The Unfortunate Australian Farmer.

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume XIII, Issue 1081, 27 March 1903, Page 2

The Unfortunate Australian Farmer.

The drought stricken laud of Australia is responsißle for much weariness cf spirit and depression of mind amongst-; the pastoral is t and agriculturist portion of the population particularly. Although rain has fallen, there are still "areas that have received but little relief, i and it is impossible to conceiye how 'the (< way back " selectors can bear their applications. Their lot, at the best- of times, has been a very hard one, and to the more favoured New Zealand small folders would be pimply appalling. In'some of the bsst agricultural districts, ploughing operations are in active preparation for seed growing, notwithstanding the gloomy outlook 'and the poverty of the last harvest. Although' there is a striking buoyancy apparent on the surface, characteristic of a race who taka advevsity without flinch ing, the country as a whole has been hard hit by the;.drought through all its main industries There is a great falling off in its fjhigf § tapirs, depreciation'of values, reduction of exports,''sblinkage in tlie ; revenu6, and 'decreased spending power of the' population. Trade is much . disorganis/e'd' ami money considerably hardeu'ec., although there are Unlimited stores'.of capi' tal for investment, if the heavens wquid but revive general confidence in- the Commonwealth's resources. Merchants and manufacturers are liberal in their endeavours and terms in order to quit their stocks, the general ellect of whii:h is the' marvell'mi-dy L>w prices at which'goOi.k q,re marked in the shop windows, as a rule from'3o per ■cent to 50 per cent lower th-iii prico.s i;i .New Zealand for similar lines ' It is hoped that vyitli the State and private aid Which will he .forthcoming, the burden of the far-nier will be lightened, but at present a Urge portion of the population is undeniably in a sorry plight