THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1949. THE SUGAR SHORTAGE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26982, 18 January 1949, Page 4

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1949. THE SUGAR SHORTAGE

The serious effects- of the Government’s inept handling of the sugar situation are now being felt by the people of Otago. At the peak of a bountiful fruit season, when fruit is plentiful and cheap and housewives are eager to convert 4 it into jam, grocers are forced to confess that they can supply only enough sugar for current household needs, and extra quantities for jam making will not be available for several weeks. Because of this shortage of sugar the fruitgrowers of Otago, whose livelihood is dependent on the prompt marketing of their highly perishable product, are confronted with serious losses, while housewives are condemned to suffer yet another exasperating and wholly unnecessary privation. There is no shortage of sugar in New Zealand. Large stocks were accumulated in Auckland before the rationing of this commodity was discontinued. but merchants throughout New Zealand adopted the not unreasonable attitude that they should receive some guarantee against loss before they made substantial purchases in advance. The resultant dispute between merchants and the Government, and a subsequent lack Of suitable shipping, have been the causes of the serious shortage of sugar that is being experienced throughout the South Island. Prompt action is necessary if the growers are to be saved further financial loss and housewives are to be given the opportunity of filling their shelves with home-made jam. The ship that is at present loading sugar at Auckland is unlikely to reach the Port of Otago before the end of the month, at the earliest, and by that time huge quantities of fruit will have been wasted. Whether or not the Government admits culpability for the previous bungle, -it has a duty to take cognisance of the situation in the south, and, accepting the responsibility for the extra charges involved, should employ either rail or air transport to despatch from Auckland sufficient sugar to satisfy the immediate and insistent demand.