the case could not be used again until it bore the fumigation stamp once more.

10008. By Mr CLARKSON: While all the auctioneers and others are strong upon the point you are emphasising, the conferences of fruitgrowers have turned it down?—But at the last conference, held at Mt. Barker, the people who were most bitter against it were the ones that put the motion in favour of fumigation on the agenda paper, and those who opposed the motion this year really opposed it out of spite. They had advocated it before and this year they said, "You opposed us when we wanted this and now we oppose it because you want it." I will always take second-hand cases at my orchard, provided, of course, I know to whom they originally belonged; but if they were fumigated of course there would be no difficulty. I recognise that if I introduced disease into my orchard it would cost many times the value of a case to eradicate it. Coming back to the market site, I would like to say that I have noticed that the trend of population is in the direction of Leederville, and therefore I think the bulk of the people would be better served at West Perth than anywhere else. With regard to vegetables, there is a feeling amongst some of the growers that they would like to handle their own, and in making provision for markets there should be sufficient space so that any grower desiring to handle his own stuff should have the privilege of doing so. (The witness retired.)

GEORGE FRESERICK WILLIAM LANTZKE, Produce Salesman, Stirling-st. Markets, sworn and examined:

10009. To Mr CLARKSON: I have been 17 years in the produce trade in this State. In my opinion the time has come for the establishment of central markets in Perth. They should have been here years ago. The question of site turns upon whether the markets are to do a retail trade on the conclusion of the wholesale business. If the markets are to do both lines of business special facilities will be required for getting to the site. If, however, there is to be only a sales room, all that will be required is proximity to a railway line. For the double market one of the best sites would be at West Perth, on either side of the line, or, alternatively, on land between Pier-street and Stirling-street, somewhere near Cockram's Horse bazaar. A railway siding could be run into either of those sites. I have had experience of the system of private treaty without auction, and also of auction. In this State neither system could be carried on to the exclusion of the other. I sell under both systems, submitting indifferent stuff and the small lots of small growers to auction. I find the railway facilities in respect to deliveries quite satisfactory. Generally speaking, the fruit arrives from the growers fairly well packed. Where it is noticed that a grower is not packing up to standard it is the salesman's business to tell him of it. The railway trucks used for fruit are not at all satisfactory. They force the fruit too quickly, with the result that it arrives in over-ripe condition. Louvered trucks would preclude this. Some of the present "D" trucks might suffice if they were properly ventilated. In recent years there has been a considerable loss through the use of karri cases, which stain the stone fruit. There is in Perth sufficient cool storage for the trade; what we want are cool stores of better equipment. Pulping, jam-making, evaporation, and the manufacture of cider, all should be utilised to the full for the disposal of our fruit. The quantity of fruit available is sufficient to warrant the establishment of these industries. Evaporation of apples should be done either at the orchard or in the several fruit districts. To send the fruit to a central evaporator in Perth would be to pay freight on seven or eight pounds of apples in order to make one pound of dried fruit in Perth. I think this work should be commenced by the Fruitgrowers' Association. To make evaporation entirely successful a certain standard must be maintained, and working individually, the growers would not be able to maintain that standard. I am not acquainted with the scheme in operation by the Associated Fruitgrowers of the Eastern States.

10010. What commission do you charge?—For the sale of fruit 5 per cent., for the sale of green vegetables 7½ per cent., for potatoes 5 per cent. over half a ton, 7 per cent. under.

10011. In regard tot he question of fruit cases, do you think they could, with advantage, be used more than once to the benefit of the grower?—We are paying pretty heavy for cases now but are we always going to pay at the same rate? If the grower paid 4s. 6d. a dozen, which was the old rate, he could use new cases every time, but at the present high price he might use them again if that would fit in with the Agricultural Department, but that is not for me to say.

10012. What percentage of cases for refilling would prove efficient?—That is hard to say.

10013. Take the metropolitan trade. In re-collecting those cases, suppose the growers could make a saving?—I think they should be able to get 33⅓ back in the metropolitan area. Seventeen years ago the purchaser of a case of fruit in the State was charged 6d. for the case and when it was returned he was allowed 3d., and the case was then sent back to the grower. When that system was in operation very few buyers returned their cases.

10014. By Mr VENN: Do you find the local early production of potatoes increasing?—The growers have not had too good a time and they are now faced with the menace of imported lots. Over 1,000 bags were landed last week and all passed the inspector.

10015. By Mr CLARKSON: What is the main reason for the importation when there are so many local potatoes available?—To ensure a standard price. There is such a fluctuation in the local price.

10016. BY Mr VENN: There is a tremendous lot of potatoes in the country?—In the South-West, yes. I could not give any idea of the quantity but they are very cheap now.

10017. BY Mr CLARKSON: What can you now land potatoes at from the Eastern States?—At between £6 and £6 5s.

10018. BY Mr PAYNTER: Are you handling any dried fruit for market now?—Very little is coming to market now. One person, and I refer to Mr Gus Sharp, of Donnybrook, sells direct to the retailer, Foy & Gibson, Boan Bros., and so forth.

10019. If markets were established in East Perth, could you get a quicker delivery?—I do not think so,