They came after the rain

Press, 25 February 1977, Page 16

They came after the rain

A good rain in West Australian wheat growing areas last August not only boosted wheat yields in the state but also gave a fillip to tourism in New Zealand, for Western Australian farmers and their wives who finished a 24-day visit to the country at the beginning of this week said last week-end that they had confirmed their bookings for the tour after the rains came.

After the rain yield estimates for the wheat crop in the state were progressively updated.. The party of 41, made up almost exclusively of farmers and their wives, was organised by the Australian stock and station firm, Elders G. M. It is an annual affair and carries the title of “rural study tour,” taking in visits to cattle and sheep properties as well as scenic attractions.

A reporter who was invited by the tour leader, Mr P. Moulton, who is area manager for Elders at Katanning, 180 miles north of Perth, to meet a few members of the group, was a little taken aback when he found most of the party, assembled in a semicircle in a conference room, waiting for him. He could not be sure thereafter whether he was doing an interview or being interviewed. The West Australians came from country producing mainly coarse grains, wheat, sheep and cattle and most were from country with a rainfall of less than 20 inches. The state average yield for wheat is only 15 to 16 bushels to the acre. One farmer from country with

a rainfall of only about 13 inches recalled with some pride that he had been able to produce 17 bushels to the acre with a rainfall of only eight inches strategically distributed.

But even in that vast and often arid country there are favoured areas and one couple, who live in an area with a rainfall of 38 to 40 inches, reported that as well as producing stud sheep, fruit, vegetables, feed grains, crops and beef, they had contracted to supply a freezing works with 100,000 corn cobs a year.

But while in the southern areas of the state farmers have had a good year, drought resulting in no crops at all has made the season in the northern agricultural part of the state from Geraldton to Southern Cross one of the worst periods in its history.

And what did they think of New Zealand. It was, of course, so green in contrast to their land, especially in this season of abundant rainfall. But they were perturbed at the amount of foot trouble they saw in the sheep and also the dirty state of the rear ends of the sheep after this season of soft teed. They were concerned at the risk of flystrike in these conditions and said it must detract from the value of the wool that was taken from them. Nor did they want our too numerous’ thistles or blackberries.

Clearly having talked to their counterparts here, they had a conservative view of the profitability of New Zealand farming, and one concluded that it he had $200,000 to invest he

would get a better return; in the southern part, his own state, to which many! farmers had come from! New Zealand and other’ overseas countries since’ World War 11 to set up in farming.

But they noticed in central Canterbury a standard of farm homesteads that did not exactly indicate poverty.

They found that wages! in New Zealand were on; average about half of those in their state, and so they said that shearing was currently costing them something over $5O per 100, with the contract rate being more than $lOO and between about $lOB and $l2O. They had enjoyed their visit and were impressed, with the kindliness and! hospitality of New Zea-, landers, but they still felt; that they would prefer to! go on farming in the. country that they knew! rather than come to this country even with its; many advantages. Mrs J. White, of Katanning, who was in the party,! will have cause to remem-j ber the trip. Years ago| when she lived in Riverton! in Western Australia she corresponded with a girl in Riverton in Southland. They had not communicated with each other for 30 years, but when in i Dunedin Mrs White and! her husband called at the! office where the electoral, rolls are kept and located: the name of her forme friend, who now lives in' Lawrence. The New Zealand friend! of former days answered a telephone call, and at short notice travelled 70 miles to Dunedin to meet the Australians.