72 PRODUCTION 



fairly rapid one in that engaged in preparing and handling the pro- 

 ducts in towns. 1 The total population of the Commonwealth his 

 increased since 1890 more rapidly than is generally supposed. 

 Between 1890 and 1912 the increase was just over 50 %, 2 very little 

 short of the percentage increase in the United States during the 

 same period. If this rate of increase in Australia is continued 

 during the next two decades, its influence upon the output and 

 surplus of animal foodstuffs will be considerable, 3 since Australia 

 is now more or less in the same stage of development (though poorer 

 in agricultural resources) as the United States were about forty 

 years ago. It will be some considerable time before the population 

 in Australia begins to gain on agricultural production as in North 

 America. 



As settlement proceeds, capital expenditure, resulting in greatly 

 increased returns, becomes possible. The readiness shown by the 

 Governments to invest capital in reproductive works of importance 

 to agriculture is marked in Australia, and must be of the greatest 

 value in the future. Railways and other means of transport have 

 been probably the greatest factor in the development of Australian 

 animal industries. They have made it possible to raise wheat 

 and mutton on land distant from the seaports, which once produced 

 nothing but wool. Railways are essential for the conveyance of 

 mutton and beef stock from the pasture lands to the port freezing- 

 works, without loss of condition. 4 With the growth of a more 

 extensive railway system the transport of stock from drought- 

 stricken districts is becoming possible. 5 Whereas sheep and cattle 

 formerly perished wholesale owing to lack of water, it is now more 

 possible to move them to places where water is more plentiful, or 

 to the ports where they can be converted into meat. Finally, with 

 the growth of the railway system under State control, the carriage 

 of fertilisers and feedstuffs at low rates will make the utilisation 

 of these essentials in increased agricultural production possible in 

 many places where they were formerly out of the question. Though 

 much has been done in advancing railway construction, the vastness 

 of the productive area, together with an average low output per 

 acre, creates problems of an unusual kind in the provision of efficient 

 transport services. Much, therefore, still remains to be done. 

 Owing to considerations of financial stability, the Australian States 



1 In semi-industrial processes such as wool-sorting, slaughtering and re- 

 frigerating, and in export trade business. 



2 From 3-15 millions to 4-73 millions. 



8 Opinion in Australia favours the idea that increased agricultural popula- 

 tion means an increased surplus of foodstuffs, especially those produced under 

 more intensive conditions, e.g., meat and butter. See Dominions Commission 

 Minutes of Evidence taken in Australia, QQ. 7783, 7909, 8134-8. 



4 According to evidence given before the Dominions Commission in 

 Sydney, the existing railways are congested and live stock frequently suffer 

 through excessive time taken for transit on the railways. (Cd. 7172. GO. 

 7552-7663). 



6 Australian droughts are frequently partial only. 



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