JAMES NNORMAN CIX, Fruit Drier. Athgarvan; Coolup, sworn examined:

11308. To the CHAIRMAN: I have written a statement in regard to the industry which I carry on, and which I should like to place before you. It is as follows:—The following figures are extracted from Federal income tax return:— 1914-15.— Sales of fruit, £802; wages paid, £433. 1915-16—Sales of fruit, £1,100; wages paid, £559. 1916-17—Sales of fruit, £1,150 ; wages paid, £614.

Note that "wages paid" include nothing for my own labour. It is only fair to add 25 per cent. on that account. Then we find that in 1914-15 the wage bill which produced£802 cost £541; in1915-16, 1,100 cost £699; in1916-17, 1,150 cost £767. Materials used and manures cost—1914-15, £117;  1915-16, £259; 1916-17, £153; also interest on borrowed money each year £100. The reason for the high cost of materials in 1915-16 was the large pack of table raisins, costly material. Australia as a whole produces normally about twice as much raisins, sultanas, and currants as can be consumed. Surplus cannot be exported profitable in normal times. Portion is exported at a loss; another portion is distilled. Present price can only be maintained by regulating output. Output can be regulated by co-operation. In the Eastern States a large enough proportion  of the growers has associated to be able to regulate output, and so prevent gluts and regulate price. In this State growers have, up to date enjoyed the advantages of the association of these Eastern growers, without sharing their sacrifices, but in the near future we must either accept our share of sacrifices, or face a glutted market. the Asiatic market—chiefly the Malay Islands—has been mooted as a market for Western Australia dried fruits. But in this market Australian fruits would meet Californian and Levant fruit on equal terms, not protected up to 3ds. per lb. as in Australia, but handicapped—as far as Levant fruit is concerned—by costly labour; Australian labour is about 9s. per day, Levant under 1s. Further, the Asiatic tropical market require costly packing, as fruit must be packed in airtight packages, on account of excessive humidity combined with heat, which causes mould. The writer has spent a quarter of a century in converting jarrah forest into vineyard. He met with grave discouragements at the outset, prejudice against  locally grown article. I eventually overcame that, and established a reputation of superiority. Whereas in early years I lost a considerable portion of table raisin crop, for want of a market, and had on one occasion to hold over lexias  for over  for over two years, I have now, for many years, been unable to fill the requirements of would-be buyers. Having established a market, I am unable to avail myself of it because of the unreasonable demands of labour. The present price of wages, under present considerations, leaves a margin of profit, but the formulated demands of the rural workers to-day, if granted, would convert that profit into a loss. I could not extend my vineyard without borrowing capital, and no banking institution would lend money for that purpose. The reward which should be mine, for a quarter of a century of toil, is snatched from me by the unjust demands of labour. "The labourer is entitled to the whole of the product of his labour." Labourers to-day are asking a 40 to 50 per cent advance on their wages. A few years ago a gentleman with £15,000 came to me and asked me if I would undertake to invest it in this industry for him. I had to advise that it was not a business proposition. When the crops is ripe it must be picked quickly, and this is, possibly, when the labourers will take the opportunity of striking. At the present time I have 25 acres of vines, which I can handle with the hands available in the neighbourhood. These are good men. I have cleared more land with the intention of increasing my vineyard, but in this case I find I should have to get a gang of pickers from Perth. In the first gang that I obtained there would probably be one agitator, and thus trouble would commence. My trouble is the excessive price of labour. The men I have now work well, but the cost of the labour given is too near to the value of the product.

11309. The only thing then, is to work vineyards by family labour?—Yes. At the present time, near Guildford, there is a processing factory, and the people sent their stuff in and have it treated. I am working on a scale that does not warrant machinery. It is, of course, more costly to do my work by hand, but the machinery would cost £300, and would only be required for five to six days per annum. I cannot afford it.

11310. How much land have you?—581 acres. I have 25 acres under vines and about two acres of citrus tree. I used to have six to seven acres of orchard, but I found that it is necessary to specialise; the citrus tree will come out as soon as they become unprofitable. I also carry 150 to 200 sheep, eight horses, two cows and two pigs The bulk of my land will grow high quality raisins.

11311. By Mr. VENN: Is very much of this class of land available?—There are thousand of acres in the district that will do this. My place is eight miles south of the Murray River. We have country with soil and climate absolutely suitable for the industry, and as you are doubtless aware, I have established a name for my products, but the business is killed by labour. I may say I have been very much impressed with the fine work that this Commission has done already, and I am naturally hopeful that your labour will meet with success.

11312. What class of labour would be suitable?—Girls are suitable for my work but, unfortunately, they look upon it as inferior work. Another thing: I very much resent the quantity of statistics that I am require to supply. I work hard during the day, and then have to go and make out these statistics at night. Because I am employing more than three workers they are trying to bring me under the Factories act. I am asked to give the names of the workers and the times that they work. I do not keep all this information tabulated, and have to go through my cheque books in order to find it out. I reduced my hands below the number by which I am classed to supply all the information asked for.

11313 To Mr. PAYNTER: I pay my girls 4s per day I also employ boys, who make as much as 10s per day. In packing table raisins the girls do the best work. No skill is require for it, but some of them left me the reason mentioned. It is