ANNUAL ADDRESS. XIX. 



ment of interest on it. So also, it was expected that the 

 Trusts would manage the distribution of the water to the 

 best advantage and to the satisfaction of all parties con- 

 cerned. What actually happened was very different. In 

 a number of cases the money obtained from the Govern- 

 ment was spent very injudiciously, and in some it was 

 absolutely wasted. Eventually an Act was passed under 

 which a million sterling was written off as useless or un- 

 profitable expenditure from which no return could be 

 expected. The whole system of management by Trusts 

 created and fostered by Government cannot be regarded 

 otherwise than as a costly failure. This is not due to any 

 failure on the part of the landowners to appreciate the 

 benefits of irrigation. As a matter of fact, the landowners 

 are anxious for more water and for further extension of the 

 works. Still, even with the relief already afforded by the 

 Government, the condition of affairs is far from satisfactory. 

 The whole position is in remarkable contrast with that in 

 California, Colorado, and other Western States of America. 

 In these States, where the Governments did not contribute 

 a single dollar in aid of irrigation, the progress made has 

 been far greater than in Victoria, and the results have 

 been highly satisfactory to all parties concerned. With 

 reference to these results, one of the representatives of 

 California at the Irrigation Congress already referred to, 

 asked the question tk What would California have been to- 

 day as far as beautiful homes and fine fruit trees are con- 

 cerned, had it not been for private enterprise combined 

 with private capital?" It is interesting to compare the 

 feelings which prompted this question with the spirit dis- 

 played at the recent Irrigation Conference at Corowa, 

 where representatives of Victoria, South Australia, and 

 New South Wales were in attendance. The Conference 

 was initiated and organized by representatives of the last- 

 named State, and they were mainly responsible for the 



