I SUGAR CONVENTION.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1341, 19 January 1912, Page 5

I SUGAR CONVENTION.

RUSSIA'S CLAIMS OPPOSED. Bj TcleiTaDh-Presj Association—Cssrrish* Berlin, January 17. Sugar experts have unanimously decided on the absolute rejection of the proposal at the Brussels Convention by Russia to increase her export quota. The delegates representing the Powers signatory to the Sugar Convention met in Brussels on Dectmber 8 for the first time to discuss the request of Russia for the increase of the Russian sugar export quota for 1011-1012 and tho conditions under which Russia would continue eventually to take part in the Sugar Union on the expiration of the present agreements—that is to say, after September 1. 1913. The committee heard an exnosition of the situation by one of tho .Russian representatives, who described the circumstances which induced the Russian Government to ask for a permit to export during 1911-1012 a quantity greater than the 200,000 tons fixed by the protocol of 1007. He declared that to be able to continue to participate in the Union Russia would have to see an improvement in the existing regulations of the Union in so far as they afflicted her. The British delegate.? declared that there was sufficient ground for the committee to authorise Russia to increase her export quota. The German delegates asked that a more detailed explanation of the scope of certain points in the Russian proposals should be given by the Russian representative. The Commission discussed whether it would be possible to authorise a. supplementary export of sugar by Russia whenever the price touched a certain rate—say. 13s. to 15s. per 1001b. (English measure). With this suggestion as a. starting point the Commission proceeded to a detailed comparative examination of the prices of sugars on the principal European markets, and the possibility there might be of establishing an exact "world price" at a given moment. . ' It was shown that this proposal would have no practical utility except in the ev'.-nt of the Russian Government not deciding to give conventional guarantees equivalent to that required by other contracting States, for if Russia gave those guarantees tho question of limiting the export from Russia would lose its importai (••" The subsequent, proceedings did not throw much more light on the situation. The British delegates who favour the Russian proposals, consider that the Russian export quota might bo increased by 300,000 tons. Holland' is also fully inclined to agree to Russia's application, although they ask for guarantees as to the future.