SUGAR RATIONING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26780, 25 May 1948, Page 4

SUGAR RATIONING

ENDING AWAITED QUESTION OF SHIPPING HEAVY STOCKS IN NORTH Large supplies of sugar are held in the North Island and, as soon as stocks can be built up in the South island, the rationing of sugar in New Zealand will end. This is the opinion held by some grocers and others connected with the trade in Dunedin, the Daily Times learned yesterday. The Minister of Supply, Mr Nordmeyer, last week repeated his assurance that sugar rationing would be discontinued as soon as possible. “It all depends on the shipping position,” one city grocer said yesterday. “ With the heavy supplies of sugar held in the North Island, rationing could be discontinued there now. if that were done, .however, the. people in the South Island would have something to say. The Government is apparently waiting until stocks are built up in (he South Island, but without adequate shipping this may take some time." A few weeks ago sugar was scarce in Dunedin, and grocers were greatly concerned at the position. Further supplies were received, and the position at present is regarded as satisfactory so long as rationing continues. “ When rationing ends, there will be a tremendous demand for sugar, not only from the public, but from manufacturers who have been forced to use substitutes for so long," one man suggested. “It is obvious that Mr Nordmeyer will wait until he is certain there is sufficient sugar to moot every demand before he lifts rationing.”