MARGARINE MENACE

Waikato Times, Volume 123, Issue 20693, 31 December 1938, Page 23 (Supplement)

MARGARINE MENACE

POSITION IN AUSTRALIA The sale of margarine is increasing at such a rate in Australia that it Is causing real alarm to the Commonwealth's dairying interests. Everywhere there is agitation to have the law amended so more stringent regulations might be brought into force governing the sale of this butter substitute. Now the margarine industry is giving fresh offence to Australia’s primary industries. The Commonwealth, of course, produces peanuts on a large scale, but now statements are being made by no less a responsible person than the Queensland Minister of Agriculture that staggering quantities of peanuts are being imported, duty free, into Australia from black labour countries for oil-expres-sion purposes. The oil from these peanuts is said to be used in the manufacture of soap, but more especially in the manufacture of margarine. Yet the Queensland Peanut Board is reported to have been asked by the Commonwealth Bank to consider the limiting of the production of peanuts. In defence, the Federal Minister for Customs has stated that the Australian peanut industry was protected by very high custom duties on both shelled and unshelled peanuts. Certain importations, however, occurred every year in respect of milling nuts of very low grade and quality required for the manufacture of peanut oil. The executive committee of the Queensland Council of Agriculture has asked for a report to be prepared concerning the importation of peanuts and all other matters relevant to the production of margarine.