PANIC BUYING

Marlborough Express, Volume LXXVI, Issue 248, 21 October 1942, Page 4

PANIC BUYING

AUCKLAND AND BLENHEIM. "F" DOESN'T STAND FOR FLOUR. There has been some panic-buying of boots and shoes in Auckland and Wellington as the result of senseless rumours that the- unused balance of the "M" coupons were to be cancelled and that the footwear issue would be limited to two pairs per person per year. The truth js that "M" coupons remain current till May next and that the Rationing Controller has never mentioned any restrictions on the number of boots 01* shoes that may be purchased. The runiour was in circulation in Blenheim, but inquiries made this morning indicate that there has been no panic-buying. With rational buymg there are enough footwear stocks to meet all normal requirements. This is especially the case 111 xespect of women 's shoes, for the machinery used for their manufacture is useless for making men's footwear. While the public has remained cairn about footwear, there was a mild panic about flour on Friday and Saturday last week, based on the fact that there was a page of "F" coupons in the new book. Apparently, in the north they took this "F" as standing for footwear. In Blenheim, where they grow and mill it, "F stood for flour. Local grocers had exceptional orders for the raw material of the staff of life. In a number of cases customers insisted on paying for it in advance, even though delivery could not be given for some days. Like the boot rumour, there is no shadow of basis for the flour rumour. "F" doesn't stand for flour. It may mean fruit, or even fish, 01* quit'e possibly— like the "M" coupons— something that begins with a quite different letter, such as suitcases, peppermints, or sodium bi-earbonate.