PPROPOSED NEW 'INDUSTRIES IN AUSTRALIA.

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 78, 27 December 1918, Page 7

PPROPOSED NEW 'INDUSTRIES IN AUSTRALIA.

The possibilities of several new industries iu Australia, and of development of industries, lwve. recently lormea the; subiect of coneidemtion by the Comman wealth Board of Trade, wnjch liaspitsented its monthly report to the FuiLraL Cabinet. In connection with the leaf tobacco industry, it is interesting to note that tho board considers the information available showed that tobacco Rrow'i'K >n Australia was in a very miaat sfflctoij condition., hut that if better me hods of cultivation and curinc could be introduced and suitable assistance ffiw.ii, there was o, wide field for the expansion of ilie industry, as the soil and «limate oim localities were iavourable. At P» eBUl 5 only about one-tenth of tho leaf used in fowl tobacco works was of Australian oririn The assistance provided by tho Bounties Act of 1907 and 1912, which expired in June, 1917, -hart failed to lead to the desired result, and inquiries are being made with a. view to fiudiiiK a solut on of the difficulties. A proposal to the meat-tap l:nitnr.? industry led to the receipt by the board of an nppl cation toi an exemption from tho war-profits tax. o.nd " temporary bounty of Is. 6d. per .lb. on tho finished article, pending revision or tho tariff. The board, after inquiry, decided that it could not recommend tho pavmont of u, bounty. In regard to the eaiivas, tarpaulin, anl lincii anroplano fabric industry,' tho hoard decided t-hat tho local production of flax lhuat be eon* gidcrably developed before jt could be established on a commercial, basis, further consideration of proposals was deferred until January, ivhen the present crop will linvo been dealt with, and. it will'be 'possible to form a better idea. as to the probable flav position in the near future.