THE PRICE OF SUGAR.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2152, 20 July 1920, Page 3

THE PRICE OF SUGAR.

(To the Editor.)

In Saturday’s “Herald” the president of the local Shopkeepers’ Association denied a rumour that an exorbitant price was being charged for sugar, and stated that the only sugar obtainable locally at present is brown, which is retailed at 4d per lb. The publication of the above has brought forth a number of protests from consumers.

Two produced dockets showing (hat they had paid 7d per Ih for sugar on the 10th inst., and stated that a storekeeper had a notice on his window on the 'loth offering 21hs. of sugar at 7d per lb„ if accompanied by a 5s order for groceries.

“Worker” Avrites as follows: — (To the Editor.)

“Sir. —Can yon explain the sudden drop in the price of sugar locally, or do you think we should refer the mutter to the Board of Trade? It is rather unusual, to say the least, to find the price of. anything decreasing in lliese days, yet avc find that sugar, which has been selling at 7d per lb. i> ne Aveek, suddenly dropping io 4d (ho following Aveek. [.would also like lo have a definition of the Avord “exorbitant,” referred to in the sla lenient of the president of the local Retailers’ Association, as published in your issue of Saturday last. I really think it is lime some of us woke up and invoked the aid of (he Board of Trade.” .

Mr AV. D. Bauckham Avrites: —

“Sir. —Permit me lo make a statement re sugar. When the price Avas advanced the local stores had very little, if any, Avhite sugar in slock. We had a perfect right, did avo so choose, to do as the farmer docs with potatoes and chaff—keep it in the shed until the rise came. But. thinking Hie advanced re!ail price operated at once, wc sold all avo could spare 1 at the higher price. Immediately avo discovered Ibis to be wrong we reduced it and refunded to any who could show they were oA'Oi'chargod. The statement I gave you on Saturday is quite correct. Our supplies are now exhausted, and avo ha\ - e been soiling all avo could spare, alloAving every customer a small quantity at 4d per lb. I can assure you, Sir, that not a bag of: sugar has been put aAvay by Hie local stores, Wc have done our very best to share it out lo all alike, and avc are not the profiteers of Foxton. 1 might add that Avhen (lour or sugar falls in price Hie public expect us to reduce the retail price immediately, irrespective of our slock. Surely it Avorks both Avays.”

Sir. —I mid in Saturday’s issue of “The Hern Id” where Mr Bauekluiiu denied tha I sugar had been n priee. 1 sent for some sugar to Mr Banckham’s on the il 2l h inst., and was charged Is !)d for three ]ionnds. On mentioning the matter to several people, 1 was informed that -td per lb. was being charged at the other stores. On Saturday, when I paid my account, 1 refused to pay more than -Id, and the extra charge was taken oil., hut it was not Mr Bauckham’s fault I did not pay 7d per lb. He also charged me (id per Hi. the week before. I wish you to print this, as I told so many that I was charged 7d per lb., and they might think I was not speaking the truth. Thanking you, —I am, etc,, (Mrs.) M. SMALL, Union Street, Uoxton.