DAIRY PRODUCE CONTROL IN AUSTRALIA.

Shannon News, 28 November 1924, Page 4

DAIRY PRODUCE CONTROL IN AUSTRALIA.

FOLLOWING NEW ZEALAND'S EXAMPLE.

The Federal Government of Australia. a few weeks, ago passed a Dairy Produce . Export Control Act, very much on the lines of. the New Zealand measure. Similar to New Zealand, the Act will not come into operation, unless a majority vote will approve of its adoption. The dayJ« the Referendum is approaching, row-

ings and conferences, are being held throughout the Commonwealth passing resolutions either for or against the measure. The arguments used,

bcth for and against/ are very much on the same lines as those we heard during the campaign in this country. The greatest objection, however, appears to be, that the Act does not go far enough. In the Federal Act, the Board which will be set up, will have power to control only such butter and cheese as is placed "voluntary" under its control On the. other hand, however, the Governor-General may, by

proclamation, prohibit the export from the Commonwealth of any dairy

produce; except by license. -■Objections are made in other quarters that the Act gives no power to the'Board to deal with butter and cheese used for home consumption. The local consumption of butter is of much greater importance to the Australian producers than it is in New Zealand, and owing to inter-state supplies. and competition the local markets are at times any-

thing but satisfactory. The maximum levy which the Board is empowered to make, is one-eighth of a penny on butter and one-six-teenth of a penny on cheese, and the same controversy centres around this

question as did in New'Zealand. A complete roll of dairy producers throughout the Commonwealth who will be!entitled to vote, is being.prepared. A Referendum will be taken as soon as all arrangements are com-' pleted when producers will be asked to give"a straightout declaration for

or against the Act. It is expected that the poll will be taken toward the end of November, and unless j a majority is in falvour Of the scheme, the measure will automatically drop.