The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1913-09-04
The Grange and the
!: Farmers Problems
WEST AUSTRALIA, CONTINUED
By II. L. Loucks


a very small industry with us. In
1900 there were applications for gov
eminent land in the state totaling $685.
900 acres. In 1911 there were applica-
tions for 1885, 600 acres. The total
area under crops of all descriptions
in 1900 was $500 acres. Last year
considerably over 1,000,0 900 acres were
in crop. That, I think, is a very fair
rate OF progress, instead Of being a
very small industry, has become an
important factor in our development.
Our policy of state loans has an
questionably contributed very large
ly to this desirable result.
The agricultural band also per-
formed a very valuable service last
year when it came to the rescue Of
the farmers at a time of crop failure,
caused by lack of rainfall. Many of
our farmers at that time were indebted
to the chartered banks who had sent
out ~canvassers and induced them to
take out loans and when hard times
came the banks attempted to collect
their money. The farmers were forced
by ruin.
The government agricultural bank
was able to come to the rescue, how
ever, and provide the farmers with
the money to pay off the chartered
banks and so enable them to stay on
the land and produce another crop.
Government Ownership of Railways
Then it is a stated policy in Aus
tralia that the state should own the
railways. The government owns and
operates all the railways in Western
Australia and that certainly is a great
benefit to our farmers. Our freight
and passenger rates, / believe, are as
low as anywhere in the world, but
nevertheless we make the railways
pay. We have borrowed $40, 900 900
for railway purposes and on that we
pay iOul pCl tthI llltlCSI anu put dll
other one per cent into a sinking fund.
Last year, after making this provision
the railways of our state showed a
profit of $500, OOO."
In answer to another question, he
said: Yes, in Australia the women
vote as we'll as the men. Why should
MT they? No, we don't find that vot-
ing makes our women unwomanly and
a greater percentage of our women
vote than men. The women interest
themselves principally in special prob
lens and they keep those questions
prominentlybefore the public and the
politicians.
THE Australian women have a tre-
mendous influence in the matters
affecting education and the care of
the children. l think it is due to
them that we have an educational sys-
ten that Is not surpassed anywhere.
Education is free and compulsory.
Where there are six children we pro-
vide a teacher, and where there are
fifteen children we provide a school
and a teacher"
II will be noted that In Australia
the agricultural loans are made
through a bank specially organized
for that purpose, and to that extent
is patterned after Germany and
France. The expense is greater be-
cause of the gathering in OF the saw
ings deposits for which one per cent
Is allowed.
In New Zealand their system has
been in force much longer and the
loans are made direct by the Domin.
ion government.
In each case they look upon the
development Of agriculture as their
paramount industry. Money at cost
and transportation at cos is their
guiding policy.
Please remember that Australia is
not only competing with us in the
worlds markets. but have been com.
peting with us in our home market,
and when the new tariff law has been
enacted their competition will be
greater, for their government contem-
plates their own steamship lines, thus
following their farm products to the
consumer. The New Zealand system
would seem to be best adapted to our
conditions. The present administra-
ton has taken the first step of Offer
ing to loan to the national banks at 2
per cent to help market the crop. It
should be an easy matter to induce
congress to loan to the several states
for agricultural development purposes
at Q per cent, and the state could
handle for one-half Of one per cent,
or at most one per cent, thus placing
US or . par with y competitors.
II Germany and France q Gee
fully and safely loan to agriculture.
why cannot we?
II New Zealand and Australia, with
nothing HE our crest resourcee and
natural advantagss can gather the
savines x their Dsopls and reinvest
eof stats dsyeIopnent purposes. WY
cannot We? vioh thru 1 could In