EXAGGERATED REPORTS IX ENGLAND.

Colonist, Volume LXII, Issue 15238, 27 November 1919, Page 5

EXAGGERATED REPORTS IX ENGLAND.

OFFICIAL DENIALS

Sydney, Nov. 26. Dissatisfaction was expressed in the Assembly at the probable evil effects of alleged alarmist cables regarding the drought in New South Wales despatched from Sydney and published in English papers. Mr. Holman said it was a pity the English papers should take reports of Australian conditions from a gentleman who apparently never went farther than his office window. Ho had cabled to Sir Charles Wade to deny the statements and had sent an official statement showing the actual measure of damage caused by the drought. A sensational cablegram published by "The Times" and the "Daily Mail" was referred to by Mr Holman. It :said Australia, especially New South ! Wales, was suffering from the most devastating drought in the white man's history, far surpassing the 1902 drought. Thousands of settlers had been ruined and towns had been deserted. Stations had been abandoned in New South Wales, and wild dogs were in possession. Wheat was insufficient even for seed purposes. Sir Charles Wade denied the statements in the cable, and said there was no cause for alarm, although matters in some parts were undoubtedly very bad. Copious rains had fallen in the Riverina, and tho country is in a wonderful condition. Tibooburra, where the conditions are reported particularly bad, is on the fringe of an area, which is always particularly dry. Business men in London connected with Australia deplore the exaggerated statements, which are not in accordances with private cablegrams.