WELLINGTON NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 29 April 1929, Page 2

WELLINGTON NEWS

(Special Correspondent.)

AEROPLANES IN GGOO B.C

The stranding of the Southern Cross and the Kookooburra and the loss of Jives and other instances connected with Kingsford Smith’s fliglit to England, also the aerial pagent at Auckland have combined to create unusual interest in aircraft ,and it is therefore interesting and opportune to quote some references in the “Aerial A.8.C.” Besides faithfully fulfilling its avowed function it is likewise both enterprising and entertaining. Jn the most recently issued quarterly edition there is an article which traces back to very remote sources in ancient literature references to aircraft and the flying habit. Tno following symbolical description of aeroplanes is quoted}’:

“Also out of the midst there came the likeness of four living creatures and everyone had four wings. And their feet were straight feet and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf’s feet; and they sparkled like the colour of burnished brass. . . . The wings were joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward; and the living creatures ran and, returned as the appearance of a flash. . . And when the.living creatures went the wheels went by them; and when the living dentures were lifted up from the earth the wheels were lifted up.”

These extracts are taken out in some what literal manner from Ezekiel, and they go a long way toward justifying the assumption that the prophet was an even greater seer than people imagine.

BRITAIN’S SUGAR SUPPLY. The Sugar Federation of the British Empire, whose objects are to promote the interests of the sugar industry of the British Empire, has issued a pamphlet which deals with' Britain’s sugar supply which it is maintained is vital imperial problem. Britain imported last year 1,931,919 tons of sugar valued at £27,017, Bf>3, of this 1,710,174 tons valued at £23,372,344 was unrefined. Of the total British countries furnished 5G2,734 tons valued at £9,18o,90i), and the bulk was unrefined. Great Britain it will be noted, is almost entirely deendent upon foreign sources for her suppleis of sugar and the Federation asks what would again be the position of the consumer in the event of another war, or if disease swept the cane fields of Cuba, or in the event of a price understanding being arrived at between the two great producing nations of the world. It is the desire and object of the Federateion to encourage the production of sugar within the Empire, which can be done, as there are immense areas suitable for the production of both cane and beet sugar.

No commodity has been the subject 'of more change and argument than sugar. Essential as sugar is to human diet, the variety of sources from which it could i be obtained has made it the centre of controversy at every stage of its development. Britain’s supplies began with the British hives. Honey was the sweetening agent both for domestic use and for distillation until the 18th century, when the development of cane growing began to provide purer sugar for the market at a lower price. On the buying side cane sugar was at first a luxury, but as sugar of some kind has always been a necessity in human diet, the struggle with honey if not brief was decisive, and up to the time of the readjustment of Europe cane sugar was wanted in temperate countries. Napoleon, learning of a process of producing sugar from beet, far costlier it is true than from cane, but at least national, decreed that all imports from British tropical sources should cease, and built up the sugar beet industry which to this day depends in all lands except Holland on heavy State support for its existence. After the war the situation changed and the first preferences accorded to Empire-produced sugar were introduced in the Budget of 1920, a direct result of the combination of all Empire countries producing sugar in the British Empire organisation. Britain was late in the struggle, for, in addition to the heavily supported beet producers, the United States had developed by conquest and by financial coercion, a very strong, cane sugar system including Cuba and the Phillipines. The Federation claims strong and influential support and will no doubt ultimately attain its obects.