To Protection
pp. 59-61 · Read in the full issue
Expert Replies To The Experts
Territory Sugar
Entitled
To Protection
Sir,—Your article in the May “ pim” headed, “What Chance for a Sugar Industry in New Guinea?” commenting on the views of Mr. M. J. Leahy, a well Known Territorian, has been read with interest by the writer, a well known chief executive in Queensland sugar mills for many years. Mr. Leahy should be com mended for his recommendation, which in the writer’s opinion is 30 years overdue. However, the comments of your ex perts’ opinions cannot be let pass without some criticism.
SINCE Mr. Leahy’s views were given the writer has been co opted by the Morobe Settlers’ and Planters’ Association, of Lae and district, to advise and guide them on the possibilities of a sugar industry for the Territory. I have recommended in the first instance, that a small raw sugar factory be erected possibly near Lae m the Markham Valley, to supply the Territory’s needs, viz., 6,000 tons of sugar. This would necessitate a cane crop of 50/60,000 tons annually.
Later on as the country develops, naturally export sugar would be available. The foregoing recom mendation was received very favour at> Surely in all fairness, if the Aus tralian peanut growers are seeking an embargo against New Guinea peanut growers exporting their pro duct into Australia, the Territonans should get the same protection from our Administration backed by the Commonwealth Government, for protection for locally grown cane and sugar.
Australian Help
Regarding a later possible export quota of sugar being available, surely the Australian Government, which controls our destinies here, would not debar a small quota of sugar from this Territory, just to further protect a very highly-protected in dustry at present, namely the Aus tralian sugar industry.
Further, as the Australian con sumption of sugar is increasing by some 12/15,000 tons annually, surely the Queensland cane growers and millers would not begrudge us a portion of this added new annual increase—that they do nothing to create. Also the Australian tax payers should add their weight be hind any new industries in New Guinea, which must ultimately lessen
mount of taxation they are 1 now to keep this country go regards the Commonwealth here, we must in all fairness e our quota as being part and I of this great family. With the free market, I feel confiden.
Inited Nations will protect us s field, as they are continually g the Australian Government eate more industries for the 3 people. r arding the continuous cry of Australian sugar industry about production, I would point out that they have been over icing since 1915, with ever ising vigour, and although they have to sell the surplus at a price to England and Canada the Australian price, it has
7 s been a paying proposition,
■wise it would have been dis nued.
More Sugar Needed
im of the firm opinion that if world is to be properly fed, i more sugar will Lave to be need than at present; this co;n on is further amplified by a it report from the United Dns, which read as follows; e world faces a sugary future rding to the United Natrons
J and Agriculture Organisation.
l , y a war consumption, until non, ily confined to advanced suga tries , will spread to und f£l loped countries, as well as the et bloc. The organisation pre , fhn f by 1970, the world sugar umption will be up to 67,000 000 58 per cent, more than in 195 S ’ most significant increase will n those countries where at pre the average man eats less than lbs sugar per year—less than tourist airline baggage allow ?. These countries at the pre : time comprise one-half of the
Id’s population.
r. Leahy was wrongly quoted as immending a sugar mill in the tral Highlands of New Guinea.
Central Highlands would be i for growing experimental and n seed plots of sugar cane. As I e stated, the sugar mill would t likely be built in the Markham ley adjacent to Lae, where the essary shipping facilities would available. hank you for giving our efforts e to create anew industry some ly prominence in your valued and I read magazine.
I am, etc..
S. B. Best
;hnical Advisor on Sugar In ustry, TNG. lag, via Lae.