on the wheat, whereas if the co-operative societies handled the wheat the farmers would get the benefit.

6546. You think the co-operative societies should be employed direct from the Scheme?—Yes.

6547. Were the stacks you mentioned left uncovered for long?—Long enough for 7 inches of rain to fall on the wheat.

6548. Did the private agents see that the wheat was covered?—They were bound to cover it. Last season this was not done and the result was detrimental to the wheat. The Westralian Farmers were not bound to cover the stack. The wheat was dumped down with the idea that it would be removed to the depôts as quickly as possible.

6549. You think the acquiring agents should be responsible for covering the wheat?—Yes. A mistake was made in previous years when there were several acquiring agents. The covering was left rather late and much damage resulted to the stacks.

6550. Are you aware that the Scheme was responsible for covering last year?—Yes. If this work is left to the Westralian Farmers again a clause should be inserted in the agreement allowing the farmers, if dissatisfied, to send their wheat to the depôts for docking. It would go through the same receiving agents, but the weight and the dockage could be dealt with by the officials of the Scheme.

6551. The farmer can now see his wheat weighed on the scales at the sidings?—Yes, if he could afford the time to do so. It is the custom to rely on the sub-agents to see that all this is correct.

6552. There would be the same class of men handling the wheat at the depots?—There are officials at the depots who have no personal interest in the wheat. Some of the acquiring agents, or their sub-agents, may have friends at the sidings and allow their wheat to pass through without any dockages, but will make dockages in the case of others whom they dislike.

6553. By Hon. J. F. ALLEN: A small depôt at your siding would not help you?—No. The reason why anomalies exist is owing to the under-payment of the sub-agent. By the time the amount which is paid is divided between the Westralian Farmers, and the co-operative and their contractor, there is not much to go round, and those concerned have to make the business pay by hook or by crook.

6554. By the CHAIRMAN: Are you a member of a co-operative society?—No.

6555. Do you think that members of co-operative societies get better treatment than others?—I may think so, but may have no evidence to prove it. An influential member of a co-operative society might secure better treatment than another individual, but it is difficult to prove cases of that kind.

6556. By Mr BROWN: Has this year's agent at your siding been employed by any private firm previously?—He was employed by Dreyfus for one season, and that first time he ever acted as acquiring agent. With regard to damaged wheat, by having it sent to the depôts disease is almost unavoidable, and the continued carting from every siding brings the weevil along.

6557. By the CHAIRMAN: Then there is the loss of wheat through damage by wet?—Yes. There could be erected small places at each siding which could be utilised later on for the storage of chaff, for instance. A farmer might be glad to pay 5s. a ton for the use of such accommodation. The wheat itself would pay for the construction of such small sheds.

6558. By Mr BROWN: They could also be used in normal times when there were no trucks available?—Yes.

(The witness retired.)

The Commission adjourned.