Wheat (1) - Part 4

Image 335
image 36 of 50

This transcription is complete

G. L. Sutton (chairman), T. E. Field, J. D. Hammond, and A. F. Pearse. In order that this board may be of real service to the Government on matters submitted to them by the Minister. I desire that the member should be kept informed of every thing happening in connection with the Scheme, and that detailed returns on all matters affecting the Scheme in the State, and the operations of the Australian Wheat Board, be regularly and promptly supplied. I wish you to specially apply your attention to the management of the technical side of the wheat marketing business, and see that all details of any arrangements made with Government agents, either acquiring, shipping, milling, or otherwise, be efficiently and economically performed, subject, of course, to all matters of importance being under Ministerial direction.

7070. That covers the ground so far as Mr. Keys was concerned on his appointment. But you have been secretary of this body for some years. I want to know what are the actual functions of the board, not as Mr. Keys was given to understand them, but as you, as secretary, were given to understand them in your official capacity. For instance, should questions of policy as to the operations of he Scheme be submitted to your board, as you understand its functions, before any decision was arrived at?—It is rather difficult to know what is meant by "policy."

7071. I will give you a specific instance, the handling of the incoming harvest, whether it should be done by the Government, or by the Westralian Farmers, Ltd., or by any other acquiring agent. Is that question which your board should consider, or a question which should be decided without the consideration of the board?—It should be considered by the board, and a recommendation made by the board. But I do not think it ever happens that a board makes a recommendation contrary to the declared policy of the particular Government in power at the time.

7072. What necessary for a board, then?—When I say the declared policy, I mean political policy; not necessarily the commercial policy connected with the Scheme.

7073. By Hon J. F. ALLEN: Have the various steps in the present negotiations as to the handling of the incoming harvest been regularly considered by your board, or has the board been advised by the Minister of what was being done? Has the board 's advice been asked, or has the board been told what has been done?—I take it that when matters are put before the board, that is tantamount to seeking the board's advice; and that advice is disclosed in the minutes. The different subjects which have been submitted to the board are disclosed in the minute book.

7074. Please take the minute book, and on the 27th June last you will find the matter of the 1918-19 harvest dealt with by your board, and a certain recommendation made. As far as I can see, that is the first occasion of the board's meeting when this question came before it? — According to my index, it is the first occasion.

7075. And again on the 11th July, the matter was considered — Yes.

7076. And again on the 18th July, the 1st August the 15th August, and the 29th August?—Yes. At almost each consecutive meeting.

7077. Do your board's records show completely the various steps which have been taken by the Government in this matter of the acquiring of the harvest?—No.

7078. Was any decision arrived at in this matter consulted?—Not that I know of.

7079. For instance, the decision to withdraw the request for tenders from the old acquiring agent, Was that matter consider by your board before you were advised by the Minister that the request had been withdrawn?—No.

7080. Will you find for me, in your minute book where your board considered the proposal to withdraw those applications for tenders?—The board did not consider the question of withdrawing the applications for tenders.

7081. That means the Minister decided to withdraw the applications without the matter having been discussed by your board?—Not necessarily.

7082. But the minutes do not record that the matter was discussed?—The Minister may not necessarily have made the decision.

7083. But it has been decided to withdraw those applications for tenders?— Yes.

7084. Well, by whom has that been done?— It was done by the Government, by Cabinet, I understand, on receipt of certain correspondence from this Commission.

7085. Is that the only reason you know of why the applications were withdrawn?— I cannot presume to give a reason for what may be actuating— 7086. I am speaking of what you know. Is that the only reason you know of why the applications for tender were withdrawn?— I do not know that was the reason. I do not know any reason why the applications were withdrawn.

7087. But, as far as the official records show, your board never in any way considered whether tenders should, or should not, be received on the specified date?— No

7088. Consequently, the decision to go back to the position of employing the Westralian Farmers for the work was a decision outside of the advice of your board?— If it were a decision at all.

7089. I notice by your minutes that it is a decision?— No, Sir. The decision was to employ the Westralian Farmers on certain conditions at certain rates.

7090. On the 15th August the Minister reported that the Westralian Farmers had submitted a comprehensive proposal direct to the Premier for all the handling of the 1918-19 harvest, but that it had not been considered; and the board decided that no further action be taken for the present. Those are the exact words or the minutes. Then, on the 29th August your board recommended, in a minute read by Mr. Angwin already this morning, that the offer of the Westralian Farmers be accepted?— No, Sir.

7091. That is, if the Westralian Farmers sent a certain letter their offers should be accepted?— Yes.

7092. So that there is no record at all on your minutes of what was done with regard to the old acquiring agents being asked to tender?— Not on the records of the board, no

7093. I take it that minute book is a correct record of the board's proceedings?— Yes.

7094. Consequently, anything not on those records is not an action of the board?— That is so.

7095. So that, since the withdrawal of the applications for tenders does not appear on those records that was done entirely by the Cabinet or by the Minister, seeing it has been done outside the advice of your board?— What has been done has been done without the board.

7096. By the CHAIRMAN: You promised a return of the quantity of flour sold by Mr. Forrest, of Bunbury, to the Scheme the price paid?— Yes, I will look it up . Does that refer from the start?.

7097. Since you have been supplying it at 4s. 9d. a bushel?— Really as from the 3rd November last year, for the sake of comparison.

7098. Mr BROWN: Yes.

7099. By the CHAIRMAN: In regard to the reason given for not building sheds at sidings, have you that information?— I have not got it yet.

7100. And the quantity of wheat at present stacked at siding outside the depots?— I have got that as far as 1916-17 is concerned. The wheat on hand on 11th July, 1918, shows that the quantity at the siding was 605,135 bags. and at the ports 904,181 bags.

7101. By Mr. HARRISON: Some of the sidings have been cleared up since then?— Yes, but these are our latest figures that I could obtain yesterday. If you give me a day or two I will get the further information.

7102. By the CHAIRMAN: The amount you are paying for leasing land at Spencer's Brook?— It is £25 per annum on a five year's lease

7103. You were also questioned yesterday as to how much British wheat there is in the State?— I have not that yet.

7104. After the Minister got his officers and one other member of the Board to carry that resolution last week to let the tender to the Westralian Farmers Ltd for 1918-19 under certain conditions, is it true that he is in conference fixing the agreement today?— I do not know.