28 THE WORLD'S MEAT FUTURE 



Cross breeding has been gone into very extensively, and many 

 men are now breeding for export sheep and lambs. Under deeent 

 conditions and with a Government with brains sufficient to 

 encourage the men on the land to increase and multiply their 

 tlocks and herds, Australia alone should easily be able to sui)ply 

 Great Britain witli all the nuitton she may require. Recently 

 the Hon. D. J. Gordon, of Adelaide, read a paper before an 

 Intei-state conference of meat exporters in Sydney on the Live 

 Stock Industry of Australia. This was reprinted in The Pastoral 

 Review, and as it gives the views of breeders, I reprint it here 

 with confidence. 



CAUSES OF SHORTAGE IN LIVE STOCK AND 

 SUGGESTED REMEDIES. 



There have been many contributory factors to the want of 

 vitality in Australia's leading industry, and the serious shortage 

 in live stock as disclosed in the latest statistics. With a view 

 to investigating the causes I sent circulars to a number of lead- 

 ing stockowners, and asked for replies to the following questions. 

 The summary of the replies received is of special importance, 

 since it represents the views expressed by men of experience 

 who are in the business: — 



1. What are the main causes of the shortage of shee]i and 

 cattle in Australia? 



Droughts at intervals, and the exceptionally bad season of 

 1914. General want of confidence in trend of legislation, over- 

 stocking, and destruction of natural herbage. Breaking up 

 large estates and dispersal of flocks and herds — often stud sheep 

 and cattle. Failure of small settlers to keep stock. Inadequate 

 transport facilities, and neglect of State-owned railwav mana- 

 gers to provide facilities similar to Argentina, United States, 

 and Canada. Big saving of stock would be possible even in 

 Avorst droughts if railways were adequate and the management 

 responsive. Increasing burdens of taxation and general politi- 

 cal vendetta against live stock industry. Demands of labour 

 unions and harassing awards, causing increase in cost of pro- 

 duction and difficulty of working runs. Rabbits and wild dogs. 



(The consensus of opinion puts drought fii'st, then dispersal 

 of big flocks to meet demand of closer settlement ; third, legis- 

 lation and taxation; and then insufficient railway syst'ems.) 



2. What are the best methods to ado])t to build up the flocks 

 and herds? 



