SHORTAGE OF TEA.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 January 1920, Page 4

SHORTAGE OF TEA.

POSITION VERY AOUTE. SMALLER IMPORTATIONS ANJj INOREASED COST. The tea shortage is very acute in Wellington at the present time, and merchants are in despair over the difficulty in securing supplies. No idea can be given as to when the situation is likely to become easier, there being apparently no solution to the myriad problems that are facing the tea-growers of India. Last year proved a very bad one for the growers, and only a small crop was gathered. The market of Colombo has been irregular, the middle and upper grades being in demand, and the weaker infe/ior qualities remain unchanged: Several merchant?, when seen yesterday, stated that v they had three or * four months' supply in sight, but it would not be possible to sell a great portion of it at to-day's ruling prices. It was stated that tea, which a cerr tain merchant firm in Wellington waa retailing at 3s fld per lb in packet*, could actually be sold at a greater profit in bulk, and they would be compelled within the nex-t day or two to increase their prices. All the advices received from Ceylon point to further increased prices during the next three months. Merchants were working on short stocks in New Zealand, as they expected the market to weaken. The reverie had been the case, and all spot stocks were eagerly sought after.

EASTERN EXCHANGE. Another merchant and tea exporter said that owing to the excessive demand' for tea in England and America after the war more tea per head was consumed anl prices in the Eastern markets had steadily advanced. Not only had the cos;t of production increased, but the exchange rate also had been advanced month by month, and now it stood at 2s fljd for the rupee in Calcutta, as compared with Is CJd four or five months ago. As a result, Indian and Ceylon tea was now costing just 1.00 pet cent, more than was the case six months ago, and there were no present indications of a reduction. Consumers must therefore look forward to paying high prices for their favorite beverage. The New Zealand stocks were nearly exhausted, and the continuance of the Australian maritime strike accentuated the position. The same position ruled in regard to coffee and cpcoa, but although the prices were abnormally high, the quantity in stock in New Zealand was not quite so low as tea.

QUANTITY OF TEA IMPORTED. A Times reporter obtained the following figures from the Customs Departs ment concerning the quantity vf tea inv ported into New Zealand, together wittf tin value. From July Ist to November 30th, 1910, 4,2ei,4491bs of tea was imports*, valued at £234,087. For the same period in 191S, the quantity was 4,329,2031b5, of a total value of £181,« 854. It will be seen from the above figures that although 67,6141bs less wen Imported into New Zealand for the live months in 1919 than for the corresponding months of 1918, the value increased by £52,233 this year. The largest shipment of tea that has arrived in New Zealand for some months came by the Neumark, which landed 5040 chests,ol an average weight of 90 to lOOlbs. Since that vessel came from Colombo, the shipments that have arrived have onlj come to hand by the intercolonial steam. ers from Sydney and Melbourne. Th< Moeraki, arriving on November 11th last* carried 332 chests of transhipped tel from Sydney, while the Manuka brougW 392 chests from Sydnev on Decembeo 11th, 73 of which were from Java. Proprietors of hotels, restaurants, and tea-rooms are now feeling the pinch, and] would gladly welcome the arrival of aw other shipment direct from India. J