SUGAR SHORTAGE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIV, Issue LIV, 15 October 1920, Page 5

SUGAR SHORTAGE

LOW SUPPLIES IN AUCKLAND,

The supply of white sugar for Auckland is still Very short, and is likely to continue so for a few; weeks, states Tuesday’s Herald. This is due to the fact that several' shipments are being sent Horn the Chelsea Sugar Refinery to various southern centres. Hie Wanaka, has loaded 1400 tons* and the Regulxls, Arawa, Arapawa, and Navu.v are to load cargoes for different ports south of Auckland. There is noxv only about 100 tons of white sugar ax'ailable in Auckland, and this is to be distributed chiefly among manufacturers. Only a small qxiantity is to be allocated to grocers in thd citv. It is expected that after the vesselis'xvaiting for cargoes of sugar have beon despatched additional supplies will bo available for local merchants. The shortage is being particularly felt by restaurant proprietors and bakers, because brown sugar is also difficult to obtain. None of the refined commodity ivill be availublo foj* household consumption until the Board of Trade lifts the embargo placed upon its general distribution. In view of the fact that the board some time ago decided that it would give a fortnight s notice of its intention to remove tho restriction, it is not likely there will be any general distribution of refined sugar for some time.

SAME PRICE FOR RAW AND REFINED. CHRISTCHURCH, Oct. .11. ' Amazement is expressed in mercantile circles at the fact that the wholesale and retail prices of raw sugar are the same as the prices for refined sugar. The chairman of the Board of Trade -would not discuss that aspect this morning beyond, saying that there was very Utte difference*between the two. “The Government are getting it both ways,” said a retailer. They arc saving tho cost ot reliTuug,, jukl they are not suffering loss from wastage. Evidently they are determined to make np the losses caused by the strike.” , . ... Merchants say that m putting raw or third—r ado .sugar on the market at the price of refined sugar, £47 10d a ton, instead of £3O, the Government has deliberately broken its own contra ofc The Government’s reply is that it has been put to a good deal of expense in regard to sugar by the rise m wages and continuance of overhead charges during the strike,—Herald Correspondent.