Commodity Prices Rise in Feilding

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 279, 25 November 1939, Page 3

Commodity Prices Rise in Feilding

RATIONING OF SUGAR CONTINUES Storekeepers of Feilding are experiencing no little trouble in endeavouring to satisfy the purchases of commodities on the subject of rising prices and the rationing of sugar. Ministerial statements regarding rising prices and rationing of certain commodities have led to a certain amount of confusion in the public mind. The belief is commonly held that there is no occasion for rationing nor for increased prices and shopkeepers are forced to produce the convincing evidence of their invoices to satisfy the dubious ones. The experience of retail grocers has been that orders on wholesale houses are not being met. In many instances items on the order sheet are entirely struck out as the wholesalers report that they are not in a position to supply. Sugar, as far as the wholesaler is concerned, is definitely being rationed and orders by retailers are not being fulfilled to the extent demanded. An order, for instance, of two tons ot sugar is met with a supply of half a cwt. Such a position naturally creates inconvenience to the retailer who is unable to meet the demands of his customers and is forced to ration his supplies out in order that customers will not go without.

The same position pertains to tea, orders for which are only being partially filled and at increased prices. As a matter of fact most brands of tea have advanced in price in the retail stores approximately 7d per lb. Some popular brands are not obtainable, while the apparent shortage bas been responsible for some new brands being introduced iuto the Feilding district.

While sugar and tea are two of the outstanding commodities which appear to have been subjected to rationing, other household lines have advanced in price. Recently a customer found that a 21b. tin of jam which he formerly purchased for Is lOd was now 2s 3d. He could not see why the price had been advanced. The shopkeeper explained that workers in jam factories had enjoyed an increase in wages and this naturally affected the cost of production and so prices had to go up. To-day the grocer is obliged to be something of an economist in dealing with a situation which has no precedent in New Zealand. “We never had anything like this in the last war,” stated one business man when discussing the rationing question and the difficulty of getting supplies. “Mind you there were

one or two items which were difficult to get but generally everything else desired was available without the slightest trouble. We obtained all the sugar we w'anted but imported chocolates were practically cut out. There was plenty of tea and in fact plenty of everything but to-day we cannot get adequate supplies. We are told by the Government one thing, that there is no shortage, but on the other hand we have our unfulfilled orders. I cannot see any reason why wholesalers should withhold meeting our orders and can only assume that they have not got the goods. If they have not got them then we cannot supply.” “Our order for a particular brand of tea was met with just a few pounds,” stated another grocer. Customers had to be told tliat the tea was not available and as far as the storekeeper was concerned that was tho truth.

Rationing of stationery has also commenced in Feilding, according to stationers, who have been advised that owing to a shortage of stocks all future orders will have to be vouched for to prevent hoarding. Stationers are now required when ordering supplies of writing paper and envelopes to give details as to previous orders and quantities and a whole lot of other information concerning requirements.