TASMANIA'S PLIGHT

Waipa Post, Volume 32, Issue 1784, 20 July 1926, Page 6

TASMANIA'S PLIGHT

THE JUNIOR PARTNER. Tasmania has been in serious financial difficultiefe for several years. Recognising 'that matters could not he allowed to drift indefinitely, the Commonwealth Government took action. It commissioned Sir Nicholas Lockyer to make an investigation into the financial position of this small State as affected by federation. He reported that substantial assistance was necessary &© that Tasmania might obtain relief from its monetary difficulties and! in order that definite measures might be made possible for the development of its natural resources. At the same time the Commissioner expressed the opinion that the position was d,ue largely to internal rather than to external •causes, and in a great measure could be remedied by local effort only. The inference to be drawn from his statements i s 'that, while the other States had energetically pursued policies for the development of their primary and secondary industries, successive Governments in Tasmania, either because of financial Istress or lack of perception and energy, had neglected their opportunities in this* direction. The Commonwealth Government, while it did not give its approval to a scheme in detail exactly on the lines of that suggested by Sir Nicholas Lockyer, d.id agree to a substantial measure of relief, involving a sum of £589,000 spread over two years. This has given heart to the people, and it is stated that the Lyons Government . is , now preparing a development scheme. It is expected that the policy will include an extension and more vigorous prosecution of agricultural interests, the opening up of suitable areas for closer settlement, an effort to exploit new mineral fields, and special inducements such as cheap hydro-electric power, to attract new industries. In addition to its monetary grant, the Fedleral Ministry has offered to place Ms experts •at the disposal of the State to give advice on the lines that offer the most promising results. Already the Lyons Government has moved in the direction of reorganising the agricultural industry. After receiving a report from Dr. Cameron, of Victoria, it appointed. Mr F. E. Ward to the position of Director of Agriculture. As showing how matters had •been allowed to drift, it may be mentioned that the office had been vacant for several years. Mr Ward is a Tas.'familiar with the conditions of the State, but he has had experience in agricultural research and practice in New Zealand. -One of.his propositions is to encourage the raising of fat lambs, with the idiea of building up an export trade. His impressions of the work of the Agricultural Departmient in this Dominion are very favourable. He comments on the fact that the feeling of the man on the land against the Department has entirely changed, remarking that the farmer now looks upon the Department as his best friend. He thinks that the prospects of building up the primary industries are distinctly good,, •and that if a vigorous policy were purshed the way would be opened up to bring Tasmania to a prosperous condition. In the last few years, with 'the exception of fruit and butter, the products from the land have shown a ■steady decline. Concurrent with the movement for increased' agricultural production, a revival in the mining industry is reported, and promising tin fields, which may replace those at Mount Bischoff and Zeehan that are worked, out, are being tes'ted. This mining activity has been encouraged by the reports of rising prices and declining supplies. The Hydro-electric "Department has completed an important water-power scheme, the present installation of which is 63,000 horsepower and it is hoped that this will give a stimulus to the secondary industries.