AMPLE SUPPLIES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 35, 21 November 1939, Page 7

AMPLE SUPPLIES.

TEA, SUGAR AND PETROL. HOARDING DEPRECATED. (Per Press Association). WELLINGTON, November 20. The supply, availability and prices of three commodities in everyday use tea, sugar and petrol—were discussed by the Minister of Supply (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan) in a broadcast this evening. He said there was ample sugar iia the country and there was definitely no justification whatever for attempting to hoard it. There was no actual shortage of tea, hut the tendency to hoard supplies had thrown the situation out of balance.

The Minister asked that the wasteful use of petrol be avoided, and said that if it should be necessary to impose restrictions at any time "the Government would be as generous as possible, having regard to the of adequate reserve stocks. GROCERS RESENTFUL; BLAME CAST ON GOVERNMENT. AUCKLAND, November 20. Resentment at the statements made by the Minister (the Hon.' D. G. Sullivan) in a broadcast, address tonight was expressed in a resolution unanimously carried by the Auckland

Master Grocers’ Association. The resolution was: “That this record meeting of the Auckland Master Grocers’ Association resents the broadcast statement by the Minister of Industries in which it is alleged that the present rationing «?f sugar and tea was the responsibility of grocers who had conserved, supplies. This meeting reaffirms that the present shortage of tea is attributable 'to the action of the Government in not making available sufficient sterling funds before prices rose to their present level. The subsequent availability of sterling funds when prices were high diminished the purchasing value and, therefore, this meeting requests the Minister either to substantiate his statement or alternatively withdraw the allegation made. “The Minister, further in his broadcast, stated that the Government had not restricted the sale of sugar, and that the apparent shortage was caused by shopkeepers preventing some of their customers from buying increased quantities in order that they could supply all their customers with at least some sugar. This meeting asserts that supplies have been withheld at the instruction of the Government, thereby causing the present shortage. The meeting requests the Minister to advise thy public that grocers are unable to supply custonters with all their requirements of sugar.”