+------------------+------------+------------+------------+ | | 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, well equipped, and have proved of great practical value. Wheatgrowing being the most important crop in Australia, the industry receives special attention, and scientific investigation and experiment is being constantly made, and the results communicated to the wheatgrowers.