NIGEL WERNER HEWSON, Farmer, "Ross," Morawa, sworn examined: 6604. To the CHAIRMAN: I hold 809 acres of land and in conjunction with my wife 829 acres, making a total of 1,638 acres. I am a miles distant from the railway and have cleared 300 acres in one block which is fenced and subdivided . My water supply is very bad. I put down a well of stock water, which became so brackish as to be unsuitable for stock, and so I have to cart two and a-half miles. I am a married man, but have no one dependent on me. I have a two-roomed house of wood and iron roof. I am building a new stable and machinery shed. I have a set of implements, five working horses, some poultry and Pigs, and I had £200 capital when I started, and the Agricultural Bank advanced me £450. From the Industries Assistance Board I have had assistance during the last two years in the shape of fodder, stores and machinery parts. I do not know the exact amount I owe them, but probably it would be about £900.

6605. To Mr. CLARKSON: I have 200 acres of crop, but no fallow. I have had fallow in the past, but it showed no appreciable difference. My fallow was treated by dry ploughing which could not be called fallow really. It got rain afterwards. My highest average yield was 11 to 12 bushels last year. I have grown Yandilla King and Federation, which I think would go from nine to 10 bushels. It would take at least four bags clear to pay the expenses of putting in and taking off the crop, but I want a bigger area in then I have at present. Last year I sowed 451 lbs. of seed to the acre, but it did not prove satisfactory. In virgin land the quantity could be increased to about 60lbs. Forty-five lbs. of super. is ample, but on poor land I do not put less then 70 to 80lbs. I have used a four-furrow mouldboard plough, but it is slow. I can do about five acres a day. I have a rotten harvester— the "Union." It is in Perth now being repaired. It upset me last year and could not get the crop off, so I had to borrow a stripper from a neighbour. I used a stripper and winnower. I cannot tell you the cost of it. Bulk handling would be a saving to any wheat grower. There should be a bin in the field to empty the bags into. We are hit very hard by the tariff and all protective duties should be removed. If we were assured of an average rainfall that would produce a crop, it would undoubtedly be an advantage if one's liabilities were funded and repayment spread over a period of years, but seeing that the rainfall is uncertain I do not think anybody can prophesy what they can do. If you were to tell me that you would guarantee me 10 inches of rain during the growing period, then I should say that I could carry on and wipe off all liabilities. I think the average rainfall in the growing period is about eight inches.

6606. To Mr. PAYNTER: I have had no disease whatever amongst my crops. I pickle my wheat, but do not grade it. We have grown lucerne and have a nice crop of mangle wurzels at the present time, grown without water ; and I have some fruit trees, which are bearing, also without water, but with tillage. We are digging potatoes for ourselves at present and we are carting water. I think pig raising should be encouraged. They live principally on wheat and grazing. With water we would do very well out of poultry. One of the most important factors in the success of any farmer is the matter of ample water conservation. There is a man in the district at present who is prepared to sink dams for a shilling a yard. He used to contract for the Government at 2s. 6d. a yard, but his teams are here now and the opportunity may not occur again of securing his services. The average farm worker is not worth more than from 35s. to 40s. a week and the labour is indifferent. The average number of hours worked would be about nine a day. I myself average 15 or 16 hours daily. I have 500 acres of land absolutely cleared without any suckers. it would make a great difference to cultivate 250 acres and fallow 250. If a man is going in for sheep he should not hold less than 1,000 acres. And he ought to be able to crop 520 acres single handed. Co-operation amongst farmers is a very good thing, provided you are satisfied as to the temperament of the people you are co-operating with. My own opinion is that the farmer will have to be educated up to it . 6607. I consider the land conditions are all right, but we are paying far too much for virgin land. The price of the land should be only nominal, because in paying heavy rents the settler is only hanging a mill stone around his neck. I am supposed to have 1,200 acres of first class land. Actually my holding is not equal to 500 acres of first class land, although I have to pay the rent of first class land. 6608. To Mr . VENN: if I had water I would have sheep to-morrow. I have 1,600 acres that would carry at least 250 to 300 sheep. There are dingoes about. I am on the boundary of Kadgi station where they employ dog trappers. There is no poison in my land. 6609. To the CHAIRMAN: In the old country I was brought up to farming and in Australia I have had experience in the wool trade and was with Winchcombe Carson and Co. in New South Wales. On the goldfields I was in business for myself. when we started we were carting from Mingenew, 48 miles away from here, and we had to cart our wheat and super. and stores as well when we were first settled here. Our second year was a repetition of the first. In the third year we got the railway but the rates have been much too high. Water should be the first thing to be provided, and next the means of distribution of seed wheat, super, and stores should be established. The majority of the people here ran out of all their capital before the railway train arrived, and all were affected by the drought. The Government held out certain inducements to us to come here and we took our chance. Owing to our want of experience of long distance carrying we rushed at it, with the result that we fell in. The government knew beforehand that no settler could make a do of it. I used to earn from £4 to £6 a week, but gave up my employment to come on the land. I hope facilities will be provided for the settlers here in the shape of water conservation and the means of raising stock, both Pigs and sheep, and I hope the Royal Commission will encourage us to this extent. I am quite convinced that if we have to depend on wheat alone we will absolutely fail.

(The witness retired.)