AUSTRALIAN DAIRYING.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 20 November 1924, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN DAIRYING.

ITS PRESENT CRTPHSAL STATE. Speaking on the dairying industry in Australia at the luncheon of the Legacy Club at Anzac Bouse on octV 21, Air. P. J. Carroll, of the Department of Trade and Customs* said the trade was passing through the most critical period since its inception-. For some

reason, butter production was increasing in both, the southern and northern hemispheres, and Australia was thus faced with the problem of finding a profitable market. England was the dumping ground for the world’s butter, and although the demand was increasing gradually, it would not continue for ever. One of two things would have to be accomplished by Australia; either the home consumption had to expand J or new markets had to he established in other countries. The average consumption in Australia was 261 b. per head per annum, or £lb. per head per week. If the consumption could be increased by GO per cent, to represent 21b per. head : each week. Australia would' consume the whole of her present production of butter. That was one way of improving the present condition and stabilising the market. There were extensive markets in the East not fully exploited, which, if opened up, would probably enable Australia to develop her present production and thus do away with the fear

of- over-production now hanging' over ;the industry and preventing it from developing on sound and l progressive lines. In sketching the expansion of ;the industry from its inception to its present stage, lie said the value of butter exported from the Commonwealth since 1899 represented £90,000,000. In the year 1921-22, one of the best seasons on record for dairying, the total .exports from Australia were Butter, .57,000 tons; cheese, 5000 tons; and condensed milk, 17,000 tons; valued a*t £10,500,000. The annual output of tlie •5i3 factories 'engaged in the industry ■i £25,000,000, as compared with' £2,685,000, the output of the-134 factories engaged in the manufacture of agricultural implements in Australia. The latter industry was one of the largest of the secondary class and was largely dependent upon the dairying industry for its existence. : \ ' : '