CCIV. WATER CONSERVATION AND IRRIGATION. 
main channels, etc., from £1 to £2 per acre would probably 
have to be spent in distributories and preparing the land 
for irrigation. In the works on our coastal rivers and in 
our harbours we never dream of putting the cost of these 
works upon the people of these particular districts, and 
why should it be done to the full extent in the interior. 
The application of water in an arid district will increase 
production tenfold to what it was before, therefore, the 
State gains by the increase of wealth, railway freights, 
income tax and many other ways. ‘The expenditure of 
money on water conservation and irrigation was not like 
turning over sand or cutting down scrub, such as the un- 
employed were put to, it brought increased employment » 
and prosperity for all time to come. 
The question of irrigation was not only a country question 
but a question for the city as well. We are all in the one 
boat, and one portion of the State could not suffer without: 
the other suffering as well, and one part could not prosper 
without the rest sharing. The drought at Broken Hill was 
the means of almost closing up the Dapto works ; a palpable 
object lesson for them he thought. 
With regard to the agreement entered into at the recent 
Premiers’ Conference on the subject of the Murray River, 
he hoped that the Parliaments of New South Wales and 
Victoria would not see fit to ratify the agreement which 
would, be disastrous to both States. He trusted the agree- 
meut would be looked into, and that they would geta 
proper settlement of the question of the Murray waters on 
a comprehensive basis, which would have to come some 
day and which would be better for all parties. 
J. HAYDON CARDEW.—In addressing the meeting on the 
important question of water conservation and irrigation I 
had intended to deal with the economic aspect of the sub- 
ject, because prior to Mr. McColl’s address it has not been 
alluded to, but as that speaker has gone very fully into the 
