mer suffers is at Baker's Hill, where they are fronting the main to Kalgoorlie. Before the acre tax they were free. They are now called upon to pay the £5 holding fee with the acreage tax. Some of them have to pay £10 or £13 a year, and they cannot use the water because they cannot pay the cost of the connection. I consider that it is a national scheme entirely, and there is just as much right in taxing the people, say at Fremantle, to pay the water rate as to tax the people of Baker's Hill. Taking into consideration the difficulties under which farmers labour, and considering that they are turning a useless territory into something like a tangible asset, it is inequitable that they should have to pay £30 in taxes. It is a heartbreaking proposition, and I sincerely hope that some recommendation will be forthcoming from the Commission as will induce the Minister to give relief.

7737. By Mr. PAYNTER: Did not the residents of the town by petition over-rule the settlers on the land?—That was so in the Goomalling district.

7738. By the CHAIRMAN: The loss last year on the scheme was £51,000. The goldfields paid for their water, interest, and sinking fund. The extensions only pay interest and sinking fund on this, but none on the general scheme?—As tax-payers they do.

7739. The scheme supplying the goldfields returned a profit last year of £238,024, while the agricultural extensions showed a loss of £409, without taking into account the charges on the main and the general expenses of the scheme itself to the tax-payer?—Do you say the goldfields water scheme paid interest and sinking fund?

7740. No, the profit was £238,024, but in working the extensions of the loss was £409?—How did they arrive at a profit without showing interest and sinking fund?

7741. By Mr. PAYNTER: In regard to the extensions it does allow interest and depreciation on the extension itself?—May I say this with regard to two industries? If you take into consideration the State aid given to the gold-mining industry as compared with the assistance given to the farmer, the goldfields would be more than treble in batteries and prospecting, and other money given without any security what-ever, but only in the hope that the State would be developed.

7742. By the CHAIRMAN: It is of course easy to build up a case for agriculture?—With regard to the municipalities and the water rate. When I found I had to pay this rate I thought I would try and use the water in growing pumkins, and so I laid out a quarter of an acre of garden, and went to the Water Supply Department, who informed me that they could not guarantee the water to grow vegetables. That is simply a scandal. The manure is there and the posts and fence. The water is now disconnected, and the meter is taken away because I would not pay last year's rent. I would not pay it because they would not gibe me the water with which I could recoup the outlay.

7743. By Mr. CLARKSON: The officials have said they are not in a position to supply all demands for water?—They have stated "If you will build an over-head tank for, say £30, we will guarantee to supply you, but not from the main." And I could not have sprinklers I was told. To make the connection would cost £25. When I found that they could not supply the water, I considered it no more. It is not my own affairs that I trouble about, but I think it is a cruel thing to impose a tax on a struggling man.

7744. The CHAIRMAN: The trouble is, the man asked for the water himself.

7745. By Mr. PAYNTER: Is water required for Toodyay?—A section of it.

7746. By the CHAIRMAN: When they imposed the rate on the main, from Northam to Toodyay, they also imposed it on Burracoppin?—A property was offered to him which had to pay £33 a year water rate, but that would reduce the capital value by £600, less any advantage which the water may have supplied.

7747. By Mr. CLARKSON: Do you know whether many men between Northam and Goomalling wanted it. They did not want it at Toodyay?—Take £6 10s. the rate, and 6½ per cent. rate. Take Mr. Wilkinson's property. £600 would provide a water scheme for growing lucerne.

7748. By the CHAIRMAN: Do you think the scheme is worked to its full capacity?—No. It was capable of pumping five miles a day, but has never been at its fullest capacity.

7749. By Mr. PAYNTER: The farmers are allowed 30 million gallons, and they only took 12 million gallons, although they pay for 30 million gallons.

7750. By Mr. CLARKSON: What other matters are there that press upon the farming industry?—In my opinion the Land Act should be re-cast. With regard to the eastern areas, the conditions under which recent settlement has been effected are more applicable to Northam than to the Great Southern Railway. They are totally against the conditions necessary for the settlement of the eastern areas. For instance, there are rents. When they were in arrears, in some cases two or three fines were inflicted by the Lands Department. They should be imposed for one year's rent alone. There is a duplication of the fine. The present Government is not imposing fines. I maintain that under sound conditions the successful settlement of the eastern areas will certainly be carried out. It demands the strongest of men physically, and the hardest working man, and they should be given reasonable financial assistance and then they will successfully establish themselves. Once you pass Trayning you get into a country that is much too rich for its rainfall. I am not personally acquainted with the eastern goldfields at all. My knowledge is limited to Yorkrakine, and going in behind Wongan, Lake Brown, Cowcowing, then to Toodyay, I consider that the land at Dalwallinu towards Cowcowing is quite safe country. The Wodjil there has proved itself to be fairly reliable in that district.

7751. Have you considered the question of dingoes and rabbits in the eastern area?—The suggestion is put forward to fence in the water, but the high price of netting makes it impossible to fence in a holding. They should fence in all the water and make poison available at a minimum. The dingo is the most difficult to deal with. The best remedy in my opinion to deal with rabbits is by netting, and I have suggested to the Minister to supply all the netting possible. I have heard that the rabbits are near to Cowcowing, where the feed is good, but if netting is not available, the water supplies should nevertheless be fenced in a poison used.

7752. By the CHAIRMAN: On the 17th November we wrote to the Government that settlers should be furnished with netting and that all dams should