COTTON GROWING.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 144082, 29 April 1913, Page 5

COTTON GROWING.

PROSPECTS IN QUEENSLAND. “I have already indicated the importance which the Dominions Commission is likely to attach to the possibilities of cotton growing in Queensland; writes the special correspondent of the Sydney Morning Herald. ’Their report is certain to carry weight with the British Cotton Growing Association, who have. hitherto regarded - the growing of cotton by: white labour outside the range of practical politics. One aspect of the siiojset which has not hitherto been adequately discussed will, it may bo anticipated, receive the attention of. the Commission. It seems clear that the .profits to ho . obtained from cotton growing par-acre are im- ( measureably greater than those derived from the cultivation of sugar. If all the conditions necessary for profitable cotton growing—-e.g,, soil, climate, market—other , than labour obtain (and upon this there does hot seem to bo any difference of opinion) the question arises whether the labour now demoted to sugar growing;, should not be diverted to the cultivation of cotton. It should not be necessary “that the artificial stimulus now provided in the case of sugar, by the -protective duty and bounty' should be given for cotton, whilst the profits should be greater. In the sugar fields, as with dairying, the ■tendency is for large estates to be, cut up, and for labour to be done to a considerable extent by small growers with the assistance of their families, co-operative arrangements being in force for disposal of the cane.- , Why should not this system, which appears to be working with no little success in the sugar industry (and incidentally to .be cutting the edge off Mr. ‘ Tudor’s new schedule of labour conditions), be adopted with cotton, with far greater profit, and without any burden, being placed upon the Australian public? That-is'the question, started baldly, which the Commissioners will consider; and , I have called; attention to it because it illustrates the kind of practical problem to which the Commissioners are addressing themselves, if not with the certainty of final solution, at all events with the knowledge that publicity and impartial presentation of facts and possibilities must induce further thought and investigation.