The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1915-08-27
DROUTH AFFECTS /.
new SOUTH WALES
MORE THAN WAR
Lack Of Rain Felt More Than
Exodus Of 100000
.. Young Men
RAILWAY COMMISSIONER
SAYS LIVESTOCK SUFFERS
Millions Of Head Of Sheep Are
Hauled Out Of Parched
~ Districts

l't'To date the big drouth Of last year
has affected business in New South
Wales more than the European war has,
although we have sent more than 10O,.
600 young men to the front, are send
ing many thousands more as fast as
they are recruited and are shipping
vast quantities of war supplies Of
every character" said John Harper of
Sydney, New South Wales, yesterday.
Mr.. Harper is chief commissioner for
the New South Wales railways, and as
such has control Of not only all the
railway lines through that state but Of
the tram system In the city of Sydney.
He has come to Honolulu with his wife
for a vacation to recover from a
threatened breakdown due to over
work. The couple are stopping at the
Seaside Hotel They intend returning
home when the Makura passes on the
return voyage, September s.
Government owns Railways
The railways of New South Wales
are owned by the government, which
sets chief commissioner and two
assistants in complete charge of the
entire system. There are something
like $4,000 miles of railway in the
state; an idea thus may be gained of
the extent of Mr.. Harper's activities
and responsibilities when he is in Off.
cial harness.
"Until recently our business felt
little material effect from the European
war;" he said yesterday. This, de-
spite the fact that between 5000 and
1000 of the best workmen in our en-
ploy have gone to the front and sew
eral hundred have been. killed at the
Dardanelles. These include many of
hour skilled men and officials.
Drouth Aimort widespread
"But the drouth was almost wide
spread through the commonwealth.
Yon may gain an idea of the manner
we, have been affected In the railway
business by the statement that we will
haul approximately sixteen million
sheep this year for considerably less
than half the rate usually charged a
freight mile. ,Ua..
"This has been to assist the ranch.
men in the afflicted belts. We hauled
their stock out Of the dry regions to
points where they may be kept until
the home ranges become good again
The haul one way has been made for
a three-quarter rate, and when the
home ranges are in fit condition we will
make the return haul without charge
We have carried eight million sheep
one way and now must take them back
! 1.-THE chief noticeable effect of the
war in Australia seems to be that il
has taken away the best of our young
mon. That, of course, is the one weak
ness of the volunteer army system
the most desirable men of the country
are the first to be destroyed. OF
= course some will return-but how
many! 1t is to be a long war
Constant Stream Of Recruits
"Where are our young men going
We dom know. We know that the
buIi of them are at the Dardanelles
We suppose the stream of recruits from
the roionies is directed to Egypt and
the peninsula, but no one save the army
officers know definitely"
Mr.. Harper had obtained passage
through to the mainland, but says thai
he and Mrs. Harper found the Honolulu
climate so restful and inviting tina
they decided to spend their holiday
here. so they will not see the COas
but return directly to Sydney.