CEREALS 47 



where climate and soil are quite suitable for wheat 

 growing, and we are justified in looking forward to a 

 very considerable addition to our wheat growing area 

 when the Territory becomes developed. 



Taking all these points into consideration, I feel con- 

 vinced that the estimate given is a low one, and may be 

 regarded as a quite legitimate forecast of the expansion 

 to be expected under present conditions, and at the 

 present rate of expansion of the industry. For the data 

 on which this estimate is based I am indebted to the 

 Government Statistician (Mr. J. B. Trivett), who has 

 kindly placed all available information at my disposal. 



Purely economic considerations have not been taken 

 into account in the foregoing discussion. The con- 

 tinually increased cost of farm operations and labour 

 troubles in connection with harvesting, sowing, etc., have 

 to be reckoned with; further, the present want of railway 

 facilities and the absence of bulk handling are factors 

 which will be particularly discouraging when the question 

 arises of developing such large areas. Bulk handling is 

 a subject that is being much discussed at present, and it 

 would seem to be fairly certain that some system will 

 come into operation within the next few years. 



Even with the present expansion the railway authorities 

 find great difficulty in handling the harvest, and some 

 improvement on the present system becomes more and 

 more imperative every year. 



