Sugar Bounty Act 1905

Overview

The Sugar Bounty Act 1905 was enacted to provide a bounty to growers of sugarcane and beet within the Commonwealth, specifically addressing the issue of incentivising the use of white labour in sugar production. This Act was passed by the Commonwealth Parliament with the objective of encouraging sugar production using white labour by providing financial rewards to growers who adhered to this stipulation. The Act stipulates that a bounty will be paid to growers of sugarcane or beet produced on a "white plantation" — a term defined as a plantation where only white labour was employed in its production either after 1 January 1907 or for a period of twelve months immediately before delivery for manufacture. This bounty, calculated based on the sugar-giving contents of the sugarcane or beet, was intended to bolster the sugar industry by ensuring that only plantations using white labour would benefit financially.

Scope and Application

The Sugar Bounty Act 1905 applies to growers of sugar-cane and beet within the Commonwealth who cultivate and deliver such crops for manufacture, specifically those who employ only white labour, as defined in the Act. The Act extends its reach across the entire Commonwealth, covering all states and territories under federal jurisdiction. The bounty is applicable to sugar-cane or beet grown on plantations where only white labour has been used, with specific conditions pertaining to the period of employment of such labour. The Act also provides for the allowance of bounties at the time of delivery of the crops for manufacture, contingent on the sugar-giving contents and the certification of wages paid to labourers, excluding family members. Notably, the Act explicitly states that the employment of Aboriginal natives does not prejudice any claim to bounty. The Act’s application can be extended or modified through regulations made by the Governor-General, ensuring that the administration and enforcement of the Act can adapt to changing circumstances or clarifications required for its effective implementation.

Key Provisions

The Sugar Bounty Act 1905 sets out the provisions for providing a bounty to growers of sugarcane and beet within Australia (Section 1). It defines key terms such as "coloured labour," "white-grown cane or beet," and "white plantation" (Section 2). The Act stipulates that a bounty will be paid to growers of white-grown cane or beet (Section 3). The occupier or lessee of a plantation is considered to be employed in the production of any sugarcane or beet grown thereon (Section 4). Bounty is not payable if the grower has previously received a bounty for sugarcane or beet from the same plantation and subsequently employed coloured labour, unless certain conditions are met (Section 5). The bounty rates for sugarcane and beet are specified, with a reduction for deliveries in 1911 and 1912 (Section 6). The average sugar-giving contents for a district can be prescribed by regulation for the purposes of this Act (Section 7). Bounties are to be allowed at the time of delivery of sugarcane or beet for manufacture, based on the sugar-giving contents (Section 8). Growers must certify the rate of wages paid to labour, and the Minister can withhold the bounty if the wages are below the standard rate (Section 9). The employment of Aboriginal natives does not affect the claim for bounty (Section 10). The bounty under the Sugar Bounty Act 1903 is to be paid to growers of sugarcane or beet produced with only white labour as defined by this Act (Section 11). The Minister may permit half-castes born in Australia with one white parent to be employed on a white plantation under special circumstances (Section 12). The Governor-General has the authority to make regulations necessary for the implementation of the Act (Section 13). Under the Sugar Bounty Act 1905, growers of sugarcane and beet must ensure that their produce qualifies as "white-grown" under the definitions provided, meaning that only white labour can be employed in its production after a specified date (Sections 2 and 3). The occupier or lessee of a plantation is considered to be involved in the production of sugarcane or beet grown thereon (Section 4). Growers must certify the wages paid to their labour and ensure they meet the standard rate in their district; failure to do so may result in the withholding of the bounty by the Minister (Section 9). Additionally, the employment of Aboriginal natives does not disqualify a claim for bounty (Section 10). The Minister may permit certain half-castes to be employed on a white plantation under special circumstances, without affecting the claim for bounty (Section 12). The Act provides for several potential breaches and associated penalties. The most significant breach occurs when a grower employs coloured labour after having previously received a bounty for sugarcane or beet from the same plantation, resulting in the ineligibility for further bounty (Section 5). If the Minister finds that the rate of wages paid to labour is below the standard rate, they may withhold the whole or any part of the bounty payable (Section 9). There are no explicit criminal penalties stated within the Act for these breaches; however, the withholding of bounty can be considered a civil consequence for non-compliance.