SUGAR COMMISSION'S REPORT

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15169, 7 December 1912, Page 7

SUGAR COMMISSION'S REPORT

PROPOSED LEGISLATIVE ACTION^

Melbottbne, December 6. <;: Mr. Fisher (Federal, Prime Minister) stated in. the House of Representatives yesterday that' he had communicated with the various State Governments with reference to the Sugar Commissioner's re-" port, and had asked them to take action. If the Premier of Queensland complied with his requests a Bill dealing with the matter would be introduced during .-the current session,

Brisbane, December 6.

The Premier (Mr. Denham) announced in the Legislative Assembly yesterday, that Mr. Fisher had advised him that the Federal Government proposed to introduce Bills this session to abolish the Sugar Excise and Bounty Acts, and also coloured labour. He had much pleasuro in complying with the request to introduce legislation dealing with coloured labour, and he sincerely trusted that the Commission's proposals would end the unrest and ensure the stability of the sugar industry. Mr. Denham, in his reply to Mr. Fisher, said that as the people of Australia desire the sugar. industry kept a white labour industry, Queensland will gladly support any arrangement to secure the realisation of that ideal. In order to pay the white workers the highest wages consistent with the prosperity of the industry, Mr. DeAham promised to enlarge the scope' of the Industrial Bill to include sugar workers. Commenting on the position, Mr. Denham says, " Queensland can easily raise all the 6ugar required in Australia, and under our artificial conditions immediately we reach the limit of the Commonwealth consumption production can be curtailed. Realising tho conditions under which sugar, cane must be grown, and the importance of settling tho north-east coast of Australia, any sacrifice required would • bring ample justification and reward."'