The Hawaiian gazette., 1885-07-01


Denmark.
hussia-.... II
The most striking feature of the above table is
the small consumption in Germany, which is by
far the largest sugar-producing country in the
world outside OF British India. In order to in
crease the production of beet-sugar the govern
ment instituted an export bounty, and to meet this
expenditure they imposed tax upon the sugar
consumed in Germany. This tax amounts to s45
per ton, 371fc. per capita. The amount raised by
this tax Is nearly all paid back IN the shape of
bounty, which really enables this country and
Great Britain to buy cheap sugar, the British con-
sumer alone benefiting BY the transaction to the
extent of S25,OOO,OOO year. The action of this
artificial condition caused over production which
at the present time presses most keenly upon the
beet producers. Doubts are expressed as TO the
ability OF the German government continuing it
as the large increase in the exports render the
amount Of money required for bounty greater
every year, while the home consumption is checked
through high prices, besides the revenue decreases
IN proportion to the amount required for bounty.
The keen competition of this country with Ger
man agricutnrists in the production OF breadstuffs
caused the German farmer TO turn his attention to
duction of sugar from GA, ,755 tons in 1SSl-S3 to
l,l5OOOO tons in 1885. 1t remains to be seen,
however, if the increased import duty upon cereals
VIII afect the cultivation of beets and induce the
vation OF wheat.
Great as the increase IN consumption has been
the production keeps pace with it, therefore the
part sugar plays In the worlds commerce renders
the supply an Important question. At present we
derive our supplies principally from cane, but
Europe and Great Britain combined derive theirs
mostly from beet.
The present low price of sugar has brought the
cost of production most forcibly to the front
Even in Germany in spite of the large sums paid
IN bounties, complaints are heard that sugar from
beets cannot be protitably produced at present
tn fsnu
tries. In Java the Dutch Government has had to
specially interfere and render assistance. The
complaints of our own sugar producers are well
known, Notwithstanding the GO per cent duty
which gives them handsome protection. This
question of cost of production is a wide one, both
in its Influences and its bearing upon the future
sugar supply. Besides being severe struggle be-
tween the cane and beet producers, it contains
many elements that may ultimately develop new
industries. 1t must necessarily be difficult mat
ter, under the wide area cultivated and the differ
ent conditions under which it is carried on TO
actually give any definite average of the cost of
producing cane sugar. In the first place. the most
modern machinery is necessary to bring about
minimum cost, which in those places where other l
conditions, such cheap labor and fine climate,
exists, the improved machinery is lacking .f
That sugar can be produced at present prices
at profit both from the cane and beet, we do not
doubt, indeed we think that the time is not
distant when with improved methods of cultiva.
tion and manufacture the sugar industry will be
more satisfactory investment. The time was
when 600 ton estate in Demerara produced a
net profit of from $4,000 to $4,000 year and
even nov, Mt present prices, there Is a small mar
gin. Of profit The cost Of producing and deliver
ing in the london market the finest Demerara
sugar is given at rs. lOd. per owt., or slightly
greatly reduced if there were plentiful supply of
cheap labor and strict economy were practiced,
together with every improved method of ma
ch1nery and Manufacture; indeed it is highly pro-
bable that it could be produced under these cir
cumstances at about &c. pound and leave n good
profit 50 far as the cost of producing beet sugar
in Germany various estimates have been given
ranging from Sl.75 per cwt. AT all events recent
investigation proves beyond a doubt that with
beets at $3.50 per ton, and yielding good average
percentage of saccharine, sugar can be profitabiy
Produced at 2lic. delivered free ON board the
steamer at Hamburg At this price it wonid be
impossible for the beet manufacturing companies
to pay 90 60 and so per cent dividends, as they
were doing when beet-sugar ranged about 2Os per
cwt. There is no disputing that the beetsugar
manufacturers have reduced their methods almost |
to perfection, Shile tue cahe producers methods
are scarcely any better than they we're twenty |
years ago. While the former extract the whole |
percentage OF sugar the latter do not obtain at
the most more than 60 per cent, thereby vast
ing fully 40 per cent. of the entire production |
At the same time the beet manufacturers utilize |
their refuse while the cane producers virtually
waste 1t entirely. The possibilities of the smear
cane are by no means exhausted, for in British |
India 1t Is announced upon good authority that |
laggery sugar can be produced at 4s, per owE or |
under lc pound. 1t this is really the case sugar
will, in the near future, be beyond question one
of the cheapest stock fattening feeds TO be found
Besides there is no doubt that much of the refnse
which is now thrown away could be utilized for |
this purpose, and it is au established fact that
good paper can be made out of the bagasse. Sugar
growing and manufacturing will no doubt so far |
az cane sugar is concerned) become distinct in
dustries This is only natural, as one is agricul
tural, and the other industrial and scientific At
the present moment it is not oyerestimatinc the |
loss to say that fully 80 per cent ofthe sugar grown
in the cane is lost, and in most cases this 30 per
cent could, with proper machinery, be saved at |
less total cost than is the case. Indeed it is
asserted that at the present time beetsugar exists
on sufferanee. ttt1a
That the future supply of sugar will be both |
ample and cheap there is abundant and increasing
evidence. In recent years Java has rapidly de- |
veoped its production, and there is no reason vhv
the whole of the West Indies should not do like
wise. South America is coming to the fore, parti
cularly the Argentine Republic-arge amounts of /
English capital is finding its way down there one |
company having been recently formed with sub
scribed capital of Sl,5O0,00O for this purpose.
Many of these companies exist in almost every |
South American county, and it would not be |
oYerestimating to state that English capitalists
have at least $4,000, 600 invested in the South
American sugar interests. Only recently a COM
pany was started in this city New York; for cult
waiting sugar, under the most favorable conditions
n Honduras, but eventually the money had to be |
aWtI