SUGAR CONTROL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18772, 28 July 1924, Page 3

SUGAR CONTROL.

PRESENT SYSTEM BEST. MR. THEODORE'S OPINION. The Premier of Queensland, Mr. E. G. Theodore, stated last week that the Government had completed agreements with the refining companies for the handling of the 1924 season's sugar output. At the end of the present year the arrangement between the Commonwealth and State Governments would expire, "Experience of the 12 months' operations under the existing arrangement," Mr. Theodore continued, "satisfies me that continuation is necessary for the welfare of the industry and Australia-. I am satisfied that the existing arrangement is more advantageous to all concerned—producers, workers and consumers—than simply _ tariff protection. - For instance, the price of raw sugar on the world's market in February last was approximately £30. To-day it is £17, Any fixed tariff, if it were to protect the home industry in July, would have been an imposition on the consumer if it operated on February's price. The present arrangement is not unlike the fluctuating tariff as provided for in the Fordney tariff of the United States. However, this has been found difficult to. operate, and I think the people of Australia are to be congratulated upon being free from the wild speculation and market fluctuations of other countries."