THE SUGAR INDUSTRY.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 3 October 1901, Page 3

THE SUGAR INDUSTRY.

Kanaka v. White Labor.

[per press association—copyright.

Received this day at 9 30 a.m. _ Melbourne, This Day. Mr. Barton in moving the second reading of the Pacific Island Laborers’ Bill, referred to the national importance of the sugar industry. There were over 108,000 acres under cane in Queensland. The value of the sugar exported from that State for the last eight years was nine million pounds. The number of whites employed in the industry in the State was 5,700, and Kanakas over 8,700. The total value of the industry to Queensland in every phase was about six millions. He claimed that the whole trend of the legislation of Queensland had been that the employment of Kanakas was only a temporary expedient. All responsible public men there had confessed the undesirability of perpetuating colored labour, and agreed that the Kanaka was not essential to the success of sugar-growing, and added that the traffic was inherently bad and must be ended. The Government would accomplish this without injuriously affecting the industry. The policy of the Government in regard to the Kanaka and the tariff were so intimately interwoven that they must be taken together. The tariff would show that there was an interest in the planters, and would substitute white for black labor as early as possible. This was taken to indicate that the growers would be compensated for the loss of the Kanaka by heavy import duties.

The debate was adjourned till Tuesday. The Labor Party approve of the Bill, but the Queensland Premier strongly protests against the Bill as too drastic. If it is carried, it will not be worth while planting another acre of cane.

Brisbane, This Day, The " Courier ” expresses similar views to that of the Premier on the Pacific Islands Bill,