Revision Difference

Wheat (1) - Part 1

Image 47

Revision as of 07:11:45, Jun 15, 2017
Edited by 101.0.82.75
Revision as of 06:43:47, May 11, 2018
Edited by 101.0.82.66
Line 7: Line 7:
 
S. M. Brown, Esq., M.L.A.    T. H. Harrison, Esq., M.L.A.
 
S. M. Brown, Esq., M.L.A.    T. H. Harrison, Esq., M.L.A.
  
WILLIAM HENRY LOCKHARD, farmer, sworn and examined:
+
WILLIAM HENRY LOCK HARD, Farmer, sworn and examined:
  
 
1041.  By the CHAIRMAN: You desire to make a statement regarding the management of the present Wheat Pool?---Yes, in connection with the inferior or second-grade wheats. I consider the poultry farmers are being garrotted. When we were allowed to deal with the acquiring agents individually, we always got a fair amount of satisfaction. To bear that out, I have here certain accounts which I can show you (documents handed in). However, since the business has been passed to the sole control of Dalgety's we are simply told, ''Take it or leave it. Once you buy it, that's the end of you.'' In one case, I remember, in response to a protest they made us an allowance of £2 5s., but since then they will not entertain any protest of any sort. During last month we bought a truck of wheat from them at 4s. 1d. per bushel, and we had to sell some of it at from 5s. to 8s. per bag, stuff that cost us from 11s. 6d. to 12s. per bag. That is under Dalgety's management; they have a monopoly, and they use it, I can assure you. This Commission has already justified its existence, for this morning, on going into the yards to look at some trucks of wheat, we found had been sold at 1s. 6d. and 2s. stuff for which three or four weeks ago they would have demanded 3s. or 3s. 6d. The poultry keeper has been and is being treated shamefully. The whole purpose of it is to make the Pool read well. What I am about to tell you is only hearsay, but it was told to me by Albert Mayor, Messrs. Piesse's representative. He made the remark in front of Mr. Nairn, M.L.A., Mr. Wake, and myself. He asked Mr. Keys why they were demanding such an exorbitant price for the wheat, Mr. Keys simply laughed and said that they had to make the Pool read well. Also Mr. Keys admitted to him that some of the wheat had been brought from North Fremantle to Perth, put on the open market---it is only open above Dalgety's reserve; up to that price bidders are only wasting time; in other words, Dalgety's is the reserve price ---and if the bidding did not reach Dalgety's price it was reconsigned back to North Fremantle, so that it should not appear to be lingering on the market. On two occasions we went as a deputation to Mr. Baxter. To my mind the reply we got from him was a silly old thing. He said the price was fixed by the demand. Why, the demand is simply what Dalgety's make it! If the price is not up to their mark they take the supply off the market. To-day they tell us the market is gutted. The merchant in a position to store a lot of this stuff is getting a throw in, but the unfortunate poultry farmer, being in only a small way, still has to pay the same. Our co-operative society has been compelled to keep the price fairly firm in an endeavour to make up for the losses I have referred to. I got a shock with the last truck of wheat we had from the Pool. The price of the preceding truck was 4s. 1d., but the last truck we got at 3s. 9d. Our secretary went down and inspected it on rail when we had it in the store. I also examined it. It was real good stuff, well worth the money.
 
1041.  By the CHAIRMAN: You desire to make a statement regarding the management of the present Wheat Pool?---Yes, in connection with the inferior or second-grade wheats. I consider the poultry farmers are being garrotted. When we were allowed to deal with the acquiring agents individually, we always got a fair amount of satisfaction. To bear that out, I have here certain accounts which I can show you (documents handed in). However, since the business has been passed to the sole control of Dalgety's we are simply told, ''Take it or leave it. Once you buy it, that's the end of you.'' In one case, I remember, in response to a protest they made us an allowance of £2 5s., but since then they will not entertain any protest of any sort. During last month we bought a truck of wheat from them at 4s. 1d. per bushel, and we had to sell some of it at from 5s. to 8s. per bag, stuff that cost us from 11s. 6d. to 12s. per bag. That is under Dalgety's management; they have a monopoly, and they use it, I can assure you. This Commission has already justified its existence, for this morning, on going into the yards to look at some trucks of wheat, we found had been sold at 1s. 6d. and 2s. stuff for which three or four weeks ago they would have demanded 3s. or 3s. 6d. The poultry keeper has been and is being treated shamefully. The whole purpose of it is to make the Pool read well. What I am about to tell you is only hearsay, but it was told to me by Albert Mayor, Messrs. Piesse's representative. He made the remark in front of Mr. Nairn, M.L.A., Mr. Wake, and myself. He asked Mr. Keys why they were demanding such an exorbitant price for the wheat, Mr. Keys simply laughed and said that they had to make the Pool read well. Also Mr. Keys admitted to him that some of the wheat had been brought from North Fremantle to Perth, put on the open market---it is only open above Dalgety's reserve; up to that price bidders are only wasting time; in other words, Dalgety's is the reserve price ---and if the bidding did not reach Dalgety's price it was reconsigned back to North Fremantle, so that it should not appear to be lingering on the market. On two occasions we went as a deputation to Mr. Baxter. To my mind the reply we got from him was a silly old thing. He said the price was fixed by the demand. Why, the demand is simply what Dalgety's make it! If the price is not up to their mark they take the supply off the market. To-day they tell us the market is gutted. The merchant in a position to store a lot of this stuff is getting a throw in, but the unfortunate poultry farmer, being in only a small way, still has to pay the same. Our co-operative society has been compelled to keep the price fairly firm in an endeavour to make up for the losses I have referred to. I got a shock with the last truck of wheat we had from the Pool. The price of the preceding truck was 4s. 1d., but the last truck we got at 3s. 9d. Our secretary went down and inspected it on rail when we had it in the store. I also examined it. It was real good stuff, well worth the money.
Line 20: Line 20:
 
1050.  By Mr. Brown: Is your society an ordinary trading concern?---Yes. I am also speaking on behalf of the Poultry Farmers' Association of Armadale.
 
1050.  By Mr. Brown: Is your society an ordinary trading concern?---Yes. I am also speaking on behalf of the Poultry Farmers' Association of Armadale.
 
1051.  You are desirous of getting a profit on the stuff you purchase?---Yes.
 
1051.  You are desirous of getting a profit on the stuff you purchase?---Yes.
1053.  You are in ordinary competition with the Perth produce merchants?---Yes. The only difference between them and ourselves is that any profits that are made go to the shareholders.
+
1052.  You are in ordinary competition with the Perth produce merchants?---Yes. The only difference between them and ourselves is that any profits that are made go to the shareholders.
 
1054.  That would not affect the value to the Pool?---No.
 
1054.  That would not affect the value to the Pool?---No.
 
1055.  You said that Dalget's brought up trucks of wheat and put a price on them, and that if the price was not reached they went back to Fremantle?---That was only hearsay. I gave you the name of the gentleman who made the assertion.  
 
1055.  You said that Dalget's brought up trucks of wheat and put a price on them, and that if the price was not reached they went back to Fremantle?---That was only hearsay. I gave you the name of the gentleman who made the assertion.  
 
1056.  By Hon. R. G. ARDAGH: Where is the wheat sold?---Generally on the market in Perth. We
 
1056.  By Hon. R. G. ARDAGH: Where is the wheat sold?---Generally on the market in Perth. We

Revision as of 06:43:47, May 11, 2018

FRIDAY, 5th JULY, 1918 (At Perth.)

Present: Hon. W. C. Angwin, M.L.A. (Chairman). Hon. J. F. Allen, M.L.C. Hon. R G Ardagh, M.L.C. S. M. Brown, Esq., M.L.A. T. H. Harrison, Esq., M.L.A.

WILLIAM HENRY LOCK HARD, Farmer, sworn and examined:

1041. By the CHAIRMAN: You desire to make a statement regarding the management of the present Wheat Pool?---Yes, in connection with the inferior or second-grade wheats. I consider the poultry farmers are being garrotted. When we were allowed to deal with the acquiring agents individually, we always got a fair amount of satisfaction. To bear that out, I have here certain accounts which I can show you (documents handed in). However, since the business has been passed to the sole control of Dalgety's we are simply told, Take it or leave it. Once you buy it, that's the end of you. In one case, I remember, in response to a protest they made us an allowance of £2 5s., but since then they will not entertain any protest of any sort. During last month we bought a truck of wheat from them at 4s. 1d. per bushel, and we had to sell some of it at from 5s. to 8s. per bag, stuff that cost us from 11s. 6d. to 12s. per bag. That is under Dalgety's management; they have a monopoly, and they use it, I can assure you. This Commission has already justified its existence, for this morning, on going into the yards to look at some trucks of wheat, we found had been sold at 1s. 6d. and 2s. stuff for which three or four weeks ago they would have demanded 3s. or 3s. 6d. The poultry keeper has been and is being treated shamefully. The whole purpose of it is to make the Pool read well. What I am about to tell you is only hearsay, but it was told to me by Albert Mayor, Messrs. Piesse's representative. He made the remark in front of Mr. Nairn, M.L.A., Mr. Wake, and myself. He asked Mr. Keys why they were demanding such an exorbitant price for the wheat, Mr. Keys simply laughed and said that they had to make the Pool read well. Also Mr. Keys admitted to him that some of the wheat had been brought from North Fremantle to Perth, put on the open market---it is only open above Dalgety's reserve; up to that price bidders are only wasting time; in other words, Dalgety's is the reserve price ---and if the bidding did not reach Dalgety's price it was reconsigned back to North Fremantle, so that it should not appear to be lingering on the market. On two occasions we went as a deputation to Mr. Baxter. To my mind the reply we got from him was a silly old thing. He said the price was fixed by the demand. Why, the demand is simply what Dalgety's make it! If the price is not up to their mark they take the supply off the market. To-day they tell us the market is gutted. The merchant in a position to store a lot of this stuff is getting a throw in, but the unfortunate poultry farmer, being in only a small way, still has to pay the same. Our co-operative society has been compelled to keep the price fairly firm in an endeavour to make up for the losses I have referred to. I got a shock with the last truck of wheat we had from the Pool. The price of the preceding truck was 4s. 1d., but the last truck we got at 3s. 9d. Our secretary went down and inspected it on rail when we had it in the store. I also examined it. It was real good stuff, well worth the money. 1042. Then you claim that Dalgety & Co., who have sole right of selling this wheat, are demanding too high a price?---I am confident on that point, especially when we take into consideration what the farmer gets. 1043. Have you come across any wheat extraordinarily bad, rotten?---Absolutely yes; some of that we sold at 5s. a bag was practically useless. 1044. What would the person who bought it do with that?---Take a business risk for pig feed. Of course there would be a little good wheat among it. It would be practically impossible to find an absolutely full bag of exclusively rotten stuff, unless indeed the whole bag had been under water. 1045. You claim that under existing conditions poultry farmers are not permitted to buy wheat at its true value?---I do. 1046. An inferior class of wheat is sufficiently good for poultry?---We do not look for inferior wheat, but we are compelled to use it. We would prefer to buy the best. 1047. Will they not allow you to buy prime wheat?---No, it is barred to us; and we do not except it while our Allies are eating black bread. But we expect to get spoiled wheat at reasonable prices. 1048. Do they give you any reason why you are not allowed prime wheat?---Because something has to be done with the inferior stuff, and the pig and poultry farmers are the only people who can use it. 1049. Then it is all going bad while waiting to be shipped away?---There is no doubt about that. There are several reconditioning plants in Perth doing very well. Our little co-operative society is considering the advisability of putting in one for itself. Then there is the condition of the bags to be considered. We once had a truck of 9½ tons of wheat, most of which was all right except that it was all in rotten bags. In the one truck we lost four full bags of wheat. When I spoke to Mr. Seymour, Dalgety's representative, about it, he told me that the stuff had come into the Perth railway yards in two small trucks, that he had transferred the two lots to the one big truck for us, and that he could assure me that every bag was sound. I offered to bear the whole expense and make a substantial donation to charities if he could find 20 bags in store out of the whole truck that were sound. He has no time for anything like that because he has a monopoly. 1050. By Mr. Brown: Is your society an ordinary trading concern?---Yes. I am also speaking on behalf of the Poultry Farmers' Association of Armadale. 1051. You are desirous of getting a profit on the stuff you purchase?---Yes. 1052. You are in ordinary competition with the Perth produce merchants?---Yes. The only difference between them and ourselves is that any profits that are made go to the shareholders. 1054. That would not affect the value to the Pool?---No. 1055. You said that Dalget's brought up trucks of wheat and put a price on them, and that if the price was not reached they went back to Fremantle?---That was only hearsay. I gave you the name of the gentleman who made the assertion. 1056. By Hon. R. G. ARDAGH: Where is the wheat sold?---Generally on the market in Perth. We