THE PRICE OF SUGAR.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 20, 25 January 1915, Page 6

THE PRICE OF SUGAR.

MR MASSEY INTERVIEWED. [P«B PrBM AaBOOIATION.] "Wellington, January 25. - "There has been a certain amount of criticism in regard to the increase in the price of sugar," said the Premier to a Post reporter to-day. "This iniatter was considered by the Price of Food Commission, and it recommended that the Government should agree to an arrangement with the Colonial Sugar Co., by which the price of sugar sheuld not be increase,! beyond £2O until 10th June next.- The Commission says in their report that the effect of this arrangement would be (1) To- ensure the people of the Dominion a sufficient supply of sugtu until 30th June, and at a price the maximum of which would not increase the present price by id per lb j (2) It will leave the sugar markets of the world open to New Zealand, and that if the sugar were obtainable on more

favorable terms,from anv source otner Whan the Company, the people [of New Zealand would be ,free to avail themselves of such source. It is to be noted that the price of sugar in England at the date of the present communication is quoted at over £3O per ton. This, no doubt, may be regarded as a panic price, but in view of the fact that the supply of sugar-beet from, Germany and Austria has been entirely, cut off, it is.highly improbable that the cMt of sugar, wdl fall to less than,. £25. Jer ton. In these circumstances) fhV securing of a sufficient supply at the.: maximum price, £2O, seems eminently desirable, especially as the proposed arrangement will not prevent people getting •sugar cheaper elsewhere, if it can. The result of the arrangement," said >Mr Massey, "is that sugav is to-day cheaper in New Zealand than'in any part of His Majesty's Dominions.