SUGAR SUPPLIES .

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 98, 20 January 1920, Page 9

SUGAR SUPPLIES .

—>— • - MODIFIED RATIONING SYSTEM , WHAT THE GOVERNMENT IS DOING A statement in regard to the shortage of sugar was made bj. the Prime Minister (Mr. Massey) yesterday. The statement is as follows:— "Sinco January 1 an officer of the Board of Trade has been associated with the Colonial Sugar Refining Company in tho allocation of available supplies of sugar anion;; consumers generally, with a view to securing an cquitablo distribution throughout tho Dominion. The c board's representative found that the k sugar refinery was working nfc high pressure, and that the whole of the manufactured product was either in transit to the consumers or. being loaded into lighters alongside tho company's wharf. No stocks of refined sugar are held by tho company, nor have they held. any stocks, for some time. Immediately tho Tefining. process was completed the sugar was dispatched for distribution. "The allocatiou for domestic purposes is strictly on a population basis, but in tho wido and scattered country districts ' it may bo a week or so before they will wceivo the supplies to which I hey, are entitled. The supplies available fo> grocers at present are insufficient to-' permit of their filling orders for bag lots. A reasonable allocation cannot be made unless grocers limit their sales to reasonably, small parcels, say, sufficient to supply the customer for ono week. At. present this must be left to the discretion of tho grocer, consideration being giv.-n to the fact that jam making operations are in full swing in many households. "Cabinet recently decided that for the purpose of increasing tho supplies for household and jam manufacturing pur- . poses, the allotment for breweries and sugar-boiling industries should be refilrictcd. This instruction was put into , operation on the-12th instant, a propor- ; tionate reduction in the supplies for tho | industries named being made from that date.' It is hoped by this means to fur- • ther meet the position so far as fruit- ' preserving and jam-manufacturing oper- < ntions are concerned, but it is only possible if reasonable economy in the use of sugar for other purposes is exercised by all parties, ne of the difficulties of ~ distribution in the South Island is tho uncertainty, of coastal shipping. .To overcome this the Union Steam Ship Company has been requested to provide special shipping' facilities, and tho Monowai and the' Mokoia, and possibly another vessel, will be available to carry sup- ; plies for the South Island. A reprcscn- . tative of tho Union Company is confer- 1 Ting with the Board of Trade regarding the possibility of providing additional j tonnage. "Householders who are in possession, of reasonable supplies for immediate requirements would greatly assist, by voluntarily refraining from purchasing further supplies for the present. There are indication's that the. position shows a considerable improvement: recently, and if demands are made within reason there ' is every prospect thnt in a few weeks the conditions will return to normal. • /The Colonial Sugar Company has in '. sight fair supplies'of the raw material for immediate requirements." 1