SUGAR DISTRIBUTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18249, 16 November 1922, Page 8

SUGAR DISTRIBUTION.

OFFICIAL ARRANGEMENTS.

SAFEGUARDING CONSUMERS

POSSIBLE PRICE INCREASES. [B3T TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION] OAMARU. Wednesday. " Tho shipping hold-up is having a bad effect on the distribution of sugar in both tho North and South Islands. The Department of Industries and Commerce is doing what it can to assist in providing facilities for the transport of supplies to districts which havo small supplies on hand," stated tho Hon. E. P. Lee, Minister for Industries and Commerce, this morning. " Immediately on receiving intimation of tho shipping trouble," said tho Minister, " I instructed the department in Wellington to assist in arranging for supplies ot sugar to bo railed to various parts of the North Island, as required by merchants. With regard to tho South Island, steps will be taken to facilitate railago to Wellington, but, in the event of no sea carriage being available between Wellington and Lyttelton, then no other course is open than to ask merchants and retailers to adopt a modified system of rationing in order to eke out present supplies for as long as possible. Fortunately, just prior to tho strike, catgocs of sugar were landed in the main ports of tho South Island, and these consignments, if carefully distributed and if the public assist by being reasonable in their orders, should prevent any undue shortage for some time.

Mr. Leo stated ho had also instructed his department to keep close watch upon prices of necessary commodities'in order to ensure that no undue advantage was taken of the public during tho abnormal conditions that might arise out of the dislocation of transport. " The Government realises," said Mr. Lee, "that traders aro entitled to obtain from the public any extra costs involved in securing supplies, but the public can rest assured that tho Department of Industries and Commerco, whilo permitting justifiable increases of this nature, will use the powers conferred by tho Boaird of Trade A.ct to prevent unreasonable charges being made. I have little doubt that merchants and other distributors will cooperate with and assist tho department in preventing aavy unfair advantage being taken of the present crisis."

DAIRY STORES FILLING. ACCUMULATION AT OPOTIKI. OFFER TO MAN VESSEL. {BX XELEOBUPH.—OWN COREKSI'ONDENT.] OPOTIKI. Wednesday. The Opotiki Dairy Association is largely dependent upon its suction gas plant to operate its machinery. Only a few days' supply of coke is left, and the position is serious. Over 800 boxes of butter are awaiting shipment, while production exceeds 100 boxes daily. The Waiotahi cheese factory has a storeroom full of cheese for shipping, and the Nukuhou cheese factory is also holding largo stocks. At a special meeting of tho Opotiki Chamber of Commerce to-day it was decided to telegraph the Northern Steamship Company offering sufficient able seamen toyman the Motu, and undertaking the handling of cargo here. AUSTRALIAN SEAMEN. FEELING OF RESENTMENT. POSITION TO BE DISCUSSED. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association (Eecd. 10.5 p.m.) SYDNEY. Nov. 15. A meeting of tho Seamen's Union is to be held to-morrow to discuss the position which has arisen out of the New Zealand trouble. Many rumours are current regarding the possible outcome of the meeting, among others that local seamen resent the treatment meted out to the crews of the Moeraki and Waikawa. Among many seamen gathered in the vicinity of the Union Company's offices to-day were heard individual declarations that they would man no vessels until the two crews were released and Australian rates and conditions observed. How far this represents the feeling of the men as a whole remains to be shown at to-mor-row's meeting. Whatever betide, preparations for despatching the Makura and Ulimaroa on the fixed dates are proceeding.

TROUBLE ON THE NGATORO. CREW REFUSES TO SAIL. A. and N.Z. SYDNEY, Nov. 15. Seamen on the Ngatoro, bound for Napier with timber, refused to sail while on Australian articles. The crew was originally on New. Zealand articles until the vessel was engaged in the Tasmanian fruit trade. The seamen contend that the Ngatoro is now being taken to New Zealand to assist in strike-breaking, but the management explains that the vessel Was listed to take up New Zealand running before the trouble with the seamen occurred. VERONICA AT LYTTELTON. READINESS FOR SERVICE. [BT TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON. Wednesday. E.M.S. Veronica, which was at Stewart Island, has been diverted to Lyttelton in case her services! are required. She will be leaving Lyttelton for Wellington on Friday, and will bring the mails. As the Mararoa, will be sailing from Wellington that evening, there will be no ferry steamer from Lyttelton. The future movements of H.M.S. Chatham are uncertain. She will probably be in Wellington for a month while the crew k going'through the musketry course at Trentham. So long as the Mararoa is running, the cruiser will not be used. When tho musketry course is finished the Chatham will proceed to Auckland. TAURANGA PARCEL MAILS. DESPATCHED BY HOUTO. |BV TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] TAUEANGA, Wednesday. A deputation representing the Chamber of Commerce waited upon the postmaster, Mr. D. M. Mcintosh, in regard to the conveyance of parcel mails to Tauranga while the regular steamer service is suspended. Mr. Mcintosh explained that all letters and second-class matter were being brought overland, and also all express-paid parcels up to llll>. Arrangements had also been made for a parcel mail to come by tho auxiliary vessel Houto, which is due here to-morrow.