BEETROOT AND THE MANUFACTURE OF SUGAR.

Otago Witness, Issue 1704, 19 July 1884, Page 14

BEETROOT AND THE MANUFACTURE OF SUGAR.

Auy proposition having for its object tho introduction and encouragement of new industries in the Colony is always certain to enlist the sympathies of, a large section of the community, whose ardour very frequently outruns discretion. A very considerable class indeed in point of numbers hold to the doctrine that novel enterprises should be fostered in one way or other by the State, until such time as they would acquire atability and develop into profitable undertakings. Thinking persons are prone to inquire into the inherent merits of a project, and oalculate the cost ; enthusiasts, in the belief that " the end will justify the means," and with the hope of ultimate benefits, regard Buch precautions,, with disfavour, and deem it unnecessary to ascertain even approximately the measure of tho support it is their desire to have bo freely rendered. Bvery-day experience, however, proves tbe wisdom of the prudent, tentative course, whilst hastily -adopted and ill-considered schemes invariably bring disaster to those concerned. These observations have been suggested by the prominence recently attached to the manufacture of sugar from beet-root, and the benefits which would accrue were the industry established here. The project has been already pronounced on favourably by some of our leading magnates ; nevertheless it will be advisable to inquire into the conditions under which the industry continues to prosper in other countries, in order that we may judge if our circumstances are equally favourable to its development hGre. The investigating must properly include two distinct manufactures, the cane and tne beet-root sugar, because the price at which the former can be placed on the market must materially affect the question at issue. In France, Holland, Germany, and Austria the manufacture of beat-root sugar of late years has increased enormously. Chemical discoveries and improved mechanical appliances have enabled manufacturers in those countries to increase their exports largely, while there has been considerable improvement in the quality. To encourage the industry some of the European States give a large bounty upon the export of sugar, and the farmers are much in favour of beet cultivation, because " owing to the extensive cultivation it so improves the soil that for years afterwards the crops are greatly improved." The pulp from the sugar factories is utilised for feeding cattle, and the conclusions arrived at by authorities on the subject are that the great expansion in the manufacture of sugar from beet-root on the Continent of Europe so observable since 1881 will continue. The effect on tho markets of this large increase of supplies has been to lower the prices of all descriptions of sugar, and it is said,that beet-root sugar is driving that made from cane out of the market. The Saturday Review, in an article on the subject, states that "Jaggery, a kind used for refining, is selling in London for 9s per cwt, or less than | Id per lb ; German beet sugar is selling at 153 per cwt, or little more than ljd per lb ; and the prices of other kinds are proportionately low." Since May 1883 the prices have fallen from 25 to 30 per cent., though greatly depressed then, and the expectation is that they will fall still further. Of the German production, to which the Review ascribes the low prices, the following statistics are given : — " It is estimated by the best authorities that the yield of last year's crop in the German Empire amounts to about 940,000 tons of svgar — an increase of about 100,000 tons on the previous year, and an increase of as much as 350,000 tons on the year 1880-81. The dense population and the cheapness of labour in Germany make the cost of production very low, and probably therefore the excess of sugar over requirements for consumption in the country will steadily increase. Concurrently with the increasing manufacture in the Western European States, sugar cultivation has been introduced in Egypt, in Brazil, and in India it is rapidly .extending." The great depression prevailing at the Mauritius is entirely attributable to the competition the cane sugar has lately encountered from that made from beet, and we are told that in the future the struggle will be intensified. At our own doors we have tbe cane sugar industry in full swing in

Fiji,. New South Wales, and Queensland. Fiji haa all the advantage in an abundance of cheap labour • New South Wales growers have a protective duty of £5 p^r ton, but do not produce sufficient for the wants of the Colony ;. while Queensland exportß largely, and would export still more but for the difficulty of procuring. suitable labour. In New South Wales the necessary labour io available at the particular season of harvesting the cane, because the districts in which the industry is followed are surrounded by considerable populations) and the work odcupies but a limited time. In \ Queensland, on the contrary, only coloured labour is passible, tho trade in which is now hampered, and the labourers have to be maintained on the plantations all the year round. -For beet-growing more and cheaper labour is required, 1 and growers must be thickly settled in the vicinity of the manufactories to obviate expensive carriage of the roots and pulp, otherwise it would not be possible to supply the manufactured article at the prices quoted. It must be very distinctly apparent that in any attempts to establish in this Colony the manufacture of sugar from beetroot, the production must be limited to our own requirements, and the problem to be solved is simply.: Can we produce the material, for ourselves, under present circumstances, at a cost not much in excess of the imported article? A large expenditure in plant would be involved. Our settlers are scattered, and cartage of supplies of roots would be a formidable item. The pulp, if not less valuable, would be less appreciated ; and, finally, the extra cost of labour would all apparently for the present make the Buccess of the industry very problematical.