pigs, and cows, and the Government will be well advised in assisting the farmer to acquire this stock. We have no trouble from dingoes. (The witness retired.)

GEORGE ALBERT THOMPSON, Farmer, Brookton, sworn and examined:

9696. To Mr. PAYNTER: I have been farming 20 years in this district. I hold 10,000 acres. The bags we get are very expensive and very inferior. I think the bag question might be handled by the wheat pool authorities. In my opinion far more attention should be given to stock. It would save many small farmer if this were done. If the Government could take up this question seriously much good would result. Stock could be provided from stock firms on the recommendation of a local board. It is regrettable that there should be so little stock in the district when stock means so much to the small farmer. Again, the building of the Brookton-Armadale railway would materially shorten the distance to the port. Moreover, the country to be served by that line comprises a large area of first class land nearly all of which is already settled. We have a local flour mill here and the miller is not allowed to get sufficient wheat to keep his mill going. (The witness retired.)

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WILLIAM EDWARD ROBINSON, Farmer, Brookton, sworn and examined:

9697. To Mr. PAYNTER: I have been farming 18 years in this district. I hold 1,800 acres, of which 1,000 is cleared. I crop 400 acres. I run 20 horses and about 200 sheep. I deal a good deal in sheep. Wheat growing alone is not profitable. I am three miles from Brookton with a railway frontage. I have started dairying during the last two years, but in summer time this is a very poor proposition. In winter time it pays well. I do not think this is a dairying district under present conditions. We require lucerne and silos. Dry feeding is too costly. We get only 3d. per pint for milk. With wheat growing, stock dealing and a little dairying I am making a do of it. I have considerable faith in the future. I have four sons and four daughters, two of the boys being on active service. The Armadale-Brookton railway would be of great benefit not only to the district but to the State. I have not any fixed opinion in regard in regard to the utility of the wheat pool. I do not think the Dale district is any good for dairying under present circumstances.

9698. To Mr. VENN: Summer crops are not very successful in this district. I cannot grow pig melon, so I have no hope of growing maize. Lucerne is the best, but for that one requires water. (The witness retired.)

MATTHEW BOWDEN, Grist Miller, Brookton, sworn and examined:

9699. To Mr. PAYNTER: As a grist miller I am adversely affected by the wheat pool. For five months of 1916 to the end of May I gristed 6,867 bushels. For the same period this year I gristed 3,400 bushels. Last year the pool did not interfere with gristing. This year it is prohibited because the Federal Act of Parliament vests the whole of the wheat in the wheat pool.

9700. By Mr. PAYNTER: Have you applied to the pool for more wheat?—Yes, but they cannot give any more wheat out of the pool unless I buy it at 4s. 9d., and I have to sell it back to the pool again at a price f.o.b. Fremantle, and the brain and pollard they will take from me here at £4 16s. 6d. Brookton, and I have to buy the Commonwealth sacks to put it in. Then a ton of flour has to be made out of 48 bushels and 25 pounds of wheat. They want the percentage taken out of every 60 pounds of wheat. They allow one pound waste instead of the two pounds which is usually allowed. The thing is cut so fine that it would leave me with a loss. I suggest that if a farmer can get a buyer for his wheat in the pool at 3s. 9d. or any price he is agreeable to take for it, the pool ought to release his wheat. That would allow any person who chose to buy wheat from the pool and grist it. It would also relieve the finances to the extent of the home consumption which is three million bushels in Western Australia. It amounts to 60,000 tons of flour. If wheat is sold here at 3s. 9d. cash instead of the pool's prices of 4s. 9d. it means £2 10s. per ton difference in the flour and for the consumption in Western Australia it amounts to £150,000.

9701. By Mr. PAYNTER: Have you placed your position before the manager of the pool in Perth?—Yes, and they read to me Clause 10. Mine is only a little plant and I am running it with an oil engine. The oil costs me 16s. 9d. a case. I use a case and a half per day. If they would allow the storekeeper and baker to do us they did last year I could get along. Last year one farmer gristed over 1,000 bags of wheat with me.

9702. By Mr. PAYNTER: Cannot the farmers give you the wheat and let you grist it?—Only to the extent of 100 bushels. Mr. Sibbald says that if a farmer grists more than he wants for his own consumption the balance must go back into the pool. (The witness retired.)

The Commission adjourned.

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