RATIONING OF TEA

Chronicle (Levin), 12 November 1946, Page 5

RATIONING OF TEA

— . Press Association

By Telegraph-

\\ LL 1 J 1 2s ti T\ > A , XOV. 11. " xYt tlie present nioinent tliere is 110 likeliliood of the rationing of tea being lifted iu New Zealand in tlie immediate future," said tlie Food and Rationing Controller (Mr. A. J. Costelloe; today. Tlie cabled aiiiioiinceinent last week that wlien the present tea contract with Britain ends 011 December 01 Ueylon will not sell tea in bulk and the Uolombo tea auction will be resumed^ plus the opinion expressed by tlie 1 Leiuler of tlie Opposition (_.Mr. Hollaiul) at Ashburton that tea rationing Tniglit eiid in a few months, have aroused a good deal of interest. Mr. Uostelloe explained tliat Britain had acted as tlie buyer of tea for tlie Enipire, and had allocated supplies to New Zealand and tlie other Dominions. It was not known at present wliat was goiug to happen under the opou market system of selling. Tlie matter was the subject of negotiation between the N e w Zealand Government and tlie British Ministry of Food. Adviee from Britain was being awaited and as soon as it canie to liand a Ministerial statement would be niade. As lo the question of its being possible to lift tea rationing, Mr. Costelloe said that at the present time tliere was a world shortage of tea. I11 view ot that lie did not tliink it gpuld be said that it was probable tliat rationing would disappear in a few 111011 ths. No deliuite statement eould be niade, liowever, until the result of the negotia tioiis now taking place was known.