NEW SOUTH WALES ANXIOUS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 833, 3 June 1910, Page 8

NEW SOUTH WALES ANXIOUS.

CHAFF FAMINE LOOMING. . i .. i'he Sydney produce*merchants consider outlook for- chaff • serious,\ owing to jcontinued dry weather in' the. country.. A, '■well-known mercha'nt'sa'id' that the recent' , rain was not heavy enouglr ; to\do any food. The Wales, ar'ring the coastal districts, are experiencing weather conditions similar to that of the big drought in 1903. "It is a bad sign/' said this, gentleman, "when the 7 country roads are in the condition they are now—nothing but' a -very- fine" dust. That is how the big drought started, and many of tho older- farmers are positive that a repetition of 1903 is coining." TMiere is plenty of hay in the country, irat the New South Wales' farmer was taught a lesson in selling out' his st'ccks in the drought, and now lie is holding oii ito. it. until the weather breaks. Some of them during that time sold fodder at £4, and had to buy it later on at <£8. Adelaide shippers are • anxiously inquiring as to the conditions of the Sydney market, and the following reply , has jbeen sent to one:—"The whole of New •South Wales, barring, the coastal dis-. i+ricts, is experiencing a Very bad; timeifor lack of rain, and the fanners without exception are holding their hay until such a time as the weather breaks. In • consequence, prices have finned considerably, with the "result that choice green, fwheaten chaff in Sydney is realising M ?17s. per ton, with oaten to £i 10s. . Of '~course, much; lower rales prevail for inferior qualities. Stocks of hay in the looomtry are fairly heavy; but- there is a ecarcity of-prime green wheaten, and •even if heavy rains should eventuate .-this line will maintain a fair price right ithrough the year. A fairly general rain jtook place'on the 18th, but'only averaged r :half an inch, and • unioss this is speedily 'followed by more it will be really wors.\ .'than none at.all, as it will cause the planted districts to shoot, and in . the; 'event of dry weather this would' have to j be again sown."