YORKE PENINSULA

With so much talk of the bulk handling of wheat on Yorke Peninsula, one cannot help wondering what will happen to the Peninsula's little ports, whose only present reason for existance is the handling of the harvest. This, while it can scarcely be classed as an 'industry,' gives work to a number of men not only during harvest, but for a number of weeks during the rest of the year when the grain is being shipped.

Bulk - handling would mean that the grain would be carted to fewer centres. More of it would be handled much more quickly and by fewer men. Whether it would be handled as cheaply is a question not yet decided. And then there would be no ketches.

This would mean that the greater part of the Peninsula would have no commerce with the sea, and that is a big lack, in the life of people who live on a peninsula, and so near the sea. Of course, the fishermen remain, but they now market their own fish, and so have, commercially, little contact with the landlubbers. Because of the nature of their calling they don't have a great deal of contact with them anyway.

This seems somehow to upset the proper balance between sea and land. Of course, the amateur fishermen and boatmen will remain, and probably increase, but the sea is a power that should be used for something more than pleasure.

Because of it, though not through it, the Peninsula is rapidly developing another industry. That is, the Tourist industry. Year by year this is growing and broadening.

Progress Associations in various places are working right throughout the year to enhance the attractions and conveniences of their townships, especially those on the seaboard. Word of the good fishing to be had all around the Peninsula is spreading, and people from further, and further afield are coming for a " look - see," liking what they see, and coming back for more.

Those who travel to the foot of the Peninsula find scenic attractions surpassing those of better known places.

The main bitumen highway has been a big factor in this industry, as it has in the fat lamb industry. The ability to send lambs straight through to the Abattoirs by motor transport has added much to the Peninsula's prosperity.

This, in its turn, has helped another Peninsula "industry." That is the business of carrying. There are something like sixty carriers In the Yorke Peninsula Carriers' Association. They do not, of course, spend all their time carting fat lambs, but they add much to the Peninsula's life-stream, and are one of the unique things that go to make up life on this mechanised little portion of the Peninsula, said to be the most highly mechanised farming district in the whole of Australia.

This mechanisation has almost, created an industry In itself — there are so many workers who, are needed to see that the wheels keep going round ! It has certainly made mechanics of a lot, of farmers, and, in many cases, turned the old farm blacksmith shop, with its rusty horseshoes and general untidiness, into an up-to-date garage workshop.

Speeding up of farm working, the use of less and less manpower, has seen many changes in transport. First, the bullockcarts and 10-foot cutters, then the horses and steamers, then ketches, motor cars, trucks and lorries. Will it soon be all aeroplanes ? And what's to follow ?

( Edna Davies : Copyright)