SUGAR CONTRACT

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 247, 13 July 1921, Page 5

SUGAR CONTRACT

QUESTION OF RENEWAL PROTEST AGAINST ALLEGED ■ i SECRECY * By Telegraph—Special Correspondent. Mastorton, July 12. Tho question of sugar control engaged the attention of the Chamber of ComTneree meeting this afternoon, and them Van some straight talk. Kcplies were received from the chambers of commerce at Palmerston North. Canterbury. Auckland, and Wellington in reply to the local chamber's telegram regarding renewal of the sugar contract. The two former chambers supported the local chamber, while the two latter replied in the negative The president of tlio chamber (Mr. -A. C. Major) said that there was nothing definite known as to whether the sugar contract had been renewed or not. Tf the contract had been renewed, whv sn when the price of sugar was falling? 'The Wellington Chamber of Comn'jvrcb seemed to bn in sympathy with the Colonial Sugar Company in that the latter had not made bigger profits during th" war.

Mr. D. M. Graham asked whv there was need for socrecv on the part of the the Government if a renewal of the Sugar contract had been 'signed. The secrecy did not reflect credit on the Government or the responsible Department. Java and other sugar wns now coming on to the market. A lot of German beef sugar would bo placed on the market before long. Tn Australia the nrice of sugar was lower than in the Pominion. Sugar was now sd. nor lb. in Melbourne. Before the war the price of sugar was fid. ner lb., and at this price th* Colonial Sugar Company made a handsome profit- They had he n rd much about the cost of labour and tho high wages paid, tn sugar workers, hut what did they find? Before the war coolies received 2s. per day, wli-ile to-day they received the enormous sum of 2s. fid. Mr. Major eai-’ that the chief objection camo from Wellington. A member: Perhaps thev nro mor* 'deeply interested in a certain direction 'than anpenrs on the surface.

Mr. J. Ca’olberg stated that what tho chambers of commerce should concentrate upon was to hav« Government control removed from private trading. Other members agreed with th’*. Mr. Major moved: "That tho Minister of Industries and Commerce be written to inquiring whether the sugar contract has been renewed and whether it is intended to restrict the importation of sugar from other countries.” The motion was carried.