SUGAR SUPPLIES

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 19, 17 October 1919, Page 6

SUGAR SUPPLIES

KEASONS FOK SHORTAGE. Tile Board of Trade has furnished the Prime Minister with information regarding sugar supplies, which iniormation has been asked lor in the House several times recently by Mr. J. A. Voutig and otyer members. The Board of Trade memorandum runs: "The Colonial Sugar Company state that tko shortage of supplies in southern ports is- due to lack of shipping, and # that the shortage in Auckland was duo to a week's wet weather preventing the loading and discharging 01 sugar The company lias, however, this week srippei , per s.s. Navua -Jl) tans to Oaiuanr, I I'imam, and Dunedii l , per s.s. Mokoia | 700 tons to Wellington, Lyttelion, and i atii oi l .' .ions nave been distributed ia This should relieve the pressure. "In regard to supplies generally, tho position is unfavourable this year as compared with last, because the company then liad 101)0 lons of reserve stock, but they have no reserve at the present time, and therefore they must deliver as fast as the raw sugar can be melted. The want of stocks is due to shortened output during the epidemic and stoppages siuco owing to shortages of coal and tho loss of the Fiona's cargo. ' "In regard to coal; the board hao been in coinniunieatiifli with the oiiicer in charge of coal.?npplits, and lias arranged for the Sugar Company to obtain its lull quota of 1200 tons of coal ex liakanoa. 't'lie board considers tiiat the position 6hould now be eased, and complaints as to shortages should cease."