CHRISTMAS CHEER

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22199, 9 December 1946, Page 6

CHRISTMAS CHEER

SHORT THIS YEAR MANY LINES SCARCE FOOD SUPPLIES LIMITED Food supplies this Christmas will not be much greater than last year, and Gisborne faces an austerity festive season. Many foodstuffs will be even scarcer than during the war, clue largely to shipping difficulties and partly to labour problems and loss of production during the past year. Grocers have little to oiler in the usual Christmas fare and many lines which were once looked upon an essentials for Christmas will have to be done without this year. Here is what a survey shows: DRIED FRUITS: Arc unprocurable and there is no likelihood of any arriving at Gisborne before the holidays. The shipping troubles in Australia have held these up for some months, the last consignment having arrived last August. Dried apricots. Reaches and prunes will not bo on sale, and neither will dates, currants, sultanas, figs, muscatels, nor preserved ginger. Coconut is in very short supply. Cr.vstalised chopped fruit will not be available, but small nackages of mixed fruit for cakes have been on sale recently. Allocation of Fruit Doubtful TINNED GOODS: Tinned sheep's tongues are completely off the market, while tinned jam is also another scarce commodity. Last year New Zealanders received one tin of fruit each on production of coupon ration books. This year it appears doubtful if there will be any soecinl allocation of canned fruit for Christmas. SMALL GOODS: Small quantities of jellies and fancy biscuits will be on sale, and general groceries should be in about the same supply as at present. Almonds. Brazil and hazel nuts are unobtainable. FRESH FRUIT: Poor weather has prevented much fruit from ripening in time for Christmas, and there are no indications of any large shipments from overseas. Apricots and peaches are selling in the shops in small quantities at present at 2/6 a lb. Vegetables also have been affected slightly by the weather, but there should be no shortage of them during the holiday period. Christmas Turkey Disappears POULTRY: Fowls and ducks will be available in the usual quantities, but these are not expected to keep up with the demand as the holidays grow closer. With birds from 7/6 to 11/6. a large sale is still expected. The Christmas turkey is practically a thing of the past in the shops, and one Gisborne firm which usually has a large number, put in cold storage about July, this year has .pone. HAMS: Also a practically vanished Christmas delicacy. The only ham available during Christmas will be sliced ham bought by the pound in the shops. LIQUOR: There is an increased demand for beer this year and a slightly increased supply, Gisborne will be as well off as anywhere and with a small amount of rationing imposed it is expected that local stocks of beer will last over the holiday season. All spirits will be very scarce, and so will wine. Tobacco in the New Year CIGARETTES: A scarcity of cigarettes is also forecast and the position is already becoming much worse than it was a month or two ago. A shipment of Canadian cigarettes was to arrive in New Zealand before Christmas, but the boat has been diverted and is not likely to arrive before the New Year. A shipment of English brands is also expected, but it will not arrive before the warehouses close for the holidays. NOVELTIES: Many of the Christmas novelties which Gisborne people have been looking forward to seeing in the shops will be unobtainable this year. No bon-bons or crackers will be on sale and decorations will be scarce. Confectionary will be limited, but there should be a slight increase in the quantity on sale as a small allocation of glucose has been made available. Christmas presents in general in the shops are mainly only the goods that have been on sale all the year. Some have been wrapped in cellophane or tinsel to give them a Christmas appearance, but there is little new in the range of goods for presents.