32 THE WORLD'S MEAT FUTURE 



(There is a consensus of opinion that both cattle and sheep 

 can be improved on the meat side with all-round advaiitage. For 

 export meat trade crossbreeding of sheep is recommended.) 



6. What improvements do you recommend in the carriage of 

 live stock on the railways? 



Railway management in almost all the States is strongly con- 

 demned. One well-informed correspondent, with exceptional ex- 

 perience, says: "The whole system of carriage of stock on rail- 

 ways requires remodelling. State railways should be made 

 'Common Carriers,' and be responsible. An expert should be 

 imported on behalf of all the States — preferably from Argen- 

 tina — to revise the whole system. Stock should be watered on 

 long distance runs, and stock trains shoud run to schedule 

 time." Other suggestions are: — Quicker transit, better trucks 

 and loading, more care by engine drivers, resting depots on long 

 journeys for water and feed, stock trains fitted with air brakes. 



7. Can the pastoral industry be encouraged by better land 

 laws ; if so, in what direction ? 



Security of tenure and full compensation for improvements. 

 Liberal land laws and reduction of taxation for purely stock 

 country, and exemption from Federal land tax of outside leases. 



8. Do you look for increase in sheep and cattle from Murray 

 River reclaimed lands and from closer settlement areas? 



Only to limited extent unless prices warrant intense culture 

 and hand feeding, 



9. Do the cattle and sheep of Australia compare favourably on 

 the meat side with the live stock of other meat-exporting 

 countries ? 



One correspondent who has visited Argentina writes: — "The 

 cattle do not compare favourably. The average dead weight 

 beast from Queensland is much less than the Argentine average." 

 A gentleman of many years' practical experience in the meat 

 trade of South America says: — "Argentine breeders are always 

 importing stud stock to keep up the standard. There is i-oom for 

 improvement in Australian cattle and better methods of droving 

 — less stockwhip and rough handling — and better methods of 

 dressing are essential in respect to mutton and beef intended 

 for export. Australian sheep are splendid, especially Merinos, 

 on the wool side, but bigger carcases are needed for export." 



