RECOMMENDATIONS

The following recommendations are submitted for earnest consideration :— Railway.—That the construction of the line authorised by Parliament be proceeded with as early as practicable, with a view to its ultimate continuation to Norseman for the purpose of reaching the Goldfields market. Administration of Mallee Farming.—That a special plan be formulated to settle and develop the mallee lands, and that whatever form of administration be decided upon the Government procure from South Australia a man thoroughly versed in all matters pertaining to mallee farming, and especially conversant with the methods and conditions obtaining at Pinnaroo and Yorke Peninsula. This the Commission considers is essential if the land are to be expeditiously and successfully opened up. Financial Assistance of Settlers.—That a scheme of financial assistance be devised and placed under the management of the officer referred to in the preceding paragraph, regard being had to the need of improvements being maintained to safeguard the security against advances. Land Rents.—That payment of the purchase money for mallee lands be in future extended over a period of, say, 40 years, free occupation being allowed for the first five years; rent then to commence and to be payable on a graduated scale with increases every five years ; or on somewhat similar lines to those in vogue in South Australia (vide reports in Appendix). The Commission is of opinion that settlers now on holdings should not be required to pay rents until railway facilities are provided, and that rents already paid should be credited to their purchase money accounts under the system above recommended. It is assumed that fair consideration will be given in cases where selectors have been compelled to forfeit or leave their holdings in the absence of proper facilities and are now desirous of resuming them. In some instances improvements of considerable value have been effected by such settlers. Price of Land.—That the price of first-class land be fixed at 10s. per acre, to which would require to be added a percentage to cover the cost of road making, and the provision of water supplies, as mentioned hereunder. Selection of Land.—That prospective settlers be warned, where necessary, against selecting land obviously unsuitable for their purpose, and otherwise protected against their own inexperience of mallee country and conditions. Clearing Operations.—That is sufficient inducement offers, a plant be established in the district for the purpose of clearing a specified area on each holding between the time of selection and occupation, to enable the settler to commence cropping immediately after taking possession; the cost of such work to be debited to the capital value of the land. Indebtedness of Settlers.—That those settlers who are indebted to the Government in respect of cash advances, machinery and farming requisites, be given reasonable opportunity of discharging their liabilities, or that such be written off in respect of work which has now no tangible value. Freights.—That the freight charges on super carried by the State steamships be brought into line with the railway rates, and that the question of reducing freights on farming implements and machinery be given consideration. Public Facilities.—That provision be made as is done in the Eastern States for the cost of road construction and permanent water supplies to be added to the capital value of holdings, and that where necessary repairs and improvements be effected to the main road now in existence from Esperance to Norseman. Trial Bores.—That a series of tests be made with the object of determining whether artesian water is obtainable in the mallee district. Wheat Subsidy.—That pending the advent of the railway, wheat growers in the district be subsidised to the extent of 1s. 6d. per bushel above the market value on all wheat delivered at Esperance and Norseman, to offset the heavy cartage charges now prevailing. Flour Mill.—That inducement be offered in the form of a subsidy for the establishment on cooperative principles of a small flour mill in the vicinity of Grass Patch for the purpose of suppling flour at a reasonable price to settlers between Norseman and Esperance. Phosphate Deposits.—The evidence of Mr. R. H. Dean (page 50, paragraph 429) is drawn attention to, with a view to investigations being made as to the practicability of working the phosphate deposits on islands adjacent to Esperance. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF SERVICES We desire to express our appreciation of the assistance rendered, and facilities placed at the disposal of the Commission during the course of our investigations by officers of the Government Departments and Parliament House, including the members of the Hansard staff. The Commission is indebted also to the Governments of South Australia and Victoria, as well as to farmers and others in those States, for courtesies extended and to their officers for facilitating the business of the Commission. We also have pleasure in recording the satisfactory manner in which the secretarial duties of the Commission were discharged by Mr. Geo. Dibdin, whose ability and zeal were of material assistance to us in our investigations and preparation of this report. We have, etc., C. E. DEMPSTER, Chairman. M. T. PADBURY, Commissioner. R. McDONALD, Commissioner.