(d) Women's Section Primary Producers' Association and Country Women's Association— Mrs R. M. Johnson—Nungarin.

(e) British Medical Association— Dr K. G. M. Aberdeen—Northam.

(f) Country Storekeepers— Mr F. Green—Geraldton. Mr G. Allanson—Dowerin. Mr V. L. Francis—Morawa. Mr R. A. Johnson—Pingelly. Mr G. Welch—Pingrup. Mr W. E. Richmond—Representing Chamber of Commerce, Katanning.

(g) General Witnesses— Mr A. G. Hewby. Mr F. H. Young (Goldfields Water Supply). Hon. S. Stubbs, M.L.A. Mr J. S. Teasdale. Hon. H. Gregory, M.H.R. (Statutory Declaration). Mr N. J. Heenan. Hon. M. F. Troy, M.L.A. Mr W. E. Southwood. Mr W. B. Wilson and A. J. Evans, representing Salmon Gums Association (Statutory Declaration). Mr C. M. M. Fawkner (Statutory Declaration). Mr A. Thomson (Statutory Declaration).

The hearing of the evidence occupied a longer period than your Commissioners anticipated. At the present there is so much unrest and dissatisfaction existing among the farmers that your Commissioners wished to give their representatives an opportunity of expressing their views. The evidence covered many phases of the wheat and sheep farming industry, but it was so voluminous that no attempt is made to summarise it in this report. Two copies of the transcript are attached hereto.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. Your Commissioners have been greatly assisted in the investigations by the statements furnished by the National Party of Western Australia, the Primary Producers Association, the Labour Party of Western Australia, the Council of Industries, the Trustees of the Wheat Pool, Mr W. A. White (Director Farmers' Debts Adjustment Act), and Mr J. Thomson (Westralian Farmers, Ltd.). Your Commissioners wish to place on record their great appreciation of the excellent service rendered to them by Mr R. W. Brownlie, Secretary to the Commission, and to thank Mr Ramaciotti and the members of the Hansard Staff for their unfailing readiness and courtesy.

ARRANGEMENT OF REPORT. This report will deal with the subject of the reference under the following main heads:— Part 1.—Present positions of the wheat and sheep farmers in Western Australia. Part 2.—Plans submitted for the liquidation of farmers' debts. Part 3.—Plan recommended by your Commissioners and observations thereon. Part 4.—Agricultural Bank. Part 5.—Disabilities of farmers. Part 6.—Suggestions for amelioration of farming conditions. Part 7.—Recommendations. Part 8.—Miscellaneous matters.

Appendices: Extracts from statements, synopses of various plans submitted, and other matters of an interesting nature, including the evidence of the Hon. H. Gregory, M.H.R.

PART 1. PRESENT POSITION OF THE WHEAT AND SHEEP FARMERS IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA.

Extent of Liabilities of Farmers: It has been difficult to ascertain the exact indebtedness of farmers, but the following figures may be taken to be approximately correct. The indebtedness of farmers to the Agricultural Bank as at 30/4/31 total £13,257,313, made up as follows:—

                                                                                                £             s.    d.

Agricultural Bank 5,221,231 3 8 Soldiers' Settlement Scheme 4,450,940 8 4 Group Settlement Scheme (Section 5) 1,789,788 8 2 Industries Assistance Board 1,795,383 0 7

                                                                                        £13,257,343    0    9

In addition to which there is:— Interest owing by Agricultural Bank clients 564,057 19 11 Interest owing by Soldiers' Settlement Scheme clients 472,709 15 5

                                                                                     £14,294,110    16      1 

The item, Industries Assistance Board, is inclusive of interest instalments unpaid, and approximately half this amount is overdue. The instalments outstanding under Agricultural Bank loans amount to £493,162 2s. 7d., and the Soldiers' Settlement Scheme £456,945 15s. 8d. It is estimated that the amount due by farmers to the undermentioned creditors is as follows:—

                                                                                  £

Associated Banks 11,030,000 Commonwealth Bank 70,555 Insurance and Trustee Companies 1,408,110 Oil Companies 1,000,000 Jute Merchants 114,500 Superphosphate Merchants 271,500 Machinery Merchants 1,500,000 Country Storekeepers 1,500,000 Wheat Merchants (Account Stored Wheat) 470,879

                                                                    £17,365,544