THE DROUGHT BROKEN

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 218, 19 October 1914, Page 10

THE DROUGHT BROKEN

MONSOONAL RAINS IN AUSTRALIA. PASTORAL PROSPECTS IMPROVED. By Cable. —Press Association.-—Copyright. (Received October 18, 11.40 a.m.) SYDNEY, October 18. The eastern and northern parts of Australia will greatly benefit by the monsoonal rains, which began on Friday and are still falling. All fears as to a drought west of the mountains are dispelled. The rain has had a wonderful effect in stimulating the" financial position. Stock has been saved and a reasonable harvest assured. The "Daily Telegraph," in a leader, says: "The rainstorm means much more to the State than is expre?3ed in bushels of wheat, tons of hay, and stock saved from drought. It tends to relieve the financial tension and will act as the best possible tonic to public confidence in counteracting the adverse influences of the war. It is too Hte to give the State a good aggregate grain harvest, but there are possibilities of recovery over a third cr half the area sown suffi-

cient to give a considerable exportable surplus over internal requirements for food and seed. The 7 i*ospect. of a record dairy production is certain." The."Herald" is still pessimistic regarding the wheat and pastoral outlook, and says: "On the whole, the rain is of little value to the wheat crop, being too late to save the situation, even where the falls are greatest. Vei-y little has fallen in the Riverina. It is doubtful if pastoral prospects could be more serious."