CANNOT HAVE SAGO

Chronicle (Levin), 2 May 1947, Page 3

CANNOT HAVE SAGO

-Press Association

dy Telegraph-

WELLINGTON, May I. Prices ruiiug at the present tinie for sago would neeessitate a retail selling price of about six times the prewar priee, stated the acting Minister of Cus toms, Hon. A. H. Nordmeyer, tonight. He was referring to recent statements regarding the action of the Customs Department in refusing an application for lieences io import sagov from Malaya. The M'inister said that while many people would no doubt be prepared to pay such a price for sago because suppiies had been unobtainable for a long period, it was felt that the price factor would prevent the cominodity from Teaching the tables of the vast majority of consumers. "In view of the high price of sago beiug offered to New Zealand," said Mr. Nordmeyer, "it was deeided to r6quest the^ High Commissioner in London to make some inquiries as to the price which the British Ministry of Food was paying for the commodity. These inquiries indicated that the Ministry had refrained from purehasing suppiies because the ruling prices were considered unreasonably high. It was felt that it would be unf&ir for New Zealaud to purchase suppiies while the British Ministry of Food was refraining from placing orders, and after full consideration of the position it was deeided to decline applications for Licences to import at the present high prices. ' '