SUGAR SUPPLIES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20096, 16 November 1939, Page 2

SUGAR SUPPLIES

“NO REAL SHORTAGE”

DOMINION ASSURANCE CONTROLLER EXPLAINS PANiC-BUYING IN WAR (I’er Pross Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. Statements alleging that Ithere is a shortage of sugar and tea were criticised by the sugar controller, Mr. B. L. Dallard, in an .interview last night. He said that such statements were distinctly unhelpful in these difficult times. The consuming public was hypersensitive and such statements tended to create quite unnecessary apprehension by giving rise to the idea that there really may be a shortage. “My purpose,” however, said Mr. Dallard, "is not to discuss wartime publicity ethics or the psychology of panic buying, but to stake the actual facts so far as sugar is concerned. To ensure that there would be no hitch in the continuity of supply, arrangements were made by the Government with the sugar company, as part of [the pre-war planning, for substantial reserves to be built up. “At the outbreak of the war there were sufficient stocks in New Zealand to meet normal requirements for five months; subsequently, further arrangements were completed to ensure supplies at a fixed price for nearly 12 months ahead.

Rationing Not Proposed “The merchants were all circularised by me advising them that, because of the adequacy of supplies, it was not proposed to ration sugar by the Government, but -to’leave it to the trader to condition the distribution. “A measure of conditioning proved essential for the reason that, notwithstanding the assurances given to the public, a panic demand set in immediately after the outbreak of the war. This' laid distributors bare of their stocks and it has been most difficult to overtake the position despite aii possible efforts to do so by increasing the deliveries to merchants. The steps taken to this end show clearly that there was no warrant for public apprehension and that there is no real shortage. “During September and October last, no less than 15,248 tons of refined sugar were delivered from Chelsea, compared with 12,468 tons for the same period in the previous year and in that year the deliveries were exceptionally high. Increase in Deliveries “Arrangements have been made to further increase the deliveries from November to March to ensure that ample sugar will be available for jam mak-

ing, etc. “New Zealanders are the sweetesttoothed people in the world,” added Mr. Dallard. “The average annual consumption per capita is 1151 b. and though medical men advise that it probably would be in the interests of better health to cut this huge consumption down by at least a third, that is not the object of the sugar control. It is to ensure, adequate supplies at the most reasonable price possible. The public can rest assured this has been done and normal buying on their part will prove it.”