Bevolkingsrietcultuur in Nederlandsch-Indie : een landbouweconomische studie

The origin and history of sugar-cane in the Dutch East Indies were described and consecutive phases of development of Indonesian agriculture were suggested. Cultivation and processing of native sugar-cane in the 1920's and some data on trade in sugar lumps were examined.

The importance of native sugar-cane as a cash crop was stressed and needed encouragement rather than discouragement. There was some conflict between the native sugar industry in its infancy, still modest in size and technique, and the economically powerful Dutch sugar concerns with their elaborate plantations and factories. In close agreement with the Western sugar interests the Government policy favoured the status quo, both thwarting the extension of native enterprise and preventing any form of co-operation. The thesis condemned this policy and saw the common interest as the only safe solution in the future. A gradual transition was needed to a system where the local cane-growers could supply the large factories with cane for refining.