NO SUGAR FOE TEA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17571, 9 September 1920, Page 4

NO SUGAR FOE TEA.

FAMINE IN CHRISTCHURCH

EFFECT UPON INDUSTRIES. PASTRYCOOKS' TROUBLES. ' [bt telegraph.—own cobbespohdbnt.] CHRISTCHUBCH. Wednesday. The acute scarcity of sugar has reached another stage. Ninety i per cent, of the grocers in and around Christchurch are claimed by merchants to be without supplies, and tearooms are reduced to the straits where several are unable to put sugar on the tables. The position at present is without parallel in the history of the trade, and unfortunately the indications are that it is going to become a great deal worse. Advice received in the city from the Board of Trade is that it is uncertain now whether the shipment of raw sugar will come to hand next week. Apparently the watersiders will not load the sugar until the dispute at the Chelsea works is settled. J The fact is vouched for by a passenger by the Monowai that this vessel was unable, through the aetion of the watersiders, to take aboard 100 tons of sugar that was on the wharf. If raw sugar does not come to hand it is certain that there will be further developments in connection with the famine. Some of the smaller pastrycooks axe now unable to manufacture at all. Others, including the larger establishments, have cut out certain classes of cakes and icings. One large tearoom is considerine the question of reducing the hours during which it keeps open. It is certain under present conditions that others will soon be taking drastic action. In any case, they are strictly limiting the sugar to each customer. " We are considering whether we will not require customers to bring their own suear," said the manager of a large concern. "In our pastrycook business we are restricting our trade, and we are refusing country orders.**