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Wheat (1) - Part 1

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1084. Is not that likely to occur under present conditions with almost anything ?—Anything in which one could get a monopoly, yes. But there are very few other lines which any firm is in a position to monopolise.  
 
1084. Is not that likely to occur under present conditions with almost anything ?—Anything in which one could get a monopoly, yes. But there are very few other lines which any firm is in a position to monopolise.  
 
1085. You must admit that if there was not a Pool scheme, wheat would be considerably cheaper than it is to-day, and that that would apply to bread as well as to poultry feed ?—I understand that the wheat if not pooled would be worth about 1s. per bushel on the rates of the world's markets. We poultry farmers are not objecting to the price, but we do object to being compelled to buy this inferior wheat at such iniquitous price—up to 4s. for very poor, second grade and very largely no grade at all, stuff.
 
1085. You must admit that if there was not a Pool scheme, wheat would be considerably cheaper than it is to-day, and that that would apply to bread as well as to poultry feed ?—I understand that the wheat if not pooled would be worth about 1s. per bushel on the rates of the world's markets. We poultry farmers are not objecting to the price, but we do object to being compelled to buy this inferior wheat at such iniquitous price—up to 4s. for very poor, second grade and very largely no grade at all, stuff.
1086. Your objection is, then, entirely on the ground that the wheat which you are buying for the fowls is not suitable for fowls, and that the price is too high ?—That is just about to stand.
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1086. Your objection is, then, entirely on the ground that the wheat which you are buying for the fowls is not suitable for fowls, and that the price is too high ?—That is just about my stand.
 
1087. You complain that even though you are compelled to purchase damaged wheat you are not allowed to purchase it at its market value ?—Just so.
 
1087. You complain that even though you are compelled to purchase damaged wheat you are not allowed to purchase it at its market value ?—Just so.
 
1088. By Mr. BROWN : Do you get any value for the empty bags?—I think most of the poultry farmers sell their bags to the dealers.
 
1088. By Mr. BROWN : Do you get any value for the empty bags?—I think most of the poultry farmers sell their bags to the dealers.
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1094. You have no complaint about anything but the wheat ?—Yes. There is meat meal.
 
1094. You have no complaint about anything but the wheat ?—Yes. There is meat meal.
 
1095. Do you want shell grit ?—Yes ; we use that in small quantities.  
 
1095. Do you want shell grit ?—Yes ; we use that in small quantities.  
1096. I suppose you grow Lucerne or green feed yourselves ?—Mostly, yes.
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1096. I suppose you grow lucerne or green feed yourselves ?—Mostly, yes.
 
1097. Would wheat represent 50 per cent. of the fowl diet ?—Yes, taken from my records it represents 68 per cent.
 
1097. Would wheat represent 50 per cent. of the fowl diet ?—Yes, taken from my records it represents 68 per cent.
 
1098. Do not you think that a good deal of the non-success of the poultry men has been due to the prices they have obtained for their products ?—The price of eggs certainly has a bearing, but the wheat, being 68 per cent. of the total cost of all the feedstuff, has also a very great bearing on the success or failure of the poultry farmer; nearly as much bearing as the reduced price at which the poultry farmer was compelled to sell eggs last season.
 
1098. Do not you think that a good deal of the non-success of the poultry men has been due to the prices they have obtained for their products ?—The price of eggs certainly has a bearing, but the wheat, being 68 per cent. of the total cost of all the feedstuff, has also a very great bearing on the success or failure of the poultry farmer; nearly as much bearing as the reduced price at which the poultry farmer was compelled to sell eggs last season.

Revision as of 07:45:08, May 11, 2018

fer good wheat if it can be obtained. I would also emphasise the fact that the Government poultry expert, Mr. Allman, now on active service, has in his lectures told the poultry farmers that there is only one class of wheat good enough for poultry, and that is the best. But during this time of stress the poultry farmer, like other people, is prepared to carry his share of the burden and to take poor as well as good quality wheat. But the poultry farmer must not be used as a dumping ground for all kinds of rubbish that the Wheat Scheme wishes to convert into cash. 1080. You referred to this Scheme as being a State scheme ?—I understand that the State had the appointment of the distributing agents, and I take it that the State more or less controls the distributing agents. 1081. But you say that Dalgety & Co. make the demand ?—For the wheat, exactly. 1082. Dalgety & Co. are not the State scheme ?—In referring to the State scheme, I take it that the State appointed Dalgety's as distributing agents. I thought that perhaps the State scheme would be responsible for the actions of Dalgety & Co. 1083. I suppose you are aware that Dalgety's reap only a small benefit out of it ?—I understand they are on commission. Like most business firms, I suppose, they like to make a name for themselves with a view, perhaps, to the continuance of their services. They like to make themselves jolly good fellows and say, "Look at the price we can get for wheat to-day compared with the price prior to our taking over." 1084. Is not that likely to occur under present conditions with almost anything ?—Anything in which one could get a monopoly, yes. But there are very few other lines which any firm is in a position to monopolise. 1085. You must admit that if there was not a Pool scheme, wheat would be considerably cheaper than it is to-day, and that that would apply to bread as well as to poultry feed ?—I understand that the wheat if not pooled would be worth about 1s. per bushel on the rates of the world's markets. We poultry farmers are not objecting to the price, but we do object to being compelled to buy this inferior wheat at such iniquitous price—up to 4s. for very poor, second grade and very largely no grade at all, stuff. 1086. Your objection is, then, entirely on the ground that the wheat which you are buying for the fowls is not suitable for fowls, and that the price is too high ?—That is just about my stand. 1087. You complain that even though you are compelled to purchase damaged wheat you are not allowed to purchase it at its market value ?—Just so. 1088. By Mr. BROWN : Do you get any value for the empty bags?—I think most of the poultry farmers sell their bags to the dealers. 1089. The bags are not damaged when you buy a truck of wheat ?—Some are damaged, but others are serviceable. I should say about 10 per cent. of the bags would be dead loss. 1090. You spoke of poultry farmers going out of business owing to the excessive price of wheat. Do you know of any particular instance ?—Yes. I could name a good many poultry farmers who have gone out of business this last 12 months, and it can be attributed to no other cause than excessive rates which have been charged for feedstuffs, and the poor quality, which has apparently weakened the condition of the birds, with the result that there is a serious falling-off in the egg supply. 1091. By Mr. HARRISON : Dalgety's took this over about 12 months ago. What was the value of eggs in the flush season last year ?—From 7d. to 10d. per dozen for about four months of the year. 1092. Would not that have a greater effect than the price of wheat on the poultry farmer ?—The price of eggs has a great bearing on the success of a poultry farmer. 1093. What do the poultry men feed on chiefly ?—Wheat, bran, and pollard. Wheat is the principal diet. 1094. You have no complaint about anything but the wheat ?—Yes. There is meat meal. 1095. Do you want shell grit ?—Yes ; we use that in small quantities. 1096. I suppose you grow lucerne or green feed yourselves ?—Mostly, yes. 1097. Would wheat represent 50 per cent. of the fowl diet ?—Yes, taken from my records it represents 68 per cent. 1098. Do not you think that a good deal of the non-success of the poultry men has been due to the prices they have obtained for their products ?—The price of eggs certainly has a bearing, but the wheat, being 68 per cent. of the total cost of all the feedstuff, has also a very great bearing on the success or failure of the poultry farmer; nearly as much bearing as the reduced price at which the poultry farmer was compelled to sell eggs last season. 1099. By Hon. J. F. ALLEN : What remedy do you suggest for the present situation ; more than one agent distributing, or what  ?—I think that would certainly be a better scheme than the existing one. Otherwise, put the wheat on the market and sell it by auction at market value. 1100. Without reserve ?—Without reserve. I do not say, flood the market with wheat, but I say, use judgment and place wheat on the market and sell it by auction at its value ; not put a few trucks on the market and place a price on it and not allow any more wheat to come in until that is sold. Another suggestion would be that the price of the inferior wheat be fixed by a board consisting of, say, one representative of the farmers, one of the poultry and pig farmers, and an independent person, perhaps a representative of the Government. 1101. By Hon. R. G. ARDAGH : Do you think those handling the Wheat Scheme and Dalgety's are in collusion to inflate the price by keeping back supplies which ought to be offered to the public ?—That is my opinion. (The witness retired. )


ALBERT MAISEY, Farmer, Dowerin, sworn and examined :

1102. By the CHAIRMAN : I understand you desire to give some information to the commission regarding what has come under your notice relatively to the handling of the wheat harvest ?—I believe most of the evidence given before the Commission has been that of residents of Perth. 1103. Men connected with the working of the Scheme here in Perth ?—Speaking as a farmer, my first complaint is as regards the lateness in the start of handling the last harvest. I quite agree with what Mr. Sutton stated in evidence yesterday, that the 1915-16 and 1916-17 pools worked smoothly. They worked very smoothly. With the agents and the local co-operative societies competing one against the other, we had no difficulty whatever in getting unloaded. The agents at considerable expense to themselves, specially catered for our requirements. But the removal of the agents from the field of operations has meant the giving of a monopoly to the local co-operative societies. I contend that that is not in the best interests of the farmers. Whilst it may have worked well at small country centres and sidings, there was a lot of congestion at the bigger centres. We should have been able to deliver our wheat as soon as we had harvested it, as we generally do. Most of us start wagons two days after we start our harvest. It is essential that we should do so ; otherwise our wheat lies in the paddocks for months before we can get it carted. I am referring to those of us who can only bring one load a day with the wagon. I hope the Commission will take particular note of that. We wish to avoid that in the future, if we can. Then I come to the position of the working of the co-operative societies. Most of you gentlemen understand that what occurs is that some 15 or 20 farmers meet and elect a board of directors, who appoint a managing secretary. A few days later that secretary is asked to pass judgment upon the wheat of his bosses. Whilst sometimes that may have worked out all right for the