SHORT SUPPLIES

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25051, 15 November 1944, Page 4

SHORT SUPPLIES

CIGARETTES IN SHOPS

POSITION IN AUCKLAND • Smokers of cigarettes and cigarette tobacco are finding it very difficult, if not impossible, to obtain supplies of the more popular brands. A number of Auckland tobacconists reported yesterday that the shortage was worse than it had been for many months. Inquiries at many city shops met with the reply that the only cigarettes available were those which were usually very slow of sale. This was also the case in most shops where cigarette tobacco was sought. In spite of a diligent search, one smoker found it impossible to buy any other cigarettes than certain of the less popular varieties. While retailers state that their supplies have suffered a. fairly drastic cut since the beginning of October, some affirming that it has amounted to '25 per cent of the usual quota, wholesale distributors who were approached did not agree that this was so. One said there had been a cut of 10 per cent, and another said there had been no reduction from the usual quotas. All had to admit, however, that there was a shortage in the retail snops, and they gave various reasons for it. American Supplies Cease It was generally considered that probably the greatest contributing factor was" the increased demand since the departure from Auckland of the large numbers of Americans, with their very great supplies of cigarettes. Many Auckland smokers, for a long time, smoked nothing else but American cigarettes and are now back on the local market. Deliveries to retailers are made twice monthly, on the Ist and 16th. The result of the increased demand, naturally, becomes most noticeable toward the end of each period. Mid-month deliveries to some country stores will be made today and to city stores tomorrow, so that an easing of the position is likelv in a day or two, unless retailers set aside a substantial proportion to meet Hie Christmas rush. Most tobacconists today sell goods of the gift variety, and none will wish to be out of cigarettes and tobacco (luring the Christmas shopping period. It is considered by many smokers that reservation of stocks in order that retailers will be able to attract people into their shops to buy Christmas gifts is contributing to the present shortage. Needs of Troops The .shipment of extra quantities of cigarettes and tobacco to troops and prisoners of war overseas and the return to the Dominion of the Third Division from the Pacific have also been given as reasons for the nosition. Many of these troops smoked American cigarettes while they were in the Islands. No doubt the cumulative effect of all these factors has been fairly considerable, and it is possible that, unless manufacturers are able to increase their output, which they say they cannot do unless they can obtain the necessary female labour at the factories, Auckland smokers will have to resign themselves to the need to economise in their smoking.

RESCUE FROM SURF AIRCRAFTMAN'S ACTION USE OF FISHING LINE (0.C.) WHANG AREI, Tuesday Swimming at the Ninety Mile Beach, Mr N. Curran, a Post and Telegraph employee, was carried beyond the breakers, and it was half an hour before he was rescued by Leading-Aircraft-man H. D. Williams, a member of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, with the aid of a heavy fishing line. After being carried outside the breakers, Mr Curran was seen by other swimmers to be in difficulties and, with no life-saving line on tho beach, nothing could be done until a heavy fishing line was secured. With this fastened to his body, Leading-Aircraftman Williams went to the rescue and brought in Mr Curran, who is a strong swimmer and had been able to keep atloat. BLANKETS FOR SALE SELECTED DISTRICTS RELEASE BY GOVERNMENT To relieve the shortage of blankets, especially in districts where there is a largo Maori population, the Government has released approximately 2000 blankets for sale in selected districts. Later releases will be made when Air Force blankets become available for disposal. This information has been given by the Minister of Native Affairs, Mr Mason, and is in response to representations made to him during his visit to Northland, where the acute shortage of blankets caused distress last winter among the Maori population. APPEALS FOR BUILDERS CHANGED CIRCUMSTANCES "Owing to the change in circumstances, and on receipt of advice from the Commissioner of Works, it was considered to be no longer in the public interest officially to support appeals against military service, particularly for grade 1 men, of whom about 400 married men have been retained for essential work in the industry," said tho report which was presented to the annual meeting of tho Auckland Master Builders' Association this week. "This decision also affects men in the lesser categories, all of whom are subject to military service and might be called for examination by the appeal board at any time." The report stated that in the future all appeals would be the responsibility of the employer or the individual concerned. Except in a few cases where it was apparent that tho appellant was in such a key position that he could not be replaced, the secretary would not be able to support the appeal from a public interest point of view.