SUPPLIES FOR SPRING

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 25 June 1943, Page 5

SUPPLIES FOR SPRING

RETAIL ORDERS DELAYED Although they state that there is no seed shortage in New Zealand, nurserymen and seed merchants are meeting great difficulties in preparing adequate supplies in time for spring sowing. Owing to the vegetable requirements of the armed forces and to a greater amount of home growing, the demand for seeds during the next few months is expected to be very heavy (states the “N.Z. Herald.”)

Shortage of skilled labour is the greatest difficulty faced by the industry. This has handicapped the harvesting and cleaning of seeds in New Zealand and is now affecting the packing before distribution to retailers, in spite of the fact that much overtime is being worked. Delays have also occurred in the arrival of seeds from overseas.

So difficult has the positon become that one large wholesale firm of seed merchants, flooded with orders from all over New Zealand, has distributed circulars to about 200 agents, pointing out the troubles being encountered and asking for tolerance if delivery is late. “We especially want you and your customers to realise that there is no shortage,” states the circular. “The actual position is that, with most of the main lines, there is a surplus which we are shipping to England, and other Allied nations. The only possible shortages will be with unimportant varieties which are not essential.”