SUGAR SUPPLIES.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 January 1920, Page 4

SUGAR SUPPLIES.

AN ACUTE SHORTAGE The inability to get adequate aupphmj of sugar in New Plymouth is again perploxing tradesmen and harassing house* keepers. Shipments from Auckland have been irregular for some time, and on her last two trips from Onehunga the Rarawa has brought none. There is hope that the vessel may bring some down on Friday morning, but in the meantime there is barely enough with which to meet even very restricted or* ders. Small quantities only are obtainable at retailers' shops, and in very urgent cases, such as those, of people who reside long distances from town, and to whom shops are not easily accessible, a 121b bag may be obtainable. Shopkeepers are also inclined to discriminate between customers whose households are small and those who have large families.

The position is likely to serioiutly aft feet the fruit market. It is also certain to affect the trade in jams, and doubtless many tradesmen are stocking heavily, in these lines in consequence of thescarcity of sugar for fruit-preserving and jam-making purposes.

THE POSITION IN AUCKLAND. The position in regard to supplies of! sugar in Auckland has not improved. Many families are finding difficulty in replenishing their stocks under the ra< tioning allowance of 21bs. This allowance is made irrespective of the number of people in the family; consequently large households are at a disadvantage. It is understood that the Board of Trade is preparing a scheme which will be more equitable and will also prevent exploitation. In at least one restaurant in the city the supply of sugar it exhausted, and patrons have to be content witli sugarless tea.