Wheat (1) - Part 2

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2524. By the CHAIRMAN: I notice that the Works Department has been notified that the Scheme will provide Mr. Pearse's salary during his visit East on Wheat Scheme matters, and the preliminary expenses in regard to the survey of silo sites, in the latter respect up to £250. Then in your opinion the Scheme should have nothing to do with bulk handling?—The Scheme is bound by an Act of Parliament, and if I, as an auditor, came across that, it is one of the things I would report upon, because it would have to be done outside their powers. 2525. By Hon. J. F. ALLEN: As an auditor you would see that no expenditure was incurred outside the Act?—Absolutely. 2526. You have read the Act?—I have. 2527. Can you find any authority for the erection of sheds?—None whatever, and as they have no power to erect they have no power to make inquiries to erect. 2528. By Mr. BROWN: Have they power to charge for erection?—If you put up sheds under any authority, such as the bulk handling authority, and if you want to use the sheds you must pay rent, but the bulk handling board would be foolish to go on erecting sheds unless they knew they would be used when erected. Assume that you were the bulk handling board and I am the Wheat Scheme; I see you putting up sheds, and I say if you put them up I might say they are no use to me, and when they are erected I would be in the position of being able to dictate to you as regards terms and rent. 2529. By the CHAIRMAN: The real position as to cost must be ascertained?—And the rent fixed upon and agreed upon. 2530. Supposing there is an executive board appointed on somewhat similar lines to which you refer. Would it not be possible for that board to take full control in appointing their own sub-agents through out the State without the existence of a middleman such as the Westralian Farmers, Ltd.?—My association has a strong objection to a board being appointed by any one person, but only by the growers. and when they are appointed, if they are going to eliminate the Westralian Farmers in Perth and deal with sub agents they have to create a department to do the work which the Westralian Farmers are doing. They are controlling 70 co-operative societies; they are checking statements, issuing certificates, and doing the correspondence, and carrying on dealings with these societies themselves. 2531. That would be the same as one firm acting as a town office?—Yes. All that machinery has been built up. If you say to the Westralian Farmers "We will close you down," you would have to find fresh premises and a fresh staff. 2532. Or the staff that the Pool has a already drawn together?—The staff the Pool has drawn together is absolutely no use. It is doing no useful work to the farmers. They are a good, well-intentioned civil service. 2533. By Hon. J. F. ALLEN: If the Government handed over to the Westralian Farmers, that would be sufficient?—With certain modifications. Supposing we are the directors of the Westralian Farmers Wheat Department, is Mr. Taylor or Mr. Murray to run over us, and supposing we called for certain returns and did not get them. We should get rid of Mr. Taylor or Mr. Murray. 2534. One body is sufficient to do the lot?—Yes, I hear that it is costing £14,000 a year to do the work in the Government department. If there was an executive board of five, and suppose you paid them £500 a year each; that would be £2,500 and the general manager at £1,000. That would be £3,500 a year as against £14,000. It is all pence saved. Although I believe that we have not been as badly hit as they have in South Australia. Someone asked me if I had read the South Australian report, because they have been getting suits of clothes and so on at the expense of the board. Here there has been a trip or two to the other States. 2535. By Mr. HARRISON: That is the reason you object to the duplication of the work?—The duplication of work which I saw in the public service would not be tolerated in any commercial house for any time , and it seems that it cannot be eliminated. 2536. By the CHAIRMAN: The administration of the Scheme in Western Australia has cost less than in the other States?—It has had more criticism. It is, perhaps, because we have been putting them right. 2537. If an executive board was appointed they ought to have an efficient staff?—They have it, the Westralian Farmers. What is the use of preparing all the certificates at the Westralian Farmers office and doing all the work to go to the Wheat Board office and be duplicated there? 2537a. Or in other words, if the Pool is to continue their officers and can eliminate the cost now being caused by the Westralian Farmers the duplication of the work is unnecessary?—Yes, but if the Westralian Farmers' work is cut out it will cost 50 per cent. to 100 per cent. more, and I say that from my experience of the Government service. (The witness retired.) The Commission adjourned.