SUGAR RATION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 31 August 1945, Page 2

SUGAR RATION

RECENT RESTRICTIONS LIFTED ja;i releases for November AND DECEMBER Wellington, This Day. An announcement that all cuts in sugar radons imposed in March would be restored from the four-weekly period commencing on Ist October was made by the Minister of Supply. Mr Sullivan, when the House of Representatives met at 10.30 to-day. In addition, the normal jam release of 31bs per person available during the months of November and December were assured. The Minister said he was particularly pleased that the improvement in the sugar position would allow the immediate lifting of restrictions which had been in force during the last few months. On the issue of new allocations of sugar for the rehabilitation of returned servicemen Mr Sullivan said several questions asked in the House recently had implied that sugar had been destroyed in Fiji because it could not be disposed of. Although he had already declared that such allegations were groundless he had cabled the Governor of Fiji asking him what the position was. The Governor of Fiji replied: "AH Fiji sugar exports are purchased by the Ministry of Food which controls distribution and one shipment was released for New Zealand this month with another to follow in September. All cane is being cut and milled and no sugar is being destroyed.’’ The Minister added that advices received during the past week indicated that our sugar position was likely to improve rapidly between now and the end of October. Although the forward position for 1946 was not likely to be clear for some time yet. the prospective stock position during the next few months was such that our full quota of sugar under our allocation from the London Food Council was now assured for 1945. This did not mean that we would get more sugar, but that shipments which had been slow and late were n ow improving and we would get our full quota. Mr Sullivan said it was of interest that advice received a few weeks ago from Canada indicated that the sugar ration there for five of the last seven months of the year from June had been only lib a month instead of the regular ration of 21bs. This, compared with our present ration of 2£lbs, which would now be restored to 31bs from October. Mr Sutherland (National Hauraki) suggested some allowance immediately for marmalade while fruit was available and the Minister said the question could be looked into.