PRICE OF PTPE TOBACCO.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16822, 12 April 1918, Page 6

PRICE OF PTPE TOBACCO.

AN INCREASE OF TWOPENCE. SHORTAGE OF SUPPLIES. A rise of twopence an ounce in the retail price of all imported tobaccos will be made as from Monday next. Plugs which now cost lOd will be Is and lfoi tins, which have been retailed at Is Id since August last, will be Is 3d. Loose tobacco, which is now sold at 7d an ounco, will be Bd, or Is 3d for 2oz. Nb change will be made in the price cf cigarettes, though tobacco dealers hint that an increase in tho retail price may be necessary before long. Tho cause of tho increase in the price of pipe tobacco is an all-round rise in the price to wholesale merchants of lOd per lb for plugs and Is per lb on tins. The announcement was made two weeks ago that this increase had been made on American brands, but from yostorday British and Australian brands reached tho same figures. Among tho factors which have put up the prices are the scarcity of freight, which in many instance has been responsible for importers' agents having to send consignments from the Atlantic to the Pacific seaboard, the shortage duo to the heavy demands made on the tobacco output of America and England by tho allied Governments for soldiers' needs, and to the reduced crop in such countries as Franco and Italy. A local merchant states that he hau received advice from America that a further rise in price may be expectod, seeing that the tobacco plantations are bound to be depleted of labour as further drafts are called up for the American army. Both wholesale and retail traders declare that the present increase it a matter beyond their control,, and that they have to be thankful to receive whatever supplies that can be landed. According to an English trade journal, said one retailer, a certain grade of American leaf realised 18 cents per lb last year, this price being the highest on record. This year tho price of leaf lias jumped to 32 cents. He also allowed a public notice issued by English tobacco manufacturers, which read:— Tobacco faclorios are hard pressed to produce the heavv demand tor our soldiers and sailors. Vou ran help them by smoking a trifle less. While we are anxious to retain your custom we ask you to bear this in mind."