N.Z. SUGAR SUPPLY

Grey River Argus, 14 May 1945, Page 4

N.Z. SUGAR SUPPLY

FALSE RUMOUR CORRECTED. P.A. WELLINGTON, May 13. Hon. D. G. Sullivan referred on Saturday to statements which have been circulating recently regarding sugar, to the effect that it had been available in ample quantities. “On the contrary,” said the Minister, “sugar, along with other essential foodstuffs, is in short supply the world over, and this shortage has necessitated recent sugar ration reductions in the United States, Canada, and New Zealand. We in New Zealand should consider ourselves fortunate. as our basic household ration is higher than the ration in England, Canada, and the United States. The cessation of Ihe European hostilities, far from alleviating the food position, means that further calls will be made on the Allies’ food resources to feed the liberated countries, where, in certain areas, millions of people are unable to obtain the bare minimum of food to maintain health.” The Minister added that foods, such as sugar, that have to b e imported into New Zealand, are allocated in London bv the Ministry of Food, and New Zealand has at all times been equitably treated by the Ministry in receiving its share of available quantities from the Empire pool. Though there may be substantial quantities of sugar in Australia and Fiji, this does not alter the fact that there is an overall world shortage. Australia has enjoyed a larger ration than New Zealand because she has produced the sugar, and) has been faced with shipping problems the same as Fiji.