Mr.J. M. Craig, continued.

By the Chairman: You have studied the question with regard to the advance of rabbits in other parts of Australia? —Yes.

48. This is only abstract kind of question: What do you think the effect of the rabbit plague would be to the agriculturist, from your general knowledge?—It depends entirely whether this proved a congenial home for the rabbits. I cannot prophesy anything. I can only say that if the rabbits do increase as they are said to do by Mr. Cromlin, there must be some influences at work here which prevent them increasing at the same rate. The rabbits occupy some of the best part of the country, and, while they have been here for years, there has been no increase.

49 By Mr. Richardson: Where is that?—At Widgiemooltha; a magnificent stretch of country. In fact, all the evidence we have yet shows that this is not a congenial home for rabbits.

50. By the Chairman: Is that not rather a startling admission to make when we find that in four, five, or six years rabbits have travelled many hundreds of miles?—we have evidence to prove that they were carried over one vast stretch of desert. One man named Vial told me a prospector had informed him that he had carried a nest of young ones in a billy-can, and had liberated them.

51. The Chairman: that is hardly evidence.

52. By Mr. Richardson: You say on the one hand that you have reason to believe the increase of rabbits in this State is nothing compared to the increase in the other State?—That is the evidence; that is the conclusion.

53. On the other hand you attribute the presence of rabbits, spread over a large area, not to gradual immigration but to being carried in a billy-can?—I surmise that.

54. How do you reconcile the fact that the present number we know of could have originated from a few rabbits in a billy-can, with the assertion that there is something peculiar in this State not suitable to rabbits?—It is perfectly consistent with Cromlin, who states that under favourable conditions a pair if rabbits will increase to thirteen millions all over Western Australia.

55. That is not the point. How do you reconcile fact that a few rabbits carried in a billy-can have resulted in two or three years in increasing their number over a considerable area, with the supposition that rabbits cannot increase here?—It is not a supposition; it is a natural fact that rabbits were known to be in existence in Widgiemooltha two and a half years ago. Now, after men have been out some considerable time (men who understand the work) I think 10 or 12 rabbits have been the most they have been able to get; perhaps it was 15, I cannot remember.

56. But I thought it was contradicted they were at Widgiemooltha ?—No there is a man, Colonel Downs', son now at the camp, who first reported this, and they have been there ever since. We sent out men who could not find them. Downs, at camp, could give evidence.

57. By the chairman: At Euela they did not increase for some considerable time; but we have a report, which seems a fairly reliable report, that there are millions there now —It is not true. I am in a position to say on the same authority as you have yourself, viz, Ponton, who gave the constable the information. 58. But a considerable portion of the report and letters of the constable is from what he saw himself?—Well, I have a report this morning. I do not know whether it has been sent in; but it is the latest sent in and I think it will disprove that.

59. You say you think that this country is not congenial because the rabbits have not increased more. Is it not within your knowledge from your reading that rabbits did not increase in Victoria for a great many years after they were found out?—No; it is not. I have seen nothing to that effect. What I have read of rabbits is that they multiply very rapidly.

60. By Mr. Richardson : This is not a question of argument, but a question of fact.—But they did not; I am not aware of it. What I know, and from what I have seen in the report, is that wherever rabbits take possession, the place is overrun within two years. There is no doubt, something holding them in check in our state.

61. By the Chairman: We will put question this way: What do you think the effect of the rabbit plague would be to the agriculturist, supposing rabbits increased and multiplied in this State in the same ratio as they have throughout Australia?—If we admit that, it would be disastrous.

62. Do you think that rabbits would cause much ruin to viticulturists and vignerons, supposing the same thing?—No; I think vignerons' holding are so small that they could easily fence the rabbits out; in fact, it appears, from my reading, that the only place on which rabbits can be successfully dealt with are small holdings.

63. That would be a matter of considerable cost to small holders, such as viticulturists and vignerons?—Yes.

64. What would be the effect of a rabbit incursion on the pastoral industry, supposing rabbits increased here in the same ratio as elsewhere?—It would be ruinous.

65. It would mean ruin?—Ruin.

66. Supposing the pastoral industry should be ruined, what effect would that have on the price of meat?—That is a question I would hardly care to answer; it would only be a guess. You must remember that to a great extent we are dependent on the other States for our meat supply.

67. Only to a small extent—A large extent. Our increase over vast area was only about 31,000.

68. That was on the enormous consumption; the real increase was very great. The natural increase was very great but the consumption was so large that the increase had no show in your annual returns?—Since 1896 the increase has been nominal.