SUPPLIES OF TEA

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 43, 14 November 1939, Page 8

SUPPLIES OF TEA

Minister Denies Reports Of Shortage

STOCKS SAID TO BE ADEQUATE

A denial of statements that a shortage of tea iu New Zealand had been caused by the depletion of sterling funds was given in Christchurch by the Minister of Supply, Mr. Sullivan, lie said there was no real shortage of that commodity, and that the public should purchase tea in normal amounts. “While I will have something more to say in the very near future about supplies of tea in New Zealand, I want to give a very emphatic denial to the story that a shortage of tea in New Zealand—and there is'actually no real shortage—is due entirely to the depletion of sterling funds,” said the .Minister. “In the first place, stocks of tea when war was declared were about the average level of the stocks usually carried by the wholesale warehouses. The customary level at which stocks are maintained is from 2,500,0001 b. to 3.000,0001 b., and on .September S we had in the warehouses 2,485.7041 b. Run on Stocks. “With the declaration of war there arose a panic demand that caused a run on the stocks held by retailers, and many persons tried to hoard large supplies, fearing that continuity of supply might be broken. This in itself was an unwise step, because it immediately created a feeling of uncertainty that caused storekeepers to tighten up on sales. They are to be commended for the action they took, because if people had been content to purchase normal supplies there would never have arisen the uncertainty that was sown in the public mind.

“Because of this panic buying stocks fell to 1,434, 9291 b. by October 26. Another factor making for depletion of stocks was the commandeer by the United Kingdom Government of SO per cent, of the tea harvest of India and Ceylon. The Government of Ceylon faithfully tried to meet the British demand, but finally it was compelled to ask the United Kingdom Government to relax the commandeer to permit Ceylon to retain its; world markets. In the last few days the tea sales at Colombo have been resumed. “The allegation that no licences to import tea were available is not borne out by the facts. At the moment—and I may say the Government has always looked upon tea as being in the category of essential supplies—there are unexpired licences issued for £55,449, and this represents approximately 500,0001 b. of tea. Added to this there are orders to the extent of £35,271 not yet placed, and this represents a further 332,0001 b. approximately. Normal Purchases Urged. “If people would be content to purchase tea —and this is equally true of other commodities—in normal amounts the position would remain static. The supplies of tea in the hands of the wholesalers, without taking into consideration the quantities held by retailers and the consumers, are quite sufficient for present requirements, and there is nothing to indicate that continuity of supply will not be maintained.

“The statement recently issued by the Bureau of Importers that, the depletion of sterling funds had been the cause of a shortage in tea supplies is incorrect. The figures I have given show that funds have been made available for the replenishing of stocks. That being so, I think the public may be assured that the Government will see to it that normal requirements are met; no Government would or should pander to the desire to hoard, and those who would like to do that would be rendering a disservice to the nation if the facilities existed whereby they could give full vent, to their desire.”

TEA FOR TROOPS

Quality Tested By Expert

A reply to criticisms of the quality of the tea supplied to the troops at Ngimtawabia Camp was made in Christchurch by'the Minister of Supply, Mr. Sullivan. “Recently allegations were made that the tea supplied was unsuitable in quality, because, it was alleged, the Government had purchased unblended tea,” he said. “The message gave the impression that those responsible for the commissariat of the army had indulged in a little economy at the expense of the troops. Such statements can, and do, arouse feelings of dissatisfaction, and despite the authority quoted as supporting the contentions made, the story is not true in either substance or fact.

"The firms responsible for supplying tlie tea have quoted for Defence Department supplies for years, and they were quite cognisant of the requirements. The difliculty of procuring a suflieientlv large supply of tetr at comparatively short notice was realized, but after considerable negotiations, 00001 b. of tea were secured, and later a further 10,4651 b. were added. The bulk of these supplies comprise broken orange Pekoe and broken Pekoe teas, and a modicum of straight garden teas. “The garden tea has been tested by both the supplier and (lie purchaser, and by tin expert from Ceylou. The first two have reported that the tea is eminently suited for the purpose required; and the expert from Ceylon gave it as his opinion that it was superior iu quality to tlie,teas supplied to the, troops anywhere else iu the world. , “It has been suggested by an officer of the Defence Department experienced in dealing with supplies that the water at Ngaruttwaliia Camp, though perfectly pure and good, may contain properties which affect the flavour of a brew of ten, as it is a recognized fact that water in different, localities and possessing different properties, produces brews of teas varying in flavour. This explanation was supported by the expert from Ceylon. It might bo added that those entrusted with tlie purchase of supplies for the men of the Defence Forces have always stipulated (hat the quality of supplies must be maintained at a high standard.”