THE KNELL OF THE SQUATTER 335 



There were collisions between the small cultivator 

 almost from the beginning. Writing in 1818, W. C. 

 Went worth told how the large pastoralists, needing a 

 larger area for their stock, and fearing to trespass on the 

 small properties that, even then, were springing up in 

 the most remote and unpromising situations, had to 

 push further inwards and establish larger settlements.* 

 " Rolf Boldrewood," who is apt to see everything in 

 rose-colour, asserts, on the other hand, that there was 

 no " jostling or antagonism " between pastorahst and 

 farmer. Each had his own legitimate field. There were 

 no " disturbing forces." There were " no studied 

 schemes of resistance " on the part of the squatters or 

 of circumvention by them. On the part of the farmers 

 there were " no spiteful agrarian invasion, no black- 

 mailing, no sham improvements." 



That large portions of the rich land occupied by squat- 

 ters in Western Victoria should be withdra^vn from 

 pasture and placed under the plough was inevitable. 

 In all Australia no finer agricultural soil could be found. 

 To have kept sheep grazing where wheat could boun- 

 teously grow w^ould have been to fly in the face of 

 Providence. The pastoralists therefore assented — they 

 even co-operated — Avhen the Government, from time to 

 time, surveyed the great runs, selected the tracts suited 

 for agriculture, and submitted them for sale. The 

 pastoralists themselves bought up large portions of 

 their runs that were not suited for such a purpose. 

 When the new farmers sat doA^Ti beside them, they 

 quickly accommodated themselves to the changed situa- 

 tion. The farmers sold them flour and forage, and 

 sometimes supphed needed labour. In later days they 

 brought them hay and oats. The farmers reciprocated, 

 and bought milkers and steers from the squatters. 

 Between the two classes there was no unfriendly feeling. 

 There was no feud or litigation. Nor was there any 

 jealousy. Both met at agricultural shows and at races. 



* Statistical, Historical^ and Political Description of New 

 South Wales, i. 436. 



