SUGAR INDUSTRY

Evening Star, Issue 19843, 17 April 1928, Page 8

SUGAR INDUSTRY

QUEENSLAND RESIGNS FROM FEDERATION Ni;w DUTIES RESENTED. Prtss Association—By Telegraph-Copyright LONDON, April 16. (Received April D, at 9..35 a.nr.) It is .stated that Queensland is resigning from the Sugar federation, owing to dissatisfaction with the policy which coniines the benefits flowing from the proposed new duties to sugars under IXldcg Polarisation instead of 99deg, contending that British rclincrs arc equally well protected under (he Australian proposals. . Mauritius is also contemplating resignation. Nevertheless, Queensland circles fear that tho decision, working at a disadvantage to Queensland, will bo included' in tho Budget. Tho ‘ Morning Post ’ says that Mi: Aniory lias been placed in full possession of the facts, and his support lor the Australian case can be confidently relied on. Fortunately there is an easyway out by a variable reduction of the sugar duty which should ho 99deg or below for "Empire sugar and 98deg for non-Empire sugar. Queensland and Mauritius would thus he safeguarded. The ‘Morning Post’ editorially says: “ At a time when the development of tho Empire trade is a cardinal article of the national policy, it would be most regrettable if a serious setback were inflicted on tho staple industry of two important parts of the Empire by an unconsidered measure of fiscal adjustment. The dominions and tho colonies rightly look to Mr Amc-ry for support in this connection.”—Australian Press Association.