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Taihape Daily Times, 16 August 1918, Page 3

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■ ©HOSTAGE IN SUPPLIES. t Shortage of supplies in uererai household commodities is reported by the wholesale houses in Auckland. Of the articled fa daily use stocks of soap, mafehoa, ftnd salt are very scarce, and ? though no increase in the price of either is announced, a continuation of the present position for any length of time would naturally lead to higher rates being charged. As regards soap which is manufactured locally, stocks are running low because of a scarcity of caustic soda and other chemicals. The former is practically unprocurable, only 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 eaustic soda recently, and in Auckland £7O a ton has been paid as against £45 last year. Local stocks of caustic soda axe now almost exhausted, but a shipment is expected shortly. There has been no actual shortage of fats yet, but supplies ar® not 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 salt, coming as it does from Adelaide, involves shipment by special vessels, the profit not being large 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 salt. This was afterwards modified to the extent of allowing old contracts 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, though the 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 demand 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. . _ ~ ... - / I