TERRIBLE DROUGHT IN QUEENSLAND

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 17, 15 October 1926, Page 8

TERRIBLE DROUGHT IN QUEENSLAND

— ♦ CONTRAST WITH OTHER STATES Dominion Special. Christchurcn, October 14. “It is estimated that the drought just broken in Queensland has caused the loss of 7,000,000 to 8,000,000 sheep. The State has also suffered a loss of cattle, which is just as great in proportion to that of sheep,” stated Mr. G. D. Greenwood, who has returned from a visit to Queensland where he has pastoral interests. Queensland, he said, had experienced the worst drought in histpry since the years 1901, 1902 and 1903. Pastoralists had been feeding their sheep on maize, a ration of 2oz.x usually given being insufficient to keep life in a big sheep. In some instances the sheep were so weak that they could not be driven to the shearing shed, and the plant had to be taken out to them. Indeed, in passing through the country he saw many sheep and cattle too weak to get out 'of the way. No pastoralist who had not seen a Queensland drought could have the slightest conception of th? conditions. The curse of Australia was the taxes, Federal and State income taxes in Queensland totalling, in sonic cases, 12s. to 15s. in the £l. Queensland also laboured under the disadvantage of her frozen meat industry not being in the hands of her pastoralists. The bad time experienced by the pastoral industry in Queensland was in direct contrast to the wonderful season and the prosperity of Victoria and New South Vales. "The export of lamb from Victoria and New South Wales is going to be heavy,” commented Mr. Greenwood. “In Victoria I found the country looking splendid. Wool is selling well, and it is bright and of good quality. The stock is in excellent condition. The export of good quality lambs will be heavy, and grain growers are going to have a prosperous season. Exactly the same conditions apply to New South Wales. “There is a distinct movement in Australia to-dav in favour of a larger sheep than tlie merino,” said Mr. Greenwood in conclusion. In recent years several corriedale flocks naxe 'been established, and I prophesy an ever-increasing demand from the Commonwealth for Dominion sheep.