Mr THORBY (Calare) (Assistant Minister for Commerce) (12:18 PM) . - I move -

For the last four years the Commonwealth Government has granted an export bounty to growers of apples and pears, and after a careful examination of the present position the Government has decided to continue the bounty for this year at the rate of approximately 2-^d. a bushel case of apples and pears exported, at a total cost of approximately £60,000. In 1933 the freight from Australia to the United Kingdom and Europe was 4s. 1 1/2d. (Australian) a case. In August of that year the Government secured a reduction of 2fd. a case for shipments during the month of June and 3£d. a ease for shipments during July and later months, In December, 1934, a rebate of 2|d. a case was secured, provided the shippers filled the space booked. Further negotiations were carried on with the shipowners with the result that we have now secured a further freight reduction, commencing from the beginning of the 1938 export season, of an additional 3d. a case, making a total rebate of approximately 6d. a case Australian currency. In other words, since 1933 the overseas freight has been reduced from 4s. 1-Jd. a case to 3s. 7£d. a. case. I would also remind honorable members that for the last two years the Government has spent over £20,000 on research and has voted a further £5,000 to continue the work this year. To this can be added a further £5,000 on a £1 for £1 basis with the States to provide a fund to conduct an Australia-wide publicity campaign. Since' overseas returns last year showed a considerable improvement over previous years, it is considered that the financial provisions of this bill provide a reasonable contribution by the Commonwealth to the industry.