A DAILY SEARCH

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20625, 5 August 1941, Page 7

A DAILY SEARCH

STOCKINGS AND WOOL ‘BUSH TELEGRAPH’ SYSTEM The daily search by the women of Auckland for silk hosiery and wool has become a relentless and absorbing pursuit demanding perseverence, local krfowledge and more than a measure of good luck,” says the Auckland Herald. The shortage is a major problem, and the distribution of pathetically small supplies looms largely in the work of harassed traders. At 5 p.m. on Thursday—an hour when normal shopping is quietly ending—one Queen street firm put a supply of hosiery on the counter of its department in the basement. Although no warning had been given of the arrival of the , supply, the store was immediately besieged with buyers. More than 150 women filled one side of the shop, and in 15 minutes all the stock of silk hosiery had been exhausted. Before the store was closed practically no stockings of any description remained. News Spread Rapidly Brought close together by a common need, the women of Auckland have developed a “bush telegraph” system, the efficiency and extent of which has amazed traders. Many consider that almost a sixth sense has been developed. Whatever the reason, reports of the arrival of supplies circulate widely and rapidly, and few shops in Auckland retain any of the precious goods more than a few hours. Many of the reports, however, prove to be false. Several hundred purchasers on Friday followed a blind trail to one Queen street store, and much persuasion was required before they understood that no stocks were held. One school of thought among wouldbe purchasers holds firmly to the belief that in shop basements are ample supplies of hosiery or wool, and that by winning a battle of wits they may gain their end. Managers and assistants are stopped in trams, trains, on the street and in the shops in many cases by strangers who seek the elusive goods. Matter of Luck Other customers prefer to attempt to wear down an assistant at the counter into producing the articles from some secret cache. The approaches in this ease sometimes stretch the bounds of strict courtesy. The answer to this school is that no firms hold any stocks in reserve, as far as could be ascertained. As soon as convenient after their arrival, they are placed on the counters, and luck or pre-vision thereafter is the customer’s guide. Some of the large firms at one time tried reserving supplies for customers of many years’ standing, but the scheme resulted in so much trouble and dissatisfaction that it was cancelled.