SHORTAGE OF POLLARD

Taranaki Daily News, 5 September 1935, Page 4

SHORTAGE OF POLLARD

AUSTRALIAN SHIPMENT OMANA RELIEVES SHORTAGE. MOST ALREADY DISPOSED OF. PRICES LIKELY TO BE HIGHER. The usual late winter shortage of pollard felt by Taranaki consumers was relieved temporarily yesterday by the arrival at New Plymouth direct from Melbourne of the S 3. Omana with, a large shipment. Most of it was, however, already disposed of. A Daily News representative was told by a merchant that the lack of supplies would again be felt acutely before long. Explaining the position the merchant stated that there was always a shortage of New Zealand pollard at the present time of the year, and that the deficiency had to be made up by purchase from Australia, whose export trade in flour made quantities of pollard available. For various reasons, however, the price was higher and. the New Zealand consumer did not want Australian pollard so long as the New Zealand product was available. The supply was, however, never large enough to satisfy the demand, and Australian supplies had eventually to be drawn upon, “The shortage of pollard is due solely to the reluctance of the local farmer to book his pollard requirements ahead, continued the merchant. “When Australian pollard is available at a cheap price compared with the present rates the shopkeeper will not buy it himself because the farmer will not buy it. Now that they can obtain no more in New Zealand farmers are compelled to order the Australian article, and the price has risen in the meantime. “Practically none of the present shipment is now unsold,” he continued, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain Australian supplies. Sydney firms can no longer fulfil orders, and Melbourne stocks are also limited. Austnalian sellers know there is no pollard in New Zealand and the price is going to be higher.” Discussion concerning the price and quality of pollard had taken place at farmers’ meetings, he had noticed. The standard of quality was definitely fixed and imports had to pass the Customs authorities, and the increased price, maintained the merchant, was all due to failure by the consumers to look ahead and book supplies early at a comparatively cheap price against the inevitable shortage.