THE PRICE OF SUGAR.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9988, 26 January 1915, Page 7

THE PRICE OF SUGAR.

(Fll PBIBB ASSOCIATION.! WELLINGTON. Jan. ?5. f "There lias been a certain amount of criticism in regard to the increase m tlio lniie (.f sugar," slid tile Premier t<> a Post reporter today. "This matter was considered by the Price of Food ( ommishiou and it recommended that the Government should agree to an arrangement with the Colonial Sugar Company by which tho price of sugar should not be increased beyond £2O until the 20th June next. The Commission says in its repoit that the effect of this arrangement, will be: (I) To secure to people of the Dominion a sufficient supply of sugar until 30th June, and at a price the maximum of which would not increase the present price by one-halfpenny per lb; l2) it will leave the sugar market* of the world open to New Zealand, and that if sugar were obtainable on more favourable terms from any source other than the company the people of New Zealand would be free to avail themselves of suen a sourc". It is to be noted that the price of sugar in England at the date of the present communication is quoted at £3O a ton. This no doubt may be regarded as a panic price, but in view of the fact that the supply of sugar beet from Germany to Austria lias lveen entirely cut off. it is highly improbable th;it the cost of sugar in England will fall to less than £25 per ton. In these circumstances the ~ecuring of a sufficient supply at tlv maximum price of £2O seems eminently desirable, especially as the pro|K)«ecl arrangement will net prevent people from getting sugar cheaper elsewhere if they can.

"The result of the arrangement," said Mr Massey. "is that sugar i > to day cheaper in New Zealand than in any other part of his Majesty's Dominions."