SUGAR FEDERATION

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 331, 17 April 1928, Page 12

SUGAR FEDERATION

QUEENSLAND RESIGNING DISSATISFIED WITH POLICY (United P. A. — By Telegraph — Copyright.) (Australian Press Association) Reed. 9.5 a.m. LONDON, Monday. The Australian Press Association learns that Queensland is resigning from the Sugar Federation, owing to her dissatisfaction with a policy which confines the benefits flowing from the proposed new duties to sugars of under 98 degrees’ polarisation, instead of 09. It is contended that British refiners are equally well protected under the Australian proposals. Mauritius is also contemplating resignation. Nevertheless, Queensland circles fear that the decision will take away the advantage of Queensland being included in the Budget. The “Morning Post” says Mr. L. S. Arnery, Secretary of State for the Bominions, was placed in full possession of the facts, and his support of the Australian case was confidently relied on. Fortunately, there is an easy wayout, by a variable reduction of the sugar duty, which should be 99 degrees or below for Empire sugar and 98 for non-Empire. Queensland and Mauritius would thus be safeguarded. The “Morning Post’’ says editorially that at a time when the development of Empire trade is a cardinal article of the national policy, it would be most regrettable if a serious setback were inflicted on the staple industry of two important parts of the Empire by an unconsidered measure of fiscal adjustment. The Dominions and colonies rightly look to Mr. Amery for support in this matter. A London cablegram of March 2G read: The Agent-General for Queensland, Mr. John Huxham, interviewed Sir Francis Floud, chairman of the Board of Customs and Excise, and pointed out the extent to which Queensland would suffer under the proposed new polarisation of the sugar standard. Be urged that Queensland’s point of view deserved consideration. Sir Francis gave a non-com-mittal reply. APPLE AND PEAR CROPS MARKET EXPECTED TO IMPROVE After a wet spring followed by an exceptionally dry summer, the orchardists in the commercial fruitgi owing areas around Henderson have enjoyed very favourable weather during the past few weeks in which to harvest the main crop of apples and pears. Those varieties which are acceptable under regulations in which the standard of cleanliness of colour and size could be obtained have been mainly exported to the United Kingdom or South American markets —but nevertheless a large quantity has been placed in cool storage. Still larger quantities have found and are still finding their way on to the local market, thus temporarily weakening the same. It is confidently expected that an improved tone will shortly be in evidence, as the main crop varieties of apples ex orchard are now becoming rapidly diminished. The value of efficient cultivation has been very clearly shown during the dry summer, and neglect in this regard has proved a sharp lesson to the. growers who do not generally pay sufficient attention to this all-import-ant factor in the production of payable fruit crops no the North Auckland gum lands. The present temporary shortage of New Zealand-grown lemons is attributed to the lack of sufficient rains just after the spring blossoming was finished, and indeed so great was the check thus given to lemon and orange trees alike that defoliation was in evidence in mamy groves. The early autumn rains, however, were most beneficial in restoring foliage and a fine show of blossom is now to be seen in most well-cared for lemon groves. MINING NEWS ALBURNIA. —The manager reports as follows: “The drive on the dropper has been advanced from 297 ft to 313 ft north from the crosscut. The leader continues to show a width of about 12in and in places a- little pug is showing through the quartz. The quartz is of a good character, showing a little antimony and good minerals, and the country rock, which is of a splendid class, continues to be firm as reported last week.”