stacking. However, in the end trucks were not available and a great deal of wheat had to be stacked. We had no permission from the Scheme to roof the stacks, and in consequence some were left unroofed. The Scheme got the wheat away as fast as it could. The responsibility does not lie with the acquiring agent.

2206. If it was not intended to stack the wheat at the siding, why was there included in the contract the additional amount for stacking wherever carried out?—They had to provide for emergencies.

2207. You think the stacking was only necessitated through emergency?—I am sure that it was the original intention of the Scheme to avoid stacking.

2208. Do you mean to say that in November, when the contract was let, those in charge of the Scheme could not have said definitely whether the sheds would be ready or not?—I think the contract was let early in October. At that time Dowerin was notified that the Railway Department had assured the Scheme that by taking short runs of wheat from the different sidings to the depôts they could deliver the wheat to the depôts as fast as the farmers could cart it in.

2209. You must admit that officers of the Pool were fully aware when the contract was entered into that stacking would have to be done?—Yes.

2210. Who sent out the notices that they were not to stack, but to put the wheat into the trucks, otherwise they would not accept it?—I said nothing about not accepting it.

2211. You said they would not accept the farmers' wheat because it was not necessary to put it into stacks. They could only accept it when they were prepared to truck it right away?—You are dealing with another feature.. Those instructions came to us from the acquiring agents, and we certainly believed that they came from the Wheat Scheme, because the Wheat Scheme expected to have sufficient ground upon which to start stacking as soon as the wheat was delivered. I believe that was early in January. We were not allowed even when we made application to receive the wheat to receive it. Our director, as a farmer, would have an equal interest with any other shareholder in trying to get his wheat away at the first opportunity.

2212. There was some delay owing to the fact that the manager of the Wheat Scheme resigned about this time?—I daresay that caused a lot of delay.

2213. Other delays had taken place in regard to an argument which was being entered into on what was called the Zone system?—I think that was previously, namely, in October.

2214. And as a consequence, nothing was definitely settled until late in the season?—The Pool always finalises its schemes about six weeks too late. I do not think anyone was directly to blame.

2215. No arrangements were made so far as payment was concerned?—No.

2216. Are the agents of the Co-operative Societies thoroughly qualified to take over the wheat and are they doing the work as well as the private agents did in the past?—I am sure that in our own case the work has been done quite well. I am speaking of the three sidings handled by the Dowerin company. I believe there were fewer complaints than ever before. I am sure that Mr. Maisey's remarks in regard to delays at sidings could not refer to Dowerin.

2217. Do you think that sub-agents should take the same responsibility in handling the wheat as they did for the private agents and in regard to the proper care of the stacks, protecting and roofing the wheat?—I think they should take equal responsibility. Our conditions last year were very different, in that the Pool expected not to make stacks at sidings, except in a small way.

2218. Previously the sub-agents had to stack their wheat?—Yes, and truck it. Both processes would be going on at the one time.

2219. The wheat stacks had to be protected and covered by the sub-agents, who were responsible to their principals?—In previous years in receiving wheat, they took it over under three conditions. One condition would be classed as direct trucking from the farmers. In another case the agent might have instructions from his acquiring agent to truck all the wheat, but trucks might be out for the time being. In that case he would do a temporary stacking, and that wheat would be put down without special provision being made for covering. Another condition was that permanent stacks were made. We have worked under all these conditions at our three sidings. Each different condition covered a different rate of commission or charges.

2220. Mr. Macdonald tells us that he, as a sub-agent, had to roof and protect the stacks and even provide the dunnage and take the whole responsibility out of the rates which were paid by the private agents?—That is correct.

2221. This year the roofing and other protection necessary, as well as the dunnage, has been provided by the Pool. Which is the better system?—Had the Pool been able to carry out the obligations they led us to believe they intended to carry out, and have a direct trucking to the dumps, that would have been the better scheme. Our wheat would have been handled direct from the farmer's wagons into the truck, and dunnage would not have been required or roofing. The Scheme was not able to do this because of a mix-up in some cases. The wheat was stacked in the expectation of its being removed quickly. That went on for upwards of four months and the wheat still remained uncovered. The sub-agents had no authority to cover it. I suggest that the Scheme were out of their ordinary course through strike troubles at Spencer's Brook, and that therefore they could not rail the wheat to Spencer's Brook. It was therefore temporarily stacked at sidings, but was not removed at the time the Scheme expected to be able to remove it.

2222. Not because the sheds were not ready to receive the wheat?—I think both things affected the matter.

2223. There were many sidings at which stacks had to be made?—Yes.

2224. The material for protecting the wheat underneath and at the sides and tops had to be provided by the Scheme. Prior to that it was provided by the agent. Which system is to be preferred?—The question has not occurred to me. Off-hand, I would say that if the acquiring agent knew definitely whether he was going to stack or to truck, as he really should know, I cannot see that it would matter. In our case the dunnage was in our yards, but not the roofing material.

2225. Complaints have been made that the Scheme did not supply the material that was wanted?—I did not make it as a complaint but as a remark. It merely happened. I believe the Scheme was cornered and had not the iron. The instructions were not issued.

2226. By Mr. BROWN: Are there many farmers in your district who are not member of the Co-operative Society?—Yes.

2227. Take Dowerin as the centre?—I suggest that there are 100 wheat growers in the district and of these about 60 would be members.

2228. Previous to the Westralian Farmer's monopoly, were there many acquiring agents operating in Dowerin?—Yes.

2229. All the mercantile firms?—Yes.

2230. Were any of the men employed in past years by the mercantile firms, employed this year by your co-operative society?—Yes. Half of the receiving agents previously employed were, I believe, receiving for us on this occasion.

2231. The mercantile firms had the same men in past years as your firm has to-day?—Yes. Three of their head men in Dowerin were amongst our men.

2232. How many bags were stacked in Dowerin this year?—This is the worst year Dowering has ever known. I believe that only about 35,000 bags were stacked. This was chiefly on account of rust in the district. We also have a siding on either side of the line from Dowerin where wheat is stacked. Altogether, including these sidings, there would not be more than between 50,000 and 60,000 bags.

2233. Is the wheat all delivered to the depôts?—Yes.

2234. Your society is acting as sub-agent for the Westralian Farmers?—Yes.

2235. What is your society getting for the services per bag?—I believe the rate is fixed by the Scheme. It varies in accordance with the services that are rendered.

2236. Could your society in that area deal direct with the Scheme without working for the Westralian Farmers?—I do not think that would be desirable.