5976. What in your opinion is the minimum amount of land a farmer should hold in this district?—I consider he should hold 1,000 acres, and crop in rotation, crop, fallow and feed. I think he should work 300 acres a year.

5977. Do you think it would be any advantage for the farmers to co-operate in the purchase of their supplies, and the sale of their produce?—Yes, I think it would, although nothing has been done in that direction in this district yet. It would have to be done on a cash basis.

5978. Do you think our present land laws are calculated to encourage settlement —No, I do not. I do not consider a man should pay any rents for the first few years. 80 per cent. of the men who do go on the land are workers, and I think they should be allowed five years free of rent, and even that is very little. Ten years would be better. I think it would be better still if they would give you the land free, and give you the title deeds when the land is cleared. I consider that the Government harass people to such an extent as to almost chase them off the land. I have been here when I have been afraid to open my letters knowing they could be threatening letters from the Government. The bank first allowed me 16s. an acre for clearing, but the land could not be cleared for 30s.

5979. By Mr. VENN: Are the rabbits troubling you?—Yes, they are going to be a serious pest here. They are making their homes here, and starting to burrow. The dingoes also are a trouble, and steps must be taken to eradicate them as well as the rabbits. The only way we can deal with the rabbit question is by individual effort. I think if the Government supplied us with wire netting for dog proof fencing as well as rabit proof fencing, it would enable us to go in for sheep.

5980. Do you think it would help settlers if the Government supplied you with sheep on extended terms?—Yes, I think so. Mixed farming is what we want here, as at present if the wheat is a failure, down we go. Then the bags which we get here at 9s. 9d. a dozen are a disgrace, and the man who imported them should get six months.

5981. Do your cows milk well on the natural grass?—Yes, Fairly well. Regarding dairying in this district, I am afraid the labour question would kill it, as it is such a job to get a good man.

5982. By the CHAIRMAN: What is your opinion of the future of the district?—I consider the future prospects of the district fairly good. I do not think it is a place where a man will make a fortune, but he should make a comfortable living here. In the few years I have been here we have had two bad seasons and two medium seasons, but they came after a series of good seasons in Western Australia, and I consider if the land is properly fallowed, even if we have a bad season it will not affect us so much. I believe in harrowing the land. After living there for six years I am satisfied with the prospects here, and quite satisfied to go on. I consider rents should be modified, and the Government should assist us with stock, but before a man has stock he must have water.

5983. What are the best average crops obtainable in this district?—The best average crops since I have been here are those of a settler named Gilliams. He had 18 bushels last year. I think the average yield for the district since I have been here would be possibly five or six bushels.

(The witness retired.)

FREDERICK CHARLES WEYMAN, Farmer, Mt. Marshall, sworn and examined:

5984. By the CHIARMAN: How long have you been in this district?—I have been in this district since 1910. I was raised on a farm in New South Wales. I took up 1,789 acres. The price of the land was 12s. 6d. and 14s. 6d. The lease has been extended, but I believe the price remains the same. It is about half good heavy land, and half scrub and mallee. There is not much inferior land on it. I am three miles from a railway station.

5985. How much have you cleared?—I have 500 acres cleared, and 1,000 acres fenced. My water supply is one dam, but it is a bad catchment. It is a 1,200-yard dam. I put the dam down myself, and consider it will cost me 1s. 3d. to 1s. 6d. a yard. I consider it will be a permanent supply; it holds pretty well now. I think it is eight feet deep.

5986. By Mr. CLARKSON: Do you keep your implements covered?—No, I have no implement shed.

5987. By the CHAIRMAN: what buildings have you?—I have stables, and a hessian house.

5988. Have you seen a full farming plant?—Yes, except that I am short of harrows. I have four horses, but no other stock.

5989. Did you inspect the land before you took it up?—I inspected the land before I came out after paying the first instalment. I was satisfied with it, except that I had to take two blocks to get an advance, and I am paying rent for one block that will be no use to me for 20 years. If I only took one block, I could not get an advance. The Government would allow me £600 on the two blocks, but nothing on one. The only reason I can give for the Government insisting on our taking up two blocks was to get the bad land out with the good. Except for the fact that I had to take up two blocks I was satisfied.

5990. Did you have any capital when you came to the district?—I started with £300 capital, and have had £600 from the Agricultural Bank. I have been carried on under the Industries Assistance Board since I have started; and I think I owe them up to date £450. That does not include any advance for this year. My advance this year was £3 16s. a month until last month, when I got £2 extra; £50 would cover everything. I have ordered eight tows of super. My debt to the Assistance Board has not shown a tendency to increase. I owed them £787 in 1914, and I have reduced it to £450. I have sufficient land fenced if I can get it shaped off. I have applied for a further 50 acres of clearing. The Government have extended the terms under which my debts to the Beard must be paid. I might square them off this year, but I shall have nothing left to carry on with if I do. It will all depend on the price of the wheat.

5991. By Mr. CLARKSON: Do you think it would be a good idea if your debts were funded for give years, and carried over to the end of your term?—Yes, I think so, and consider that I should then be able to finance myself and pay off my debts