Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1880-09-11
SATU RDAY PRESS.
AGRICULTURAL.
A Report on the Sugar Industry In
Ou~ensland.
SEP TENDER II, 1880.


vast fortunes were made in the West In- |
dies, has always had peculiar attraction
for English capital, though the blow sus-
tnined by the industry in Jamaica and other
prosperous islands in the caribbean Sea
through the emancipation of the slaves
gradually weaned the capitalist from look
ing to those fair lands for the romunerativo
investment of his wealth. While absentee
planters were enjoying magnificent incomes
f'om their West Indian properties, it was
only natural that those who witnessed the
lavish munifcence of their way of living
should hunger after similar investments.
When, therefore, the change effected by the
emancipation Of the laborers took place,
and the negro was in the position to work
to the extent that suited the ineradicable
Incidence of nature debascd by long
years of servtude, the losses inflicted upon
wealthy classes in England we're enormous.
and henceforth "a sugar plantation
ceased to have the opulent ring for British
oars that had so long distinguished it as
the most alluripg of investments. Pros
porous plantations slowly returned into the
condition of prmcval jungle, and sugar
stank in the nostrs of the British capitalist.
Now, however, capital, always inpatient
of the small returns to be obtained in its
limited home, looks once more a.fed with
n curious and speculative eye on the a2-
parently vigorous growth of the old West
Indian industry in it's new habitat. 1t is
the wont Of this shyest Of insensate things
to carefully sniff the breeze till certain
aroma of success is detected, when, as
rule, it discreetly puts forth antennm, and
having satisfied itself of the suitability of
the field it proposes to fatten on, without
more ado makes the necessary leap. In
our case Mr.. Roth may be looked upon as
the antenne of this sensitive creature
which Australia is so interested in Turing to
her pastures for definite accimatisation.
The continued progress of the sugar in
dustry in Queensland prompted some capi-
taists to commission Mr.. Roth to visit the
country for the purpose of investigating
and reporting on this one of its important
sources of wealth and the report, which
is now published in handy book form,
shows how eminently judcious was the Sc
lection of this gentleman for such pur-
pose.
Mr.. Roth commences with description
Of the four sugar districts of Queensland
the Southern, Central Mackay, and Card
well districts; describes the formation of
their soils and general characteristics and
compares their rainfall, as amongst them
selves and with that of other sugar produc-
ing countries. For this last-named purpose
very carefully prepared tables are given,
which show the Lower Herbert district to
be the wettest, with mean annual rainfall
of 9624in., Mackay coming next with g..
39in., then Beenleigh with 55'66in.; Mary
50.l3in. Then Mr.. Roth devotes chap.
ter to the tracing of the progress of the
sugar industry in Queensland from the time
of Mr.. Thomas SCOTS early efforts under
the encouragement and patronage of Sir
Thomas Brisbane in 1928, down to the last
season terminating in March of this year
From the 20 tons made at Port Macquarit
in 1927 to the 1920 tons produced by
Queensland's last crushing is big advance
but what is it compared to the increase thai
may be expected in the next interval of The
same duration That fifty.three years
ago sugar-making should have been demon
strated as an industry suitable to Austria
liz, and yet that the colonists should hav,
allowed the recollection of the experiment
to lie dormant for thirty.ive years, Will,
they tried innumerable other crops that af
forded a scanty living, is curious exem.
pli6cation of the difficulty men find in ap
plying the experience of other countries
under entirely novel conditions. TIL,
steamy cane.brakes and swarthy laborer
of the older sugar producing countries sug
gsss:ad no counterpart on our healthier con
tinent, and till 1862 no effort was made t,
test the capabilities of the Queensland sol
and climate for the production of this valu
able staple. Then of course the infant in
dustry had to battle with the difficulties
aud trials inseparable from oil new pursuits
1t, nevertheless, continued to steadily pros
per. Every year saw largely increased
area under crop, and by 1875 planters
hopes had risen high and fortune becko
from the near future, when wide and de
vastating blight brought ruin upon hal
their number, and shook confidence in tn,
industry to an extent that required fv,
years for thorough restoration. Mr.. Rotl
does not admit that the so-called rust is
specific disease, but simply an unhealthy
condition, due to very unusual rainfall
at an unreasonable time, and he believes
tuht tu0 IutrOuuCtiOu VI udIuicT VdTlctic
of cane, which has been taking place evel
since that disastrous year, renders any SO
rious destruction from this cause unlikely
in the future. In a chapter devoted to thu
causes of failure Of many planters, Mr.
Roth gives evidence of having listened t,
the grievances of many victim of to,
disproportionate overdraft. He arraign
money LENDERS, the chief Of whom are o
course the banks, ms amongst the prime
causes Of the non.success of the unsuccess
full. Mr.. Roth visits us ut time when tn
success Of sugar growing is assured, ant
it is only natural that he should condemn
the short sightedness of bank managers
who failed to detect the bright future, a
haviog produced monetary panic. Blu
in days of prosperity it is difficult to realiz
the doubts and misgivings of time ofpro
found depression, and we are inclined b
think the majority of colonial banks shos
~ much enterprise as is compatible with
safe business. Mr.. Roth, however, has lit
tie sympathy with bank managers ap
prehensions regarding his shareholder,
halfyearly dividends, and says their "wa
~ tro m On ctin.r husinass oroatlv tards IN