PM Transcripts

EMBARGO: 7 P. m. Sunday, 15th May PM o 716
PRICE OF SUGAR
Statement by the Acting Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. J-McEwen
The Acting Prime Msinister, Mr. McEwen, announced
today that the Commonwealth Government had closely studied the
case submitted by the Premier of Queensland, Mr. Nicklin, on
behalf of his Government and the su-, ar industry for an increase
in the domestic price of sugar.
Mr. McEwen said that the Commonwealth Goveriient had
agreed that--. the Sugar Agreement should be amended to increase the
wholesale price of refined sugar by an amount equivalent
to an increase in the retail price of ld. lb.;
this would make the new retail price lld. lb. in'
capital cities;
having in mind the probl ems of the canning fruit
industry and the link of almost 30 years between it
and the sugar industry, the domestic sugar rebates
should be increased from 0 to : C5. 0. 0. per
ton
the Sugar Agreement-' should be amended to empower the
Export Sugar Committee to vary option rates for export
sugar rebate in accordance with the alteration in the
wholesale sugar price and in the domestic rebate
rate.
Mvr. McEwen said that these three amendments would
operate during the remaining period of the Sugar Agreement
1956/ 61. The price increases would operate from Monday, 16th
May, and the introduction of the changed rates of rebates would
operate from 1st June.
Mr. Nicklin had concurred in these proposals.
Mr. McEwen added that as thie present Sugar Agreement
would expire in August, 1961, and as renewal of the agreement
would require a prior examination of the industry, the Government
had decided that in due course a committee of inquiry would
be appointed similar to the 1952 Sugar Industry Committee to
investigate the circumstances of the sugar and fruit industries
and their relationship with a view to preparation of a report
before the end of the period of the present agreement.
CANBEJRRA, May, 1960. No, 17/ 196o