SUGAR-COATING THE PILL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 195, 26 January 1915, Page 2

SUGAR-COATING THE PILL.

MR. MASSEY ON THE SUGAR MONOPOLY. By Telegraph.—Per Press Association. Wellington, January 25. "There has been a certain amount of criticism with regard to the increase in the price of sugar," said the Premier to a Post reporter to day. "This matter was considered by the Price of Food Commission, and it recommended that the Government should agree to an arrangement with the Colonial Sugar Company by which the price of sugar should not be increased beyond £2O until June 10 next. The Commission says in its report that the effect of this ar-

j rangement will be—(l) To ensure the people of the Dominio na sufficient supply of sugar until June 30, and at a price the maximum of'which would not increase the present jrice by one halfpenny per lb.; (2) it will leave the sugar markets of the world open to New Zealand, and that if sugar were obtainable 6a more favorable terms from any source other than the company, the people of New Zealand would be free to j avail themselves of such source. It is | to be noted that the price of sugar in England at the date of the present communication is quoted at over £3O a ton. This, no doubt, may be regarded as a panic price, but, in view of the fact that the supply of sugar beet from Germany and Austria has been entirely cut off, it is highly improbable that the cost of sugar in England will fall to less than £25 per ton. In the circumstances the securing of a sufficient supply at the maximum price of £2O seems eminently desirable, especially as the proposed arrangement will not prevent people getting sugar cheaper elsewhere if they t-an." "The result of the arrangement," said Mr. Massey, "is that sugar is today cheaper in New Zealand than in any part of His Majesty's Dominions."