SUGAR IN AUSTRALIA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21099, 5 February 1932, Page 10

SUGAR IN AUSTRALIA.

MOVE FOR LOWER PRICE. REVISION OF AGREEMENT. One factor in Iho cost of living with which the ('rinimonwo.-ilth as a whole and • lie State of Queensland in particular arc closely concerned is sugar," said I lie Prime .Minister of Australia, Mr. J. A. Lyons, in his address to the Loan Council in Melbourne. " The cost of sugar to the consumer is fixed by (ho terms of the sugar agreement to which these two Governments arc parties. While practically every section of the community has had during the last two years to submit to heavy reductions in income, whether from wages or any other source, the sugar industry, having regard to the increased purchasing power of money, is maintained at much the same standard as it, gained in the days of Australia's greatest prosperty.

"The Commonweal!h Government feels that, this is an anomaly, and it proposes to invite parties to the agreement to review its terms so that this industry should share in the general reduction to which all other industries, and indeed practically every other section of the community in Australia, has had to submit. A reduction in tho price of sugar would have a substantial effect in reducing the cost of living, and would widen the fields of production in all industries."