The Drought in Australia.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVIII, Issue XXV, 21 June 1902, Page 1289

The Drought in Australia.

HIGH PRICE OF FOOD. One serious result of the disastrous drought in Australia is the high cost of living generally. Eggs are 2 per dozen, and butter 1/8 per lb, while steak is lOd per lb., and chops fid. At the same time Australian sheep are selling in London at 31 lb, and beef -Jld to 5Jd wholesale, while in Melbourne sirloin is 8d per lb. At a recent stock sale in Melbourne extra prime heavy bullocks ranged from £l7 5 to £lB. Prime crossbred wethers sold as high as 21/. One firm sold 3000 in the previous week at £1 per head, and a similar

number last week at the same price. A new feature of last week's cattle market was the appearance of Adelaide buyers, who purchased for South Australian consumption, and who gave the highest prices for the stock they bought. The present retail prices for beef and mutton are a striking contrast to the rates which ruled a few years ago. when in the suburban butchers’ shops, where low cuts were made, might be seen the legend—“slb of chops, steak or sausages for 1 Some people expect bullocks to reach £23 before the winter is over. There has also been an increase in other articles of food. Flour, which twelve months ago was £5 17 6 to £6 2/6 per ton. is now £9 10/ to £lO per ton. and the 41b loaf has risen from 4Jd to 6d. In May last wheat was 2/81 to 29. It is now 4/3 to 4 4. Potatoes are also almost at famine rates. In the wholesale market last year at this time they commanded from 45/ to 75/ per ton. To-day prime samples are worth £5 per ton, and the retail purchaser has to pay at the rate of £7 or more per ton. Victorian butter is sold in the London market at about 1/ per lb. The Victorian consumer is now paying 1 6 add 1 8 per lb for it. Cheese has also advanced, and eggs, at 2d a piece, must be regarded as a luxury. With reference to a cable message from Sydney that ten thousand tons 'of damaged wheat were available front New Zealand for starved stock in Australia, and also a supply of mangolds and turnips, Jfr Ritchie, Secretary of the Agricultural Department, doubts whether there is that quantity available. He admits that a large quantity of wheat in Central Otago and Canterbury was injured by rain, but not so much as ten thousand tons. He is making inquiries regarding the extent of the supply of root crops for New South Wales over what is sufficient for New Zealand's own requirements. There was a shortage last vear. Forty thousand acres less were'down in wheat than in the previous year, and about the same in oats. A large supply of turnips is available for New South Wales, but the freight will be too much, and the supply would decay on the voyage.