4 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. {1 Juny, 1901. 
that his one faint hope of recovery was his immediate relinquishment of all 
business. So recent, indeed, was his connection with active public affairs, that 
the preliminary steps for holding this very Conference were taken under his 
direction ; and it is a grief to me and, I am confident, a grief to you that he did 
not live to complete the preparations he had entered upon, and to preside with 
all his old courtesy and geniality at your deliberations this week. We have: 
passed resolutions expressive of his great public services, and conveying your 
sympathy to those near and dear to him now mourning their loss. But, whatever 
fate wills to any of us, the business of the country must be carried on, and we 
must pass on to the discharge of the duties which have called us together—the- 
discussion of matters affecting the industries of the State. ‘ 
THE PASTORAL INDUSTRY. 
Although the continuation of the drought affected the whole of Western 
Queensland throughout the past year and during the earlier months of the: 
present year, causing unprecedented losses in stock, yet, asa whole, the State has: 
experienced some advantage through the very substantial advance in the price- 
of stock of all descriptions. The favour with which our meats have been 
received in South Africa, and the large quantities shipped thither, as well 
as‘to Japan, the Philippines, China, Hong Kong, and Singapore, have 
increased the prices of our cattle and sheep. to a level unknown for many 
previous years, and the steady demand for our horses for South Africa and 
India has given a payable value to what has hitherto been an unprofitable asset. 
Sufficient rains have now fallen over the greater portion of the drought-stricken 
area to ensure winter feed for the stock left on it. Although the abnormally 
high prices obtaining for wool during the 1899-1900 season were not main-~ 
tained, the values during the past season have been much above the bedrock 
prices of three years ago, and closing were considerably in advance of opening: 
rates. The meat export trade is now on a very firm basis; and the quality of 
the Queensland canned meats is such that they are now preferred to any others. 
in Africa, in the Mediterranean ports, and in the Hast. With a continuance of 
the present favourable conditions, sufficient fat stock will be available to keep: 
the principal meat establishments in operation for the season, and everything 
poms to the fact that the days of the wasteful treatment for hides and tallow 
1ave passed away for all time. I regret to say that the value of our exports of 
wool, live stock, tallow, extract, hides, and skins show a total decrease for the 
year of £1,950,069, the only set-off against which being an increase of £178,611 
in the export of frozen and preserved meats. 
MEAT AND DAIRY PRODUCE ENCOURAGEMENT. 
_ No new meatworks have been erected during the year under the Meat and 
Dairy Produce Encouragement Acts, but it is gratifying to note that all claims 
have been met by the works that have received advances, thus enabling a 
dividend to be declared payable, on the 30th instant, to the original contributors 
under the Act of 1893, in the Southern and Northern districts, as provided by 
the Amendment Act of 1895. All the meatworks advanced upon, with the: 
exception of one or two, had highly successful seasons, and worked nearly 
throughout the whole season, although the stock treated reached prices unheard. 
of betore in the history of the State. This is, in some measure, due to the fact 
that our tinned meats have now reached a high level of excellence, which 
ensures a steady outside demand for them in preference to other meats. 
BACON AND HAM, 
Tn bacon and ham the advance for the year hasbeen very satisfactory. Taking: 
the figures as a guide, we find that the manufacture was 7 685,446 lb., an 
addition of 537,686 Ib. to that of 1899. The exports were of the value of 
£31,067, or some £14,7 64 over the value for 1899. Moreover, the quality has. 
improved with the quantity. Breeders now pay considerable attention to their 
stock, and it is not now generally considered that any pig is good enough for: 
bacon or that any food will do for a pig. 
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