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Wheat (1) - Part 1
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was recorded. That note, however, summarised the attitude of the parties at the interview at which I was present. Question 546—With regard to the question as to whether the millers got clear of the wheat they put into the Pool, it is assumed that what is intended is, whether the contract millers received the full adjustments provided for in clause 14 of their 1915-16 agreement. The answer is that they have by the summary attitude they have adopted obtained this result in an indirect way. They took care, in connection with their obligations to pay for, as gristed, the wheat purchased from the Scheme from week to week, to with-hold a sufficient sum of money as would, in their opinion, more than cover any adjustment that was likely to acrue to them on the finalising of the 1915-16 Pool. As the various dividends became payable from time to time on that Pool's wheat certificates, they received payment in the same manner as the ordinary farmer. They then credited the Scheme, from the amount retained by them, with the amount received from such dividends. Question 553—With regard to the 2½ million pounds stated to be owing to the 1915-16 Pool owners, and retained by the general scheme, I do not think I can do better than put in the Press statement made by the Acting Prime Minister (Mr. Watt), which appeared in the "West Australian" on Monday, 1st July, 1918. (Statement put in.) There the matter is clearly explained. Question 638—There was no special report by Metcalf & Co., Ltd., on the question of bulk handling in Western Australia. Their engineer (Mr. Carter), however, conferred with the special bulk handling committee formed last year, comprising Messrs. Sutton, Pearse, and Hammond, and a report of such conference was prepared. That was the report the Minister had in mind when he said one had been prepared. It is to be found on the bulk storage file that I left with your secretary. Question 652—We have not the information as to the cost of the composition roofing in stacks in South Australia. Mr. Pearse, the engineering member of the board, will, however, describe the method of construction, showing the extra timber required, and demonstrating that the composition has no residual value as compared with galvanised iron. Question 698—The question of sale of inferior wheat ex the Doodlakine 1917-18 stacks will be dealt with by Mr. Keys when giving his evidence. Question 731, regarding the wheat earmarked for the Imperial Government, and question 756m with respect to the cost of wheat acquisition in this State, as compared with rates paid in the other States—These matters will also be dealt with by the general manager. Your secretary has asked me to supply particulars concerning the following matters:—The 1915-16 acquisitions and out-turns, the Eastern visits by officials, the staff, travelling allowances in the State, 1915-16 cost of handling, 1917-18 cost of handling, and 1916-17 clear-up of agreements. With regard to office accommodation the present offices in the A.M.P. Buildings cost £515 per year, or an average per officer of £12 per year, or 4s. 7d. per week, excluding the members of the board. Messrs. Ockerby & Co's. offices in the same building average £30 per year per officer, or 11s. 6d. per week. Independent audit—The accountant will deal with the various objections which have been raised to any Government audit, and in all probability the executive of the Farmers and Settlers' Association, and perhaps one or two city auditors will give evidence before the Commission. In anticipation of that evidence, I think it would be advisable to lay before the Commission the principles of accounts that are necessary, in view of the procedure laid down in connection with the management of the Scheme locally, and with regard to overseas sales. (Statement handed in.) 1460. What is the quantity of wheat you acquired for the year 1915-16?—14,929,767 bushels 12 pounds. 1461. What was the quantity of wheat sold or disposed of during that year?—The quantity of that season's wheat disposed of then or later amounted to 15,004,666 bushels 11 pounds. 1462. And the result to the Pool has been?—The surplus was 74,893 bushels 36 lbs. 1463. What is the quantity of wheat acquired by each of the shipping agents?—The following statement will show the amount of wheat acquired by each of the shipping agents and the millers:— Season 1915-16. Agent . . Certificates issued. . . Deliveries. . . Surplus. bush. . lbs . . bush . . lbs . . bush . . lbs J. Bell & Co . . 2,103,269 . . 46 . . 2,125,400 . . 8 . . 22,133 . . 22 J. Darling & Sons . . 2,478,489 . . 23 . . 2,496,325 . . 31 . . 17,826 . . 8 Dalgety & Co. . . 499,059 . . 47 . . 503,474 . . 24 . . 4,414 . . 47 Dreyfus & Co. . . 3,484,503 . . 11 . . 3,500,908 . . 37 . . 16,405 . . 25 W.A. Farmers . . 1,952,456 . . 35 . . 1,966,560 . . 8 . . 14,103 . . 33 G. Sthn F.M. . . 132,130 . . 53 . . 132,130 . . 53 Ockerby & Co. . . 2,268,673 . . 58 . . 2,268,673 . . 58 Peerless Mill . . 325,027 . . 49 . . 325,027 . . 49 Perth Mill . . 133,249 . . 32 . . 133,249 . . 32 Piesse, F. & C. . . 388,619 . . 35 . . 388,619 . . 7 Thomas & Co. . . 486,810 . . 48 . . 486,810 . . 48 Victoria District Flour Mill . . 158,541 . . 21 . . 158,541 . . 21 Wagin Mill . . 91,034 . . 15 . . 91,034 . . 25 York Mill . . 427,909 . . 19 . . 427,909 . . 30 14,929,776 . . 12 . . 15,004,666 . . 11 . . 74,883 . . 36 1464. What amount is paid by way of fees to persons visiting the Australian Wheat Board from this State?—Nothing in the way of fees, but there are the ordinary travelling allowances due to officials. 1465. Does the Minister receive anything when attending meetings of the board?—In the way of travelling allowances, but not from the Scheme. 1466. I mean the Australian Wheat Scheme?—No. 1467. Can you account for the fact that when a gentleman was put on the board who was not a Minister, he was placed in exactly a similar position to that of Ministers of this Scheme, and was paid £3 3s. a sitting and £1 1s. travelling allowance per day?—Do you mean that he was placed in the same position as Ministers regarding the allowances he was to receive. 1468. I understood so?—I understand he has the same power, but it is news to me to know that he receives the same fee. I knew he received a fee, but I did not know that Ministers received similar payment. 1469. Then no Minister has been paid a fee so far as the Scheme is concerned?—Not that I know of. 1470. The Minister's expenses in visiting the Eastern States to attend the Australian Wheat Board meetings have been paid by the State Government, just as if he had gone on ordinary State business?—That is so. 1471. What is paid to officers when they go East?—Nothing as a fee. And it depends on what length of time they are there as to what travelling allowance they receive. 1472. Take, for instance, Mr. Sutton and Mr. Pearse, who are members of the board. Are they paid their salary as well as allowances out of the Scheme; at least not up to the present time. Mr. Pearse has been paid his travelling allowances out of the Scheme. 1473. Would you be surprised if I drew your attention to a letter dated March last, wherein it is stated that Mr. Pearse's salary and expenses were to be paid out of the Scheme?—I would be surprised. 1474. It is on the general file, dated 14th March, 1918. It is in the form of a memo. from Mr. Keys to Mr. Baxter and reads— The Minister for Works raised the question of finance respecting Mr. Pearse's visit East on bulk storage and wheat marketing matters, and the providing of the necessary funds for preliminary expenses in this State in connection with silos for bulk storage. He pointed out that Mr. Anketell's services were being provided by the Public Works Department in connection with wheat depot and flour shed work during Mr. Pearse's absence, and that therefore his department was paying the salaries of two officers. I subsequently rang up the Under Secretary for Works and arranged, subject to your approval, that we would provide the necessary expenses on application both in connection with Mr. Pearse's salary and the preliminary expenses for surveying the silo sites up to, with respect of the latter work, the £250 authorised by Cabinet. I take it that all the work in connection with bulk storage will be, for the present at any
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