Sugar In New

Guinea?

Ambitious Plan in Sydney

A GENTLEMAN named Mr. Leonard C. Horton, who was described as managing director of “Mandated New Guinea Sugar Plantations Pty.

Ltd.”, informed Sydney newspapers on April 6 that shortly he will make appli cation for between 15,000 and 20,000 acres in New Guinea, on which to establish a sugar industry. He said, also, that his company might seek a smaller area in higher altitudes for the production of tea.

Further information will be awaited with interest.

It is well known that conditions in New Guinea are very suitable for the growing of sugar-cane, but it is equally well known that British Empire authori ties discourage the further production of sugar, which has been in considerable over-supply throughout the world.

If sugar is grown in New Guinea, it must be sold in the world market under conditions of sharp competition—there is no market for it in Australia, where the market is completely supplied by the Queensland industry.

No sugar-growing industry could be more efficiently and economically con ducted than that controlled by the Colonial Sugar Refining Company in Fiji; and that industry, even with the blessing of the Empire Government, and with a firm hold on certain markets, is by no means too profitable. We were told, recently, that the total profits of the C.S.R. Company in Fiji during do not average more than £70,000 per annum.

Skinner, who recently arrived in Western Samoa from New Zealand, has joined the staff of Apia Government Hos pital.