GREAT CELEBRATIONS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3889, 25 September 1928, Page 7

GREAT CELEBRATIONS.

WESTERN AUSTRALIAN CENTENARY. ACROSS THE CONTINENT. (From Our Own Correspondent.) PERTH, September 6. The soaking rains—too soaking said metropolitan folk—of the last few weeks almost all over the State have practically assured that Western Australia will have a splendid harvest. It is almost certain, too, that the harvest will be a record, for, elated with the success of last season —it was the State’s greatest wheat year—wheatgrowers have greatly increased their acreage. If the harvest proves a record it will be a fine present for the State’s centenary year—l929—when great celebrations will be held. Next year is to be a wonderful landmark in the progress of this.young and optimistic member of the Australian Federation.

Inspired by a remarkable optimism and local patriotism that is found nowhere else in Australia, the West Australians are great barrackers for themselves and their State, and this happy condition of mind is really the first step towards prosperity and success. For instance, it has led the Government into ambitious schemes of land settlement, which, whilst they have not proven themselves yet, seem to be a sound investment. Immigrants, attracted by the healthy outlook of the West Australians have desired to settle here rather than in one of the eastern States. Wheatfarmers, squatters, cattlemen, dairy farmers, orchardists, vignerons; all manner of primary producers have forgotten their customary caution and have gone boldly ahead. It is a dangerous proceeding, say the critics, but the seasons have been exceptionally good, and a catastrophe has not occurred yet. And 1929 —centenary year—is going to see the exportation of the State’s greatest wheat harvest. But there is always a fly in the ointment. Observers are now telling us that, due to world over-production, the price of wheat will fall, and while the harvest will be a record in quantity it will not yield a record return to the farmer. Indeed, they moan, it may result in a loss to the farmers. Next year should prove very interesting-, and should " greatly advertise the State: A permanent committee is in charge of the celebrations which will last throughout the year West Australians residing in other States and others will be invited to join in the trek “ Back to the Golden West,” and prominent citizens of other States will be the guests of the Government. Interstate organisations will be invited to hold their annual conferences during the year in the State, and to join in the revelry One of the most spectacular features will be an aeroplane race across Australia, to finish at the Maylands aerodrome. The proposal is now almost definitely fixed, and it is presumed that a big worth-while prize- will be offered. Probably the race will begin at Sydney, and it is, thought that oversea aviators as well as Australian will enter the event. All this should greatly advertise the State. In 1929, too, the Perth-Adelaide aerial service, to be subsidised heavily by the Federal Government, will begin. Tire machines are now on order. Reverting to the weather that has treated the State so liberally: Perth and Fremantle and suburbs have been deluged and drenched with rain. Great winds have lifted roofs, flattened fences, torn out trees; swept telegraph lines into a tangle of wires. Ships stood out to sea rather than approach the stormy coast. In the country the wind was disregarded, and the rain was cheered; in the city everyone was wet and disgusted with w' much meteorological fury.