SUPPLIES OF SUGAR.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 November 1922, Page 4

SUPPLIES OF SUGAR.

DISTRIBUTED BY RAIL. A WATCH GN PRICES. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Oamaru shipping hold-up U hav-’ ing a bad effect on the distribution of sugar in both the North and South Islands. The Department of Industries and (.'ommerce id doing what it can to assist by providing faeilitie® for th* transport of supplies to districts which have small supplies on hand. The arrangements being made were briefly stated to <a reporter this morning by th* Hon. E. P. Lee (Minister of industries and Commerce). “Immediately on receiving intimation of the shipping trouble,” said the Minister, “I instructed the. Department in Wellington to assist in arranging for supplies of sugar to be railed to various parts of the North Island as required by merchants. In regard to the South Island, steps were taken to facilitate railage to Wellington, but in the event of no eea carriage being available be-, tween Wellington and Lyttelton, then no other course is open than to ask merchats and retailers to adopt a modified system of rationing in order to eke out the present supplies a« long as poasible. Fortunately, just prior to the strike, cargoes of sugar were landed in the main ports of the South Island, and these consignments, if carefully distributed, and if the public assist by being reasonable in their orders, should prevent any undue shortage for some time.”

Mr. Lee stated he had also instructed his department to keep a close watch upon the prices of necessary commodities in order to ensure that no' undue advantage was taken of the public during the abnormal conditions that may arise out of the dislocation of transport. “The Government realises,” said Mr. Lee, ’That traders are entitled to obtain from the public any extra costs involved in securing supplies through more expensive means of transport, but the public can rest assured that the Department of Industries and Commerce, while permitting justifiable increases of this nature, will use the powers conferred ’by the Board of Trade Act to prevent unreasonable charges being made. I have little doubt that merchants and other distributors will cooperate with and assist the department in preventing any unfair advantage being taken of the present crisis.'