PRICE OF SUGARS

Hokitika Guardian, 14 August 1931, Page 3

PRICE OF SUGARS

NO INCREASE yet. (My Telegraph—Ter Tress Association) . WELLINGTON, .August 13. In view of the recent imposition of the duty of one half-penny per pound on sugar, the merchants throughout the Dominion immediately adopted the course of sending out sugar with an intimation that invoices would follow when the new price —presumably to bo fixed by the manu-facturers—-was known. The grocers were, therefore, in doubt as to the true cost tb them of such sugar, and in many centres they increased the price by about a half-penny per pound, iii anticipation of an immediate rise in the manufacturers’ and wholesale prices. i As no increase has yet been made -by the main supplier (the Colonial Sugar Refining Company), and as supplies, though “rationed,” are still be.ing- released at' the price previously ruling, • the merchants in several of the centres are now invoicing the current orders at the old figure, although they will, presumably not supply in excess of normal orders. The Industries and Commerce Department has been in touch with the trade and the merchants in all the main centres have been communicated with through the Department’s district offices! The Minister of Industries and Commerce desires it to be known that there is, as yet, no increase in the price of the sugar supplied from the Auckland Refinery, and that the stores in all the centres, including the provincial towns and the grocers throughout the Dominion, should make no* increase in the sugar prices by reason of the advance in the duty until such, time as the manufacturers’ price is increased.