Bridge Opens And Goods Move Again

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31082, 10 June 1966, Page 15

Bridge Opens And Goods Move Again

CBu Our Grocery Reporter) Shipments of goods from the North Island by rail are again coming to Christchurch now that the bridge over the Clarence river has been repaired. Rail services have been restored in time to avert a shortage of cigarettes.

Some distributors were getting a little worried about supplies of cigarettes. Merchants have had difficulty in maintaining stocks of some brands, but the position should soon be remedied. Variable weather is not helping the trade settle down for the winter, particularly with days like Thursday of last week when the temperature rose to a new high level for June in Christchurch.

There are good supplies of winter lines: baked beans, spaghetti, canned and packet soups, and frozen and canned vegetables. Stocks of canned tomatoes are not plentiful because canning conditions were not good when crops ripened.

Salt.—Now the United Kingdom shipping strike is In Its fourth week some grocery items could become scarce in New Zealand before very long. Salt could be scarce as nearly all table salt Is Imported from the United Kingdom, in 51b bags. IHb drums and various other sizes. North American producers have been trying to get a foothold on the New Zealand market but so far have not been very successful. There is the chance of a break-through now with the Westmorland saillne

from Canada on June IS. The shipment will be Sib bags of iodised aalt. Titas should avert a shortage for a Uttle vMia.

Almonds.—ln recent importers have been gatung more nuts from California where the nut-growing induetry has been increasing. Recent figures Issued by the Almond Control Board show that in 1965 the total crop was 79.5 m she Med pounds against 67 4ntab tn IM3. Traditional sources of almonds have been Portugal and Sic Ky. Nut prices are rising and this could mean that with a reduction in licences aM types ot nuts wWI be in short supply this year.

Pot Cleaners.—New prices have been announced for several brands of pot mitts and scourers. The rise is about 2d. Mitts and scourers will now soli for is 2d each.

Salmen.—Recent advice about Japanese salmon hat not been good. The Japanese have none of last year's stock of pink salmon on hand and already European buyers are bidding for the new pack at prices in excess of last year. So far no forecasts have been made about the run of salmon, but as this Is a ‘'wrong cycle 1 ' year there may be leee fish for canning than last year. Canadian prospects are a kittle better. Some forecasts are that pinks should be running quite well. There Is no carry-over in the Canadian Industry, but the Fishermen's Union la under a two-year contract so the strikes of last year are not likely to be repeated.