The N.Z. Times TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1909. BEET-ROOT SUGAR

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 6964, 2 November 1909, Page 4

The N.Z. Times

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2,1909. BEET-ROOT SUGAR

WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE “WELLINGTON INDEPENDENT." ESTABLISHED 1815.

Tho announcement made by the Prime Minister the, other day that ho would give the House an opportunity of considering the question of sugar production in New Zealand revives a question which has been discussed from time to time within the last twenty years. At present practically the whole of the sugar used in New Zealand is grown in Fiji, and is controlled by the Colonial Refining Company. It is obvious enough that if instead of, importing this article of domestic consumption it could bo produced within our own borders the industry would be one of some moment and of particular value to the rural community in districts adapted to cultivation of the sugarbeet. If inducement were offered tho capital for establishment of refineries would soon bo forthcoming, and the problem for Parliament to determine is whether the interests of the community are better served by importing supplies of sugar than they would be by utilising public money to build up a local industry. A Beet-root Sugar Bill was introduced into the House of Representatives in 1895, and read a second time by 37 votes to 22. On tho motion for committal being carried tho measure was killed, Captain Russell’s proposal that progress be reported meeting with the support of a majority. The Bill proposed that a bonus of a halfpenny per pound should bo paid on sugar produced in the Dominion I during a period of fifteen years. The debate hinged principally upon tho question of free trade, and exception was taken to any Parliament passing a measure which might hamper its successor. Some doubt was expressed whether beet-root for' .refining purposes could be satisfactorily grown in New Zealand. Upon the latter point we understand that there is no reason for despair, as experiments made in recent years have proved that beets bearing a high percentage of saccharine can bo raised in the Waikato and other parts of New Zealand. The Bill introduced in 1895 was really an extension of an Act previously passed by the Stout-Vogel Government, but which had expired by effluxion of time, no one having taken advantage of its provisions. When brought forward by the Seddon Government it remained on the order paper for some weeks without being discussed, and then made one of a number of “ slaughtered innocents.” At the request, however, of some thirty members of the House it was reinstated. During the next two or three years tho question of again submitting proposals for bonus payments was revived at intervals, but without practical result. Mr Seddon referred to it in approving terms, and in his Budget of 1897 promised legislation. For some reason or other he did not proceed with tho matter. There has always been a strong body of opinion in the Legislature that sugar production should be encouraged as a means of retaining a large sum of money in the country and affording settlers’ opportunity of engaging in a highly profitable form of agriculture.

The beet industry is most emphatic-

ally an agricultural industry of tlu iirst order—that is to say, it has the tendency to enlarge infinitely the productive capabilities of the soil; it load" to increased production of other ciopc. which it docs not exclude, but, on the contrary, demands; it is of a progressive character. In Europe its development affords a most remarkable example of rapid growth. There tho industry was subsidised so wisely that it progressed with amazing strides until now it occupies one of the first places in agricultural pursuits. Indeed, it is the opinion, gained from experience in all beet-producing countries, that the cultivation of-beet materially increases the production of cereals and other crops, and of animal food; and that, therefore, it stands pre-eminent as a beneficent industry. 'ln this respect wo have not only tho testimony of Europe, but we have also that of California, where'tho beet industry is firmly established on a solid basis. Tho growth of beet for the manufacture of sugar has become a sine qua non in the social economics of nearly every civilised country. In Sweden tho first factory was opened in 1882, and produced 1472 tons. In eleven years the industry had expanded to such an extent that there were fourteen factories, and the output had reached 40.G00 tons. In 1888 the Californian output was 1786 tons; in 1893 it was 19,486. The succeeding development has been on a similar scale. From Germany, Russia, France, and other countries the record is similar. Under these circumstances, and with the knowledge that New Zealand can produce the raw material to manufacture a product for which she now sends yearly abroad nearly a million sterling it seems reasonable that Parliament should consider whether we are doing our duty in this matter.