Sugar for Beer

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 48, 26 February 1943, Page 5

Sugar for Beer

Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 25. The Minister of Customs, Mr. A. H. Nordmeyer, was criticised at the Methodist conference to-day by Rev. Raymond Dudley, for the figures he recently gave about the saving of sugar by rationing and the reduction of the alcoholic strength of beer. “I deplore some of the subtle misleading statements we have been receiving from Ministers of the Crown lately,” he said. “Mr. Nordmeyer had said the sugar used by breweries from May to December last, had decreased 62 per pert, compared with the previous period, and the consumption of brewing represented slightly over one per cent of the Dominion total for all purposes. Despite Mr. Nordmeyer’s statement,” declared Rev. Dudley, “the figures over the whole 12 months are unsubstatiated. ’ ’

The conference approved the following “This conference appreciates the restrictions on the use of sugar for brewing but tho staggering fact remains that the sugar consumption for the manufacture of alcoholic liquor in the Dominion has increased from 25,000 cwt. in 1935 to over 51,000 cwt. in 1941-42. In view of the severe curtailment suffered by many industries and the public, and in view of the grave possibilities facing the nation, the conference feels sugar, grain and other essential commodities should be consumed and used towards the maintenance' of the life and health of the people. ”