THE SUGAR SHORTAGE.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 January 1920, Page 4

THE SUGAR SHORTAGE.

.VERY ACUTE IN TARANAKI. NO SUPPLIES YESTERDAY. No sugar was brought to New Plymouth by the Rarawa yesterday, though the Colonial Sugar Company promised their local agents that they would forward sufficient sugar to meet the normal requirements of Taranaki for a week. Many shops in Taranaki have uo sugar and those that still have stocks can only supply small quantities. The matter was taken up by Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., and he sent the following telegram to the Prime Minister yesterday morning:—"Sugar shortage exceedingly acute here- Rarawa arrived to-day for the fourth trip without bringing a cargo of sugar. Understood the system of allocation of sugar was coming into force. Kindly say when this district may expect to receive its share of allocated sugar. Much concern and indignation at the position reached." Later in the day Mr. Massey replied stating that he had placed the matter before the Board of Trade.

A consignment of 8000 tons of raw sugar arrived by the Colonial Sugar Refinery Company's steamer Fiona at Auckland last week. Of the total consignment, 5000 tons are for Auckland. Apart from the arrival of this cargo there are no developments to record in connection with the sugar supply in Auckland. The. shortage is fairly universal, and the majority of householders are on short rations.