AUSTRALIAN DROUGHT

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30477, 26 June 1964, Page 11

AUSTRALIAN DROUGHT

De-Stocking Of Land Likely

CSpccial Correspondent N.Z.P.A.t

SYDNEY, June 25.

With cattle dying at a rate of 50 a day on some properties, the Federal Government is expected to “take out of production” huge areas of droughtstricken Central Australia.

Pastoral scientists believe the only chance the country has of recovering would be to take all the remaining stock away and close down for five or 10 years.

The administrator, Mr Roger Nott, said a board would be set up to inquire into results of the drought, which is ravaging about 80,000 square miles of the Alice Springs district

The board will be instructed to take any action considered necessary under the ordinance dealing with stocking rates.

The Government can instruct pastoralists to reduce stock on properties, to nil if necessary.

The drought, which has lasted five to seven years in some areas, has reduced the valuable mulga content of the country and little dr no herbage is left in some places.

The Government fears widespread and fatal erosion will take place unless the country is given a chance to recover.

The Northern Territory Legislative Council member for the district, Mr D. Smith, warned the Government last year that many cattlemen would have to walk off properties unless the drought broke. Most cattlemen affected are so far in debt they will not be able to buy cattle again and the Government has been asked to organise finance to handle restocking loans when the country recovers.