MATCHLESS!

Evening Star, Issue 23565, 2 May 1940, Page 8

MATCHLESS!

INDUSTRY STRUGGLING FOR LIGHT HAS LEEWAY TO CATCH UP Strike a light! That is easier said than done in these days of scarce supplies. And the man who is forever cadging a match is not the most popular of individuals about town. While the position is far from serious, it is something new for people of the Dominion to find themselves restricted in matches. Such a cheap everyday commodity never occasioned more than a passing thought, but now if mother wastes more than half a dozen lighting the gas, or father “smokes matches” instead of his pipe, there is an inclination to remind one another of their shortcomings. . Go into your favourite store and you’ll find you are receiving a concession to get more than a couple of boxes. To ask for a packet and expect to receive it, especially of the wooden variety, is the height of optimism. Two boxes at a time is the general rule. However, if southerners have had to curtail their “ striking ’’ proclivities, according to recent visitors to the north the position there is infinitely worse. Matches, in Wellington recently were as scarce as hens teeth 1 In the past matches have come from Sweden and Finland, then England and Japan, but now imports from all these countries have ceased. Those from the latter source were no particular loss, for thev were not good on “ going off. Yes, "we’re learning more and more to rely upon our own' resources and ability, but in so far as matches are concerned the great bulk of the material used in their manufacture conies from overseas, and when through war and other causes this material is slow in arriving, one can’t blame the manufacturer. He is moving heaven and earth to fulfil the orders, that keep pouring in, but as yet he can’t quite make the grade. Given the time, however, he will produce the goods. Additional machinery has been installed in Wellington to manufacture wooden matches, but alack and alas, the hold-up is the sticks. These have to come from overseas. Why not use local-grown timber? some may ask. Within a country such as New Zealand one would imagine there would be “ wood to burn/’ but the wood that burns in matches just doesn’t grow m the Dominion. Careful experiments have been made with innumerable varieties. It is all unsuitable for various causes, the principal being that it is too knotty. For matches the timber used must be particularly even grained and absolutely free from knots. The principal timber used is some species of fir, but it is not found here. Hence the necessity to import requirements. And when those requirements are slow in coming to hand, willy-nilly, we have to go short in the interim. Manufacturers of wax matches, as with our own local company, have increased their outputs enormously and are doing their utmost to meet the situation, but here again there is the same story. Lack of raw material. Cotton has to be imported and also the biggest proportion of the was With which it is treated, to say nothing of numerous chemicals, etc., used in- putting on the heads. All things considered, even though we do have to curb our prodigality m striking lights, no great harm will be done, for it is a pretty fair guess to say that in the average home, for every match that has found a legitimate use three have been wasted. A good habit in time of plenty. However, manufacturers need not worry. It is a vice which will soon again manifest itself when stocks are plentiful. If our troubles never get any bigger than matches wo won’t have anything to grumble about. Trouble might start, however, if Mum or Dad has to get down to flint and stone to ignite tlie gas, or whatever it might be, to make the morning brew!