HOUSEHOLD ARTICLES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1864, 15 August 1918, Page 3

HOUSEHOLD ARTICLES.

SHORTAGE IX SUPPLIES, SOAP, MATCHES AND SALT. Shortage of supplies in several household commodities is reported by the wholesale houses in Auckland. Of tlie articles in daily use stocks of soap, matches, and salt are very scarce, and though no increase in the price of either is announced, a continuation of the present position far any length of time would naturally lead to higher rates being charged. As regards soap which is manufactured locally, slocks are running low because of a scarcity of caustic soda and other chemicals. Tlie former is practically unprocurable, (.nly a few odd lines being offered by Australian holders at almost prohibitive prices. As much as £IOO a ton has been paid by Wellington manufacturers for caustic soda recently, and in Auckland £7O a ton has been paid as against £45 last year. Local stocks of caustic soda are now almost exhausted, but a shipment is expected shortly. There has been no actual shortage of fats yet. but supplies are nob over-plentiful. Salt is ordinarily obtained from England and Australia. As regards the former source of supply, it is reported that only one vessel from Liverpool has brought salt to New Zealand in the last two years. Australian sail, coming as it does from Adelaide, involves shipment by special vessels, the profit not being largo enough to permit of too much transhipment. Supplies were maintained satisfactorily until a few months ago, when the Australian Government placed an embargo on the export of sail. This was afterwards modified to the extent of allowing old coni rads to be completed, and therefore an acute shortage has been avoided. A vessel from Adelaide brought a shipment last month, and present requirements are being met. Hough Hie outlook for future supplies is indefinite. Safety matches are being procured at present mostly from Japan, the English and Swedish supplies being very short, particularly the former. Wax matches are manufactured in Wellington, but the makers

cannot in any way cope with the de--mand of the trade. Their difficulties are increased by the scarcity of tin and plaid boxes. All dealers in matches have kept a tight rein on orders for months past.—N,Z. Herald.