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Waikato Independent, Volume XXIX, Issue 3105, 2 July 1929, Page 8

Aostralia's sugaj industry pays over JO\OOO,OOO a year /in wages, and has created a very large trade with southera States in manufactured goods of 4fl; descriptions. Sugar production has entirely changed since the Kanaka ,days. ■■'■ A large proportion Of the sugar was then produced under the, plantation system with numerous large holding*. To-day there are .over 8000 individual farmers engaged in the industry, cultivating an average of 57 acres -each, and only seven or eight plantations still remain. This has resulted in an intense form of closer settlement, has great, advantages both econoniically and socially. Go veraanent. control started in 1915 the acreage tinder production has increased , from 173,000 to 284,000, and the nunijber of direct employees from 16,700 to 30,000, while employment is of course provided for many thousands more.