DESERT LANDS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22512, 1 September 1936, Page 17

DESERT LANDS

AUSTRALIA'S SPACES UNSUITABLE FOR SETTLERS PROBLEM OF IMMIGRATION The opinion that the character of Australia n " vast empty spaces " makes them unsuitable for the extension of settlement, but that some further development in those parts already settled is justified, is expressed in a circular issued by the Bank of New South Wales on the subject of tho Empire migration problem. The circular points out that there are important topographical and climatic variations between Australia and other countries, which have to be considered when dealing with Australia's ability to support population. Tho term " vast empty spaces " so often applied to Australia is vague and misleading. Since one-third of Australia is desert land unsuitable for agriculture or settlement, it is obvious that much of the country's territory is likely to remain empty. Relative emptiness — that is, " having the capacity to absorb additional settlers and to produce more —is tho meaning that should bo adopted for this phrase. Australia, therefore, only has " empty spaces " in so far as she has land suitable for settlement that is not at present used for that purpose. _• " Deficient and unreliable rainfall is a major handicap to the occupation of much of Australia—for practical purposes, out of the total 2,974,600 square miles, some 1,250,000 square miles are desert," continues tho circular. " Australia has a great extent of arid land which is of little value for primary industries, except in a few favoured districts where very sparse grazing is made possible by the presence of edible bushes and desert grasses, and where water can bo provided. The recurrence of drought puts a check to tho possibilities or great increases in pastoral production, which cannot bo ignored." The irregular occurrence of rainfall throughout the year, such as is found in Roma, in south-eastern Queensland, is discussed as a major factor in limiting wheat production in such areas. " We are not justified in concluding that settlement is feasible, even in those areas that have a suitable rainfall for, within the areas where climatic conditions are satisfactory, there is a further restriction on the areas suitable for intensive use, because of unfavourable soils and rugged relief," it is pointed out. " Thus in the far north of Australia large areas receiving an annual rainfall of more than 40in. have very sandy or lateritic soils which are quite valueless for agriculture."