WAR MATCHES

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 113, 5 February 1918, Page 5

WAR MATCHES

BIG SLUMP IS SUPPLY THE SITUATION IN ENGLAND In normal times, there were probably 1872 million boxes of matches sold in this country. To-day (states an articlo in tho "Westminster Gazette") not quite one-naif of this total is on the market. According to tho information supplied, the present state of things is due primarily to two conditions. Thero is first the absenco of supplies from abroad, and, secondly, the difficulties of labour ajid raw material. Tho foreign manufacturer usually possessed every advantage. Raw materials were obtained at his doors, and he obtained cheap labour and water-power. English manufacturers secured a large proportion of their wood from Russia, and as the war advanced the difficulties of possessing the raw material and tho heavy charge for freights affected tho British output. In addition, a large number of girls in ( match manufactories transferred themselves to the more profitable munition making. Match making is not a lucrative business in this country unless the most efficient machinery is utilised. The output must be large, and most skilful methods adopted in regard to administration and distribution. The number of British manufacturers is comparatively small, and iii many cases tho match-making industry has not proved lucrativu. For a month the match-making business has been controlled by the Government. From October 16 all dealers and others who regularly ordered supplies of matches direct from the manufacturers, or from the agents, or direct importers of matches, have been directed to send their orders by post addressed to •the Secretary, Match. Control Office. Palmerston flouso, Old Broad Street, 8.C., or they could hand the order to a duly authorised representative of tho Match Control Office. Every order had to include a statement of the total quantity of each size of matches held in stock by the dealer at tho time of giving such order. Orders sent in according to this notification hy tha Control Office were accepted on the condition that it was impossible to guarantee delivery of any particular brand or manufacture. Orders are noiv placed hy the Control Office for execution to the nearest available manufacturer in order to save railway and other transport. Maximum retail prices were' fixed, such, for instance, as "Strike Anywhere Matches," in boxes containing approximately nfty matches per box: For quantities under one gross of boxes, 7sd. per dozen, 2d. for three boxes, Jd. for one box. Safety matches, fifty matches per box, BJd. per dozen, ljd. for two boxes, and »}d.' for ono box. Retailers must exhibit a notice stating the maximum prices of the various brands on sale, and must not exceed those prices mentioned in the schedule. There is no possibility of profiteering as the result of these maximum prices. The whole position has been most carefully analysed, and it is believed that the schedule provides for a reasonable profit and no more. Thero is not a serious shortage of matches so far as tho facts show, but the situation demands every possible economy on* behalf of the general public m view of the conditions here stated, and also, in addition, to the demands of the troops 3 to whom the War Office regularly supplies matches, and to tho iiecds of munl- - and other controlled factories. A campaign of match ononomy is necessary, therefore, if tho present availablo supply is to go round. One of the largest match manufacturers now adopts in his private residence the use of tho old-fashioned spill, and the public is beinc urged to use similar methods. Club's and large institutions, where formerly a considerable wastago ot matches took place, are also requested to avoid the indiscriminate free use ot matches in members' or other rooms, and to rely oni the spill. Ono other point may be mentioned. Under present conditions it is impossible for dealers to guarantee special brands ot matches to their customers, and the general public must therefore be content with tho safety, wax vesta, or "strike anywhere" match, according to the dealers' supplies. They have, in fact, to take what supplies are allotted to them by the Control Office.