The Grey River Argus FRIDAY, MARCH 23 1945. NOT ALL SUGAR WHITE

Grey River Argus, 23 March 1945, Page 4

The Grey River Argus FRIDAY, MARCH 23 1945. NOT ALL SUGAR WHITE

Were grocers generally persuaded to ignore the decision no longer to register sugar consumers- there might be consequencss very unwelcome for either themselves or their customers, hi the main centres, heads of the grocers’ organisations have taken up an adverse attitude towards the change. It may admittedly be not to the liking of a majority of the distributors, but it is very questionible whether there is wisdom in the course recommended by the President of the New Zealand Master Grocers’ Federation, Mr H. A. Fanselow, of Wellington, that no grocer should obey the direction to cut sugar coupons from ration books —that is, until the Association changes its mind on the subject. In one centre, it was earlier reported, there had been a general arrangement to boycott the Government’s direction, ft was said, in another city, that, as a new rationing period had just begun and an additional 31b of sugar was available against surrender of the Y 8 coupons, not many would require immediately to collect their rations, but that any necessitous customer could be supplied and current coupons cancelled as heretofore. The action suggested is explained as being due to the absence of a Ministerial reply to a request that registration should continue until .the matter had further been discussed. Yet the grocers have had a general intimation that cancellation of coupons is no longer sufficient, and their stocks only will be replaced if coupons arc cut from the ration hooks. In the abscence of coupons, therefore, grocers might be left without supplies, and their customers be obliged to seek sugar from other grocers. On the other hand, were there to be a general grocers’ boycott of the direction- customers might be left without sugar altogether. The Association spokesmen profess to see absolutely no reason for discontinuing registration, stating that for them it has been for three years successful, whereas to have to cut coupons would b? very onerous and cumbersome! for staffs. It is also said that a 1 new method of distribution had | not been indicated; but surely l the cutting of coupons would be

such, seeing, indeed, how it is questioned? The critics express grave misgivings lest there might he trafficing in coupons, also a risk of a double issue of sugar on each coupon, due to misappropriation. It is said petrol, meat, clothing and footwear coupons illustrate these dangers. It might therefore, be assumed that the registration method has in the case of sugar been simply a per-1 feet one, conserving the national supply to the utmost, keeping all on the straight and narrow path of honesty, and satisfying everybody, except the Minister. He it is who has been blamed entirely j for the alteration- and accused of threatening to unhinge the -whole sugar position. Now it is regretable that the leaders of the grocers have not candidly acknowledged that the decision to eliminate registration was not that of Hon A. H. Nordmeyer, but was, in actual fact, that of the War Cabinet. Nor have they remotely hinted at the real reason for the decision. The truth is that there has been a definite leakage of sugar, supplies for a long time past going to people not entitled to them, and one of the main loopholes through which sugar lias been escaping has been the registration method. The Master Grocers’ Federation has been on several occasions consulted on this matter, all aspects of it having been discussed by the Rationing Controller and his officers with the executve and council of the Grocers’ Federation, as well as the operation of the method withouLregistration. The Federation will therefore be aware that the dominion stock position and future prospects are unsatisfactory and that this change is one of the means being adopted to render rationing more efficient and thus increase the savings in order to maintain the highest ration possible. The most unpopular development would be undeniably a cut in the ration. Yet this might occur unless a certain practice can be stopped. It is that of a substantial number of grocers. throughout the dominion, who have been distributing quantities of sugar which they are authorised to acquire in accordance with the number of customers whom they have registered with them, but which quantities have not been collected by those customers —and have consequently gone to somebody else. The amount is said to be in the aggregate a substantial one. Unjder the registration method this loophole cannot be closed. It is recalled that a number of grocers have been convicted of supplying sugar to cordial manufacturers, in the typical black market way. There have also been other cases of black marketing, and more arc said to be under nvestigation. Obviously, if sugar can be saved under the coupon method which cannot be saved under the method of registration, then rather than cut the ration, it is preferable to cut out registration. If grocers then preferred not to handle the commodity, the Government would require to devise some alternative form of distribution. The War 0 Cabinet decision actually is due to the view that the sugar itself is more imporant that ’the method of distributing it. And that if it means even an additional use of coupons, every opportunity to conserve the national supply must be taken. It is advisable that the household ration shall be kept as high as possible, whereas the supply available has been reduced. Savings thus must' be sought where they reasonably can be expected to be made.