6041. Do you think bulk handling would reduce your costs?—Yes, I think so. I do not think there would be any difficulty about getting my wheat to the station either in tanks or in bags.

6042. What is your opinion of the tariff?—I consider farming implements should come into the country free. Farming is the backbone of the State. I have two boys farming on the other sider of the road, and they farm 5,000acres for 500 bags of wheat. I consider there should be five years exemption for rents. Even if a man has five years rent exemption, his capital will not last very long. I think It would be a good idea if the farmer's debts were funded, as it would give them a better heart to work.

6043. what is your opinion of the I. A . B?—The present system is an improvement where a man gets 9s a day. you get more of a fair deal now. There were many anomalies under the old system. If the debts were funded it would make a man feel that he was working more for himself, and not for the I.A.B.

6044. By Mr . VENN: Are the rabbits troubling you much?— No, not much, and we live on them here. It would be a good idea if we had facilities for sending them to Perth, but you have to send 10vcwt. at a time and order a louvred truck.

6045. Is this a good country for sheep?—I do not think there is any chance for sheep here on account of the dingoes. I do not think it is the true dingo we have here, but I think it is a mongrel. A mongrel Kangaroo dog. At present we could not do much good without shepherding them at night. I think it would be an advantage if we had an exemption from rents, and a market was provided for the rabbits.

6046. Do you keep cows?—No, but I intend to as soon as possible. I do not think there is sufficient supply of water for dairying purposes yet. It would certainly be an advantage if we could get sheep, but the dingo and the water difficulty will have to be tackled first. ( The witness retired.)

___________________

LEONARD KEITH HAMMOND, Farmer, Mandiga, sworn and examined:

6047. By the CHAIRMAN: How long have you been in this district?— I have been in this district about four years. I had no previous experience, being a bank clerk. I inspected the land before selection and was satisfied with that inspection.

6048. How much land did you take up?— I have 2,000 acres, 1,400 of them being forest land. I have cleared 650 acres, and fenced 500 acres. My water supply is a 500- yard dam. It was put down by contract at a cost of 1s. 6d. a yard.

6049. What buildings have you?— I have bush sheds at present, but they are sufficient to cover my machinery. I have a camp. I am a married man.

6050. Have you a full farming plant?— No. I need a binder, and grader, and an oil-engine. I have six horses, a cow and 10 pigs.

6051. Had you any capital when you came to the district?—No, I developed with the assistance of the Agricultural Bank and the Assistance Board and they have both treated me well.

6052. What has been the average rainfall since you have been here?—The average rainfall would be about 10in., and about 8in. Usually falls in the growing season. I am six miles from the railway siding.

6053. Have the officers of the Department of Agriculture been of any assistance to you?—No, I have seen nothing of them, and have received no literature from the Department.

6054. By Mr CLARKSON: How many crops have you in? — I have had four crops in, but no fallow. I will crop on the fallow system as soon as possible, but I have not had sufficient horses to fallow.

6055. What has been your average yield?— My average yield, apart from the bad years, would be under the present methods, about eight bushels.

6056. Are you under the I.A.B. ?—Yes. I think it would be a good idea to fund the liabilities of settlers for a number of years, and then I think I could carry on with the proceeds of my crops. At present we do not know how we stand.

6057.Do you consider bulk handling would reduce your costs?— Yes

6058.what is your opinion of the tariff?—I think a farmer's tool of trade should come in free of duty. I think it is the land rents, however, that cripple us altogether. If they were not so stiff more land would be taken up. By the time we have paid our land rents we have nothing to carry on with at all. If the land was free for a few years, the absentee owners might be induced to work their blocks, and we should have more residential settlers here I think the land rents are our biggest drawback.

6059. By the CHAIRMAN; Have you any other suggestion to make to the commission?— I think something more should be done in the way of main roads. I think they should be maintained by the Government. At present the districts are too big for the local boards to carry on properly. I am in the Ninghan Roads Board. If the Government met us in the matter of rents I think we could carry on in this district. Then I consider the bank might be more liberal in the matter of clearing. I could do with all my land cleared, or I should like 800 or 900 acres cleared, and I could go in for a three year's or rotation. We wants more stock and horses.

(The witness retired.)

The Commission adjourned.