Live Stock Industry .

Your commissioners recognise that the livestock selling methods are capable of improvement by way or reduction in costs. The present method of selling to farmers on three months terms was instituted to enable buyers to make use of their surplus feed without unduly tying up the farmer's capital, but it has also engendered a spirit of gambling on futures' difficulties. Some farmers lose the view that sheep should be bought for a profit, not simply to eat grass. Dealing has been encouraged although few dealers have been successful. The tendency to gamble under present conditions is reduced to a minimum, but the danger must arise again when markets become more buoyant. It would be well for stock agents to discountenance the practice amongst farmers by tightening up the terms and conditions and in insisting on a portion of cash in every purchase. If such be not done, it is certain that there must be a recurrence of present difficulties. The farmer in some cases wants protection against his own optimism; when markets are rising, stock agents should bear in mind that it is also their function to act as advisers to farmers who contemplate purchase of stock.

Complaints have been made that sheep offered are not always true to description. For instance, ewes at certain periods of the years are sold as being mated and the purchasers, in terms of sale, take the risk from the fall of the hammer: There should certainly be some liability of compensation where it is proved that the sheep are not in accordance with the description. The stock brothers have to accept the assurance of the seller, but any such seller should be in a position to describe the stock correctly, and If a wrong descriptions is given, the seller should be made to suffer.

Again, it is contended that the number of line of sheep described as mixed ages is unduly high. True, the buyer has the option of mouthing before buying, but it would be fair that the auctioneer be compelled to indicate the proportion of the various ages in each line of mixed sheep.

DIPPING.— Some guarantee as to the date when the sheep were dipped is also necessary.

It must be remembered that a number of farmers have not the necessary experience to guide them.

They are advised to buy sheep and at time their ignorance bring trouble.

Some farmers also seem of the opinion that sheep are the easiest means through which to obtain revenue, but it mush be impressed on such that sheep need constant attention to bring profit, any diminution of attention will have the same effect as laxity in other farming activities. However, it is generally admitted that more attention and care are now exercised, which is proved by the average weight per fleece is increasing and the quality of wool is improving. The slow process of suitable lamb growing is becoming more apparent and such improvements must continue to obtain. The main factor is greater return per head.

It is recognised that the stock firms have done wonderful service in assisting the farmers and the amount of combined capital employed by them in Western Australia is proof of the importance of their assistance, but your commissioners are of the opinion there is too much overlapping, creating undue overhead expenses, and a closer co-operation amongst them to reduce costs would enable them to give compensation to farmers in lower commissions and handling charges.

The stock agents will realise the present times are very crucial and although the main objective of all is to show profit to their shareholders, yet under present conditions the most important factor is main tendance of the industry and the salvation of the state. A more candid expression of conditions with a broader view for the goog of the general farming community, apart from selfish motives, must become more dominant in stock agents associations, remembering chiefly that a limitation of a spread of credit granted to farmers amongst the various agents will be eventually in the farmers' own interests.

ABATTOIR CHARGES AND YARD FEES.

CHARGES ON STOCK CONSIGNED TO MIDLAND JUNCTION AND COPLEY'S MARKETS

GOVERNMENT CHARGE, MIDLEAD MARKET :—

sheep— 11d. per head cattle—9d per head pigs— 3d.per head for pigs over £1 in value Copley's market: —1d per head pigs £1 and under Cattle —6d. per head.

UNLOADING CHARGES COLLECTED BY AGENT:

1 Bogey —2s. 6d. for the first truck 1s. 6d. for every extra bogey Small truck —1s. 6d for the first truck 1s. for every truck thereafter for same owner Half truck — 1s.

LOADING CHARGES COLLECTED BY THE AGENT:

No charges made for trucking ex Midlands Market on market days, but on any other day the charges are:—

Bogey truck —5s. 0d. Small truck— 2s. 0d.

CONDEMNATION ALLOWANCE ON PIG:

One per cent. condemnation is deducted from account sales of all pigs over the value of £1.

This charges was reduced from1½ per cent. to the above as from the 1st July instant. No condemnation allowance on pigs £1 and under commission charges:— % Fat sheep— 4% Store sheep on there months' terms— 5% Fat cattle—4 % Store cattle on three months terms—5% Pigs— 5%

DISCOUNT: A discount of 1 per cent is allowed on all purchases of £10 or over if paid by 12 noon on the Saturday following the sale.

REBATE: one per cent. rebate is allowed to all country agents on consignments from their district.

Feeding charges: Midland: Sheep:— 1d. per head per night, or 4d.per head per week Cattle:— 6d. per head per night or 3s. per head per week