The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1917-01-26

stehd OF an increase, as was anticipated
early in the summer of 1916.
Nineteen seventeen promises to be
/ a year of high price levels, possibly
! without much huctuatiOn unless sentI.
mentally depressed by peace or rumors
! of peace. ~
Z Cuba Feels Confidence ~.
| Labor's high cost, the late grinding
start, excess rains and the belief that
high prices were dependent last year
on the war alone are given as grounds
for doubt that 1917 can duplicate 1916
in an opinion from the Cuban producers
( point Of view. :.. T..
The opinion is expressed by w. A.
Preston, president of the United Fruit
Company. In spite of these factors,
he forecasts for Cuban producers their
"second biggest year" in a statement
MS follows: .:
".The sugar year just ended was
easily the most successful in the entire
history of Cuban sugar producers.
Everyone in Cuba made money, and
it was generally a period of milk and
honey. The statistical records of the
more important sugar producers as
they have been appearing month by
month give concrete evidence of this as
seTtion. a .-. 49,
Second Biggest Year, :. i, 4. -. a..
cit does not at the moment look as
if we could possibly duplicate in 1917
the wonderful showing Of the past year.
"FOr one thing labor in Cuba has
been advanced 80 to 50 per cent dur
ing the past IL months. Further, the
crop has Been late in starting; there
has been an excess of rain in many
sections and sucrOSe content is an un-
known fuctor. The continuance of
high prices is largely dependent upon
the lcngthcning out of the war.
''lf the peace movement subsidies
and Europe comes in as a heavy buyer,
which at the moment seems doubtful,
my opinion is that we shall see excel
lent pricca~for sugar. But the increase
in cost of production means smaller net
profits this year than last, even if the
price averages as well as last year.
"In general way 1917 promises to
be the second biggest year Of profits
Cuban sugar producers have ever
knOwnp
Louisiana Plans improvements
Louisiana producers are so confident
of good year that plans are under
way for use Of the good prices as
means Of improvement and addition to
the equipment and machinery accord
ing to Charles A. Farwell, a prominent
Louisiana producer, who speaks for
that section rs follows:
- Aside from the freeze of last No
v"mh"r, winch slightly damaged the
can" crop, .im past season, on the
whole, came out very satisfactory TO
every one Interested III the sugar in,
duStry.
lowing to the rather early crop
movement, Louisiana sugar has so far
brought price, wcll above the average.
Most Of the local planters now feel
that good prices will prcvail for several
years to come, and large orders will
undoubtedly be- placed by local pro
duorrS for machinery, mules and equip
n"nt TINS winter. in preparation for an !
active and considerably enlarged nine |
teen seventeen campaignPi BIZ.
Ana the New Orleans correspondent |
Or Facts About sugar, describes more |
tuily the optiSmiStic outlook in the |
LOUISIANA section rs follows, ia dos.
patch dated carly in January: 49, !
Optimism Prevails ~"
1t is interesting, therefore,, TO
not" that in uli sections Of the sugar !
pert optimism prcNuila, and that the |
pans IN III" nnjority Of cases which |
'hr pf"hurrrs are making public relate I
PflhrlPH'ly I" contemplated factory i'm |
I""V"m"ntS I" be- carripd out aud in !
a"gurat"d during Inc new year.
- In Tins rDuur,.t i'm, 4 s..r.,g I |