SUGAR PRODUCTION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 236, 5 October 1937, Page 6

SUGAR PRODUCTION.

Australia's greatest industry is its suga> industry. It has refineries in every State in Australia, Fiji and New Zealand. Originally known as the Australian Sugar Company, it commenced the business of refining imported raw sugar in 1842 with a capital of £19,000. Ite assets to-day exceed £20.000,000. Its export trade under agreement with the International Sugar Commission is £8.000,000 per annum. With the exception of £30,000 worth of refined sugar imported into New Zealand yearly—mostly from the U.S.A.—our requirements of l,ooo,ooocwt yearly are met by supplies of imported raws, mostly from the Netherlands East Indies. Trade balances are giving Governments throughout the world much thought, in some cases headaches. \n examination will.show us that Australia's imports from the East Indies, mostly supar and spirit, for the year ending ]93G were just under £5,000,000. Her export*;, however, improved her trade balance by something over £1,000,000. Xew Zealand'* figures for the same period were: Imports from the East Indies, £1,700,000; exports to the East Indies, £1800. In comparison with Australia we see the export ratio ia roundly 500 to 1 against New Zealand. Australia is exporting to the Netherlands East Indies fi've times as much a« she did thirty years ago. while over the same time New Zealand's trade has actually declined. While we are content to place the influence of our purchasing power in other hands, even with the enjoyment of a direct shipping service, we cannot hope to compete successfully with Australia, or get that share of trade rightfully belonging to our farmers. In planning for trade expansion, we are entitled to use every natural advantage. Not to avail ourselves of the bargaining power of direct buying is to do less common senee and duty dictate. A New Zealandcontrolled sugar industry, acting solely in New Zealand's interests, would bring us one etep nearer holding our own. P. J. GOLDFINCH.