6147. Do you run any sheep?— The dogs prevent us.

6148 BY Mr VENN: Do you do any dairying?—We make about 201bs. of butter every week for sale. I would increase the number of my cows if I could get cheaper labour to look after them. Pigs get actually too fat.

6149. By the CHAIRMAN: do you consider yourself as having been successful in this district?—I have nothing to grumble about myself, and I am quite satisfied with the future of farming here. I do not think that the district has any grievances which require remedying, but of course the railway freights are far too excessive. Personally I would sooner have free trade so far as our material is concerned, but not in respect of any articles that we can manufacture locally. I would like to see Australia self-supporting. I would also like to see our material come in free.

( THE WITNESS RETIRED)

Mrs JESSIE HANCY, WONGAN HILLS WEST, AND Mrs . LILLIAN WOOSTER GREAVES, WONGAN HILLS, SWORN AND EXAMINED:

6150. By the CHAIRMAN: what are the educational facilities in this district for the children?— Mrs . Hancey: There is a school at Lake Hines, about three-quarters of a mile away. We are both similarly situated, and are satisfied with the provision made as regards the school arrangements.

6151. What do you consider the conditions of the housing accommodation for married people?—It is most unsatisfactory. The men folk when we first came here were busy clearing land. We came here without capital and had no money to pay for labour and had to work at all hours. Around the cities they have workmen's homes, and it is only reasonable that we should have similar advantages here. I would be perfectly satisfied with a four-roomed batt house. I helped to build my home by sewing the bags while the men put up the studs. The cost of material and freight prevents us getting sufficient iron. If we could get a little more comfortable accommodation it would be far more satisfactory.

6152. Do you enjoy good health?— Fairly good, except during the summer when we get worn out with the beat and the living conditions. One of my children is now in Perth on account of ill-health contracted here, but the district is a healthy one if there were more comfort and if there were decent living conditions.

6153. Do you think the Government should have more consideration for the wives of the settlers and see that they are provided with a comfortable homes at least?—Yes, certainly.

6154. By Mr . CLARKSON: Whereabouts is your holding?— Mrs Greaves: It is five miles distant from here. The National Council of women asked me to attend here and say what I thought about matters. There is a great scarcity of fresh meat in the district and families are compelled to use tinned milks, while the children suffer also from lack of fresh food and vegetables. The district it too dry to grow these necessaries of life. Several have stared or chards on their holdings, but they have not come to fruition, and many trees have died owing to the ravages of white ants. My own opinion is that where there are two or more children a cow should be provided for them. Some of our neighbours have cows, but speaking generally the milk, and meat, and fruit and vegetables problem is a most pressing one. There should be special railway rates for articles of necessity. I am not a farmer's wife, but I have lived here for three years as my son is working here and I have seen the beginning of things in this district.

6155 TO Mr . VENN: In the cities and in other districts there are Christmas excursions for the benefit of those living there, but we living here have to pay full rates the whole time, even during the Christmas holidays. Christmas time would not suit us to go down to the coast even if we had reduced fares, as that is our busiest time. but towards the end of January and February we should have the advantage of reduced railway fares to the coast in the interests of our health, say, after the harvest is over. We feel it a hardship that we do not enjoy the advantage given to the resident of other more fortunately situated centres.

6156. By the CHAIRMAN: Have you any liberal here?— Mrs . Hancey: No. The only Library here is the school library. We had to wait four years before we obtained a school here, and by that time our children were far behind the standard that they should have reached, and before they completed their education they were old enough to help on the farm. The children have a desire for knowledge and only discontinued it because they lost several years through having to come into the country. They now feel their loss keenly and realise that they have not the advantages here that other children in towns possess. The consequence is that when they grow up children want to leave the farm, not because they are afraid of work, but because they see no prospect of the future getting brighter for them. It is all work and no play, and you cannot wonder at the discontent of the young people.

6157. By Mr . PAYNTER: So far as library books are concerned, if you send down the names of three resident who will act as local trustees, the public library will send books to them free?— Mrs .Greaves: There was a cricket club and a football club here, but now most of the young men have gone to the war and through the failure of the crops many have left the district: in fact it is getting depleted of young people. There is scarcely a boy or girl who is willing to stay here after they reach the age of 16. Families have left altogether by reason of the hard times and the disadvantages that await their children.

(THE WITNESS RETRIED)

OTTO WILLIAM GANZER, FARMER, WONGAN HILLS, SWORN AND EXAMINED:

6158. BY the CHAIRMAN: How many years been farming all my life in South Australia in the Port Germaine District. I tuck up 1,000 acres of land when I came first, but I now hold 1,600 acres. It is mixed land of which 800acres is forest and the balance scrub. I paid the Government 11s. 6d. for the forest and 10s. for the rest. This price has not been reduced up to the present. I am situated five miles away from the town. I have cleared 8000 acres. My water supply is very good. I have two wells of really