Mallee - Part 1

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This transcription is complete

WEDNESDAY, 29th NOVEMBER, 1916.

(At Parliament House.)

Present:

Charles Edward Dempster, Esq. (Chairman).

Matthew Thomas Padbury, Esq. | Ranald Mcdonald, Esq.

ARTHUR GRAHAM WHARTON WHITE, aged 48, Agricultural Bank Inspector, sworn and examined:

459. By the CHAIRMAN: What appointments have you held in the Government service?—I was foreman of the Chapman State Farm for 15 months from 1907. Then I was sent to Yorkrakine just previous to the inauguration of the Civil Service Settlement scheme. Subsequently I joined the Agricultural Bank staff in 1909 as inspector in the same district.

460. In what year did you go to Esperance?—In July, 1912, under the direction of Mr. Sutton, of the Agricultural Department. My work consisted of inspecting the land and rating the required improvements. I also had to do land improvements inspection in the Esperance district.

461. What practical experience have you had on the land?—I was for six years at Grass Valley Farm, four years as manager and two years as overseer. I originally came from South Australia.

462. I understand you have a brother in Esperance?—Yes, his name is James Wharton White. For some years he was farming in the Kapunda district of South Australia. He should be in a position to give evidence likely to be of use to the Commission because he has been in the Esperance district for 20 years and carried on farming and pastoral pursuits there most of the time. He has special qualifications.

463. Have you read the reports of evidence taken by the Commission up to the present?—Not closely, but I have read some of them from the papers. Generally speaking the evidence coincides with my knowledge of the district.

464. I understand you have sent in annual reports of crops to the Agricultural Department?—Yes.

465. According to your returns the crops were very poor. How do you think they could be improved?—I think by more thorough cultivation and by use of more fertiliser. I think it would require some experimental work under proper supervision.

466. With your knowledge of the district, having regard to the quality of the land and the rainfall, do you consider the possibilities generally for farming compare favourably with Kellerberrin, Merredin, and other dry districts?—Yes, I do. But with my knowledge of the settlers in the Esperance district I do not think the methods of farming which they have adopted are likely to produce good results.

467. Were you instructed to advise the farmers?—Yes, and in some case they acted on my advice. They had practically no previous experience, but secured better results in the last crops. The farmers in the Esperance district are working under great difficulties.

468. What would be the best way to assist them?—They must have some better faiclities for disposing of their produce and getting their stores and fertiliser to the farms, but the results have not shown that if they had a railway they could farm profitably.

469. Would you be surprised to hear that there are a fair number of crops in the mallee this season, notwithstanding that the rainfall has been below the average to date?—No; I would expect it. I attribute the improvements chiefly to the land becoming sweeter through extra cultivation and the suckers being destroyed, that is to say, the land has been cleared better and improved methods of farming adopted. I think the land will improve as it becomes better cleared and cultivated.

470. Have you any other information likely to be useful to the Commission?—I am personally acquainted with all the settlers in the district, and think that before they can hope to farm successfully they should receive as much assistance—those who want it—as is given to farmers in other districts in the direction of horses and machinery.

471. Are the Government assisting farmers with horses and machinery?—Yes, and I think in a few cases with sheep and cows.

472. With regard to machinery, cannot they obtain very reasonable terms form the State Implement Works?—I believe so. I think it would be a good idea if, say, two or three farmers in different parts of the district could be assisted to experiment under supervision, say, being being given land free of rent, or allowed to participate in the proceeds from crops, or supplied with seed and fertiliser, or something on those lines, to prove what seed is best suited to the district and what methods of farming are calculated to meet with success.

473. You are, of course, aware that crops have been grown in the district for a number of years, at Grass Patch and Circle Valley?—Yes; but I consider these particular patches are better than average country because Circle Valley is just bordering on the Salmon Gums, and I do not think could be regarded as typical mallee land. Grass Patch, I think, was selected, as its name implies, on account of the grassy patches about it. In my opinion it is not typical of the surrounding country, although there are small patches of similar land thereabouts.