FOOD STOCKS DWINDLING

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19886, 13 March 1939, Page 6

FOOD STOCKS DWINDLING

*> AUSTRALIAN PRODUCTS IMPORT ACT EFFECTS (Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH. this day. Provision merchants and grocers in Chrislchurch are already feeling the first effects of the import restrictions, stocks of several lines having dwindled away almost to vanishing point. The worst effects will 'not be feli for another two or three months. 1 Australian lines are mostly affected in the shortages now developing. The chief of these is rice, supplies of which are drawn from Australia and the East. This time last year rice stocks were heavy and small orders were placed. Consequently, in putting in current orders quotas have beeu substantially below normal requirements. Australian cereals, too, are becoming short. Loaf sugar, which i£ not made in New Zealand, is practically finished. Tinned asparagus, imported coffee essence and tinned goods such as baked beans, spaghetti and soups; white vinegar aud other commodities, are also nearing the end. There f s still a .good supply of tinned fruits for there was a fair carry-over from last season. The peak demand will not be reached until next summer, and the shortage, with a 66 2-3 per cent reduction, will beifelt then. The same position applies to supplies of imported salmcu. British Colombia supplies have been cut down by half, but the carry-over is sufficient to meet the demand till the latter part of this year.