FLOUR SHORT.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 November 1922, Page 4

FLOUR SHORT.

EFFECT OF SHIPPING TROUBLE SOUTH ISLAND CUT OFF. The shipping trouble is to some extent reflected in the depleted stocks of some New Plymouth merchants, though, with the exception of flour, the position is not serious at present. The drop in value, which took place from November 1, is mainly responsible for the short supplies of flour. All merchants have large supplies of this commodity in the Kahika, now indefinitely held up at Wellington. Sugar can be obtained from Auckland by rail, but this will probably necessitate an extra cost of Sd per lb. All the flour supplies, however, come from the South Island, with which shipping communication is cut off. General goods, including potatoes, are in fair supply, the bulk of the demand being met by supplies from the Waikato. Fortunately, 370 tons of coal were landed at New Plymouth by the Waimea, while most of the household coal is railed from the Huhtly mines, Auckland. The bakers have an anxious position ahead of them in consequence of the flour shortage, and almost immediate relief is considered necessary if the bread supply is not to be curtailed.