Sugar Shortage Worse Than During Rationing

Waikato Independent, Volume XLV, Issue 6242, 23 May 1949, Page 4

Sugar Shortage Worse Than During Rationing

"The sugar we set to last a week, we could sell in half an hour," said the manager of a grocery store in Cambridge on Friday, when discussing the continued shortage of sugar. "Even so, the position would not be so bad if we knew that supplies—although restricted—would arrive with some regularity," he added.

The general opinion of grocers is that the position is worse now thai? when rationing was in force, as then at least the quota was received.

"During the rationing period my quota was a ton each month and I got it. Now I am only allowed to order half a ton each month and I am lucky if I get it," said one business man, who went on to explain that grocers had been able to supply .customers in 12 lb. lots but during the last three months that quantity had been reduced to 6 lb. and during the past 14 days customers' orders had to be reduced to 3 lb. lots.

Had it not been for a limited supply of raw sugar, the position would have been much worse, stated another grocer. He said the raw sugar actually went further for the housewife than refined sugar, but of course for many purposes it was not as nice to use.

"It is rather strange that supplies of sweets are greater than they have ever been," mentioned one grocer. "Perhaps that is where the sugar is going."

Most customers were now realising that the shortage did not lay at the hands of the retailer, stated several grocers. There were still some* however, who made the position of the storekeepers more difficult by asking for more than their share, and expressing their misguided opinions in no uncertain manner when they were refused.

Some people had endeavoured toaugment their supplies by doing the rounds of the shops, but grocers had now reached the stage where it was possible to serve only regular customers with sugar. "A grim situation," was the general summing up of all" local grocers. Present supplies are even shorter in the South Island, and it is probable that early consignments will be sent there. No light can be obtained' as to when the position will improve;