Part 9

Page 716
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This transcription is complete

10259. By Mr. PAYNTER: Would it not be possible to cheapen the cost of main wearing parts for which there is a steady demand?—It is all a matter of quality. Personally I think it would pay the farmer to have a better class of stuff put in the main wearing parts.

10260. By Mr. CLARKSON: Would the abolition of the tariff on machinery hurt you as a trading concern?—Yes, yes seriously. Fancy our making a binder for £21, the New York price! It could not be done.

10261. Have you estimated at what price they could sell that binder here without the tariff?—No.

10262. Where do you buy your binders?—From America, through Richardson, Orr & Co., of Melbourne. The price in 1915 was 105 dollars and in 1916 it was 121 dollars. Those prices hold good until the end of next August delivery in New York, after which the price will be 175 dollars. The binders we have to-day cost us £46 3s. 6d. landed here, and it costs another £1 to assemble a binder. We are selling them this year at £52 cash.

10263-4. If you were in a position to build binders could you build the mat that price?—I cannot answer that. The sales to the end of May this year were: implements, £32,826 13s. 11d.; parts, £6,507 10s. 4d.; 1913-1914 implements and parts combined. £7,787 18s. 1d.; 1914-1915 implements, £29,804 1s. 2d.; parts, £2,150 0s. 8d.; other goods, £3,139 3s.; 1915-16, implements, £51,421 9s. 4d.; parts, £5,813 2s. 7d.; other goods, £1,633 3s. 6d. It costs 12 percent. to sell and collect our business. We have received many letters of appreciation.

(The witness retired.)

The Commission adjourned.

FRIDAY, 3RD AUGUST, 1917. (At Perth.)

Present:

B. L. Clarkson. Esq. (Acting Chairman). H. H. Paynter, Esq., | F. E. Venn, Esq.

ALLAN DREGHORN CAIRNS, Controller of Abattoirs, sworn and examined:

10265. By Mr. CLARKSON: The information we want to get from you is with regard to the capacity in this State at the present time of the abattoirs, particularly at the ports, in view of a possible export trade in the future. We would also like to have some information about the cold storage capacity. First in regard to the capacity of the abattoirs, would the accommodation at present at North Fremantle be sufficient for any considerable export killing?—It would have to be added to. The facilities at North Fremantle are limited, but the area as an abattoir reserve controlled by our department is sufficient for a respectable export depot, should it be required. An export depot would embrace freezing works and everything. We can realise that these works, situated in a closely peopled industrial centre, would only have a limited area of paddocking for live stock. That appeals readily to a country man. We cannot hold stock near many of the ports for any lengthy period, satisfactorily.

10266. Would the present killing accommodation at North Fremantle suffice for the starting of an export trade? What quantity could be handled there over and above local requirements with the present facilities?—The department controls four abattoirs in the metropolitan area, one at Midland Junction, one at North Fremantle, of which we are the owners, and there are two leased at South Fremantle. The abattoirs at North Fremantle take a share of the Fremantle trade. In the event of an export development taking place, the work at present done at North Fremantle could be readily absorbed by the other three abattoirs. North Fremantle could be relieved by distributing a party to Midland Junction or to South Fremantle. Then the capacity of the small place we have there could readily handle 1,000 to 1,500 lambs per day, or the equivalent. At the present time the Public Works Department have a cold storage scheme in hand for North Fremantle to act as a base for Wyndham. As you are aware, the bulk of the fresh meat from Wyndham will have to come to Fremantle first as a distributing point. If you have to deal with the Public Works people you can ask the Under Secretary to show you those plans. They are now almost in workable shape. This large depot will provide for the export and grading of fruit, the export of lambs or any meat product, frozen, not preserved. It will also provide for the stuff from Wyndham. For instance, the local consumption could be assumed at 500 bullocks per week, that is for the metropolitan area. Assuming that the half of that could be chilled meat from Wyndham, that would be 250 bullocks, or 1,000 quarters per week. That would be a fair start. Then shipping being intermittent, we would require provision there for perhaps 6,000 to 8,000 quarters of meat during