TOBACCO SHORTAGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17361, 7 January 1920, Page 8

TOBACCO SHORTAGE.

WORLD-WIDE DEMAND,

STOCKS MUCH DEPLETE!!).

POSITION IN AUCKLAND.

* The Christmas trade in tobqcco has been exceptionally heavy, and tobacconists are left with greatly depleted stocks. Unfortunately they unable to replenish these, as the wholesalers are even in a worse position, and are prhctically out of all the leading lines. j In pipe tobacco the main supplies come

■ from Australia, and shipping from Mels bourne has been so irregular lately that' * arrivals have been quite inadequate to j ! meet the requirements of the public. The j . | chief cigarette tobaccos come from England, and they are also in short supply, j ' i while several of the leading brands of j ' I cigarettes are unobtainable wholesale. I The general position is due to a world 11 shortage. Stocks is Australia are low, I! while a short crop in America has left all | ! . -the great consuming countries with re- j . duced supplies. During the war, r.nd j specially since the return of the troops, j ■ every country seems to have developed an 1 increased demand for tobacco, and there is ; some curiosity as to why it is so pro- 1 nounced. I In England the consumption has in-1 creased so much as to attract - universi 11 | attention. It is suggested there that much I of the increased consumption is due to the weaker sex having developed a taste for I smoking during the war, partly owing to their munition work and their general entry into avocations formerly monopo- | lisea by men.