WIDER VARIETY OF GOODS AVAILABLE FOR CHRISTMAS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 13, Issue 24, 24 November 1948, Page 5

WIDER VARIETY OF GOODS AVAILABLE FOR CHRISTMAS

Attractive But Prices Still High While goods will be more plentiful, with a wider variety available at Whakatane this Christmas than in previous years, prices generally will remain the same, and in some cases will probably rise. This is the impression gained by a Beacon reporter after making inquiries this week. For the Christmas shopper there will be a wide range of goods from which to choose presents, but the prices are steep. Offsetting this however, is the fact that some goods recently unprocurable are now in supply and the quality is fast approaching that of pre-war level. Many business people in the town .are now preparing their Christmas -displays- with the stock they have. New Zealand made goods in some ‘lines have reached a very high .-standard and retailers of toys, books and leather products say they would be hard to beat. The main stock of most goods have been arriving this month, both local and imported, although some -difficulty is expected early in the ;New Year with imported goods owing to the import licences being re--duced. Food Plentiful Food, the most * important item over the holiday period, is plentiful except tinned fruit, and dried fruit, with the exception of sultanas. While the fruit will be . available, one grocer said that unreliable shipping from ‘ Australia, lack of labour for packing in New Zealand and the absence of dollars for American goods was the main cause of the .-shortage. However, there is one bright spot. Prices will be lower. In other food lines there are ample supplies with hams especially, now procurable. Plenty Of Books Turning more to the gifts. There are plenty of books, with a large number published by the New Zealand printing houses. Magazines and books on or about New Zealand are especially popular and they show a high standard of binding and printing. Overseas books are here, chiefly from Australia, which is trying hard to take the place of the American publications. There are still the high class books from the English houses but, like all European ■countries, they are hampered by a severe paper rationing. Prices are still severe. High Class N.Z. Toys For the children —toys. And there is any amount available, all manufactured in this country. The quality is remarkably high and they now approach pre-war standard. The New Zealand manufacturers are now out of the experimental stage, and judging by the samples seen, it would appear that this is one secondary industry, here to stay. But there is one exception—dolls. England still leads the way here. Electrical goods and other practical gift articles are on hand and include many modern improvements. 'There is no lack of radios and vacuum cleaners. Hardware stores have a wider -range in most lines with ample stocks of English crockery, particularly in bone china. There is ■cheaper glassware from Australia and for those who want it, there is still the expensive English crystal. One shop manager said there was little from the New Zealand glass factories as they were too busy making beer bottles. Watches Expensive High class gifts of Ne.w Zealand leather goods are on display, and provide another example of the ■quality work now being done by another local secondary industry. Plastic articles and jewellery are available and have taken a decided turn for the better, but prices are high. Clocks and watches are scarce and are very expensive. Gifts of clothing will present no problem as drapers and men’s outfitters say they have ample supplies in most stocks. Judging by the amount of goods now in the shops there will be no real shortage this year in any lines. With only five weeks to go till Christmas the wise will get in now and secure the best offering and so avoid that last minute rush. But there is one item of which there will be a shortage. There always is and nn one seems to be able to do anvthing about it. Beer will be in short supply as usual over Christmas.