the wheat pool. I have not had technical assistance from the agricultural department and its experts. I think our present land laws satisfactory, but generally speaking the prices of land are to high. Sheep do very well at Kunjin. There is a fair amount of bluebush poison out there and a little bow.

9715. To Mr. CLARKMAN: In my experience sandplain gives good results. My sandplain is firm, with a little colour in it. I get 16 bushels of wheat on fallow from it. In that country I use 90lbs. of super and a bushel of seed. One of the essentials in successful farming is the getting in of the crop before the first rains. I start seeding in the middle of march. Our rainfall is 15 to 18 inches. My seed has always carried through. I do not feed it off because of the danger of the dry spring.

9716. By Mr. CLARKSON: Have you any suggestions to make for the betterment of the industry ? —For farmers out back telephonic communication is a very great necessity. Better railway facilities are required in our district. For my part I have to cart only one mile to Kunjin siding. I have a block alongside Mr. McBerney, 17 miles from the railway. In that locality there is a number of farmers in the base of a big area, between three railways. They would be well served by a light inexpensive line. It seems to me ridiculous to run out loop lines for a weekly service which we cannot use. There should be some light motor trolley on the rails for passengers and mails, and let the heavy expensive trains be kept for freight alone, running perhaps once a fortnight.

(The witness retired.)

JOHN BERTRAM TAYLOR, Farmer, Pingelly, sworn and examined.

9717. To Mr. CLARKSON: I have been farming some 30 years. I hold 1,360 acres, of which 1,050 is cleared. I carry 800 sheep and lambs, 15 horses and three cows. I have 325 acres under crop, 300 being fallow. The average yield is about 12 bushels. I require 10 bushels at 10s. a bag to pay costs. I think bulk handling would decrease farming costs. The tariff on farming machinery should be reduced. Generally speaking, I think the farmers in this district are improving their positions. Some among the late comers are having a hard struggle holding their own. Probably they will come out alright.

9718. By Mr. CLARKSON: Have you any suggestions as to what the State could legitimately do for the betterment of the industry? Telephones would help the agriculturalist considerably. The absence of telephones represents a very great loss of time to the farmers. There is great shortage in railway sheeting. I have known of railway officials taking the sheets off a truck of super.

(The witness retired.)

ERNEST THOMAS HOW, Farmer, Pingelly, sworn and examined:

9719. To Mr. CLARKSON : I have been farming here 14 years. Personally I hold 900 acres, but I am working 3,000 in conjunction with my sons. Of that approximately 2,000 is tirst class. We have cleared 2,000 acres We run 700 sheep, 29 horses, and eight cows. Our sheep represent the full carrying capacity of our land on the present crop. We will have over 600 acres under crop this year, 450 being fallow. Fallow is worth while in this district. The highest average yield has been 15 bushels, the normal average being 10½. At 10s. I would require between 11 and 12 bushels if I had to pay labour. I have two sons working with me. Bulk landing would reduce our costs considerably. The tariff on farming implements is ruinous. It is grinding down the farmer.

9720. To Mr. PARTNER: I do not favour the continuation of the wheat pool; the administration costs are too heavy. The improved value of our land at pre-war prices is £3. But it would not bring a bit in the market to-morrow. One could get an improved farm here for a mere song. Prior to the war we had a slump in values owing to faulty administration of land settlement and the iniquitous tariff. I think the land laws are the best in the commonwealth. This would be God's own country if we had a proper administration and a lower tariff. I do no dairying. I do not think this is dairying district. The summer is to long and dry. Sheep pay fairly well. My 16 bales of wool went away if October, since when I have heard nothing of them. I got £200 advanced from the bank on the wool. I would favour the continuation of the wheat pool for a limited period, provided half the administrators were practical farmers. However, I would much prefer to go back to the old system.

9721. By Mr. CLARKSON: Have you any suggestion for the betterment of the agricultural industry? —We are over-run with inspectors of machinery. We have to pay for inspectors in four separate charges. We are taxed to every hand. I sent applies to Calcutta and got 13s. per case, but had to pay 7s. charge. I am now feeding first class apples to stock. We are all slaves living on overdraft.

(The witness retired.)

The Commission adjourned.