SUGAR BEET.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume I, Issue 48, 25 September 1880, Page 4

SUGAR BEET.

TO THE EDITOE OP THE STAB.

Sib, — Could nothing, be done here io try and form a comjjany to grow 'he sugar beet and start a sugar factory ? I think there could. My plan would be to call a public meeting of all who are favorable to petitioning the Minister for Lands to reserve one thousand acres of land on the Waimate Plains, to be sold to a company that would start the beet industry. No better man than Sir Julius Vogel could be found to start the company. I have no doubt every settler in this district would be willing to plant 2| to 5 per cent, of their holdings with the sugar beet, and no doubt willing to take shares in the company, and thus give some little guarantee for Sir Julius to begin starting the company at Home. The beet industry'has been paying in France and Germany from 25 to 30 per cent. ; and I believe no better country than this could be found for growing the sugar beet. I believe five hundred men could be placed in twelve months' time on the land on the Plains if the Government would be only willing to sell the land for such a purpose. Within the last eight years the beet industry has doubled in France. If the business was only once started here, the settlers then might bid defiance to the rain that generally destroys their crops, and all native troubles would be at an end. Sir, X hope you will take this matter up, and leave no stone unturned unbil a company has been started in the district. — I am, &c,

Gideon Inkstee. Normanby, September 23.