SUGAR SHORTAGE

Otago Witness, Issue 3584, 21 November 1922, Page 50

SUGAR SHORTAGE

POSITION MUCH IMPROVED. U'ltojn Our own Correspondent.) CHRISTCHURCH, November 18. There is a prospect of the shortage of sugar in the South Island being relieved almost immediately. Interviewed by a Sun representative this morning, the lion. E. I - Lee, who is on a brief visit to Christchurch, said when the shipping hold-up disturbed the transport of sugar by steamer he instructed the department to meet the difficulty by having sugar railed from Auckland to Wellington and as opportunity offered shipped by ferry steamer to Lyttelton. “I am pleased to say,” continued Mr Lee, "that the department succeeded in getting the whole of the sugar ordered by merchants in the south sent to Lyttelt-on. The Mararca on her trip last Wednesday brought all the supplies available then (44 tons), and this morning tiro steamer is bringing tile balance of tile sugar for the south which lias been in store in Wellington. The Department of Industries and Commerce had asked merchants generally to place their orders with the Colonial Sugar Company in Auckland for shipment, and in consequence large orders had been placed. “The sugar ordered,” said the Minister, “is being brought by a vessel which will leave Auckland "today. There are 500 tons on board this vessel—2so ton= for Christchurch and 250 tons for Dunedin and c.lher southern ports. There is another vessel to leave Auckland for southern ports on Monday, and the Wingaliii. with a large cargo of sugar for the South Island, probably will sail on Wednesday. The public will see that all steps possible have been taken to ensure supplies of sugar getting to the South Island as quickly as arrangements can be made.