WEDNESDAY, 16th MAY, 1917. (At Katanning.) ____________

Present: F.E. Venn, Esq. (in the Chair). H.H. Paynter, Esq. ______________

R.L. RICHARDSON, of the firm of Richardson & Co., Katanning, interviewed:

9259. To Mr. VENN: In regard to the settlers at Nyabing and east thereof I consider those that are left have quite a good chance of success.

9260. To Mr. PAYNTER: Generally speaking, their farming methods are good. In regard to the class of settler the Australian-born farmer is, taking him all round, the better man, though it is wonderful what some of the Englishmen have. They are certainly great battlers, and appear to adapt themselves readily to Australian conditions. So far as commercial morality is concerned they meet their engagements well, but, like many others - in fact I may say all classes of settlers- are tardy when matters are not progressing with them. There has been very little land settlement in the last three of four years. A lot of people went out to Nyabing who were totally unfitted for the work there. They have practically all gone. This is due, I consider, principally to the poison country; they cannot keep stock there. I know of instances where they have to tie their dairy cows up by the horns. Most of this country should be treated as poison land, and the Government should not have let a lot of these people go out there. Government money, too, should not be given without a great deal of discrimination; it should not be given to everyone who applies. In regard to the proposed railway extension, Nyabing to Pingarup, this is about 16 miles. I am strongly of opinion that if this country is going to be settled that length of railway must be constructed. There is a stage of sandplain to be traversed in order to get to the good land on the other side of the lake, or the people there now will have no hope of succeeding. It is too far to carry their produce. If the railway is put through the settlement will justify it.

9261. To Mr. VENN: Those settlers who mix their farming will do well, but they want a little extra financial assistance. If they have been advanced £400 to £600 by the bank, another hundred would enable them to carry stock. The bank must see of course, that the country is cleared of poison and has water. I am seriously considering whether it would not be good policy on my part to advance those of my clients in such a position, with the necessary amount to enable them to carry sheep. Dairying will be slow. I have not a high opinion of this country for dairying. Those engaged in this occupation now have not made their money by dairying. One man, I may say, brings me from 40lbs. to 50lbs. per week. The women are very energetic in this district, and attend to both dairying and poultry. At times we have sent as many as 2,000 dozen eggs away a week.

9262. Generally speaking, the settlers to the west of the line on poison country are all right, though I find it necessary to deal with each case on its merits. My personal opinion is that a man going on to that country is hardly likely to make a success, though I can mention a number of men doing well. They go in for small crops, principally oats, and carry sheep. It is the type of man that counts in every case. The land is not always responsible. The Kojonup settlers on an average are fairly well off.

9263. To Mr. PAYNTER: I know of some cases where men have made a success of wheat growing alone. There are a number of people on the land today who owe their existence on the land to wheat growing. Some legislation needs to be introduced in regard to this poison country. Take the Nyabing land for instance: the State has lost thousands of pounds in this district. I consider that country should be sold as poison land. It is wrong to put men on that land except under poison conditions. It is bad for the State. They advance for improvements and for buying stock, and the men cannot allow their stock loose on their farms. In regard to the Industries Assistance Board I think a board of control should be established in all principal centres. This board should be composed of a representative of the Industries Assistance Board, a well-known business man, and a practical farmer. It is not possible to control this business from Perth. The moral effect of such a body in a district would be considerable, and a safeguard to the Government. Referring again to that land 16 miles east of Nyabing, I think farming there is a good proposition.

(The witness retired.) _________________

ROSS ANDERSON, Katanning, interviewed:

9264. To Mr. VENN: I consider there is no part of Western Australia more suitable for mixed farming than this district. We have a certain rainfall. So far as sheep are concerned, wheat growing, and general cultivation must be a forerunner. Permanent pasture here holds good. I put down one paddock with sheep's burnet seven years ago, and it is looking splendid. I top-dressed this after