CHEAPER SUGAR

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30682, 23 February 1965, Page 14

CHEAPER SUGAR

'Ale Prices Adjusted’ (N.Z. Press Association) A statement by the Department of Industries and Commerce that prices of commodities containing sugar had been reduced in accordance with the reduction in the price of sugar was confirmed by several Wellington gro- : cers.

The department was directed to see that the benefit of the sugar price reduction on December 7 was felt as soon as possible, a spokesman said. All manufacturers had been contacted early in December but as many of them had already bought up large stocks in preparation for the Christmas season they had been unable to bring the price reduction into immediate effect.

However, bearing in mind the slight price rise caused by the last wage increase, it would now be possible to assume that all commodities had returned to pre-1964 prices, he said. A Wellington city grocer listed the following price reductions:—

White, brown, raw, caster and icing sugar, down 5d a lb; Biscuits: down Id to 2d a lb; Canned fruit: according to type of fruit and size of can the reduction varies; Jams: most types down 2d; Sweets: down 2d a lb; Chocolate tablets: weight increased to compensate; Aerated waters or soft drinks: most types down Id a bottle; Ice cream: pints, quarters and family packs of vanilla down 3d. Some commodities, such as jellies, did not increase in price at the time of the sugar price rise and would not carry any reduction in price. The Department of Industries and Commerce will continue to check that all reductions have been adequate.