THE TOBACCO POSITION

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 42, 17 August 1918, Page 7

THE TOBACCO POSITION

Reports of shortage of the more popular of the brands of tobacco and cigarettes have been current in both Auckland and Wellington for some days past. The Post has ascertained that there are no real grounds for this apprehepsion. As a matter of fact, large shipments from the United Kingdom and United States, also from Australia, have been landed in New Zealand and been distributed during the past three or four weeks; and two large shipments are now due, one from London and the other from America, while two steamers will leave Australia shortly bringing further large supplies. In fact, the total quantities above referred to are authoritatively stated to be in excess of what would have been landed in thff same period of time before the war.

Constant fears of shortage on the part of retailers sometimes lead them to ask for larger quantities of various lines than are necessary to fully meet their ordinary requirements. To make the distribution as even as possible merchants have found it necessary to limit deliveries to individual customers. But The Post is assured that supplies on the spot and in sight are such that smokers are not justified in entertaining any anxiety as to a great shortage of their own particular brands.