SUPPLIES OF MATCHES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20184, 29 February 1940, Page 6

SUPPLIES OF MATCHES

NEED FOR RATIONING PANIC BUYING BLAMED Reasons for the rationing of matches have been outlined in a statement made in Wellington by Mr. Walter McLa.y, general manager of the Bryant and May, Bell and Company match factory. “The average annual consumption of matches in New Zealand during the past five years has been 730,000 gross of boxes, whereas during the year ended December 31, 1939. the figure was 744,000 gross of boxes," said Mr. McLay. "That clearly shows that there should be no shortage. “Where the matches have gone to I am unable to say. but probably the position has been accentuated by what may be called panic buying by the public. It is easy to visualise the effect on supplies if, say, half the families in New Zealand, bought only a dozen extra boxes each. This obviously leaves the merchants and retailers no option but to ration supplies. So far as wooden matches are concerned, at present the Wellington factory is not supplying the demand in full, but when the new unit, capable of turning out about 110,000 matches a day is in operation, there should be no difficulty in meeting the demand, provided the public buys reasonable quantities. “So far as wax matches are concerned, to the best of my knowledge I can say that this factory and the factory operated by another company in Dunedin have been able to supply the demand and are capable of facing up to prospective requirements.” Mr. McLay added that at present there appeared to be no question of a shortage of materials for the new wooden match unit. They were now awaiting the arrival of the boxmaking machinery, which had been delayed on account of the war, but which was now on the water.