HELPS BUTTER INDUSTRY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 303, 22 December 1932, Page 4

HELPS BUTTER INDUSTRY.

PRICE STABILISATION. AUSTRALIAN EXPERIENCE. The report of the committee of the Australian Butter Stabilisation Scheme for the year ended June 30 states that during the year the levy on production has remained at l%d per lb on all butter manufactured. Owing to excellent weather in all States and the consequent huge increase in production it was decided ou April 11, 1931, to reduce the bounty from 3d to 2%d per lb. The reduction enabled the committee to overtake large arrears in its funds.' As the financial position became much more satisfactory, the committee decided to increase the bounty on April 2 last from 2%d to 3d per lb. As a result of the operation of the scheme the committee claims that the stability of the industry has been maintained, and that many farmers have transferred their activities from other primary products to dairying. Farmers have received. continued encouragement to devote attention to improvement of herds, topdressing of pastures and other means of increasing production which, with the assistance of favourable weather, is directly reflected in the large increase in production. Levies for > the year amounted to £2,625,076; the amount of bounty paid on butter exported was £2,219,067; administration expenses were £9950, and interest paid, after deducting interest received, was £472. The support of dairy farmers and butter manufacturers in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia has been responsible xor the success of the scheme.