Stee 
$63 SS 
112 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. {1 Juny, 1901. 
Mr. W. P. Cooxsixy (Brisbane): It was not my intention to speak on 
sugar at all, but, after hearing Mr. Robert’s excellent paper, I think it necessary 
to say afew words. So far the Government have assisted the canegrowers 
with central mills, and I think it is only right that they should go the whole- 
hog or none at all. They have done half the work that is necessary. Why not 
let them do the other half? If they have provided for the crushing of the — 
cane, why should they not provide, under the same system, for the refining of 
the sugar also? We have heard a good deal upon the black labour question, — 
and IT may say that Iam thoroughly in accord with what the bulk of the — 
pen iere have said. 1t is we Brisbane people who know the amount of produce — 
t 
at is sent away from Brisbane, North, for the sugar plantations. But there is 
one thing I want to say to the sugar people, and that is: Never go to New © 
South Wales or Victoria for your produce. Our Southern farmers on the © 
Downs and below the range can provide sufficient produce for the whole of the — 
North. Under federation we must combine the whole of our industries, so that — 
one will work with the other and the whole of Queensland benefit thereby. 
Mr. P. Brppuxs (‘Tiaro): We have taken up a large contract in the central | 
mill system. It appears that sugar cannot be grown without black labour. The | 
next question is: If it cannot be grown without black labour, what is to become — 
of the central mills and the money that should go to the Government if we 
are to be prevented from using black labour. The next question is that there 
seems to be a very large profit made by the refineries, judging from the reports — 
we see. If one refinery makes such a very large profit as it does by the — 
dividend that it pays, surely a refinery for the central mills would also return — 
a large dividend. Now, we know that Government money is invested in these — 
central mills, and I therefore say that this paper of Mr. Robert comes very — 
close to the question. It would accordingly be wise for us to impress upon the | 
Government that we should have such a refinery. If we look up the addresses — 
of the candidates for the last election, we will find that nearly 50 per cent. 
speak of the necessity for a central refinery. Iam sorry to say, however, that — 
we have not heard anything of the scheme since they got into the House. 
Mr. E. Roserr (Cairns): When I was in Brisbane, coming through, I~ 
interviewed Mr. John Newell, member for Woothakata, in this matter, as it is 
one in which he takes a great interest. I showed him my paper, and he said — 
he would bring the matter forward in the House. I also saw the member for 
Cairns, Mr. Thomas Givens, and he assured me that he also would support it. 
As we have got such a lot of money invested in these central mills, it is nothing — 
but right that we and the country at large should reap the benefit of that — 
money. At present most of the mills are behind in their payments, and it is — 
necessary that we should have a refinery to clear ourselves. 
The Hon. D. H. Datrrysere: I have no doubt that if the gentlemen whom _ 
Mr. Robert has mentioned have promised to take the matter up, in course — 
of time it will come before Parliament. With regard to Mr. Robert’s inference — 
relative to the enormous amount of money at the command of the Government, — 
J think he will find that this is not altogether in accordance with facts. 
Whatever opinion we haye with regard to the profits to be made by establishing a — 
refinery, I may say for myself that I have started off on several occasions to | 
make a profit on paper and on facts which appeared to me to be incontestible. 
But as Mr. Robert himself said, with regard to the central mills, that those who | 
started believed they were going to lie on a bed of roses and subsequently found — 
a number of thorns, so J have found out that when I endeavour to obtain 
wealth there were, as a rule, a good many more thorns than roses. We have now 
got over the sugar discussion, which one gentleman said has rather monopolised 
the time of the Conference. 1 am not in the least responsible for the papers that 
have been sent in by members of the Conference ; but I think, if the gentleman — 
who spoke will look at the subjects on the programme, he will see that there has _ 
been a very fair distribution of matters of public and general interest. We have 
dealt with farmers’ organisations in more than one article. We have considered 
federation, and we dealt with the intensely practical matter of railway freights. 
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