AMERICAN SUGAR

Hokitika Guardian, 27 January 1931, Page 8

AMERICAN SUGAR

IMPORTED INTO DOMINION. A DUNEDIN PROTEST. DUNEDIN, January 21. Does' New Zealand find it necessary to import refined sugar from America : is a question that is exercising the minds of many Southland people as a result of the puhliWty given to the importation of American sugar into South land this week. Thi sunusual item of cargo was noticed amongst the discharged from the coastal steamer Storm on Monday, several trucks of the imported sugar being unloaded. The sugar is manufactured in America by the National Sugar Refining Company of New York. It was packed in bags ot 1001 b each, and from the inevitable hook-holed bag it appeared to lie a grade' rather finer in the crystal than that usually met with in New Zealand households. The attention of the invercargii! Chamber of Commerce was drawn to the matter at'its meeting to-day :»y Mr A. H. Hoyles', who s'aid that surely an extraordinary state of affairs was disclosed in view of the fact that New Zealand was- so well supplied with sugar. He considered the importation of refined sugar from America very regrettable” P '■•■>• • ’’’ l All members expressed surprise that the product should be brought to New Zealand from America, since it wa.-: considered that- the price of sugar m the Dominion was the cheapest in the world.

The meeting was unable to accouni for the importation of a foreign article from sa far overseas. Those importers present or represented at the meeting disclaimed all knowledge of the transaction.

On the chairman’s suggestion the secretary communicated with the snipping office concerned, and as a result it was learned that the sugar had been transhipped from Wellington, the quantity being 447 hags. The meeting carried a motion strongly protesting against the importation of American sugar into New Zealand, and it was agreed to bring the matter under the notice of tlio Associ a ted Ch ambers.