WHERE FARMING FLOURISHES.

Shannon News, 6 March 1928, Page 3

WHERE FARMING FLOURISHES.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA.

AN ERA OF PROSPERITY.

In these days of serious economic problems and restrictions on immigration owing to the prevalence of unemployment, it is refreshening to hear of a part of the Empire which has practically no problems, and which is increasing‘its flow of immigrants from the Old Country. Such a place is -Western * Australia, and Mr A. H. Panton, a Labour member of the Legislative Assembly of that State; painted a rosy picture of the conditions there in the course of an interview with a Lyttelton Times reporter. SUCCESSFUL WHEAT’GROWING.

“Western Australia is the most prosperous State in Australia at present,” said Mr Panton. “Despite its huge area —it measuies 1500 miles by 1000 miles—it has a population of oniy 384,000, and the Lavour Government has .niliated a big immigration scheme, in conjunction with the Imperial, Government.” The principal farming industry of the State is wheat-growing, and as an indication how this has been developed, Mr Panton mentioned that while, in 1900 the .wheat yield was 12 million bushels, this season it was estimated lo amount to 35 million bushels. The bulk of the wheat is exported to England, where the millers mix it. with Manitoba wheat in making dour, Because it is liaid, dry wheat, t is jn great demand for this purpose.” The average yield of'wheat was 11J to 12 bushels to the acre, sahl Mr Panton, and the best of the wheat land costs only about £8 an acre. In some parts of the State the yield was as high as 24 to 30 bushc!s.,to the acre, but in other parts .it was very much lower. The present season had been a phenomenal one, and one and a-lialf million bushels of wheat were grown in the Yilgam district, which was looked upon previously as goldfield country, not suitable for cultivation. Western Australia had not been troubled by drought this season, bountiful rains having fallen. HUGE SHEEP STATIONS.

Mr Panton said t4iat twenty million acres of wheat growing land were now being surveyed by the Government with a view to being opened up for settlement. Things were booming in the State at present, and a large number of .South Australian pastoralists were taking up huge areas of sheep country in the north-east goldfields. This land would carry one sheep to about ten actes, and it was leased by the Government at an annual rental of one shilling i hundred acres. The pastoralists usually took a lease of a tract of land otnpiis ng . about 750.000 to a million •H-ies. Water was provided by sinktig wells; and the sheep grazed on a Innb called salt bush, which was excellent grazing. The Government was working out a big scheme for developing the dairyno- industry, which was now on a hfe!l scale. About £BOO,OOO worth of dairy produce was imported last year, much of the butler coming from New Zealand. The group settlement scheme which was initiated some years ago was working very satisfactorily. Forest lands were held for reafforeslation purposes, he said, and as the timber was cut off, fresh jarrah trees were planted. There were still immense areas of heavily timbered lands, and no shortage of jarrah was likely io take place for very many years. GOLD MINING INDUSTRY.

About a million pounds’ worth of gold was mined in Western Australia last year, which was about the lowest , bb that the gold mining industry had reached. For some years past gold 'Hilling had been on the downward grade, but recently a huge quartz reef had been discovered in the Wilunna district. The Government was now building a railway to this district at a •ost of about a quarter of a million

munds. “We grow some -wonderful apples, md grapes and figs grow like weeds.” Mr Panton remarked.’ “Our apples fetch the top price at Covent Garden market.”

The last election held in Western Australia was almost unique, only one member being defeated. The Government consists of 27 Labour members, and the Opposition of 16 .'United Party' Mid 7 Country Party members. The Labour Government was returned at he election in March, 1024, and held ■ll it? seals at the election last March. “I have been ve.'y greatly impressed with New Zealand,” said Mr Panton. “This is a wonderful country, and the scenery is very beautiful. I have greatly enjoyed my' visit.”

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