information is obtained by reading what was done in South Australia, where it is a failure, and until the state is further developed I do not think there is any benefit to derived from it here, but the tariff affects us badly, and all our implements ought to come in free.

7045. To Mr PAYNTER: I had rust last year and septoria in another season. I pickle and grade my wheat, but have not tried fodder crops . I have tried fruit tree, but the white ants destroyed them. My holding of 1,000 acres is too large for me. Much as I should like to farm a bigger area I would be content with 600 acres , 300 acres in and 300 acres out, and work it on the dry irrigation system, that is constant cultivation.

7046. Supposing a man with capital wanted to start farming on those lines, how much would he require?—About £5,000, but a man ought to be able to do 250acres single-handed. Co-operation would be a good thing if you could get the farmers to go into it, but they are so scattered in this district Not even if there were co-operation, though the farmer might get a dividend at the end of the year, nevertheless if he was offered a few pence more for his stuff by a business firm he would deal with them .Regarding present land regulations, there should be provision made for water being obtained on the holding before the settler is asked to go out the land, and he should be given an amount to draw upon immediately, so as to erect his house. In this area we are comparatively well off, but there has been land priced since this was thrown open that is out of all proportion, and it is far too high, and sand plain at that.

7047.To Mr. VENN: I should like to go in for sheep? but at the present time I am paying so much rent every year on 700 acres that I have no possible hope of doing anything until I get sheep. if the Agricultural Department advance money to an outside settler like myself they should not have a lien on the land and the stock also. The government should act in a similar manner to the merchants and private sheep-owners who let you have sheep for so many years on terms, and at so much interest. I could take you to farm that have been made on the first flock of sheep, and they would not have those sheep at all to this day hat it not been for the policy of Mr.Mitchell. This connote be considered a dairying district, in spite of Mr. Connor's lectures which have unsettled the minds of some settlers in connection with dairy stock and the keeping of stock. we have been here for five or six years . I would like to kwon where has been all this time . He has been showing beautiful pictures of dairying around the country , and can tell us all that has been done lower down. Some of them here are crying out now for cows, and yet they have no provision made for them. I consider that Mr. Connor has done a great deal of harm by his lectures. The State farm here is doing noble work as far as wheat is concerned, but at the same time it should possess decent stock, so that settlers could be provided with some of them .If our Government experts would study the question of our situation, more as regards wheat growing ,and would go round when our crops are growing so that they could see things for themselves ,they might be in positing to point out where we are not getting a proper return. We want a wheat that will yield at least 11bushels off light soil. I have 100 acres of light soil; I have been trying it for four years with all sorts of wheats. I have 60 acres of Yandilla King that is returning 11 bushels. Next year I will have a good return, I hope , from Currawa. I would point out the positing of the settlers in a case like my own , as far as a guarantee on the ordinary bank is concerned and the I. A. B. I have struggled for three years and kept off the Government but, on account of the bad seasons, all my money has spent. I have been so tied up that I have not been able to get any advance, and the seasons have been so bad that money has been very tight. I have been unable to anything over and above my guarantee. and the man behind me is not able to do anything more for me. I have 58 chins of fencing to do before the bank will take me over, and I cannot see my way clear to do that on account of the present price of wire. I have to pay rents and rates , and my indebtedness to the machinery merchants and other. As far as the I. A. b. settler is concerned, he pays nothing at all and receives his monthly cheque from them, and always has money to spend. He puts his name to a piece of paper and get his supplies. Out of this crop I am now going to pay for two years' super, but I must pay cash for it How can that be done? if the Government are going assist the others, Let them assist those who are trying and have done their best without any assistance to get along by incurring the least expense .Why can they not take a p.n. from the settler, as the merchant did in 1912 and 1913? I have not approached the Government for super, but I put it before a deputation to the minister in connection with the supply of bags for this season. I asked for assistance from the Government for those settlers who were able to obtain their bags by payment. That was Last August.

7048. By the CHAIRMAN : Perhaps you might fare better if you tried again?—The reason they gave for refusal was that they were not taking on any new clients, and there is no security unless it is a second mortgage. I applied, when the I. A. B. started, for assistance in connection with chaff and seed wheat. That was after the drought. They replied that they required the first hold on the land , but neither my bank nor the guarantor would agree to that.

7049.Production to- day is vital to our existence, and I do not think that any Government should stand by and see agricultural land put out of cultivation?—I have only to leave my block and everything comes on the guarantor. I have been forced now to pay off three years ' rent out of my small capital. as far as labour condition are concerned here , I do not see from my experience how can possibly compete against the condition in South Australia .The lumper business has only to be considered to show our difficulties are. So long as they remain as they are we will never be able to compete with the Eastern States there are 138 tons of wheat lying stacked up at Wilmington ,and there is a set of scales wanted there .A good deal of the wheat stacked up a5t the siding disappears These and other small matters make for the increased cost of production, .and unless they are watched the cost of production is going to be greater than the farmer can stand.

7050.By Mr. CLARKSON: Is not that a strong arqument for bulk handing?—Yes, but you have to