Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1921.djvu/458

 406

THE BRITISH EMPIRE: — WESTERN AUSTRALIA

greater part of the hot season relieved by cool sea breezes in the afternoon. The winters are rainy, but with occasional dry spells of perfect weather.

Of the area of Western Australia, which is equal to more than half that of European Russia, probably about three-fourths is suitable for pastoral purposes. Some 60,000 square miles, at least, are equally fitted for agri- cultural purposes, more especially for the production of wheat, wine, and fruit, considerable areas being already under cultivation. The forests are among the most extensive within the Commonwealth, and contain some of the very finest hardwoods in the world, including jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) and karri [Eucalyptus diver sicolor). Sandalwood (Santalum cygnorum) is also found. The forests are rich in gums and resins, and barks containing tannin. Gold, coal, and other minerals in abundance are found in many parts.

In Western Australia, in 1911, there were 53,587 persons engaged in various forms of primary production. Of these, 21,566 were directly engaged in agricultuie ; 4,200 in pastoral pursuits ; 5,868 in forestry, and 18,199 in mining and quarrying. There were, on December 31, 1919, a total of 922 industrial establishments in the State, employing either machinery or at least four hands. The total number of persons employed by them was 16,358, as against 18,799 in 1914, the highest number previously reached. The combined output of these establishments in 1919 was computed at 10,286,732/. The total estimated value of Western Australian production during 1919 was 22,396,6942., distributed as follows : -agricultural, 9,066,2812.; pastoral, 4,614,5462. ; dairy, poultry, and bee-farming, 843,7192. ; forestry and fisheries, 1,363,9722. ; mining, 3,561,2042.; manufacturing, 2,946, 9722.'(value added to the raw material by the production of the industrial establish- ments).

Up to June 30, 1920, of the entire acreage of the State, 8,763,051 acres had been alienated ; on that date 14,259,769 acres were in process of alienation ; the area alienated and in process of alienation thus amounting to 23,022,820 acres. At the same date there were in force leases comprising an area of 257,610,300 acres, of which 253,436,312 acres were pastoral, and 1,622,068 acres were timber, while 61,535 acres were under mining leases, and 36,181 acres were Miners' Homestead leases. The area under crop in 1917 was 2,004,944 acres, in 1918, 1,679,772, in 1919, 1,605,088 acres, and in 1920, 1,628,746 acres. The chief crops for two recent years were as follows : —

Crops

1918-19

1919-20

Acres

1,041,827

191,931

9,107

1918-19

1919-20

Wheat

Oats ....

Barley

Acres

1,146,108

141,469

7,982

Bushels

8,845,387

1, 199,689

81,451

Bushels

11,222,950

2,486,918

116,037

Hay ....

Potatoes. Orchards.

249,790 8,9M

20,412

327,498 3,585 19.089

Ton 8 250,014 11,697

Tons 379,085 13,240

Vines

2,936 1

2,959 1

Gallons Wine 190,149

Gallons Wine

ltiL',397

1 Of this acreage, only 9. r >2 acres were productive for wino- making in 1918-19, ami 905 acres in 1919-20

The area under wheat in 1920-21 is forecasted at 1,459,268 acres (for grain and hay).

The principal areas occupied by the more important trees of Western