SUGAR-SHORTAGE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIV, Issue LIV, 14 June 1920, Page 4

SUGAR-SHORTAGE

SERIOUS EFFECT ON LOCAL INDUSTRIES. HANDS BEING REDUCED. The sugar shortage, which lias been mure 1 or less acute for months, has now readied a very serious stage, and unless die position is relieved by the arrival of supplies there will bp none obtainable locally. Merchants report, that they are right out of supplies, and retailers are rationing their customers to, in some instances, about 11b a wcelc. Quo of the most serious aspects of the position is the eliectj, on industries, and both 'Griffin and Eons r.nd Kirkpatrick’s have 'been forced to take the drastic step of reducing their hands. ' At Griffin’s Factory only the chocolate department is working, and unless supplies arrive, the end of the week will see the works closed down altogether. A number of hands at Kirkpatrick’s Factory were put off to-day, and more will follow during the week if matters dp not impi'ovo. i The output of both factories has been ! considerably reduced for many 1 months past, and orders have had to Iho turned down as a consequence. 1 Strong representations to the Board !of Trade have failed to get regular | supplies, and the whole position isi a I serious one, both to the industries and jto householders. It is hoped that a i shipment will arrive in about a week.