AN ANGRY SCENE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12752, 2 May 1912, Page 5

AN ANGRY SCENE.

COMPANY ONLY WANTS TO BE LEFT ALONE. (Press Assn.— By Telegraph.— Copyright.) SYDNEY, May 1. There aamls a scene at the Sugar Commission. Mr Knox (general manager of the Sugar Company), when called; desired to read a, prepared statement. The chairman of the Commission explained that they Avould first take evidence m the form of question and answer, but, Mr Knox persisted m reading from the statement. Finally the chairman angrily declared the sitting closed. (Received May 2, 12.10 p.m.) "SYDNEY, May 2. - Failing to get a hearing at the Sugar Commission, Mr Knox published a page statement m the press, dealing Avith the Colonial Sugar Company's position. In regard to the industry, he shows that during the period April 1, 1907, toj March 31, 1911, t'he company's profit from the Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane refineries Avas £591,785, or £15 lis O^d net per ton of raw sugar treated. He claims that the sugar refining is wholly a free-trade industry. In support of this he points out that m New Zea land there was no duty on sugar. The refining Avas free from Customs supervision, Avhile the prices charged' there only differ 5s per ton from the rates ruling here when the Customs duty is deducted. He rebuts the charge that the company has a monopoly of sugar m Australia. He declares that only about one-third of the sugar produced m Australia is made at the company's mills. Regarding the AA'hite labor question, he 4iolds that there cannot be the least hope of the industry being maintained otherAvise than with sufficient protection to cover the extra cost of Avhite labor. He shows that sugar can be imported considerably cheaper than produced by the company m Australia. After reference to the good relations betAveen tjie company and its employees he concludes: "Like every other employer m Australia, Avhat the company most wants is. to be left alone so long as its actions are m conformity' Avith the '-law."