Abstract
MORE than a dozen authorities on various aspects of Australia have contributed to this survey of the economic resources and the prospects of the Commonwealth. In a short but sincere discussion on the peopling of Australia, “the general conclusion reached is that the growing period over three-quarters of Australia is not long enough for commercial agriculture”. Much of it, however, is suitable for grazing of sheep or beef cattle. Several of the writers dwell on the problem of water, the risk of drought, the limitations of irrigation and the exploitation of artesian water. Water supply is, of course, linked with hydro-electric resources, which are abundant only in Tasmania and especially in New Guinea. The extent of mineral resources, fuel and possible industrial development are fully considered, and these as well as other problems are approached objectively and fully. Altogether this is one of the most valuable books on Australia that has appeared in recent years. It is illustrated with many photographs and maps.
Australia
Prof.
G. L.
Wood
Its Resources and Development. Edited by. Pp. xvii+334+28 plates. (New York: The Macmillan Company; London: Macmillan and Co., Ltd., 1947.) 20s. net.
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Australia. Nature 160, 775 (1947). https://doi.org/10.1038/160775c0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/160775c0