Sugar snaps

By Maria Larkins

QUESTIONS about the viability and longevity of the sugar industry were hot topics around 1910.

On Friday, July 22, 1910, there were suggestions there could be an over-supply issue with regard to sugar. The junior member for Fortitude Valley suggested the White Australia Policy and inflated tariffs were contributing to instability in the sector.

“We are only on the fringe of our troubles in connection with the (sugar) industry, and the Premier (Hon. W. Kidston, Rockhampton) is doing well in refusing to run any further risks in connection with it. Let it work out its own destiny, which is not hard to foresee,” Peter Alfred McLachlan said.

The following year, on June 1, 1911, there was a sugar workers’ strike at Ayr. District secretary of the Australian Workers Association, Mr. Paul P. Barton, said wages and conditions were at the heart of the problem.

Barton said resolving the dispute hinged on the “eight-hour-day and a minimum wage of 30/ a week.” He said the present system of piece work was “at the root of the whole trouble.” Barton said the men had to work far too many hours to earn a decent living under the current conditions.

Some managers, such as Dr. John Hastings Reed, found themselves in a difficult position. The Manager of the C.S.R.

Company’s Hambledon Mill had to represent the company’s interest but also had sympathy for the workers.

His interest in the welfare of staff had seen the provision of baths, a library and reading room, recreation club and other conveniences at the Mill near Cairns.

Despite Reed’s efforts, strike camps were soon established at local sugar mills including Hambledon, Mulgrave and Mossman.

The strike was eventually settled after ten weeks with workers securing 30/ a week and a 48 hour week.

McLachlan’s prediction about a glut of sugar came to pass in 1917/1918.

On Monday, July 30, 1917, it was reported that “accommodation on the wharf for the storage of sugar is now taxed to the very limit.” The Adelaide Steamship Company’s vessel “Tarcoola” was due to arrive at Cairns the following week to load up with sugar for the south.

On January 4, 1918, there was a surplus of 100,000 tons of sugar. The Commonwealth Statistician, Mr. Easterby, said the current crop of 314,000 far exceeded the previous record of 242,000 tons in 1913.

Mr. Easterby wasn’t concerned about stockpiling the surplus and suggested it would be good policy to “hang on to it” as sugar could be kept for a considerable period.

Sources: TROVE, State Library of Queensland, Queensland State Archives.