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considerably different supply organization applies. However, the price payable to the supply organizations is altered each year by the same figure as that by which the national town milk price is altered. The following price schedule operated for the 1948-49 milk year:— Ist September, 1948, to 31st January, 1949 .. 17-75 d. per pound butterfat, plus 8-4124 d. per gallon added value. Ist February, 1949, to 15th April, 1949 .. 17-75 d. per pound butterfat, plus 12-1032 d. per gallon added value. 16th April, 1949, to 31st May, 1949 .. .. 17-75 d. per pound butterfat, plus 85 per cent, of 17-75 d., plus 12-730 d. per gallon added value. Ist June, 1949, to 15th August, 1949 .. .. 17-75 d. per pound butterfat, plus 85 per cent, of 17*75 d., plus 13*5675 d. per gallon added value. 16th to 31st August, 1949 ~ ... ~ 17-75 d. per pound butterfat, plus 9-2496 d. per gallon added value. Supplies op Milk One of the objectives of the National Milk Scheme has now been achieved in that practically all areas of population have an organized supply. Whereas the number of producer organizations increased from 32 during the 1946-47 milk year to 71 during the 1947-48 milk year, the number for the 1948-49 year was 96. Most of the increase from 71 to 96 represented larger associations organizing special groups in smaller towns, and there are very few areas now outside the scheme. The great majority of milk producer associations this year were operating on the full National Milk Scheme, including the payment of the full town milk price on surplus production up to the percentages recognized. Previously, a number of the smaller associations had been satisfied to receive the town milk price on sales only. Thus the cost of the surplus milk disposal scheme increased considerably during the 1948-49 year. Better organization, together with a favourable season, resulted in an adequate supply throughout the country, and there were no major problems of milk shortage even at the most difficult point of production during the year. Improvements in organization now enable surplus milk from one area to be switched quickly to any areas where supplies to the public are inadequate. Payments Made in Respect op Milk Supplied for Human Consumption During the Period Ist September, 1948, to 31st August, 1949 (a) Payments made under the National Milk Scheme to Producers, £ treating houses, and vendors in respect of actual town sales . . 1,518,834 (b) Cost of surplus milk scheme .. .. . . .. .. 283,651 (c) Payment of winter feed allowances . . . . .. .. 11,545 (d) Payment of administration levy to producer associations .. 13,915 (e) Payment of levies to local milk authorities .. .. .. 15,098 Total .. .. .. .. .. £1,843,043 Treatment op Milk The Department continued to encourage the milk supply to be arranged so that the consumers in at least the major centres of consumption have a choice of raw milk or pasteurized milk, and that wherever practicable, milk is delivered in sealed containers.

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