AUSTRALIAN SUGAR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20341, 23 August 1929, Page 13

AUSTRALIAN SUGAR.

AN EXPENSIVE EMBARGO. COSTS £7,560.000 YEARLY. [FROM Ot.'R OWN CORRESPONDENT.] SYDNEY, Aug. 15. From lime to tiino alarming statements arc made as to the cost of Australia's policy of protection to the people it is supposed to protect. Of course, the policy has come to stay, but that does not prevent its opponents from criticising it freely, even though they meet with little encouragement from thb politician and the bulk of the people. The embargo on the importation of sugar into Australia is for the purpose of protecting (lie sugar industry in Queensland and in New South Wales, and were it removed the industry would probably go oul of existence. The workers and the cane growers claim as much. But, according to the Town and Country Union, which is opposed to protection, the embargo is costing Australia £7,000,000 a year, that is to say, the people of Australia arc paying for their sugar £7,000,000 more than they should pay. Is it worth it ? "Housewives pay 4id a lb. for sugar instead of 2d," says a statement issued by the union the other day. "If the embargo were removed, Java whito sugar could be landed in Australia to-day at £lO 10s a lon. Australian white sugar is sold for household use at £36 10s a ton; and for use in the making of jams, canned fruits, sweets, etc., at £3O 10s a ton. Manufacturers of jams, etc., arc compelled to pass on the increased price to consumers, ami thev suffer a diminution of trade in consequence. Before the imposition of the embargo, Java sugar was bought largely for nianu-. facturing purposes, and it was also bought and appreciated by the housewife. Estimating the consumption of sugar in Australia at 300,000 tons, and allowing a rebate to manufacturers of £6 a ton on 40,000 tons, the additional cost to consumers is £7,560,000.

"There may lio some minor allowances whirli would reduce this enormous burden a little. Calculated on a population basis the approximate cost, to each Slate is as follows: —Now South Wales, £2,600,000; Victoria, £2,030,000: Queensland, U .072.000; South Australia, £628,000; Western Australia,. £450,000; Tasmania, £320,000. The penalty is enormous. It is I lie plain duty to nave it removed. "The Town and Country Union as a non-party organisation appeals for the support of all sections of tho community. We request individuals and organisations to niako (he strongest representations to tlio members of the Federal Parliament, to have the embargo removed. Wo are suffering from the high cost of living. The sugar embargo is, perhaps, the highest. single item in this cost. Let us sweep it away. All can help iu tho move to abolish it."