SUGAR SUPPLIES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VII, Issue 1872, 13 February 1920, Page 10

SUGAR SUPPLIES.

A DARK OUTLOOK. NO RELIEF IN SIGHT. Although 130 tons of sugar was distributed amongst the retail trade during the week, the position is still acute. This consignment came on a bare market, and some grocery concerns were actually without supplies. Others were retailing supplies only in 21b lots. Today, the maximum amount supplied at one time by most concerns is 41b. The Kamona left Auckland yesterday for Lyttelton, but it is not known yet whether or not sugar is being carried to Canterbury. Confectionery manufacturing concerns are carrying on in a small way, the Mokoia having brought supplies last week. None of this vessel 's consignment went to the grocery trade. The prospects for all concerned are the reverse of bright. The public is likely to be rationed, as at present, until the demand for jam-making eases, and matters thus become normal. The output of the Colonial Sugar Company, Ltd., is not likely to meet requirements until then.

With matters in their present state, it is inevitable that rumours should be abroad to the effect that such-and-such a firm is holding supplies, in anticipation of a rise in price. As a matter of fact, according merchants, such suggestions are ridiculous. Sugar is disposed of practically as soon as it arrives. In any event, no rise in price can occur until after June .'io. On this date the contract made by the Government with the Colonial Sugar Co. will expire. A rise then is regarded .as inevitable. As to the extent of this rise, of course no accurate forecast can be given, but sugar hits been imported by a private concern into the Dominion at about double the rates charged by the Colonial Sugar Co. It is therefore fair to assume that the rise may be considerable. But this is» really a secondary consideration, compared witli the problem of actually getting sugar. Pear sugar is better than none at all, and it is safe to say that, unless the company is given a price equal to that which it can secure elsewhere, the shortage will be continued next season. Although some grocery concerns are retailing sugar only when other goods to a certain value are purchased, this practice is not general. In at least one instance, a firm requires 10/- worth of goods to be taken before a customer can receive his "dole" of sugar. This system, it is understood, is in operation solely to protect the particular firm's customers from "outsiders" securing supplies. Other firms, however, appear to be able to limit sales to their customers without this stipulation. Complaints are being made of hardship occurring through th? " must-purchase-other-goods" system, and it is obvious that genuine eases of this character may occur.