SUGAR AND FERTILISERS

Taranaki Daily News, 2 December 1933, Page 9

SUGAR AND FERTILISERS

QUESTIONS IN PARLIAMENT ANSWER TO MR. C. A. WILKINSON. BEEKEEPING INDUSTRY AFFECTED. PHOSPHATE SUBSIDY DISCUSSION. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Dec. 1. Mr. C. A. Wilkinson (Ind., Egmont), pointing out that the duty on sugar constituted a hardship to those engaged in the beekeeping industry, asked in the House of Representatives yesterday whether some relief could'be given. Mr. C. E. Macmillan, Minister of Agriculture, said the effect of the sugar duty on the industry had been discussed fully last year with the Minister of Customs, but the Government had found itself unable to remit tire duty. The practical impossibility of ensuring that duty-free sugar would be used only for feeding bees had had an important bearing on this. The whole question had lately received further attention and steps were being taken to ascertain whether it was possible to adopt some method -of denaturing sugar which would not detract from its fitness fop feeding bees. Mr. Wilkinson also asked for a pronouncement regarding the Government’s policy with respect to fertiliser subsidy for next year. Mr. Macmillan said arrangements had been made, for a meeting with representatives of superphosphate manufacturers next week for the purpose of discussing the question of subsidy for the remainder of the 12 months ending on June 30. The present arrangement expired at the end of December. The Minister said the Government’s policy would be announced as soon after the meeting as circumstances permitted.