MR W. A. GRAHAM'S SUGARBEET SCHEME.

Waikato Argus, Volume II, Issue 94, 13 February 1897, Page 2

MR W. A. GRAHAM'S SUGARBEET SCHEME.

—— ■ —■♦■ At the last meetiug of the Newcastle Road Board, the lengthy circular sent round to settlers at local bodies by M r W. A. Graham, was brought up for discussion, and, unlike most local bodies, there seemed to be no desire on the part of the Board to treat the matter lightly, or as unworthy of consideration. The chairman, Mr V. Corboy, had gone into the matter carefully, and gave his opinian that although the project was altogether too larcje and involved, too heavy financial responsibilities to be taken up by the Settlers, even in conjunction with the business people of Waikato, it was one eminently calculated to succeed if undertaken—either wholly, or in part by the State. Furthermore, as it had been conclusively proved throughout the world, that the establishment of the beet-sugar industry had largely and apparently permanently enehancod the value of all lands available for the growth of sugar-beet, then it became a still stronger argument in favour of the State lending a helping hand in starting the industry in Waikato, it being through the Estate's Company, and otherwise, about the largest landholder in the districts likely to be effected by the scheme, and also, unless something of the kind were established so that settlers taking up these State lands, for such they are practically, had some reasonable prospect of obtaining an immediate livelihood from their holdings, as would be the case if the sugar-beet were grown ; there was but a remote probability of these lands being profitably disposed of. The same arguments applied almost equally to the other, large land-owners throughout Waikato, who seem to take little interest in the scheme, yet, if successful, they would be the ones most immediately and largely benefited, as buyers and tenants for their land would be speedily forthcoming, the milk industry affording a fitting illustration of this, for no decent farm within reach of a creamery need now be. without a tenant. Mr Corboy's remarks were cordially endorsed by the other members of the Board, a resolution being unanimously passed, " That while not questioning the value or feasibility of Mr Graham's scheme, this Board considers the prospect of establishing the beet sugar industry in Waikato is one in which the State and other largo laud-owners affected should properly take the lead.