKS

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 144, 14 March 1939, Page 10

DWINDLING STOCKS

Grocers Feeling’ Effects Of Import Cuts RICE SUPPLIES FALL By Telegraph—Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, March 13. Provision merchants and grocers in Christchurch are already feeling the first effects of the import restrictions, stocks of several lines being heavily depleted. The worst effects will not be felt for another two or three months. Australian lines are affected mostly in the shortages now’ developing. Chief of these is rice, supplies of which are drawn from Australia and the East. This time last year rice stocks were heavy and small orders were placed. Consequently, in putting in current orders the quotas have been substantially below normal requirements. Australian cereals, too, are becoming short. Loaf sugar, which is not made in New’ Zealand is piacticallj finished and tinned asparagus, imported coffee essence, and tinned goods, such as baked beans, spaghetti, and soups, white vinegar and other commodities are also nearing the end. There is still a good supply of tinned fruits, for there was a fair carryover from last season. The peak demand will not be reached till next summer and the shortage, with a 66 2-3 per cent, reduetion, will'be felt then. The same position applies to imported salmon. British Colombia supplies have been cut down by half, but the carry-over is sufficient to meet the demand till the latter part of this year.

PRICES OF IMPORTED GROCERIES

A tendency for the prices of groceries imported from overseas to show an increase was mentioned yesterday by a Wellington retailer, who said increases in tlie prices of certain lines, such as sardines and pastes, had already occurred. “The main cause for these increases,” he said, "is tlie control of imports and the cutting dow'n of suuplies from overseas. The position will be felt much more keenly later on when the new’ regulations really begin to take effect. At present supplies are still coming forward which were ordered before the regulations came into force.”