SUGAR BEET

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIX, Issue 21993, 19 June 1941, Page 6

SUGAR BEET

Industry For South Canterbury Minister Interested "After considerable study and investigation of the sugar beet industry, an encouraging communication regarding the industry has been received from the Minister of Industries and Commerce,’’ reported the Publicity and Progress Committee to a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce last night. The report, which expressed appreciation of the assistance of the Rev. Clyde Carr, M.P., set out the letter to the Minister (Hon. D. G. Sullivan) from the Chambers in which the claims of South Canterbury for the establishment of the industry were set out in detail and the following questions appended (1) "In 1934 your Department was of the opinion that at that time the industry would have to be subsidised by the Government if it were to exist. Now that the price of refined cane sugar has risen since 1934, are you still of the opinion that a subsidy is necessary? If so, would not a gradually diminishing subsidy as given in Great Britain meet the case? (2) "Practically all sugar to-day is imported mostly from Java, a country in the sterling group. The value of imports of raw sugar is of the order of £1,090,000. The establishment of the industry would help conserve sterling exchange up to that figure. Tire industry, if inaugurated now, would be available for repatriation of soldiers after the war, both as growers and factory workers. Do you not consider these facts sufficient to warrant the Government using its best endeavours to have the necessary machinery and plant imported from the United Kingdom or even from the United States of America? (3) “Can you give any indication of the attitude of the Government towards the suggestion that the Government itself should finance and carry out this industry in South Canterbury, as it is apparently in the national interests that it should be so established; but on account of the heavy capital outlay involved, it may be difficult for private enterprise to establish the industry?” Minister’s Reply

In his reply the Minister said: "I am pleased to note the great interest in the Industry which is being displayed, and any encouragement which you can give to farming and other interests to become more fully acquainted with the many ramifications of sugar beet and its by-products should be well repaid in the future. “I wish, first, to advise you that I am pleased and Interested to note the trouble that your Chamber has evidently taken in studying the problem of beet sugar production. The successful establishment of this industry calls for the interest and co-operation of farmers and others in the whole growing area, and there are so many interrelated aspects connected with sugar beet and the various by-products that the problem as a whole is an absorbing one. “One of the early actions taken by myself in 1935 was to commence an exhaustive investigation into the prospects of establishing the Industry. Included was provision for growing test crops in South Canterbury to which you refer. Owing to the magnitude of the sugar beet industry it has been necessary to require the fullest amount of data, and an examination of both agricultural and factory problems, has been made in a number of countries overseas. This examination has covered all the points raised in your letter. Economic cost of sugar produced from beet is related chiefly to the average farm production costs and yield per acre to the growing area and to economy in the production of sugar in the factory, for which beets must be produced in sufficient volume to justify the establishment of a factory of a certain size. “There are several features of the industry which you have mentioned which are of considerable importance. Among these is the fact that the yield of crops shows a significant increase when sugar beet is introduced into the rotation. Another is the great value attached to the use of the by-products if these are used correctly. Although you have not mentioned the fact, beet molasses is an excellent base material, allowing for its value ex the sugar factory, for the production of industrial alcohol. South Canterbury is fortunate to having ample supplies of limestone, reasonable access to coal supplies and level country with a good road system by which the transport of beets would be facilitated“In the final determination of the whole problem you may be assured that every consideration will be given to the claims of South Canterbury, which are considerable, and to all the points raised in your letter.” Renewed Encouragement “The reply from the Minister has given the committee renewed encouragement,” commented the chairman (Mr A. M. Parker). "As a result we can reasonably hope for the establishment of a useful industry to South Canterbury.” Mr J. M. Bishop said that the Chamber should endeavour to get a definite reply to the questions put to the Mmister in addition to the formal assurance of interest. The chairman said it was the intention of the commftttee to get definite replies to all the questions submitted. The meeting decided to thank the Minister for his letter and to ask the committee to maintain representations.