AUSTRALIAN OUTLOOK

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 31 July 1929, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN OUTLOOK

THE DROUGHT POSITION A . Christchurch resident connected with tho stock and station business has just roturned from a trip to Ausralia, during which tie travelled very extensive areas of New South Wales, lo a "Press" representative he expressed the opinion that tho drought was ncaring an acute stage in many parts. '1 ho country lor mile after mile alter mile was as bare as the proverbial board, water was scarce, and the transport of fodder was now general and it was increasing in cost. On much of the country ho had passed through ewes were leaving their lambs, a bad sign, as it indicated a condition of semi-starvation. Unless rain came very soon it would be an extremely serious matter for tho country, as part of the wheat belt, particularly in Victoria, would otherwise experience a complcto crop failure. The prospects of an ordinary lambing were remote, and it appeared inevitable that the sheep strength of the Cqjumonwealth as a whole, which last season just touched the highest point on record (106 million), would be considerably reduced. A further cause of pessimism was tho drop recorded in merino wool values. At the Brisbane sale held during the course of tho visit the average was 14d alb for the whole offering. This is a steep drop on the values ruling twelve mouths ago at this centre, where the wool is of the highest merino character. Some brightness had .been added to tho general position by the rapid advance in tho price of wheat. Somo compensation for the lower wool prices would be ordinarily provided by the record flocks, but the absence of feed will mako this possibility of little worth. Australia has had a, lengthy run of excellent years, and there 'is an uneasy feeling that the present, visitation is the prolude to the drought that the pessimists claim is due. A good rain, even at this belated stage, would completely alter the position.