48 THE WORLD'S MEAT FUTURE 



of two departments of taxation — Federal and State — make the 

 business oi sti id I >n< ding a doubtful proposition. Instead of stud 

 flocks and herds increasing they arc decreasing, and that factor 

 in relation to Australia's hitherto leading industry can neither 

 be disputed nor discounted. It represents a danger-signal. 



In some countries private railway companies offer reduced 

 rates for the carriage of stud animals as an encouragement to 

 breeding which will bring business to the railways. The State- 

 owned railways of Australia charge more for stud stock — 

 sometimes as much as ten times more than ordinary rates ! 



In this and other respects there is much that railway mana- 

 gers could do to encourage live-stock raising. Owners and 

 agents are unanimous that stock trains should be fitted with 

 air brakes and run to schedule time, and that provision should 

 be made for watering animals on long-distance runs. State 

 Governments might well combine to send a first-class man 

 (not a Government official) on a world tour to inquire into 

 various systems of carrying live-stock, or import an expert to 

 revise our inadequate system. The pastoralist is the best 

 customer the railway departments have, and it will pay to 

 respond to his requirements and help him to extend his activi- 

 ties and send more produce over the railways. 



The extension of railways into central and northern Aus- 

 tralia, the gradual elimination of varying gauges, conservation 

 of surface waters, and the multiplication of artesian bores are 

 Governmental activities calling for prompt attention as being 

 among the means of giving much-needed vitality to the live- 

 stock industry. There is also a distinct call for an educational 

 campaign, more particularly among small settlers, concerning 

 the advantages of keeping stock, the best breeds for given 

 localities, and the profits to be derived from feeding and 

 sheltering stock. The Pastoral Review is a handbook of 

 practical information for those stock-owners who read at all, 

 and the Australian farmer is fortunate to have such a 

 publication. Many, however, do not read anything at all, 

 and among this class a campaign is required. The various 

 agricultural departments are singularly weak on the stock 

 side, and little is being done in an educational way to conduct 

 experiments or carry conviction to the small stock-owner. 



