WORLD'S SUGAR

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16500, 18 November 1927, Page 7

WORLD'S SUGAR

INCREASING PRODUCTION UNCERTAIN FUTURE SIDNEY, Nov. 2. "The world's sugai' market is at present a very interesting subject to a looker-on, but those more concerned are wondering whit will be the end of the continuing increase in production," said Mr. K. W. lvnox, chairman of directors of the Colonial Sugar Refining Co., when addressing shareholders at the general meeting this afternoon. "Britain has a high protection for beet sugar and expects the refiner to carry on his trade without any aid from the tariff.". Cuba is reducing its output because the United States is embarrased by its over-production. Java adds to its big crop and faces free trade competition. Australia exports 120,000 to 200,000 tons with a return below the cash cost of production, despite the preference given by Britain to its colonnies. Russia is said to lie making more '.nan 1.000,000 tons a year, and Asia could easily consume half the world's production of sugar, but cannot find the money to buy it. "Tne Federal Government has not so far made any announcement of its intentions in regard to the Australian sugar crop when the present control : comes to an end next year. It is oc- ; casionally asserted that our company ; has>had a voice in regard to the course lof action taken by the authorities, but j the fact is that since 1915 we have never i been consulted in the matter of the j price to be paid for sugar. This is not mentioned as a grievance. We can well be content to leave to others the handling of so prickly a subject. /.". \ LOCAL CROPS "The sudden change from excessive rains on the coast in the earlier months of this year to six months of very dry weather, has caused some unexpected developments in the cane crops. These recovered from the floods better than wo had expected, and the estimated deliciency of 160,000 tons of cane is, probably, more-than has been lost, while the sweetness is high, so that the output from the four northern mills in (Queensland will be over the average. iivtt in New South Wales the return is smaller than usual, for much of the cane has suffered severely from frosts, which have been more frequent in the past winter than in previous years, and have actually continued until the first week in October. "In this State, also, the crop for 1927 has suffered much. In Queensland, the young canes are growing well, and the make of sugar may exceed that of this year, though rain is now wanted in the north.. "At present, it is expected that the whole output of sugar in Australia will reach 493,000 tons, of which 150,000 tons have been sold to Jintish and Canadian refineries."