SUGAR BEET INDUSTRY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23222, 21 June 1937, Page 6

SUGAR BEET INDUSTRY

PROSPECTS OF ESTABLISHMENT POSSIBILITIES OF SOUTH CANTERBURY DEPUTATION TO MINISTER (Special to Daily Times) TEMUKA, June 19. The need for the establishment of a sugar beet factory in South Canterbury was brought under the notice of the Minister of Agriculture (Mr Lee Martin) by an influential deputation which waited on him at the Temuka Borough Council Chambers on Saturday morning. The Minister had broken his journey to Timaru to hear the views on the subject. The Mayor. (Mr A. W. Buzan) presided. After extending a welcome to the Minister the Mayor pointed out that the deputation was representative of the town and district.

Mr T. D. Burnett, M.P., said he was there to seek information on the growing of sugar beet. Twelve months ago a deputation had waited on the Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr D. J. Sullivan) at the opening of the Timaru Winter Show, and since then experimental plots had been arranged and experiments tried out. In spite of a backward season these had proved successful and now help was needed from the Government. The only thing lacking in South Canterbury to-day was confidence.

The Mayor stated that such an industry would be a great advantage to the community. There was an adequate water supply and cheap land and everything favourable for the establishment of a,factory. Mr J. A. Davey, president of the Farmers' Union, stressed the value of the land in the district for the purpose, and pointed out that 20 acres were now being used for experimental purposes. Mr J. T. Smart, president of the Progress League, impressed on the Minister the desirability of attracting the young men away from the cities to the country rather than vice versa, At present the Government, by its legislation, was encouraging the drift to the cities. Experts had advised him that the local grown sugar beet was of high-grade quality, the sugar content being all that was required. Mr W. F. Evans (A. and P. Association) and Mr A. Bisdee, emphasised the fact that local and South Canterbury root growers had a few years ago" scooped the pool" in the roots section at the Otago Winter Show, and had also gained honours at Invercargill and elsewhere. In reply to Mr Burnett, Mr Bisdee said that the by-products could be utilised for feeding stock. Mr W. H. Stanilands, chairman of directors of the Clandeboye Dairy Company, emphasised the importance of the I industry to the dairy farmers of South Canterbury. He understood that 6000 acres were required, and that was available in the Temuka district and districts near at hand.

Other speakers were Messrs A. Johnston, representing the. dairying interests of the district, arid W. Buchan (president of the South Canterbury Executive of the Farmers' Union), whose views were similar to those previously expressed. In x - eply, Mr Lee Martin that the sugar beet question had been discussed wittj.Mr Stafford, one of his officers, and he was grateful to farmers who had given both advice and assistance. Fine results had accrued from small areas, but in !*rge areas the results were not so good. It was intended to enlist the services of experts, but he would have to take into consideration whai opposition would be likely to come from the Colonial Sugar Refining Company at Auckland. It would be some time before he could say definitely whether a factory would be erected at Temuka, but the claims of the district would be seriously considered. All the members of the Cabinet would have to be consulted. He was keenly anxious to stop the drift/from small towns to the cities of young men.