AUSTRALIAN METEOROLOGY.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1799, 29 August 1906, Page 16

AUSTRALIAN METEOROLOGY.

A FEDERAL DEPARTMENT. In the House of Representatives on August 1, the Minister for Home Affairs, Mr Groom, moved the second reading of a bill to establish a Federal Department of Meteorology. -It was proposed to exercise the Federal powers, the Minister explained, only in resJpeot of meteorology. The States had been consulted with a view to obtaining their views upon tire subject of the Commonwealth undertaking the astronomical work also. South Australia and Victoria were not agreeable to handing over their astronomical departments. Western Australia was prepared to hand over both meteorological and astronomical. New South Wales gave no definite reply, and Queensland, while wishing to retain her meteorological department, desired to retain the astronomical work. Experts in the employ of the States considered that at this stag© the Cbmmpnwealth would not be justified in exercising its powers in. reference to astronomy, ancl tho astronomical observatories of the States would remain separate and distinct. It would be well, perhaps, if those observatories were transferred hath a universities. In connection with meteorology, the Commonwealth could make regulations that would secure uniformity as to obderva-tories throughout Australia; could have a set of officials throughout the Commonwealth under central control; could establish uniform methods of distributing information, and could publish correct forecasts. The tote I number of officers at prodent engaged in astronomical and meteorological work in Australia was 80, and the annual expense £13,666. Tho value of buildings, instruments, libraries, etc., was £93,646, and the cost of telegrams £40,500. Mr Wragg-e estimated the cost of Federal Meteorological department at about £IO,OOO a year, but this would probably be below the actual cost, and would certainly be too little if the Australian department were to dio the flame work as was done in America. The American system of organisation would probably be followed. The United States were divided into seven districts, each of which had its own forecasts. Then there was a further subd'vision into State districts for the issue of local forecasts. But that was a matter for the meteorological head. Property to great value could be saved by correct predictions of the weather, and under a Federal system there could be a proper study of the climate —rainfall, temperature. etc. It was now difficult tia get proper obse.iwations from the south, and if the system of wireless telegraphy could be installed on some of the boats that left Australia the result of observations could be transmitted’ +io Australia, to ensure greater accuracy in forecasting. It was proposed to establish a, practical institution tint would confer a, lasting benefit on those eligarrocl in the primary industries. The bill was read a. second time.