COLONIAL SUGAR COMPANY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3672, 29 July 1924, Page 49

COLONIAL SUGAR COMPANY.

THE CHEL.SEA WORKS. QUESTION' OF CLOSING. AUCKLAND, July 22. The possibility of the closing of the Colonial Sugar Refining Company’s works at Chelsea is viewed with a good deal ol concern by the Auckland industrial Association, which held a special meeting to consider the matter. A motion was carried unanimously that the attention of Parliament be drawn to the serious position that would arise should the company find itself unable to continue the relining of sugar in New Zealand through the removal of the present Customs duty on refined sugar. The probable future intermitteney of supplies, now regularly available, continues the motion, would greatly embarrass New Zealand manufacturers using sugar, and would probably increase the cost of their products to the public. Attention is also drawn to the fact that some 370 workmen would ha deprived of employment by the closing ot the works. The Government is urged to appoint a special parliamentary committea to inquire into the position and report forthwith. Mr E. M. Hills was appointed to represent the association before any commission or committee the Government might set up. WELLINGTON, July 23. A deputation from the Chelsea Sugar Company’s employees asked Mr Massey to have the present duty of five-sixteenths of a. penny (expiring in September) continued to prevent tlie company carrying out its threat to close the works. The chief spokesman said there was a general feeling that the company was in earnest. Building work had been stopped, and there was only raw sugar enough in the works for August, and arrangements had been made to land Fiji Sugar in August, which would be the last shipment unless tha industry was kept alive. Another speaker said Labour's view regarding the tariff had changed. He thought the company would like to establish a refinery in the Islands, worked by Indians. Mr Massey said lie certainly was not in favour of turning down fellow-citizens and replacing them by black labour at a pennyan hour! The remedy was to get a majority in the House in favour of the tariff. It was a close thing last session, and he had heard, that some who supported it then would not support it again.