HARVESTING THE CROP Cane Cutter – The Legend.

As the 2022 crushing season gets underway, cane harvesters will become a prevalent sight in the district. As you watch these technologically sophisticated cane harvesters with air-conditioned cabs move up and down the paddocks, spare a thought for the cane cutters of the past when harvesting the crop was a vastly different process.

In 1897, the first year of production at the Proserpine Central Mill, kanakas from the Pacific Islands did most of the cane cutting as it was thought “too hard a task for the Europeans to endure”. They also worked alongside the Chinese and these men were paid 2/6d per ton to cut the cane. In 1898, William Chung Do of Ayr and his entire team of Chinese from the lower Burdekin cut the Proserpine crop.

But attitudes changed, and future seasons would see gangs of European canecutters arriving in the district to join locals in cutting the season’s crop.

Hand cane cutting was an arduous, back-breaking task and even experienced men felt real discomfort at the beginning of each season. It was a young man’s job but despite this many managed to keep on until well into their 40s and some even into their 50s. Cutters were required to not only cut the cane which had to be level with the ground and cleared of tops, leaves, roots and shoots but also to load it by hand then chain it down ready for transport to the mill.

Early photos show these men dressed in long sleeved flannels which were worn to protect from hairy mary, a prickle which was prevalent in certain varieties of cane. But this was only minor compared to other hazards such as snake bite or Weils disease (contracted from rat’s urine on the cane leaves) which were serious possibilities before burning cane became common. And then there was also the very real risk of losing a finger.

Over the years, there was very little improvement in the process. About the only technological development that ever came with their craft, was the change from straight to curved blades in the 50s.

But the second world war signalled the beginning of the end for cutters. Many abandoned the cane field for less demanding occupations. Changing times necessitated changing methods. Continual labour shortages forced farmers to investigate new machinery however many growers in Proserpine had such small holdings that they could not afford to hire even cane cutters, let alone a machine. They cut the cane themselves and taught their sons to do likewise.

The year 1951 saw the first mechanical harvesting of cane in the district and the first chopper harvest occurred in 1961. At the time the first mechanical harvesters appeared, there were 235 cutters in the area. In 1968, the year that Proserpine hosted the World Cane Cutting championships, “The Proserpine Guardian” reported, “Manual canecutters continue to disappear … last Friday’s signing seeing only 59 engaged for 1968, compared with 102 last year and 131 in 1966. A further 39 growers will harvest by mechanical means this crushing.”

When the last Proserpine canecutter put down his knife in 1970, it heralded the end of an era.  

Story and photo courtesy Proserpine Historical Museum

The last hand cane cutter put down his knife in 1970

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