DEFENCELESS AUSTRALIA.

Waikato Times, Volume 114, Issue 19051, 15 September 1933, Page 9

DEFENCELESS AUSTRALIA.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —Your news columns have lately drawn attention to Australia’s defenceless condition, and the authorities are onco more urged to fill up her empty spaces, usually by people with little knowledge of the actual conditions. It is reasonable to assume that if a country remains unoccupied there is some good reason for it, and in the case of Australia the reason is not difficult to find. If Australia were an attractive country it would have been settled by Asiatics ages ago, for it is close, to teeming populations, and the northern coast was well known to their navigators. But why should they leave their fertile lands for the barren coast of North Australia? More than three centuries ago the Dutch ship Arnheim explored the Gulf of Carpentaria, and gave its name to the oape so much in the news at the present time. Dutoh ships frequently touched on the west coast. They called it "The Great Barren Land”—a correot description. Those who have read ‘‘The Voyage of the Beagle" will remember that Darwin visited Australia in 1832, and expressed the opinion that it could never support a large population on account of the drought. Time has justified Darwin’s opinion. Fairly accurate figures regarding rainfall have been compiled. Some of these may be of interest to your readers. Fifty-five per cent, of Australia has an average rainfall of under 10 inches. In some years no rain falls. This dry country is not all in the interior. The coast of the Great Bight is one of the driest areas. Further, there are no large supplies of fresh water from which irrigation may be conducted. Would any of your readers care to settle in this area?

Another 25 per cent, of the country has a rainfall of under 20 Inches. This area includes much land of first quality, but it is subject to frequent droughts, when sfheep and . cattle perish in millions. The Northern Territory—or at least the coastal belt—lias a rainfall of 26 Inches; but as It falls almost entirely within two months agriculture without irrigation is a difficult proposition. There are> however, some areas of fair grazing land, and there are possibilities here. This leaves about 20 per cent, of the total area of Australia with a rainfall of over 20 inches, and only In this area is agriculture practicable. The habitable areas are already more or less occupied. There is still room for a considerable number, but In a country so subject to drought close settlement as It Is understood in New Zealand Js not practicable.—l am, etc., T.G. Hamilton, September 12, 1933.