Evening star., 1949-04-27
Australia Can Be Major World Food Source,
But Needs Population, Eden Finds on Tour

nds on Tour
1t must be developed-and this In
wolves heavy expenditure upon
roads, railways and harbors. De-
lvelopment also involves provision
of facilities for the slaughter Of
cattle at centers within reasonable
reach. At present. there are no
meatworks in operation in the
Northern Territory and cattle
have to be driven long distances
TO be slaughtered II roads and
road transport were available.
about 100 pounds Of meat per
beast could probably be saved.
More watering points for cattle
also are urgently needed and the
present program aims to site them
not less than Is miles apart along
Idroving routes.
Noyices Are Warned.
In any event, let no one light
heartedly try his hand in the
Northern Territory direct from
home. I met one or two young
men who had bravely attempted
this at Alice Springs and they
certainly were happy there. But
for most enthusiasts, an appren-
ticeship on easier land elsewhere
In Australia would be q wise pre-
caution.
It is invidious for a visitor to
attempt comparisons between
states, nor in a single article can
one give any account of them.
Each has its special features and
specific appeal. Victoria has its
sense of stability. its charm and
progress. New South Wales is a
miniature Of all Australia with its
vigorous life expressed in every
branch farming and industry.
Southern Australia has its grace
full, friendly capital and smiling
countryside. and Tasmania its
balanced agriculture so reminis-
cent Oh NOTmd1Qy.
One of the most attractive is
certainly Western Australia. the
only state I had visited before.
The agricultural lands that sur
round Perth are fertile and pros
porous with their crops Of grain
and f1ocks Of sheep and I have
seldom travelled through more
alluring country than that which
stretches southwest from the
state capital to Bunburg. In cli-
mate it has something in common
with California and the people
everywhere are among the friend
liest. even in Australia. I think
that of all the states, Queensland
and Western Australia provide
the widest scope for increase OF
population in the next Is years
Unity Is Vital Factor.
The leitmotiv dominating the
concert of Australian effort is
the opening up of their country
through agriculture. through prof.
ects to combat the ravages of
drought and flood and by some
measure Of industrialization. The
driving force behind much Of this
endeavor stems from Australia S
sense of unity with devotion to
the British Commonwealth. I felt
this good will toward Britain was
probably greater today than 1t has
ever been. It is seen. for example,
in Australian attempts to increase
food production. Some Of her
schemes may not come TO COM
plete fruition for q decade, but
Ausralia's inalienable ktnship with
the mother country Is symbolized
now BY the gifts Of food and the
parcels that her people gener-
ousty send to that land Of Britain
which so many. OF them still call
home. The government and ihsti-
tutions of Australia are British
in :. origin. They preserve and
enhance. what afe perhaps the
leading British political virtues.
They are flexible and adaptable.
They can challenge new condi-
tions and absorb them and yet
still retain the original thought
and tradition from which they
stem. Australians are proud Of
their British heritage and we in
Britain are honored in our
Australian family.
f1e4e copyright In the United States
and Canada BY North American News
paper Alliance. elsewhere by Co-opera-
ton Press Service. Reproduction in
full or In part In any language strictly
prohihited)
THE second In this series Of 10
articles by Mr.. Eden will be pub
lished In The Evening Star next
Monday