THE SUGAR SHORTAGE

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14829, 21 November 1913, Page 11

THE SUGAR SHORTAGE

"FELT SEVERELY AT GISBpRNE. GISBORNE, JS*oTember 19.. v Aja effort -is: now. being made to. ombroil Napier and Gisbornein the strike, and the fact that the seamen on Messrs Richardson and Co.'c fleet have given •2* hours' notico gives a little close interest, fo the strike.. Forinnately, ; howover, Gisborno-is*not likely "to-be .Tery. much affected by the latest deTelopments. Tho only boat of , that jtta&t which affected Gisborne directly : &t*° which nas so'success- ■'.: s?v maintained tho connexion between Gisborno and Napier since the regular steamers ceased running. It "is not likely, however, that the Tangaroa will be even temporarily thrown out of commisaon, as sho will be manned by officers from tho other steamers. There arc- six men on the Tangaroa, affected, two stokers and four deck hands. They will remain at work until the steamer returns to Aapier to-morrow, and their places vn3l be filled. The will return to Gisborno next Saturday as usual. J Four bags of sugar, wliich were infctaded in the Tangaroa's car R0 from Jyapier yesterday, did not go far to relieve the local situation as regards that commodity. Most of the firms have completely sold out, one or two having only icing-sugar left. Expectations are Bow turned to % s.s. Wanaka. which xrifl probably arrive from Auckland at the end of tho week. One baker is hard-pressed in regard to his small goods business, and he is being kept gains from day to day by obtaining a ~ bag here and there. Fortunately other bakers have sufficient for. a week or two, but if no sugar, comes to hand ■*3thjn fcbat period matters will be serious the cake business, and the prospect in connexion with Christmas ..goods will not be very orient. - There & some talk of a boat being chartered specially to bring a load of *ugar from Auckland. ]