1136. Do you think it would be better if the f.a.q. was fixed by a board appointed by the Government?— I have never had cause to find fault with the sample that was struck. 1137. You have referred to the fact that perhaps 25 farmers got together and formed themselves into co-operative societies and then appointed some of their members as directors, and the directors appointed a secretary and manager, and soon after, that secretary was appointed agent for the Westralian Farmers, Ltd., and he was the one who had to pass a decision on the quality of wheat?— He received his appointment from the executive body. The company took the agency from the Westralian Farmers before appointing the secretary. 1138. The secretary got his position as agent by the virtue of his office as secretary or manager? — Yes. 1139. The acquiring agents are the Westralian Farmers, Ltd. The sub- agents are the co-operative societies, and the latter appointed their secretary or manager to act for them. Then this officer has to pass a decision on the quality of the wheat sent in by those who employ him. Do you know any instances where anything has been done by the officer which might be regarded as detrimental to the Scheme?—Yes, several. 1140. That inferior quality of wheat has been accepted as f.a.q.? — yes, in some instances, and rejected in others. 1141. That is, it has been accepted from members of his association or bosses as you term them, and rejected from those who were not in his bosses?— You could not put it that way. I suppose the whole of the company are really his bosses. The man is placed in a position that no man should be placed in. 1142. You do not think he will do it wilfully?— Perhaps not wilfully, but he is only human, and when there is a snug billet hanging on to it for the rest of winter and directors are arriving with wheat which is below f.a.q., he will perhaps give them the benefit of the doubt. 1143. You can say this has been done?— Absolutely. 1144. Can you give any instances — you need not mention names you can mention sidings?— There is really only one name at each siding. It has been fairly general, from what I can gather. 1145. That is, that the bulk of the wheat received this year has not been up to f.a.q. standard, and in your opinion that is owing to the agent accepting wheat being employed by the men who are delivering the wheat?— Absolutely. 1146. You think this action is detrimental to the Scheme?— It causes general dissatisfaction and discontent amongst the farmers. 1147. By Mr BROWN: Could your local society handle the wheat without help from the Westralian Farmers Ltd.?— Yes. In big centres two companies or two agents should be appointed. 1148. You have spoken of the sub-agents practically giving preference. Are all sub- agents capable of knowing what f.a.q.wheat is?— If there is any doubt the farmer generally complains when he is docked. 1149. Is there anyone to whom an appeal can be made?— The manager of the Scheme. 1150. Is there any difficulty in getting to him?— I do not think he was ever asked to interfere at any time. 1151. The farmers were satisfied to take the decision of the sub-agents?— There was usually a difference of opinion between the farmer and the sub-agent, but always fixed it up somehow. There was not always such a dispute about wheat which was below f.a.q.; the greatest discontent was where the wheat was as high as 67lbs. and docking of 2d.or 3d., taking place over a little foreign matter in it such as barley, etc. That dockage was fair because the farmer, by grading his seed, can avoid it, but docking farmers for wheat which is 60lbs. to the bushel when the standard is 61 is very unfair, because it is not the fault of the farmers that the sample of wheat was light. 1152. By Mr HARRISON: You said that there was a loss of time in unloading. Do you mean that there was a loss on account of there being only one agent?— Exactly, at the big centres. 1153. Did you not have a staff sufficiently large to unload two or three wagons at one time?— The dissatisfaction mostly came from the load a day man, as we know him, the man who lives from nine to 15 miles from the town. This man arrives with his load between ten and one o'clock, and we cannot keep staff of men to handle his load, and then have them idle in the afternoon. 1154. Under the arrangements which existed before there was more than one agent?— We had seven agents until last year. 1155. And if a man came in with a load he did not choose his agent?— In many cases if they could not get to one man they would go to the next. 1156. Under those conditions was it not also a fact that if a farmer came in with an inferior sample which would not be accepted by one agent, the farmer would go to the next and have it accepted by him?— Sometimes. 1157. How did the pool come out in that matter, worse than it is doing today so far as the quality is concerned, or better?— It came out better. I have never seen wheat grown in our locality which went less than 64lbs. or 65lbs. to the bushel. 1158. With regard to the foreign matter in the wheat?— There was dockage this year for that. 1159. Was there dockage in prior seasons, when more than one agent was employed?— In some cases it would have been passed, but it would have recoiled on the agent at the other end. 1160. You said the agent gave a preference to his directors as against his shareholders?— In Yes. 1161. Do you believe in dockage for smut?— Yes. 1162. And for pinched grain?— Yes. 1163. Do you realise that dockage for inferior wheat if it is accepted in the Pool at all helps to give a premium on good wheat?— Yes I realise that. It is one of the unfair things we have pointed out. 1164. Do you think that docked wheat should be kept separate?— Certainly. I have known wheat docked at the siding and passed at Spencer's Brook as f.a.q. 1165. There are three grades of wheat now, namely, export, milling, and fowl food. Would you add to those varieties?— No. 1166. Then where would you put this dockage wheat?— If it is mixed with other wheat becomes f.a.q. 1167. Then you think the farmer ought to get a running sample more than one bag in order to get the average. We sampled many bags. 1168. Were you ever an acquiring agent for another firm?— Yes, many a time. 1169. Are you a member of the Farmer's Mercantile Union?— No. 1170. You said that there is only one man at unattended sidings?— Yes. 1171. Do the farmers do there own stacking at such a siding?— No, the one agent employs a staff. But in the past there have been perhaps three staffs at the same unattended siding. 1172. You say that last season there were not sufficient men employed by the sub-agents to receive the wheat?— That is right. 1173. Did you have any difficulty in getting unloaded?— No. 1174. Did you have any wheat docked?—No. Although I was not one of the directors I knew how to give the agent the wink. 1175. Then did you get inferior wheat into the Pool?— No. 1176. By Hon. J. F. ALLEN: You say you had to shift your wheat from the paddock because white ants started on it?— Yes, that is not a new pest. It is very common, especially on the red land. 1177. Can you tell us what the local co-operative societies receive for handling wheat at the sidings?— I cannot say from memory, but the scale has been published. 1178. You say the local co-operative societies have been unfairly treated by the Westralian Farmers, Ltd?— Yes, They did not give them enough to handle and they made them take all the responsibility. 1179. Wheat at the sidings is not received graded as to quality and put on trucks?— Not graded.