THE SUGAR SHORTAGE

Waikato Times, Volume 92, Issue 14256, 6 January 1920, Page 5

THE SUGAR SHORTAGE

A DISTRIBUTING SCHEME. INAUGURATED IN AUCKLAND. RATIONING OFFICER APPOINTED. (Bv Telegraph. —Press Association.) AUCKLAND. ,Monday. The Government has been .watching the sugar shortage in different places, and has now come to an arrangement with the Colonial Sugar Company, so that an otiicial appointed by the Board of Trade will work with the company’s Auckland manager from to-day to arrange for the distribution of the product. Th.s scheme of things will commence to-day, according to the Prime Minister, and sugar will bo allotted to all merchants on a percentage basis found by the average requirements during the past three years.. Household requirements are to be met first, then supplies lor cssent.al industries.

Besides th i definite scheme of distribution, an ■. < nipt well be made to discount the effects of any uncertainty in coastal shipping, and the Government officer appointed will assume responsibility for a fair distribution of the available sugar. Provided there is no interruption in shipping, the Colonial Sugar Co. expects to be able to supply the demand from now onwards. The Prime Minister said the present acute sugar shortage was accentuated by the action of the Auckland Watersidcrs, who refused to discharge the Fiona, which brought abo-.it 5000 tons of the raw material here in October last. Mr Massey said that 5000 tons was the equivalent of a month’s normal demand in New Zealand.