a | 1.00 | 1.84 | 3.26 |
|Western Australia | 1.20 | 2.00 | 3.40 |
|Tasmania | 1.20 | 1.62 | 2.04 |
+------------------+-----------+------------+------------+
|Average | 1.00 | 1.64 | 2.86 |
+------------------+-----------+------------+------------+

+------------------+------------+------------+------------+
| | Charge per Ton for haul of |
| State. +------------+------------+------------+
| | 300 miles. | 400 miles. | 500 miles. |
+------------------+------------+------------+------------+
| | $ | $ | $ |
|New South Wales | 1.86 | 2.36 | 2.86 |
|Victoria | 2.84 | 3.24 | 3.64 |
|Queensland | 4.40 | 5.60 | 5.60 |
|South Australia | 4.26 | 5.26 | 6.26 |
|Western Australia | 4.40 | 5.60 | 6.60 |
|Tasmania | ... | ... | ... |
+------------------+------------+------------+------------+
|Average | 3.62 | 4.42 | 5.48 |
+------------------+------------+------------+------------+

The railways being publicly owned, there is always a demand for a
reduction of rates when they show any undue profit over working
expenses. The object of railway administration is to assist the
producer.

The oversea trade of Australia runs into enormous figures, amounting in
1913 to $759,422,400.00. Extensive shipping facilities are available,
and the producer has cheap and constant access to the world's markets.
The Australian wheatgrower is practically able to compete on equal terms
in this regard with the farmer in the North and Midland counties of
England.

The postal, telegraphic, and telephonic services are also State
concerns. There is a universal penny post throughout Australia,
telegrams are conveyed at cheap rates, and special facilities are
provided for groups of neighbouring farmers to secure a united telephone
service. The farmer is able to keep in close touch with the world's
markets through these means.

The Departments of Agriculture in the different States have, of course,
been created to advance the interests of the farming community. They are
large and important departments, w