34,6 SECTIONAL TRANSACTIONS.— E. 



regions three, the Mediterranean Lands proper, the Central VaUey of California 

 with southern Cahfornia, and the Central Valley of Chile, show a number of features 

 in common. In all the contrast with contiguous areas is marked as regards possible 

 modes of life, this being associated with the presence of definite relief features which 

 form climatic divides. In all three, therefore, the areas of Mediterranean climate 

 show a high individuality and distinctiveness. On the other hand, the two remaining 

 areas, the south-western corner of South Africa -and those parts of south-western 

 and southern Australia in which the climatic type occurs, lack this distinctiveness. 

 It is indeed characteristic of sub-tropical AustraUa that ' Mediterranean ' crops tend 

 to be grown largely outside the range of the Mediterranean climate. From the 

 standpoint of human geography, therefore, as opposed to the climatological one, the 

 recognition of a Mediterranean region there seems of little value. The paper then 

 proceeds to study the course of development in the world regions of Mediterranean 

 cUmate, with a view to examining the common assumption that the type is one 

 peculiarly suited to human endeavour, and that the lands in which it occurs are areas 

 of much natural wealth, capable of supporting dense populations of cultivators. It 

 is pointed out that even in California, where recent developments have been most 

 spectacular, there is no great evidence to justify this assumption. 



Prof. 0. H. T. RiSHBETH. — Some Problems of the Livestock Industry in 



Australia. 



The significance of the livestock industry at the present time due primarily to 

 the interrelation, and progressive interaction, of two major regional phenomena : 

 increasing pressure of food demand from the human ' high-pressure ' areas of the 

 northern hemisphere (notably U.S.A. and Great Britain) and the intensifying national 

 development of three major ' peninsular ' areas of the southern hemisphere (Argentine, 

 Union of South Africa, Australia). The issues involved on both sides are far-reaching, 

 and of considerable importance also for the internal economy of the British Empire. 

 The three southern areas, while possessing many common features, exhibit significant 

 geographical variation. The livestock industry of Australia of interest to the Union 

 (c/. recent delegations and tours of investigation), whose ' physical conditions . . . 

 permanently impose upon it farming predominantly of a pastoral character,' and 

 whose competitive position — as regards both production and marketing — is necessarily 

 of increasing moment. The problems of the industry are geographical in so far as 

 they are largely rooted in geographical circumstances, and in that possible solutions 

 must conform to geographical laws. 



Dairying in Australia, while well-established over the greater part of its probable 

 ultimate area of extension, shows certain features of transition, growth and intensifica- 

 tion. Two here selected are : (a) Regional adaptation and differentiation : this, 

 though proceeding, is as yet imperfectly achieved. In the four main types of area 

 occupied — those of (i) winter, (ii) summer, (iii) ' uniform,' (iv) low rainfall — recent 

 progress most marked in (ii). Analysis reveals the wider significance of this develop- 

 ment and its bearing upon cognate economic trends in other countries, including the 

 Union. Yet development in (iv) may possess greater ultimate importance in 

 Australia ; (b) Stabilisation : Instability, though partly ' derivative ' and capable 

 of alleviation by purely economic means, primarily a geographical problem. The 

 variables, once accurately known, provide within the given geographical limits 

 equations of which the solution is proceeding. 



Sheep. — One problem of major geographical and economic significance selected, 

 viz., regional diSerentiation of type. Natural difierentiation (on basis mainly of 

 climate and physiography) already well marked, but tendency for (a) inherited 

 characters, (6) market requirements to restrict variation. Selective development and 

 intensification of existing variations may provide greater economic flexibiUty and 

 stability and closer adaptation to specialised markets. 



{Beef) Cattle. — The urgency of world's beef supply problem hardly needs emphasis 

 (c.f. Sir W. S. Haldane's recent contributions to The Times). The present problem 

 in Australia due to (i) normal economic evolution, (ii) inadequate appreciation of, or 

 adaptation to, the special geographical situation. Analysis of the factors operative 

 under (i) and (ii) facilitates judgment as regards the present, and an estimate of the 

 future, position. 



Problems common to more than one branch of the industry. — A summary survey of 

 problems involved in primary land develonment, stock maintenance and manage- 



