SUGAR WORKERS' STRIKE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14746, 31 July 1911, Page 7

SUGAR WORKERS' STRIKE.

' A MINISTER'S THREAT.

By Telegraph —Press Association.— ' Melbourne, July 29. Mr. W. M. Hughes (Acting-Federal Prima Minister) announced, yesterday that Vhe would not have the slightest hesitation in repealing the Customs duty on sugar at the earliest possible moment as a solution of the Queensland trouble. .He.'was not speaking for himself alone in ■ this declaration. . ..." In referring to the. increased price 'V of sugar,' Mr. Hughes declared that there were other monopolies in Australia, but none of them had the unblushing effrontery to declare their price in the daily papers in this callous, indecent; fashion; : The people were simply expected to pay and look pleasant. The Government, Mr. Hughes said, imposed a duty of £6 a ton in order to encourage white labour, not to increase the dividends of ; the Sugar Company.: If the strike continued the; company would . sell stocks, which were ample, at an increased rate, but by reason of such : conduct the reason for; the imposition of the : duty would cease.' . -";- ;; '"':',";'' "■:':?■ •

THE TROUBLE SPREADING. '.' Brisbane, July 29. \ : :- The sugar canecutters, at: the ' Hardwood mill, Grafton, have struck for increased pay for loading .'; punts . ; and ■I; also for ~•■ more ; rations.

PRICE OF SUGAR RAISED. ": {Received July 31, 12.5 a.m.) MELIfoUENE, July 30. .- Grocers are increasing the: price of sugai by a farthing a pound. The Sugar Company has refused to supply orders for export, all the available stocks being required locally. • Mr. Tudor (Minister for Customs) says that Mr.; Hughes's statement ; regarding the abolition • of the duty on sugar is practically what he told ; the = strikers -'a*:, Bundaberg. *