SHORTAGE OF SUGAR.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 September 1920, Page 4

SHORTAGE OF SUGAR.

THE STRIKE CONTINUES. POSITION STILL ACUTE. The sugar works strike continues, and no fresh development has occurred (says a Press telegram from Auckland received last night). The supply of sugar is still concerning the housewife owing to the very limited resources of retailers in New Plymouth. A small quantity came to hand by the Rimu yesterday, but it was consigned- to honey producers from their associates in Auckland, so the shortage continues as acute as ever. With the strictest economy and limiting of supplies it will be extremely difficult for grocers to last out this week. AN EXPLANATION. By Telegraph.—Press' Association, Auckland, Sept. 7. The decision of the Birkenhead sugar workers not to resume work until all the men who participated in the strike are reinstated, was a sequel to a statement made by the manager that the company was going to exorcise its common law rights in this matter. In effect, this implied that the company would only engage whom it chose. The names of certain men whom the. company did not deem it desirable should return to the works were mentioned, one being a man who had been 38 years in the company's employ. In order that there might be no suspicion of victimisation, it was explained that the company had a rule which provided that no man over 50 years of age should be employed in the Works and it was on account of this man's age that his services were to be dispensed with, not because he was one of the strikers.