1 Jury, 1901.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 83 
ae FIFTH SESSION. 
Tuurspay, 13rn June, 1901, 9°30 a.m. 
RESOLUTIONS. 
Proceedings commenced by Mr. J. H. Maynarp (Gympie) submitting a 
motion, for consideration by the Committee of Resolutions, relative to a Dairy 
Inspection Bill being introduced into Parliament. 
Mr. P. Frayxen (Brisbane) submitted a motion asking that the Con- 
ference affirm the desirability of the opening day of the annual show of the 
National Agricultural and Industrial Association being included in the list 
of holidays which it is understood was to be prepared by the Government. 
Mr. J. J. Danren (Pittsworth) tendered a resolution relative to home- 
stead selection. 
Mr. F. W. Peek (Loganholme) proposed that his paper on a Chamber of 
Agriculture be referred to the Committee of Resolutions. 
All these matters were referred to the Committee of Resolutions without 
discussion. 
Mr. R. 8. Arken, of Gooburrum, then read the following paper on:— 
THE POSITION OF THE CANE FARMER IN RELATION TO THE 
SUGAR INDUSTRY. 
If the result of the late election is any criterion, the time when we shall not have 
the services of the kanaka is not remote. Whether we shall be able to do without or 
not, I do not care at the present juncture to offer an opinion. Of one thing I am 
certain, and that is: this kanaka cry (by whose aid some of our legislators have been 
enabled to reach their present positions) has been allowed to Beers other ques- 
tions of more vital importance to us. Now, it is a very debatable question whether 
we should urge the matter further or prepare ourselves for the new order of things. 
My object is to place the matter before this Conference, so that, should the occasion 
arise, we shall be enabled to view the subject intelligently, and so conduce to 
beneficial results generally. I intend, in the first place, to consider the financial 
aspect of the question. ‘This bonus or import duty (call it which you please) that we 
are offered in lieu of kanaka labour will be paid through the Customs. That being 
the case, the manufacturer will be the person who will receive it. Now, as by law 
the manufacturer is prohibited from employing kanakas in the mill, he is not 
entitled to any of this bonus, because the abolition of kanaka labour 
directly sffects the grower and not the manufacturer. The grower, therefore, 
is entitled to the whole bonus. Now, gentlemen, this is one point upon which our 
Labour members have neglected to enlighten us: How is the farmer or grower going 
to obtain this bonus so as to enable him to meet the increased cost of growing cane by 
white labour? The ruling price paid to the farmer for his cane is 10s. per ton. The 
profit as shown by the returns of those central mills which have been fully supplied 
with cane is £1 per ton. Now, the amount of profit made by the refinery in treating 
the raw sugar supplied by central mills is very diflicult to arrive at, varying, as it does, 
from 8s. to 50s. per ton. We will suppose it is £1 per ton. Now, if the farmer is to . 
receive that to which he is justly entitled, instead of 10s. he should receive 16s. per 
ton for his cane, made up as follows :—1s. from the central mill, 1s. from the refinery, 
and 4s. bonus, which, plus the 10s. now received, would, in all, be 16s. J will show 
later how this may be obtained from the outset. Here 1 should like to’mention that 
I do not agree with a number of irresponsible people who hold that those 
engaged in the sugar industry are simply coining money. On the contrary, 
I think those who have made money by it in Bundaberg may _ be 
enumerated on the fingers of one hand Competition, or rather unfair competition, 
has had a lot to do in bringing this about. Under present conditions, if sugar is to be 
profitably produced it must be on a large scale. The days of small mills are gone, 
and none but huge concerns may be expected to be profitably worked, when the margin 
‘of profit is so small. Now, gentlemen, this will result in one of two things: either the 
annihilation of the small farmer or the small millowner, because the amount of profit 
will be insufficient for both. By this I mean that either the large millowner will 
grow the cane himself or the farmers will co-operate on the lines of the existing 
central mills, and the Government will be required to erect or purchase a refinery, so 
