local men who can supply for the few good months of the year in the vicinity of Perth, cut them out. If we are going to develop the dairying industry in the State every inducement must be given to the people referred to, to continue in their business. Now, as already explained, they have to either sell out their cows or go in for the cream business. It must surely be possible to arrange trains on this road to synchronise with the labour conditions, and thus enable supplies from the district referred to, to get into Perth at a reasonable time all the year round. Then again, in regard to cream from such districts; if you can land cream in Perth in a sound condition from the country, you can get a far better price, far better than is obtained for the imported article, which means the ultimate exclusion of the imported article. The minimum rate on small consignments of cream now necessitates a man keeping his cream until it is not in a satisfactory condition for the manufacture of a first class article. If he could send small lots at the gallon rate this would be obviated, and a better grade of butter produced.

11928. Mr Simper: I should like to remark that I have heard from a Capel grower this morning that the train which passes through Capel on Monday morning is likely to be taken off at an early date. If it is the intention of the Railway Department to reduce the traffic on that line it would be better to reduce the service of the goods train that arrives here on Saturday morning.

11929. Mr Keene: I should like to stress again that unless some such provision as referred to in the matter of a siding is provided, next summer, when the glut of soft fruits come in, if the railways are not able to handle it better than they did last time and give delivery with greater dispatch, the same trouble will occur.

11930. Mr Simper: Really we are of opinion that there is only one way of solving the difficulty, and that is by establishing central markets. Another matter I should like to introduce, and that is in regard to the consignment of potatoes produced in the Eastern States over the Great Western railway, and the freight which has been struck. So far our producers have not felt the result of this in connection with their business in Kalgoorlie, but as soon as they do it will be a considerable blow to them.

11931. By the Chairman: Are the West Australian potatoes good keepers?

11932. Mr Simper: The crop that is dug in November, December and January will keep well, and so far as the other crop is concerned they will keep as well as any potato produced in the Commonwealth. So far as onions are concerned, if the growers will produce the right variety they also will keep very well.

(The Witness Retired.)

The Commission adjourned.

THURSDAY, 11th APRIL, 1918. (At Perth.)

Present: J. O. Giles, Esq. (Chairman), B. L. Clarkson, Esq. | H. H. Paynter Esq. | F. E. Venn Esq.

JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, Mining Engineer, sworn and examined:

11933. By the Chairman: Have you any statement to place before the Commission?—In the newspaper this morning I saw certain statements made concerning lime deposits and, being the concessionaire of the Lake Clifton concession, I thought I would give you an opportunity of asking any questions you wish in regard to the concession.

11934. By Mr Venn: How are you getting on with that project?—I have very good prospects of getting a start with the railway before long. I think the difficulty of finding rails will be overcome in the near future. Recently I put up a proposition to the Government under which it would have been possible to secure lime for fertilising purposes at 6s per ton on rails, or one-fourth the price at which it is supplied anywhere else in Australia. It would not require bagging; it would have to be handled in bulk.

11935. Is there any large quantity of lime at Lake Clifton? -The quantity is practically unlimited.

11936. What is the analysis? —About 80 per cent of carbonate and 8 per cent or organic matter. If the lime were burnt, it would yield 97 or 98 per cent of carbon. The organic matter is rather beneficial, because it carries nitrogen and also a little phosphoric acid.

11937. Have you an extension of your lease? —My concession is to start 12 months after the declaration of peace. Until then I have no obligations. I am at present negotiating with very strong people in the East, with the object of erecting a cement works. Cement and not the supply of lime