Part 6

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This transcription is complete

7429. Would you call this an average season?—It is hard to say. It would have been if it had not been for the drought. I was looking for 17 to 20 bushels, but the drought killed it. I think myself that Pintharuka is too far east. it is the border line of danger. Morawa Central and South will give a 14-bushel average in any decent season.

7430. Do you know Hewson?—No, he should never have gone on a farm. I think his wheat was not bagged as late as July.

7431. Mr Dreghorn says the average is 12 bushels?—Well, her is one of the most reliable men out there, but Hewson is not a farmer.

(The witness retired.)

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JOHN ARTHUR SACKVILLE STREMPEL, Manager National Bank, Mingenew, sworn and examined:

7432. To the CHAIRMAN: I have been resident here for 3½ years and was previously at Cuballing for some years, but I prefer these district here from an agricultural point of view. My bank has a receiving office at Three Springs and Arrino, but had to close the latter owing to the bad times. We have very little business beyond Three Springs, but we have fair connection on the Wongan Hills line. I think we can safely rely on a 12 bushel average year in and year out from Three Springs to Mingenew. Three Springs would probably be a little lighter. Out Morawa and Pintharooka the seasons are more uncertain. I would not like to say what to expect out there, but the country is good and the rainfall is uncertain. I should think last year the average would be 12 or 13 bushels. They only suffered slightly from rust. Merkanooka was the worst sufferer last year. They are good industrious workers in the district, thrifty and frugal as a rule. The Morawa settlers, from a banking point of view, we come little into contact with because they are assisted by the Agricultural Bank and the Industries Assistance Board. All they have with us is a current account, but they seem thrift and industrious and promising settlers, though they are heavily involved.

7433. What is the bank's valuation of well improved land in this locality? What is your own valuation of the bank for first class land well improved?—It would not exceed £4 10s. per acre.

7434 By Mr CLARKSON: Are any sales being made here at that price?—There have been no sales at all of any good now, only sales of inferior country, and have realised satisfactory figures up to 30s. an acre.

7435. Do you not consider Kerr's to be very fine country?—Yes.

7435A. There are not many farmers round this centre?—No, but there is a great area under cultivation.

7436. How do you find the farmers get on, on the share farming?—the ordinary farmers I do not think are making much headway, if they stick to wheat growing alone. There seems to be too much waste. They must have mixed farming to get the benefit out of the country. There is too much feed going to waste at the present time.

7436A. What does it cost to put in and take off per acre, including depreciation of plant?—Approximately, not including depreciation of plant, I should say 30s. At least that is what it was when I went into the matter some few years ago.

7437 What has been your experience with your No. 2 account?—Very satisfactory indeed. In fact, there are only about half a dozen of them left now.

7438. Are there any matters which strike you should be given attention to with a view of fostering settlement here? —I think there should be a reduction in land values. They are far too high. The initial charges are too high. I think that the beginner who goes on to the land without capital or with very limited capital has not the opportunity of making a success of farming. I think it would be preferable to give the land away free on such conditions as to make prosperous people of those who are on it.

7439. You prefer more particularly to the country lying to the east?—I refer to people on C.P. or Midland country. I think the Midland Company's charges are most exorbitant. The State should not do anything with that, but if the State reduced their values the Midland Company would have to come down if they wanted their land settled.

7440. the Midland Company were fortunate in selling their land when they did?—Imagine virgin country realising up to £3 and acre and 4 per cent. on top of that. I do not think the local man on the present share system have a fair deal at all. It is rather too iniquitous. As a rule it is three-quarters and a quarter, and the land owner provides the land but retains the grazing rights, so the man sharing with him if the season is a failure has lost the results of his energy and his expenses for the year. whereas the land owner does gain some benefit.

7441. Does the owner find any share of the super or seed?—In certain instances they do, but in others the share farmers get two-thirds and in some cases three-quarters, and in one or two instances one-half. I think the land owner get too great a return in proportion for the risk that the other man takes. We have some good farmers on the share scheme, but I do not know if they will be able to get ahead of it and get farms of their own on those lines.

7442. By the CHAIRMAN: Do you think that given normal seasons, this district could be looked upon as a promising and prosperous one?—I think from a fruit-growing point of view and a pastoral point of view it is one of the best.

7443. Is it the bank's policy to assist mixed farming?—It is a thing we want to do, but as finances are at present it is difficult to do. Every farmer is fully taxed at the present time, but it is the policy of the bank to encourage farmers to go in for mixed farming.

7444. By Mr PAYNTER: Are the small farmers well stocked?—They have only got horses. Some of them have a cow for their own purposes. Prior to the drought there were a number of sheep held by the small men, but they had to dispose of them, and now they cannot buy them because they are fully involved.

(The witness retired.)

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SAMUEL JOHN WATSON, of Strawberry, Manager for F. Pearse, North Fremantle, sworn and examined:

7445. To the CHAIRMAN: I have been living all my life in this district and have been managing for Mr Pearse for about 20 years. I look after roughly, 100,000 acres for him. I am unable to state the amount of the property that is suitable for wheat