THE SUGAR COMMISSION.

West Coast Times, 3 May 1912, Page 3

THE SUGAR COMMISSION.

AN IMPORTANT STATEMENT. PROFITS OF THE REFINING COY. [PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPYRIGHT.] SYDNEY, May 2. Failing to get a hearing at the Sugar Commission, Mr Knox (General Manager of the Sugar Company) published a page statement in the press, dealing with the Conlonial Sugar Company’s position in regard to the industry. Ho shows that during the period of April Ist., 1907. to March 31st, 1911, the Company's profits from Sydney, Molftairne and Brisbane refineries wa( £597,785, or 15s 11 Id net per ton of raw sugar treated.

He claims that sugar refining is wholly a free trade industry. In support of this he points out that in Now Zealand where there is no duty on sugar, refining is free from customs supervision, while the prices charged only differ os per ton from tho rates ruling here, where there is £6 customs dui.v. He rebuts tho charge that the Company has a monopoly on tho sugar trade of Australia and declares that only about a third of what is produced in Australia is made at the Company’s mills.

Regarding the white Labour question he bolds there cannot ho the least hope of the industry being maintained otherwise than with r-u.neient protection to cover tho extra cost of white labour. He knows that raw sugar can bo imported cheaper than it is produced by the Company in Australia. After reference to tho good relations between the Company and its employees, ho concludes that like every other employer in Australia what the company most wants is to be left alone, so long as its actions arc in conformity with tho law.