REDUCED IMPORTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 61, 14 March 1939, Page 10

REDUCED IMPORTS

PROVISION LINES

SHORTAGE INEVITABLE

THE SECOND PERIOD

The first effects of the import restrictions are being experienced byi provision merchants in Wellington, I according to the manager of one of the J distributing agencies. In general, there was no shortage at present of com- j modities most in demand, he said today, but one could only conjecture as to what would be the position during the second licensing period. Increased prices imposed by growers and packers of imported commodities had complicated the position brought about by the import restrictions, said the distributor. In the case of Australian rice, for example, the price had increased by £3 a ton, and where merchants had put in orders based on a carry-over from last year the problem of supplies was made more difficult. So far as his own company was concerned supplies -would be available for some time to come. Imports of salmon had been cut down by 50 per cent, but most of the orders had been placed prior to the introduction of the licensing regulations on December 5, and any shortage would not be felt until the second licensing period was reached. It seemed that the authorities did not realise the great demand that existed for salmon. His own company sold about 2000 cases of Canadian salmon in a season. Sardines also were subject to substantial reduction, but his company had sufficient supplies Zor another six months. Imported asparagr- tips had been cut out altogether, said the distributor, and the price of tinned fruit salad had been increased. The Government did not intend to allow importations of strawberry or black currant pulp, which was evidently regarded as a luxury, and jam made from it would ultimately be in short supply, since the local production was apparently insufficient to meet the demand. Raspberry pulp, however, was allowed into the country, and it was somewhat curious that it should be regarded as being in a different category from the other pulp mentioned. Tinned fruit was also likely to be in short supply as a resutl of the poor season experienced in New Zealand. An order for 150 cases of tinned greengages had had to be reduced to 50 cases, and a similar order for tinned raspberries had been cut down to 20 cases. Only about 50 per cent, of the orders for New Zealand tinned tomatoes would be confirmed. There would be a tremendous shortage of dried fruits later on. Imports of apricots and peaches had been reduced by one-third, despite the increased demand for all types of dried fruits, and New Zealand produced only dried apples, which were not as popu- ! lar as the other types of dried fruits.

HEAVY DEPLETION

POSITION IN CHRISTCHURCH

(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 practically finished, and tinned asparagus, imported coffee essence, and tinned good§, 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, reduction, will be felt then. The same position applies to imported salmon. British Columbia supplies have been cut down by half, but the.carry-over.is sufficient to meet the demand till the latter part of this year.