SUGAR SUPPLIES.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 15407, 30 December 1920, Page 9

SUGAR SUPPLIES.

THK WORLD'S MARKETS. WELLINGTON., this Hay. Air. W. G. McDonald, chainiuiu m tbo Board ot' Trade, seen by 70111' correspondent on the subject of Java, sugar im portatjons, said that there was a. decrease m world production 'compared with tho pre-war period of 3,500, COO long tons (not 2000 pouud .tons): per annum, and there had been competition for the available supplies, but this competition was regulated more or le*Ss by an understanding between the nations.' In other words, the world supply was rationed. As indicating the price, he said that Jamaica had been soiling sugar up to August last at £160 per ton, and thereafter at. £200. It was true that from Java there had been a decline m pi-ice for limited and small quantities of sugar, and as New Zealand was a I'ree marked for sugar there, was, nothing to prevent the trade taking full advantage of a fall. In .Miv McDonald's opinion supplies which. wer c available at reduced rates would make no material difference m the retail prico m Naw, Zea-. land though t am informed from a most reliable source that Java supplies have been, emoted at £51 per ton., cU': ■ Sydney. jVIi 1 . McDonald; hoWeVer, pointed out that the largest actual importation to date Tvas 500 tojis 5 at 'over £100 per ton, with £.70: per ton charged for. an*, other consignment. As to the quality of this ton of priced sugar no information is available, but there is sugar .already m New 'Zealand equal to" the Colonial Sugar .Refining 'Company's No. lA. Java sugar", is. said, to be totally urisuited for certain manufacturing pur-, poses, but for household- use/is c^&e .-all right. The Government's sugar deal with tho Colonial Sugar Company lasts until June. It is anticipated that during the whole year, for which arrangement has been, made, sixty thousand tons TV-ill, be dealt with. In, spite .of the sensationally low pricei quoted from Java, «. t cqugreHsiqnal committee is engaged m the United States investigating the reason. fbr the shortage of sugar And the prevailing high price. It is estimated \ that' 'it will take Europe at least ten years to reach her pre-war level of sugar production. Concluding, Mr. McDonald said j that importation from Java, would merely ease the problem of distribution. So far as the Government w/ag concerned, \ve could, do >vitft fiv© thousand tons before the demand would be satisfied It.will.be interesting to watch at what figure sugar purchased- at low -prices will be sold ini' New . Zeatand.-^Special to Herald. '"'"■-'