SOAKING RAINS IN AUSTRALIA.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 July 1920, Page 4

SOAKING RAINS IN AUSTRALIA.

WORTH TEN MILLION’ A DAY.”

SYDNEY, June 20.

Practically the whole if Australia south of the tropical line is being bathed in soaking rains. The long existing drought conditions practically came to an end tiiree weeks ago, with a series of steady drenching showers. Blit this was nut enough to gild tho future. If a further dry spell supervened, it meant that the accumulated moisture would presently disappear, and the drought conditions return. The “typical ” Australian,story must always introduce a scene in which the despairing family of the squatter is suddenly galvanised into life and exufltirant joy by the sound of a downpour on the iron roof; but this is far from the fact. The sharp, heavy downpour does not break tlie drought. The drought is broken hv a series of rains, so that tlie country gradually becomes thoroughly soaked., capable of withstanding the absence of rain for a long period. But the present drought, which, in many places, had been of two years’ duration, has been broken thoroughly and completely. The showers of three weeks ago have been followed almost daily by tremendous, soaking downpours, extending over the south of Queensland, the whole of New South Wales and Victoria, and most of South arid West Australia. Mere figures cannot convey what this means to Australia. “It’s been worth ten millions a day to us for three weeks.” said one chuckling landowner—and it is not an unreasinable estimate. The rains have come just in time to ensure that the. coining season shall he a bounteous oik*. With the whole world clamouring for practically everything we can produce, with oUr own markets short of essential foodstuffs, it is certain that every producer is going to make a bid for fortune. It does not matter now if there is a long speli of dry weather —enough rain has fallen tri soak the soil and fill Nature’s reservoirs, and the stock and tlie crops of the coming season are safe. The rain was just in time to give the when* farmers the chance they wanted. They are guaranteed 7s (id per bushel—and there is going to he a record sowing. It is an ideal rain, not accompanied by harsh southern wind. The meteorologists say that a high pressure has swept down from the north, and, meeting Antartctic influences over Australia, has precipitated moisture in the shape of rain. Australia is bathed in warm air, and reports from every quaiter tell of sprouting grass and green young crops where, for months and years, there has been only desert. The meteorologists add that “a rain groove” appears to have been made over Australia, which will cause much more rain. Whereupon Australia cheers. There are reports to-day of floods in many places—of stock being drowned, bridges washed away, train services disorganised, low-lying tracts under water. This is a mere bagatelle compared with the disaster that has been averted in the breaking of the drought —and Australia continues to rejoice.