480 Journal of the Depaktmext of Agriculture. — Dec, 1922. 



ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SECRETARY FOR 

 AGRICULTURE. 



Year ended 30th June, 1922. 



Secretary for Af/riculture : P. J. Du Toix. 



1. Freight Kates to European Forts. — The prosperity of the 

 farmer being h^rgely dependent upon the cost of transport to the 

 markets, the Minister of Agriculture used every endeavour to secure 

 a reduction of freight and railway rates. Excluding speculation 

 and forced sales, every reduction in the transport charge may be 

 said to increase the income of the farming community to the extent 

 of that reduction. The following comparative freight rates as at 

 June, 1921, and June, 1922, show the benefits which have been 

 secured for the agriculturist in that respect. Taking the quantity 

 of these products exported in 1921, the reductions in freight, 

 assuming an equal quantity exported in 1922, show an additional 

 income of £1,200,000 approximately, of wliich wool, maize, maize 

 meal and kaffir corn nccount for nearly £1,000,000. 



* Per 2000 lb. 



t Per 40 cubic feet (pressed to average density of 65 cubic feet). 



