SUGAR COMMISSION.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1574, 18 October 1912, Page 5

SUGAR COMMISSION.

RISKS OF THE INDUSTRY.

By Teieeranh—Praaa Association—OopyrlHhl (Rcc. Octobor 17, 9.15 p.m.) Sydney, Octobor 17. Mr. Knox, manager of tho Colonial Sugar Refining: Company, in continuing his evidence before the Sugar Commission, referred to the riskiness of the industry, and stated that the company had recently lost .£50,000 on two cargoes. Java sugar had been ordered, but tho crop prospects in Queensland briglrtenod, and the company paid .£12,000 to cancel tho orders. Tho drought followed, and the company rebought the cargoes at ail additional cost pf ,£38,030. BENEFITS OF PROTECTION. (Rec. October 17, 9.15 p.m.) Sydney, October 17. The chairman of the Sugar Commission, in referring to-day to the advantages resulting from the protective duties on sugar, said white labour hpd been substituted for coloured labour', thus effecting an important contribution to the solution of the While Australia problem. By lilling up the unoccupied tropical areas, which constituted a dircct temptation to Asiatic invasion, they olso vitally contributed to the solution of the defence question. The chairman again aslwd Mr. Knox to answer questions covering the internal management of the company. Mr. Knox declined, on the strength of the High Court decision. . WITNESS REPOSES INFORMATION. Sydney, October IG. In giving evidence before tho Sugar Commission, Mr. Knox, general manager of tho Colonial Sugar Company, said the Sugar Company would bo content without protection, which it did not want, j Ho declined to disclosc the company's inner reserves, except as shown through tho balancc-shcet. Tho company was prepared to admit what it was doing in Australia, but tho Commission had no right to inquiro into its affairs outside the Commonwealth.