DROUGHT AND FIRE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 24, 30 January 1939, Page 4

DROUGHT AND FIRE.

AUSTRALIAN LOSSES.

FARMERS HARD HIT.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

IXVERCARGILL, this day. "The loss of live stock iu Australia aunng the drought v aa tremendous with a consequent shortage. Meat prices will <>t course soar, and the export market is bound to be adversely affected," saitl Mr A. H Anglian, ot Melbourne, who is making the round trip on the Mauiiganui. ( I lie ruin of countless crop*," he added, will also have serious reactions on the wheat market. lft)7 wheat realised 5 5 a bushel, but iaet year it fell .to 2/2 It is expected to be at the same level this year The yield this year will be probably about one-third of Jast season's. 1 hat means less for export, and the falling off in exports means reduced income for Australia.

Mr. Angliss ako stated that the effect of the drought was being felt in the rural districts first, but would' soon be felt in the cities. Moreover, timber valued at about £500,000 had been lost in bush flres \""nVn£i r, | a ' . a ? d P r °P e,t . v valued at about i.0m,,U00 had been destroyed. The public response to the appeal had been wonderV~ * u eeD 000 , "d £100,000 had already been rawed. Those in the stricken areas estimated, however, that 000 peopTe ffld lost drought had more than an immediate effect, Is stock being in poor condition had weak progeny K nd f^ e u. eff^cte of recent setbacks would be felt by Australia for the next twelve months.