CYCLE SHORTAGE IN CITY

Southland Times, Issue 23791, 13 April 1939, Page 6

CYCLE SHORTAGE IN CITY

POSITION ACUTE IN CHRISTCHURCH HEAVY CUT IN IMPORTS BY « GOVERNMENT (United Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, April 12. Christchurch, which is famed throughout the world as the city on wheels, is short of bicycles and within a few months it may be impossible to buy a new bicycle of a reputable make in the city, so acute is the shortage. There is hardly a bicycle left in the warehouses and by the end of the month stocks will be exhausted. There are not more than 100 bicycles of reliable and popular makes in the combined stocks of the retail cycle shops. Within three months the supplies of sports models will be exhausted and in six months there will be no roadster models left.

This acute shortage is the result of the Government’s heavy cut in cycle imports. When the Customs authorities imposed a quota in January equal to 55 per cent, of the cycle imports jn the first half of 1938 the basis chosen was one that was abnormal, because purchases early in 1938 had been heavily reduced following a large stocking up in the previous year. In its effect the quota has thus reduced supplies to about a third of current requirements and unless imports can be increased the stocks in Christchurch will soon be exhausted.

One importer said today that the alternative suggested by the Government was to manufacture bicycles in New Zealand. This was not an economic proposition. The present serious position had been put before the Government and was at present under consideration. Whatever was done, however, there would be a period of six months during which stocks would be exhausted with no imports coming in. TWO MONTHS’ STOCKS IN AUCKLAND QUESTION TAKEN UP WITH GOVERNMENT (Special to The Times) AUCKLAND, April 12. Stocks of bicycles in Auckland are sufficient to last only about two months, according to inquiries made among a number of leading wholesale firms. The shortage was stated to be causing concern, as even if further imports were permitted in the near future, it would be some months before stocks could be replenished. “The Government has been trying to force us to build bicycles in New Zealand, but it would not be an economic proposition,” stated a member of one firm. “If we imported machines unassembled, the sterling exchange saved would amount to only about 4/9 a bicycle. If we assembled them here the selling price would have to be increased by about £1 a bicycle.” The whole question had been taken up with the Government by the Wholesale Cycle Federation of New Zealand, continued the dealer. He criticized the Government for the delay in giving a decision.

“There is definitely a shortage, and it is going to get worse,” said a member of the staff of another firm. “We cannot tell you what is going io happen because we do not know ourselves yet.” A bicycle, he added, was a working man’s chief means of conveyance, and it was the working class that was going to be affected most by the shortage.