WAIKATO'S OPPORTUNITY.

Observer, Volume XXIII, Issue 32, 25 April 1903, Page 3

WAIKATO'S OPPORTUNITY.

Another Egg for the Industrial Basket.

THE scheme for the development of the beet sugar industry in the Waikato does not seem to have yet been taken up with the zest that its importance to the colony deservesBut the thing is so big with possibilities for Auckland that we are disposed to do something to help it along. Briefly, then, we understand the position to be that a proposal is before' the public for the establishment of sugar-works at Huntly, if only the Waikato fanners will undertake to furnish the requisite quantity of beetroots.

The capital for the installation of the crushing and refining plant and subsidiary works, some three-quarters of a million sterling, has been under written in London, and all that stops the way is the slowness of the settlers to supply the raw material. They are asked to guarantee the cultivation of five thousand acres of land a year for 21 years, on a four years' rotation of crops, or 20,000 acres in all. Once this is arranged for, the capitalists are prepared to go on with the erection of the plant, and help the settlers with seed, advice, and advances, in the cultivation of the root, and so another industry will be added to New Zealand's resources.

H cannot be that there is any doubt of the suitability of the Waikato soil for the growth of beet. That lias been abundantly proved by experiment. So also lias the usefulness of Waikato beet for the production of sugar. An average test

roots from various parts of the district, made by a Government analyst, gave the excellent yield of 19 per cent, of sugar, and one result as high as 22 per cent. has been obtained. Experts tells us that 12.6 per cent is sufficient for profitable sugar-production, so that there is a splendid margin to work upon. Also, the possible return per acre is an excellent one. Beet runs as high as 97 tons to the acre ; and 50 tDns to the acre, for which £1 a ton at the factory is offered, would be a ver/ fair crop. How many other products yield from £50 to £90 per acre ?

Again, the scheme provides for the creation of a secondary industry in the manufacture of a special manure for the beet-fields. This would consume the sewage of our cities, and also the sawdust now wasted at the sawmills. Evidently, there will be a great addition to the wages fund of the province when the new industry gets into operation. The two factories alone must employ large numbers of hands, apart from the work in the fields. As to the farmers' interests in the matter, tin: experience of other parts of the world has shown the growth of the sugar beet to be highly profitable. It is less exhausting to the soil than many other crops, and the pulp and beet leaves are much valued as food for stock.

Why the movement has not so far been taken up more enthusiastically is one of the things not easily understood. Can it !>e that fanners find the dairy industry so profitable that they have no eyes at present for any other possible opening? But in point of fact, the two branches could with advantage be worked together. And we cannot have too much variety in our industries. The prosperity of New Zealand in late years has been largely due to the great variety of her products. With so many eggs in her basket, it matters less to her if there is a temporary depression in one market than when she depended upon two or three. And beet sugar seems to be an egg that is well worth, looking after.