THE SUGAR TROUBLE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10689, 8 September 1920, Page 5

THE SUGAR TROUBLE

DISCUSSED IN HOUSE MINISTERIAL REPLIES TO MEMBERS' QUESTIONS. The sugar trouble -urns touched on in the House of Representatives yesterday. Mr TV. E. Parry (Auckland Central) asked the President of the Board of Trade if he was aware that the employees at the sugar works had agreed at ".a meeting on Sunday to go back to work without any restriction other thou that all the workers should be taken back without any discrimination. The Hon. E. P. Lee: I understand that is the position. Jlr Parry: If that is so, does the Minister think the company is justified in pursuing a policy of victimisation in view of. the fact that a number of industries are likely is> have to close down for want of sugar.

Mr Lee said the Government were not the employers of the men, and he should say tho matter mentioned by Mr Parry was one for the company. The case" wan before the Arbitration Court, and he regretted the delay. He recognised the fact that in a few days the whole community would be very short of sugar. Mr G. Witty (Riccarton): They ara now. .

.Mr Lee said he had endeavoured to get the raw sugar carried to tho ■.South Island to relieve the position ■there.. . Mr Parry: "Will the Government ask the company to let the men go back to work? Mr Lee: The Government have requested the company to allow the men to return to work—both -in Sydney and in Auckland—by telegrams on Saturday and to-day. Mr J. R. Hamilton (Awarua): In view of the acute shortage of sugar,' . will tho Minister . inform us if tho ■brewers are- still getting their full ' quota of sugar? Mr Lee: As a matter of fact, the supplv to the breweries is last on the list.

Mr Witty asked if it was not possible to bring sugar -direct from the islands. The sugar from there, was good. Mr Lee thought is possible to get this sugar and send it to southern porte if there would be no difficulty •bout handling it. That was the difficulty to-day. Mr "Witty: If the men would 'not handle it, the women would. Mr "Lee said they endeavoured toget a certain vessel to load at Chelsea, but no labour was forthcoming. Mr Witty: Will you try? Mr L«e: I have been endeavouring to supply the South Island with raw sugar. The publio will have_ to use raw sugar until refined is "again available. Mr Witty: It is very good, as a rule.

Mr Lee: Yes. A member: What will the* price beP .

Mr Leo; The same as the refined. "Mr G. Mitchell (Wellington South): Who gets the extra profit? Mr Lee: As a matter of fact, there has been a. good deal of loss. We have to pay the company a good .sum.