Wheat (1) - Part 2

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is a demand for it than it would be after the expense of getting it through Perth or Fremantle had been incurred ?▬I do not think so, unless it comes to the point when there is a quantity of wheat so spread about the stacks that would not be worth bagging. Such wheat might be given to the local farmer on condition that he cleaned up the site. If it is wheat, and not earth, it will fetch a better price in Perth than in the country.

4310. The stuff I saw at Doodlakine was being put into new bags ?▬The man who would do that does not know his business.

4311. Then there would be railway freight on such stuff, and the risk of its getting heated on the way down.This stuff I speak of was in such a condition that it would not be the slightest good when it reached Perth ?▬I did not see that particular consignment. It is possible the agent would follow the best course if he sold this locally.

4312. By the CHAIRMAN: It has been pointed out that Dalgety's agents are scattered. The nearest agent to Quairading is 40 miles away ?▬There is very little wheat sold in the country.

4313. You are of opinion that the best method is for one agent to sell inferior wheat ?▬Undoubtedly.

4314. And that wheat which is at all suitable should be sent to the proper market for sale ?▬It pays better to do that than to sell it locally.

4315. If in the opinion of the agent wheat is inferior and he thinks it would not pay to send it to market, he can send a sample to the Westralian Farmers, have a price fixed on it, and sell it locally at that price ?▬Yes.

4316. Could not instructions to that effect be sent to the Westralian Farmers ?▬We could write to that effect, but they know it already.

4317. Mr. Murray says they cannot do it ?▬No doubt if I made inquiries I would find that they have sent down parcels for appraisement. We only deal with the farmers as a whole. If we sold wheat ex Kellerberrin to farmers there, and it was below the price we could get for it in Perth, we would be committing a breach of faith with the shareholders of the Pool. We must do the best we can in the interests of all farmers. All must be treated alike.There are certain pick-up wheats which would be of higher value to the Pool if disposed of locally.

4318. You mean that it would deteriorate to such an extent in transit that a loss would be incurred ?▬That condition should only arise when the wheat on the ground was sodden. For the most part we were able to pick up our wheat in a dry condition. If a man is breaking down a stack and cleans it up as he goes, the bulk of the wheat should be picked up before it reaches the ground. Occasionally one must allow for a stacking site being flooded. According to Mr. Lockhart I charged a high price for inferior wheat in order to make the transaction look well. I would point out that an extra 6d. on the inferior wheat sold would not make any material difference to what the farmer would eventually get from the Pool. The prices we get for our inferior wheat are fair and reasonable. If Dalgety's were obtaining more than I thought they should for it, I would put a further supply on the market so as to regulate the price.

4319. By Hon. J. F. ALLEN: You think there is nothing in his contention that he is not getting a fair deal ?▬He is getting a fair deal. We fixed our f.a.q. price at 4s. 9d., whereas in past years it has been as low as 3s. 6d. and 3s. 8d. in Perth. There is therefore a margin of 1s. more on f.a.q. wheat, and a consequent margin on all classes of inferior wheat.

4320. By the CHAIRMAN: Could they not buy f.a.q. wheat for poultry ?▬No.

4321. It has been said that the poultry farmers preferred that ?▬Some of them might, but not the majority.

4322. By Hon. J. F. ALLEN: Can different grades of poultry wheat be purchased ?▬There is a quantity of first class wheat disposed of in the Perth yards.

4323. A man has to go to the Perth yards ?▬Dalgety's will submit a sample, but the buyer must take a truck lot.

4324. Mr. Duffell said that a truck lot had been consigned to him which he could not use ?▬In that case Dalgety's had passed on the order to Hatch Bros. If a man is trading with unreliable business people a thing like that will often happen.

4325. He said it was Dalgety's ?▬I cannot understand Dalgety's passing on business to Hatch Bros.

(The witness retired.)

The Commission adjourned.