COLONIAL SUGAR’S BIGGER GUARANTEE

Press, Volume C, Issue 29557, 5 July 1961, Page 7

COLONIAL SUGAR’S BIGGER GUARANTEE

(New Zealand Press Association)

SUVA. July 4 The Colonial Sugar Refin-, ing Company announced to-1 day an increase in the amount of sugar cane which it guarantees to buy from growers in Fiji in the 1962 season. An announcement in March said the company would buy enough cane to make 235,000 tons of sugar. This amount has now been raised to 250.000 tons, which is 25 per cent, above last year's quota. Today’s announcement said the offer was conditional on agreement being reached on terms for the sale and purchase of cane. At present only a provisional agreement is in force. The industry is waiting for the refwirt of the comnrrssiion of inquiry headed by Sir Malcolm Trustram Eve, which sat earlier this year. In announcing the new quota, the company urged farmers to plant cane for the 1962 season as soon as possible. The company ex-

pressed concern at the com- , paratively small amount of I planting so far. In three mill districts 55 to :70 per cent, of cane areas have been planted, but in the Lautoka district the percentage is only 19 Many farmers have been afraid to plant because of threats that their houses and cane would be burnt. These threats have lost some of their effectiveness now that the crushing season has begun. Cane burnt while the mills are closed is a total loss. If the mills are working any cane harvested within a day or two of burning will still yield sugar and can be sold. President’s Niece.—M r s J Peter Lawford, sister of ‘ President Kennedy and wife iof the British-born actor, gave birth to her fourth child I last night, a six-pound girl, i —Santa Monica. California, I July 3.