NATURE VERSUS THE AUSTRALIAN, 
Nature versus [The Australian. 
By GRIFFITH TAYLOR, D.Sc., B.E., B.A., Associate Professor of Geography, 
University of Sydney. ° j 
All Australians are anxious to see their homeland develop speedily, 
so that it may come as soon as possible into its proper place in the \ 
comity of nations. ‘There are two distinct methods of helping toward 
this happy goal. One of these follows what we may call commercial 
lines, and the other (not necessarily antagonistic) travels-over the 
accepted’ ‘routes of scientific research. 
The former plan may be likened to putting all the best goods into 
the window, and, having attracted the customers, to see that they pur- 
chase something. ‘The other method is to give as much attention to 
the less valuable assets as to the most attractive, in the full belief that — 
thorough knowledge will pay best in the end. The only antagonisin 
arises when the exponent of the former method complains that the 
scientist spoils his chances by a too-open discussion of disabilities which 
were better discreetly hidden! 
However, there is much less of this false patriotism nowadays. The 
authorities are encouraging the investigation, of the physical controls 
which govern conditions in our less populous areas, believing that only 
by so doing can we make the best of our heritage. It is entirely with 
the object of helping this good work that the following article is written 
—for, to continue our parable, nothing can be such a bad advertisement 
as a misled or discontented purchaser. 
One may misquote a well-known saying—“ They. little know of this . 
lone land, who only this land know”; and we can only hope to arrive 
at the possibilities of Australia and can only est*mate its resources by 
comparing them with similar assets in other countries. Isolation has 
its advantages in some respects. The “tight little island” no doubt: 
kept free from medieval wars, but its marvellous progress was chiefly | 
due to its natural resources in climate and coal. Here in Australia _ 
isolation is also advantageous in times of trouble, but in times of peace 
it tends to react adversely on the national character, fostering, perhaps, 
ad 
too optimistic a trust in Nature’s endowment of the continent. 
‘This article will therefore be largely concerned with comparisons 
‘based on recent phys‘ographic research, aud we shall find that we have 
‘reason to be proud of the future of Australia, even though it is not so well 
‘endowed as the older centres of white settlement. 
Australia is particularly well suited for climatic studies, since it has 
the least diverse topography of all the continents and the most uniform 
outline. Hence it is free from variations due to elevated plateaux, 
high ranges, or deep gulfs and inland seas. ; 
Unfortunately, these very characteristics are a distinct handicap as 
a dwelling place for man, and we may well devote some time to a con- 
sideration of how such physical controls affect Australia. 
If we glance at a world-map representing either population, or 
vegetation, or. rainfall, we shall find that the most striking feature in 
_all three maps is the belt of empty arid lands which lies along the 
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