New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-07-23
WOOLGROVING IN AUSTRALIA
TIE EFFECT OF REMOVING THE TARIFF.

VIEWS OF A MAN WHO OWNS MILLION SHEEP
THE INDUSTRY HERE MUST BE PROTECTED.
Just how the wool growing interests OF the United
States would be affected by repeal Of the tariff on wool
could scarcely be clearly illustrated than by the
fact, and figures CLEANED by Tribune reporter Ill
conversation with Samuel McCauchcy, OF Melbourne, the
owner Of million sheep and one OF the most influential
and intelligent wool producers in Australia
Mr. McCauchcy has had an agent busy here all winter
purchasing the finest specimens OF the American merno
sheep to be found in Vermont, NcwYork and Michigan
Last year bought sixty the various fairs each OF
which had taken prize his present shipment consists
Of 90 for each OF which he has
paid about $780, OF those sent last year came as
hyh $500 lie has been at the Asor House for few
days attending the shipment and the sheep were sent
TO London by the steamer Richmond HILL
The American merinos were introduced into Australia
by W. G. Markham, OF Avon. N Y, in 1880. Mr. Mark
ham was at that secretary OF tho National Wool
Growers Association, and convinced some Australian
sheep who visiting this country that the iecces
sheep could be increased In weight by crossing
with the American breed The experiment proved emf
nently successful, first eecting net Increase
OF pound wool each sheep and ultimately raising
average from six to nineteen pounds The result Is
rich dealers who afford the expense are pro-
curing much OF the American stock possible 1t is
costly luxury but immensely profitable In the end AS
the Australian colonies entirely free from rot and
other sheep diseased stringent law requiring that
all Intended for Importation shall be quarantned at
London for least fortnight under the eye OF the agent
general II pronounced clean at the end OF this time
permit shipment granted and the animals again
ouarantlncd for three months their arrival In the
colony.
A;icr giving these and many mo-e Interesting points
ernlng the difficulty and OF procuring the
American sheep Mr.. McCaughey said Yes there is no
dou that produce sheep and wool much cheaper
In Australia than here We do not shepherd our
nocks We lnclose tho country In paddocks miles
square with scven-wirc fences. The maximum cost per
annum OF raising sheep freehold land Of which
firm has 300 600 in locality is nfyfour cents
for feed and fifty cents for management and shcarng
the ordinary price sheep that lands
leased at nominal from the Government is only four
cents and half per head These leases for a maxi
mum period OF eighteen and when the expiration
OF tho term, the leases resOld by auction
wise, the incoming tenant f. required by law pay his
predecessor for his fences, buildings wells and other i'm
provcments
Tho average wool product of the common sheep is
about six pounds per head which enables seventy
eight cents each fleece at London $3.50
wool Of 1000 900 sheep II the American taken
on, wool will be worth five per pound
once, and American wool will fall nve cents Our chief
source of profit is in the sale OF surplus stock for which
there Is always good Market
Could the shecp-grOwng industry OF Australia be
much extendodr
Indefinitely. With very slight announcement II
would be rapidly increased. The regions occupied for
sheep stations will not be required for settlement for
long period period. A few years ago we
drove 10000 head from South Australia
to Queensland. distance OF 1000 miles they
able to subst along the entire route loss amounting
to next to nothing. The intervening tracts be
Into sheep stations when labor procured dig wells
and make excavations to store up the rain water"
Mr.. Markham was present during the Interview and
maho the following comment upon statement OF Mr.
MeCaughey II the tariff is taken tho price will
no doubt be kept down by Australian and other foreign
producers Just long enough TO kill wool growing in.
dusiy Of the United States but when that industry
dead whore shall be The foreigner will have
ull control OF tho market and charge higher
price for his wool than pay producers"