17 MARCH 1917, Page 2

Mr. Richardson went on to ask whether Captain Bathurst was

aware that scores of thousands of tons of Manila sugar had been used for domestic purposes, and that it was usable for everything except with tea. To this the answer was in the affirmative, but with the proviso as to licences just quoted. Sir William Essex there- upon asked whether the time had not come when even this sugar should be used for domestic purposes, to which Captain. Bathurst replied that the Government had only recently taken drastic action in this direction. He added : " I have not the slightest doubt that if the requirements of the nation necessitate it, further and more drastic action will be taken."