PART 8.

MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS.

There are certain matters on which your Commissioners would like to make some observations.

Women's Evidence:

Your Commissioners were greatly impressed by the evidence tendered by the representatives of the Women's Section of the Primary Producers' Association and the Country Women's Association. Probably to no other section of the community does the effect of the present parlous position of a majority of the farmers strike home, as it does in the cases of the women and children. It is difficult for city dwellers to realise the hardships, and if a fairy wand could change the position, we would gladly recommend the means. Only by a concerted action of the community in determining to provide the means, first by assisting to reduce the costs which heap up on the primary products and endorsing the provision of a fund for rehabilitation, can it hope to be re-established. A continued hopeless outlook must break even the strong influence of our farmers' women folk. The farmers themselves can greatly assist by attention to the best methods of farming. If given the opportunity, the women will assist by all the arts of home products belonging to women's sphere. The fear of the loss of the home is the dominant ogre which haunts the farmer's wife, and it is to be hoped that "Mercy will season Justice" with all financial institutions when considering the present difficult financial position and problems which face our farming fraternity. Complaints are very bitter about the nett cash results of the produce sent to market, which are the peculiar care of the farmer's wife. All the interests handling the products seem to gather their profits therefrom, and very often months of work by the farmer's family give practically nothing by way of cash return.

It is most necessary to have regulations governing the grading of butter and eggs for export, but the recently gazetted regulations (it is reported) when applied to produce for local consumption are too restrictive and are the cause of irritation and a measure of reduction in prices through extra costs entailed. As the farmer's wife at present cannot even afford a minimum reduction of revenue, the Departmental officers should take a survey of the position to make the restrictions as easy as possible. Naturally, under the present strain, such restrictions are considered an added burden.

Your Commissioners consider strict official supervision should be instituted to ascertain whether there is justification for the complaints of exorbitant commission charges, harsh settlements, and Government regulations.

The future of the State depends a great deal on the families of our primary producers, and all reasonable—even liberal—support, should be given to their interests.

Medical Services.— Your Commissioners regret to say country doctors are sharing the same fate as the farmers. The farmer, owing to the price failure, has no money to pay the doctor. Following the great tradition of his profession, the doctor is at present carrying on without receiving fees, but his resources are coming to an end. It has been suggested that a flat rate of £6 6s. should be charged on each farmer in the district, and this amount should be made a preference charge on the crop. Your Commissioners cannot agree with this suggestion or recommend it. In the Plan, the farmer is given an absolute first preference of five per cent. of his gross proceeds, and from this he should be able to pay for any medical expenses.

Stored Wheat.—From the evidence submitted by Mr. Heenan, on behalf of the Northern Branch of the Primary Producers' Association, it would appear there is room for inquiry into the transactions between the farmers and wheat merchants in regard to the storage of wheat. This inquiry, your Commissioners held, did not fall within the scope of their Commission. It seemed to your Commissioners primarily a matter for legal decision.

Esperance Lands.—The State has incurred an expenditure of approximately £1,250,000 in the opening up of this area and constructing railways therein.

Your Commissioners can offer no recommendation in respect to these Esperance lands, but we would suggest that the evidence of Mr. Rodgers, the District Inspector of the Agricultural Bank at Esperance, and the statement of the Salmon Gums Progress Association, should be studied by members of the Legislature.

Evidence was heard from Mr. Rodgers, but owing to the extreme distance, other witnesses were not called. A statement of the position obtaining in those districts, and proposals concerning same, was accepted from the Salmon Gums Progress Association, which has been annexed to Mr. Rodgers' evidence.

Farmers' Book-keeping.

It has been evident during the examination of farmers that some keep a close record of costs, receipts, expenditure and financial matters generally, but it is patent also that a number, whether through indifference or disinclination, omit this most important factor. In the curriculum of all Agricultural Schools, your Commissioners stress the importance of book-keeping, progressing to an understanding of elementary economics, the rise and fall of markets, and daily or weekly market quotations, supported by graphs, the causes effecting trade cycles, the crushing incidence of interest (which never sleeps), the elements of liability in signing promissory notes, guarantee contracts, mortgages, bills of sale, and hire purchase agreements. A clearer comprehension of such matters gathered by young men who are prospective farmers will save many from falling into financial pitfalls. Farming is a business and should be conducted on business lines.

Cost of Production.

Your Commissioners have taken a great deal of evidence in regard to the costs of production, and, as is usual in such cases, the estimates for putting in and taking off a crop per acre vary exceedingly.Your Commissioners are of the opinion that the average cost per acre with the horse traction, for putting in and taking off 330 acres for a return of 15 bushels per acre, can be taken to be 49s. per acre on 280 acres marketed, or 41s. 5d. per acre on the 330 acres cropped. With tractor farming, your Commissioners estimate that on a 12-bushel average, cropping 1,200 acres, the cost per acre would be 40s. 2d. per acre cropped, or 43s. 4d. marketable area.