CLOSER SETTLEMENT

Hawera Star, Volume LI, 20 June 1931, Page 14

CLOSER SETTLEMENT

INCREASE OF CATTLE AILMENTS EXPERT’S MEWS IN AUSTRALIA. The subject of closer settlement and intensive production has loomed large in the Dominion for some years and its problems have 'been the subject, especially of late, of much discussion and researcli by expert scientists. A writer in the “Australasian” has given opinions that are worth much consideration by all interested in the subject. He says, inter alia: “Many pastoralists are beginning to wonder whether the advance of closer settlement is not exacting its penalty by an alarming increase of stock ailments. The breaking-up of so-called sheep walks has been proudly pointed to as the impressive triumph of a policy intended to unlock the lands, and so permit the march of progress. In official circles this policy lias been extolled as the most effective means of increasing primary wealth. Closer settlement has. no doubt, been responsible for additional production and in some commodities overproduction. Through subdivision and extensive cultivation employment has been found for many workers and deserving settlers. By the expenditure of enormous sums of loan money to place men on the land activity prevailed throughout the country, and some evidence of lasting benefits were for a time apparent. But wo have now reached the stage when the penalties of the policy are more conspicuous than the benefits. The loss suffered by taxpayers by the purchases of land unsuited for closer settlement is acknowledged as a potent factor in the national embarrassment. The plight of hundreds of settlers who were placed upon small allotments under alluring terms of occupation has developed into one of the most perplexing problems the Government have to face. The increase of land values, caused by a demand stimulated by s.et-

tlement legislation, induced experienced graziers to dispose of tlieir properties and invest their capital in other channels. And now there is the danger of widespread contamination of valuable pastures by the increase of animal parasites among the flocks which have been crowded on the more closely settled areas of the various Australian States. It is not claimed that the subdivision of large properties is entirely to blame for the spread of stock diseases. Overstocking on the part of larger graziers, a reluctance to acknowledge disease, in their animals, or failure and delav in applying remedies have contributed to the trouble. Unwise use of fertilisers in some parts has also been a factor, but the dispersal over the country of infested animals from irrigation and other closelv settled localities has, it is believed, been the main cause of the prevalence of stock ailments, particulai'ly the spread of internal parasites of sheep and lambs. “The leading fertiliser organisations. such as Imperial Chemical Industries of Australia, Limited, are careful to impress upon their clients the risk of pasture contamination by stock obtained from infested parts, and in their efforts to foster pasture improvement in localities with abundant rainfall they stress the need for efficient animal husbandry, and for precaution to guard against disease.’’