considered infra dig to work in a packing shed or vineyard.

11314. By Mr CLARKSON: Are the railway rates and facilities satisfactory?—They are quite reasonable. Some years ago I was successful in getting a lower rate, but since then they have reverted to the old higher rate.

11315. By Mr VENN: From what source so you obtain your boxes and trays for the dried fruit?—I have given up the trays and pack the fruit in 5lb. cartons; twenty of these do in one box. I import these boxes from South Australia. I used to get them from Sweden. I tried the local boxes, but those that I got were bad, knotty and often cut at untrue angles. I was lucky in placing a large order before the war, but I am in trouble now. Mr George, the member for the district, came to me and asked me to use local wood. I told him that I was applying to the State Sawmills. They sent me a sample case, quoted 8d. each, made of jarrah. I ordered my requirements and told them when I wanted them. When the date for delivery passed I wrote them and asked why I was not supplied and was told that they had not got my order and had done nothing. I hold that, for the reason that I had an acknowledgement of my definite order, it was a contract. They wrote and asked for my business this year. I agrees to let them have it if they would guarantee that the same thing did not occur again. I naturally required a binding contract. I asked then to bear in mind the loss they had put me to last year. I had to pay 1s. 8d. for cases that they quoted at 8d. They then quoted 1s. 6d., of 1s. 8d. for the same thing for which they had quoted me 8d. the year before. I advised that I was prepared to accept this quote if they could show me that their quote of 8d. was wrong. In reply they advised that they had to quote me this price on account of the loss made on the quantity supplied to me the previous year. They, of course, had not supplied me with my requirements at all. I consider it is bad that these State trading concerns exist, to the detriment of the local traders that will give you a fair deal and abide my their word.

11316. BY Mr CLARKSON: Do you consider that the State can do anything to assist this industry?—the best thing that the State can do is to encourage people to come into the business. It would not matter to me how many people went into it, because this would tend to overcome the labour trouble. In the interests of returned soldiers and people of this description, I say, do not tempt them to go into this thing as the future is problematical. Increased population only will get over the difficulty. It is a legitimate enterprise if labour is reasonable.

(The witness retired.)

ROY PATERSON, Fruit grower, Pinjarra, sworn and examined:

11317. To the CHAIRMAN: I have been practically all my life on the land in this district, although the land I occupy is in my brother's name. Between us we have 7,000 acres. I am only working 300 acres myself. It is 1½ miles from the railway, all fenced, about 100 acres cleared and under the plough. I have 30 acres of orchard planted to citrus trees.

11318. BY Mr VENN: How old are the trees?—Some 14 years and some only planted the year before last.

11319. Is there any sign of "die back" in your orchard?—No, a few of the trees were affected by spraying.

11320. The soil is particularly good, I understand?—Yes. It is about 20 feet deep. It is situated on the river bank.

11321. The quality of the fruit produced is satisfactory?—Yes. Buyers advise me that mine is the best coming into the market. The average yield is about on case to the tree. Some of my trees were bad stock and have not borne at all.

11322. At what price do you consider you can produce oranges profitably?—I cannot put a case on the market under 2s. and make a profit. This is what it costs to produce them.

11323. What varieties do best?—The Valencia Late. They hang on the trees for a long time and, consequently, can be marketed at the best time. The Beauty of Glen Retreat is another good variety. I have 50 trees of these and picked 400 cases of fruit from them the year before last. This year I have picked 300 cases. The Valencia gives from two to three cases per tree.

11324. Is there much land in this district suitable for oranges?—Yes, there is a lot of land suitable on the river banks. The sandy country, however, is no good. You cannot go more than about half a mile from the river.

11325. Do you practice irrigation?—I do not irrigate my orchard. I do not believe in it. I prefer summer cultivation.

11326. To Mr CLARKSON: When you say that there is no land more than half a mile from the river suitable for oranges, would you say that it is suitable for stone fruit or apples?—It is suitable for stone fruit, but no good for apples. I consider the climate unsuitable for apples. Mr Fawcett's apple orchard has not given the results that are obtained from Bridgetown orchards. They have no colour. Pears do fairly well.

11327. The estate carries a number of sheep?—Yes, it is a good district for cross bred sheep.

11328. And cattle?—I do not consider it is good for cattle, though dairy cattle do very well. I have no experience in this like myself, but I do not see why dairying could not be carried on successfully in the district.

11329. To Mr VENN: Lucerne is out of the question on account of the couch grass.

11330. To Mr CLARKSON: Clovers do well and the country produces good winter feed. We can milk from the first rains until Xmas. Then you get clover hay to carry the stock on. I consider that the feeding value of clover has is as good as oaten hay. The scrub land when broken up will produce couch grass and a variety of clovers, though not the variety that grows on the river. Sheep fatten well on the couch and clover burrs. The couch country will carry four to five sheep to the acre on the flats in the summer time. We run from 1,500 to 2,000 sheep on 7,000 acres.

11331. Was very much settlement going on before the war started?—A number of people went out on to the plains, but few are doing any good