VAST DAMAGE DONE

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 20, 24 July 1934, Page 10

VAST DAMAGE DONE

GRASSHOPPER PEST

COST RUNS Tb^MiLUONS

(From "The Post's" Representative.) , SYDNEY, July 19. For nearly six months up to the middle of June New South Wales had to contend with the grasshopper pest, and it is now estimated that the damage done ran into £ 3,600,000. This makes the grasshopper a worse pest than the rabbit, and that cannot be very encouraging news'for the rest of Australia. There is this difference between the two pests, that the rabbit is always with Australia, but there is no certainty that the grasshopper will return next year in the', same force as he appeared this year. Next-year one of the other States might be victimised, and the position is so serious that it is one that seems to demand, immediate attention from the authorities. The depredation of the grasshopper in New South Wales this year surpassed all previous experiences. The effect was to change a bounteous summer and autumn into drought conditions, just at a time when a greater portion of the area was recovering from the rabbit invasion, and the drought period of 1933. So great was the damage to pastures that a 70 per cent, lambing in the western portion of the affected area was reduced to 30 per I cent., and there was a 10 per cent; loss of ewes. The lack of feed affected I the growth of the lambs that survived, and so their value. . The fleece of the sheep was lighter and their growth was also affected. The destruction of abundant pastures at a time when many] graziers, had restocked on borrowed money was particularly unfortunate. The total area in New South Wales affected by grasshoppers was 32,768,000 acres, and it is not surprising therefore that • the Government authorities should look to some means of minimising the danger in the future. It is pointed out that if the first brood had been destroyed.this year on a scale that would have been effective, the cost would have been nearly £5000, whereas the actual damage done rose to £3,600,060. The idea of forming organised brigades to deal with the pest wherever it first appears is now being considered. It is pointed out that it would well repay the farmers to contribute to a common fighting fund. However, most of the farmers will think that it is a job for the Government, and not for them. That is the general attitude of the Australian farmer, who is becoming accustomed to spoon-feeding.