SUGAR CUTS FROM MONDAY NEXT

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 63, 15 March 1945, Page 8

SUGAR CUTS FROM MONDAY NEXT

NO REGISTRATIONS

The reduction of the household sugar ration from 12 ounces to 10 ounces a week, complementary reductions in all other sugar quotas and allocations, and the abandonment of the registration of consumers with their grocers for sugar,, were measures announced today by the Hon. A. H. Nordmeyer on behalf of the Minister of Supply and Munitions. The changes will operate as from Monday next.

. "The world sugar supply position has progressively deteriorated in the last three years," said Mr. Nordmeyer. "Whatever reserves formerly existed overseas are rapidly disappearing. This has resulted from the continued occupation by the enemy of important producing areas, such as Java; from the increased use of sugar for wartime industrial purposes; and from the greater demands on United Nations' sugar resources through the liberation of former enemy-occupied countries. We in New Zealand are affected in common with other'countries receiving their supplies from the Empire pool.

"Accordingly, War Cabinet has de r cided that to conform with our present stock position and future prospects there is no option but to -reduce the existing ration. The consumer ration on coupons will be reduced from 31b to 2Jlb for each fourweekly period, commencing on March 19 with coupons Nos. 21 to 24. There will, however, be no change in the value of special coupon YB, which will I remain redeemable for 31b of sugar | I until its original expiry date on March I 31. I MANUFACTURERS' RATIONS. "At the same time, there will be a reduction of 20 per cent, for hotels, restaurants, and manufacturers (brewers, cordial manufacturers, etc.), and 25 per cent, for bakers and pastrycooks.

"Collective consumers and manufacturers who have already received their sugar permits for the four weeks commencing March 19 at the old rate," added the Minister, "should reduce their consumption to the new rate and so carry forward sufficient stocks to offset the double deduction which will be made in the subsequent period to make the overall cut operative from March 19.

"The cancellation of consumer registration for sugar means that from March 19 onwards sugar may be purchased from any licensed retailer on surrender of available coupons. The grocer is to cut out the coupons and forward them with, his usual fourweekly return for replacement of stock."