SOIL EROSION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 192, 16 August 1939, Page 4

SOIL EROSION.

' SERIOUS PROBLEM. AUSTRALIAN POSITION. i ! LAND CONSERVATION MOVES i "It was most remarkable to me as i New Zealander to notice the enormou damage that has been done by soi erosion in Australia, especially in th wheat-growing areas in districts wit] a comparatively low rainfall up to 2 inches," said Mr. H. Woodyear-Smitli of Auckland, on his return this mornin; in the Wanganella from Sydney Accompanied by Mr. A. W. Montgomerie of Hawke's Bay, Mr. Woodyear-Smitl went to the Commonwealth to look inti the question of farming generally. an< took particular interest in the problen of soil erosion. "The problem of soil erosion in Aus tralia, while causing the authorities t great deal of concern in each State, ij being taken in hand very rapidly by th< various State Governments," said Mr Woodvear-Smith. "Recently a bill wai put through by the New South A\ale< Parliament establishing a soil conserva tion service, and, under the direction ol the Minister of Mines, this service i: well under way. In South Australia a further service is being constituted bj the State Government, and a vigorous programme of soil conservation is intended.

"From observations made," added Mr. Woodyear-Snrith, "I found that the land in some instances had been cropped for 50 or (it) years and no attempt had been made to conserve the soil bv a system of rotation. The principle has mainly been to take a crop of wheat, burn the •stubble, fallow for one year, and crop for wheat again. The result of this policy has been disastrous, widespread loss occurring in the wheat-growing areas in the various States. Deterioration of Crops. "In fact, the position is so bad in some cases that land which formerly produced up- to 40 bushels of wheat per acre will not now produce more than 12 bushels to the acre. The chief damage is done by heavy summer storms, witli lain falling like a deluge, thus removing the top soil and causing severe gullyin» and channelling. In some districts this has been so severe that two fence lines have been completely buried and a third fence has had to be erected on top of those underneath. "In the central districts, consisting of big grazing runs, over-stocking has been responsible for a tremendous amount of damage, and the destruction of saltbusli and mulga has opened up a very serious problem in the form of erosion" In the higher rainfall districts, such as the north and south coasts of Xew South Wale.-. (Jippsland and Victoria, pasture work has been carried out", but a good deal of sheet erosion is noticeable ""and much bare ground can be seen. This has followed a policy of rapid burning off and, as in Xew Zealand, it has proved disastrous. Riverbeds Silting Up. • Many of the riverbeds in the Commonwealth ar e gradually silting up, as also are dams and weirs provided for water storage and irrigating purposes," said Mr. Woodyear-Smith. "However, it is very pleasing to see how are tackling this grave problem. They appear to be determined, to take the necessary steps to prevent graver deterioration and to retain their agricultural lands so that they might be handed down in a suitable state to future generations of Australians." \">