MATCHES STILL HARD TO GET AT WHAKATANE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 13, Issue 87, 16 May 1949, Page 5

MATCHES STILL HARD TO GET AT WHAKATANE

In short supply for the last three months, matches, do not show any sign of becoming more plentiful at Whakatane, although hopes are held out by some merchants for an increased ration at the end of next month or oarly July. Since matches began to disappear from the shelves retailers and the public have had only a hand to mouth existence. In most cases they have been severely rationed.

A round up of the different retailers at Whakatane revealed that in the cases of matches anyway, it was almost like old times when, during the war, everything that everybody wanted was kept a.ider the counter for the best customers. There were matches about. One barber visited said he had been scraping along for the last three months and received a few small packets from time to time. He gave as the reason for the dearth of matches the shortage of labour in the factories in Wellington and Dunedin, which were unable to satisfy the demand. Men could not be obtained and girls were leaving tc get married. It had become so'bad that a Wanganui factory had had to close, although plans, were, being made to have it reopened. Imported supplies were not expected till date June or early July, so there was not much hope of any relief before then. Moving on to a grocer, the reply was the same. This retailer had not received any boxes for the last three months and the only matches he had received were a very poor folder type. These were not liked by the public as they were extremely dangerous, the heads often flying off when struck. The only bright hope this man could hold out was that supplies were expected next week.

Another grocer claimed that he had been entirely out of matches for three weeks. Although he expected some supplies next week he would not commit himself and added the safe rider, “perhaps,” in a none too-optimistic tone.

Other inquiries revealed similar feelings. Supplies were expected, but when nobody appeared to be certain. However, users of matches can console themselves with the fact that prices have not-risen...