40 THE WOBLD'S MEAT FUTURE 



take big risks for fair dividends, but when they are to be taxed 

 heavilj' on returns made in good years, and get no allowance 

 in bad years, they are not likely to put their money into 

 industries which are so viciously attacked by our Legislatures." 



There is not only the problem of reconstruction to be faced, 

 but the greater problem of the expansion of the live stock 

 industry. The practical question is how best to meet this national 

 obligation. It is not a political question — certainly not a party 

 one, since every section of the community will be vitally affected 

 by the fluctuating fortunes of rural producers. It is an 

 economic problem of first-class importance— a national enter- 

 prise which transcends all political and other considerations. 



There are at least eight essentials before the live stock industry 

 of Australia can be reconstructed and vigorous growth made 

 possible: — (1) A better appreciation on the part of legislators 

 of the requirements of the industry and the difficulties of success- 

 fully occupying the interior of the continent, (2) special 

 encouragement of stud breeding. (3) increasing transportation 

 facilities, (4) revision of taxation and charges borne by the 

 industry in order to prevent an undue pressure causing a decrease 

 in production, (5) campaign of education to encourage small 

 flocks and herds, (6) experiments in closer settled areas in feed- 

 ing, (7) removal of shipping restrictions and harassing regu- 

 lations, and (8) vigorous methods to deal with pests and veraiin. 



An attempt has been made in the accompanying diagram to 

 illustrate the scope of investigation and reform necessary to 

 place the industry on a practical and profitable basis. 



All this means national organisation, and national organisa- 

 tion is only a convenient term for expressing the highest form 

 of State co-operation with individual initiative and intelligence 

 without the domination of either. We want, more than any- 

 thing else in Australia, on the economic side of life, a new era 

 of primary production, a new spirit of conouest, renewed 

 enthusiasm, the creation of more wealth, so that the Common- 

 wealth may carry a larger population, and that there may be 

 national progress based upon better conditions and a standard 

 of comfort greater than that of anv other country. All this 

 is easy to accomplish, and in no direction can it all be made 

 possible in less time than by the sy.stematic conquest of natural 

 resources — the promotion of rural industries, of which the 

 greatest and most profitable for the nation is that of wool- 

 growing and meat-raising for home requirements and un- 

 restricted sale oversea. 



