Journal Article

This article gives the main points of a lengthy report by Mr. J. A. Stevenson, an officer of the Prime minister's department. Westralian Farmers Ltd. installed experimental bins and elevating machinery for the bulk handling of wheat at five sidings in Western Australia for the 1931-32 season. The bins are of economic design, and are fully described and illustrated. They are extended as the wheat fills them up and covered when necessary, although it has been found that the occasional rain has no ill effects on the wheat. Details of the Westralian Farmers' scheme are set out: the capital cost is £552,105, and will provide permanent storage at 216 sidings for over 14½ million bushels, with terminal storages at Fremantle, Geraldton, Bunbury and Albany, together with elevators and weighbridges. Finance has been arranged with the Co-operative Wholesale Society of Manchester, England, to the extent of £500,000 sterling. The advantages and disadvantages of bulk handling generally are set out at the end of the article.