SUGAR SHORTAGE IN CITY

Southland Times, Issue 23664, 12 November 1938, Page 6

SUGAR SHORTAGE IN CITY

Factory Employees Given Notice CONFECTIONERY FIRM SERIOUSLY AFFECTED GROCERS SELLING IN ONLY SMALL LOTS Invercargill, in common with other p<.rts of New Zealand, is threatened with a shortage of sugar caused by the shipping hold-up in Auckland, and already retailers in the city are restricting their supplies to 121bs to each customer and in one or two cases to 61b lots. In an interview with The Southland Times yesterday the manager .of Rice Bros.’ confectionery factory stated that unless the position improved the factory would have to close down next week, and the staff, which numbered from 25 to 30, had already received notice. This, however, would be rescinded if supplies of sugar were available.

The manager of a grocery store stated that he made a practice at this time of the year of holding as big stocks as possible and for that reason he had a fair quantity of sugar on hand. He was the exception, however, as most of the other grocers were in short supply. “There is no denying that the position is serious,” he added, “as even if the trouble is settled tomorrow it will take a boat about 10 days to get as far as Bluff with supplies. I have come to expect trouble such as this at this time of the year, and that is why I am fairly well stocked just now.” The management of New Zealand Milk Products Ltd. reports that it has suffered no inconvenience from the shortage as yet, but the position will become serious if the delay lasts much longer.