1 Ava., 1898.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 105 
Mr. Denaan then went on to say that it had been urged that the action 
advocated by canegrowers would be an interference with the domestic policy 
of the old country, but as long as they were an integral part of that country 
they had a right to discuss its policy. A parent might excuse himself for not 
interfering when he saw his child being throttled, on the grounds that by 
interfering he would suffer himself. But was that natural? So far the cane- 
growing districts have felt this severely. Hach year the price of sugar was 
fixed by the price of beet and by the price of sugar in Java, which colony had 
an advantage over Queensland in the shape of a cheap and ample labour supply. 
The question was not new, and had been brought up at the Gatton Conference 
last year. A resolution was drafted and submitted to the Conference, but the 
chairman, the Hon. A. J. Thynne, had pointed out that at that time a 
commission was sitting on the matter in England, and that it would be well 
not to take any action until its decisions had beon made public. Mr. Thynne 
had also stated that there would in all probability be another Conference this 
year, and suggested that they then again bring the matter forward. This had 
been done, and the sugar representatives present trusted to receive the support 
of the whole Conference in the matter, as it was one which affected the 
whole colony. A resolution would be submitted asking the Queensland 
Government to use its influence with the Imperial authorities to get them to 
impose countervailing duties on imported bounty-fed sugar or some other 
remedial measure. LHe noticed that the English Government were granting a 
sum to the West Indies, but he did not think that was what the people of 
those colonies asked for. ‘They did not ask for charity, but only that the 
mother country should defend them from unfair competition. 
Mr. 'T. A. Linpeman (Bundaberg) thought the subject-matter of the three 
papers that had been read should have the approval of every sugar-grower in 
the colony, and he hoped the sugar representatives present would not be tedious 
to the other delegates, inasmuch as he had seen originally maize-producing 
localities now sugar-producing country which purchased large quantities of 
maize from the South. Cow-pea was now being used for the purpose of green- 
soiling, and he knew. of no better system of returning to the soil what the 
sugar-cane had taken out. It took time, perhaps, and its action was not so 
direct as chemical manures, but the gain was very great. In all probability 
there would be an output this year from New South Wales, Queensland, and 
Fiji of some 220,000 tons of sugar, against a consumption in the Australasian 
colonies of about 180,000 tons. This estimate would probably be realised, and 
as soon as production overtook consumption they would have to face open 
competition in the London market against bounty-fed sugar, which, but for the 
bounty, would be sold at a loss to the manufacturer. | Where canegrowers 
were suppliers to a central mill, they were directly interested in the bounty 
system, but even those growing cane for private mills should also do what they 
could to remedy its abuses. If the manufacturer could not sell his sugar at a 
rofit, he was not likely to continue working long at a loss. Sooner than that 
fs would close his mill, but if, by some action of theirs, they could assist him 
to run his works at a profit, the supplier of cane would also benefit. He (Mr. 
Lindeman) was strongly in favour of the further organisation of all the agri- 
cultural societies throughout the colony. It was only by the South helping 
the North, and the North the South, that they could bring about that state of 
affairs which all felt was so desirable. 
Mr. T. WaHItELEY (Rockhampton) congratulated Captain Henry on the 
able manner he had brought the bounty question before them. His own 
association had discussed this matter on a circular-letter that had been received, 
from the Herbert River Farmers’ League, and he might say that his association 
ng todo all that they could in the matter. It was a very 
serious one, one that not only affected the British consumer, but their own 
local markets also. If the bounty-fed sugar could be placed on their own 
markets cheaper than they themselves could produce it, there was nothing to 
prevent the beet product coming into competition with that of the cane at their 
were quite willli 
