DEARTH OF CYCLES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 April 1939, Page 6

DEARTH OF CYCLES

SERIOUS STATE OF AFFAIRS IN CHRISTCHURCH EXHAUSTION OF STOCKS. UNDER IMPORT RESTRICTION. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. Christchurch, famed throughout the world as a city on wheels, is short of bicycles. Within a few months it may be impossible to buy a new bicycle of a reputable make in the city. So acute is Ihe shortage that there is hardly a bicycle left in the warehouses, and by the end of the month stocks will be exhausted. There are not more than a hundred bicycles of reliable and popular makes in the combined stocks of the retail cycle shops. Within three months supplies of sports models will be exhausted, and in six months there will be no roadster models left.

This acute shortage is the result of the Government's heavy cut in cycle imports when the Customs authorities imposed a quota in January equal to 55 per cent cf the cycle imports in the first half of 1938. The basis chosen was one that was abnormal, for purchases early in 1938 had been heavily reduced following on a large stocking up in the previous year. In its effect the quota has thus reduced supplies to about a third of current, requirements, and unless imports can be increased, stocks in Christchurch will soon be exhausted. One importer said today that an alternative suggestion by the Government was to manufacture bicycles in New Zealand. This was not an economic proposition. It would result in a big increase in the price of machines. The present sferious position had been put before the Government, and was at present under consideration. Whatever was done, however, there would be a period of six months during which stocks would be exhausted, with no imports coming in. .