however, falling wheat prices after 1908 and a drought in 1911–1912 caused major hardship to the newly established farmers, especially in the eastern wheatbelt which had lower rainfall, less capital and less preparation. this led to some resentment towards the liberal government then in power, and especially towards minister for lands james mitchell, who had adopted a particularly enthusiastic attitude towards settlement in such areas. two new events on the horizon brought things to a head—the 1911 state election which produced the first majority labor government in western australia (including several members from agricultural areas); and an attempt by the rural workers union to bring agricultural workers into the commonwealth arbitration system to regulate their wages and working conditions. in march 1912, the western australian farmers and settlers' association was formed to represent small employers' interests, and included primarily wheat farmers, but also small graziers, dairy farmers and orchardists. by 1914, it had 180 branches and 6,000 members, mostly located in the wheatbelt region with some penetration of the south west region. it was inspired in part by the success of canadian grain growers' associations from 1900 onwards.