SUGAR RATIONS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 January 1943, Page 4

SUGAR RATIONS

-4 FOUND ADEQUATE IN NEW ZEALAND SURVEY OF DISTRIBUTION. TREATMENT OF ORDINARY USERS & OTHERS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. As a result of rationing we have been able to live within the compass of the quota of sugar allotted to New Zealand for civil purposes by the British Ministry of Food, states the Food Rationing Controller, Mr Thomas, in giving a brief survey of the distribution of sugar under the rationing scheme. Mr Thomas says the greatest user of sugar is the ordinary consumer, and his needs are considered the most important. According to some authorities, nine ounces per head weekly is sufficient to maintain normal living conditions, and eight ounces is the minimum conducive to. the maintenance of efficiency in industry. New Zealand, with a ration of nearly twelve ounces, may be considered well provided for in comparison with other Allied countries and the jam making provision is also reasonable compared with conditions in other countries. Referring to hotels, cafeterias, etc., Mi- Thomas says allowances are made in accordance with the number of meals provided. Since rationing was introduced, experiments have been conducted from time to time in order to ensure that rates of allocation are kept down to a minimum and to determine whether’ the basis fixed has been adequate or otherwise. In dealing with manufacturing units, the cut must be more pronounced in some industries than in others to establish a proper balance between essential, semi-essential and non-essential usages. Full supplies must be given to factories executing war contracts, such as the manufacture of service biscuits, chocolate, emergency rations, etc. No cut is possible in the manufacture of syrup for dispensing chemists, sugar for bacon curing, leather manufacture and a number of other industries essential in war time. The manufacture of ice cream, aerated beverages, cordials, confectionery and similar products is regarded as essential in some degree to a certain section of the population, but non-essential to others, and production in these industries has been curtailed by making a substantial reduction in the allocation of sugar. A smaller cut has been imposed in respect to bakers and pastrycooks who are supplying essential undertakings, such as restaurants, and whose production also is essential to a large degree for feeding the population. This cut is offset almost entirely by a simplification of produce—that is, the abolition of external icings and cutting down the proportion of fancy goods. Reasonable arguments for reconsideration may be advanced separately on behalf of any manufacturers whose business has been curtailed by the reduction of sugar allowances, but in considering such arguments it must be remembered that manufacturers are dealt with in classes. Concessions in any particular line would mean that other manufacturers in the same class could justifiably claim the same consideration.