36 Australia: The Dairy Country. 



The butter factories were first started by proprietary com- 

 panies, and their cream depots were scattered all over the farming 

 districts. Competition was exceedingly keen, and in some of the 

 townships there were four or five rival cream depots, all endeavour- 

 ing to get the biggest shares of the cream. 



Jersey Cows. 



Of late, a number of co-operative factories run by the farmers 

 have started, and proved very successful, enabling their share- 

 holders to get a higher price for their cream than hitherto. They 

 are admirably managed, are essentially popular institutions, and 

 have done splendid work. 



The farmers establish, manage, and work them, and the profits, 

 instead of going into the pockets of the middlemen, are distributed 

 among the shareholders. 



State Aid to Co-operative Factories. 



Under a vote by Parliament the State makes advances to 

 farmers to establish co-operative dairy factories. The loans extend 

 over a period of fourteen years, and 4 per cent, interest is charged. 



Condensed Milk. 



The Preserved and Condensed Milk Industry promises to 

 become important in the near future. Six factories are now in 

 operation. 



Messrs. Nestle and Co., the world-renowned firm, have invested 

 $480,000.00 in their Preserved Milk Industry in Queensland. It 

 speaks well for a country when an old-world firm such as this is- 

 prepared to invest so largely. 



