AUSTRALIAN BEEF

Southland Times, Issue 19516, 16 May 1922, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN BEEF

FEDERAL SUBSIDY SCHEME (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) , (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) SYDNEY, May 15. The Sydney Morning Herald, dealing with the Federal Government's beef subsidy scheme, says everybody in the industry is gratified that the scheme has been accepted by all sections, but recognised that it was not going to transform the cattlemen’s position from depression to prosperity in one act. An expert working out the costs on the new basis, estimates the prices to be paid for prime cattle on stations in Queensland at £3 10/- per head. Even this low price is better than nothing and will enable the cattlemen to dispose of surplus stock, allowing for station expenditure, killing and other charges. The Herald says even with the scheme working, it appears likely the industry will be several million pounds on the wrong side of the balance in the coming season without considering the possible losses from drought and disease. The Queensland cattlemen realise that there are very hard times ahead unless the English market improves. The position of New South Wales cattlemen is regarded as little, if any, better than Queensland. The Herald adds that in all States the cattlemen received such a setback during the past two years that the view is strongly held that in the future no country suitable for sheep will run larger stock. It is considered that the time is not far distant when Queensland will be running 30,000,000 sheep, nearly twice the present number by displacing equivalent cattle.