7105. By Hon. J. F. ALLEN : The offer of the Westralian Farmers Ltd. to acquire the 1917-18 harvest was arrived at in October of 1917 after a good deal of tendering and cross-tendering, and ultimately the Westralian Farmers Ltd. acquired it in October?—I think that was so.

7106. Are the Westralian Farmers Ltd. in a better position to handle the harvest this year?—I should say so.

7107. Consequently, if there was time enough last year without an organisation behind them to make all the arrangements for handling the harvest in time, is there any necessity for them to be advised a month or more earlier this year than last year that their services are going to be used in that direction?—It is not necessary for them to be advised, but it is necessary for the Government to know now who will be appointed for the next year. If they are not going to be held up by the Westralian Farmers or any other agent as to terms and price, if the Westralian Farmers ask now unreasonable terms, the Government should be prepared by the threat of their own organisation or some other organisation to be able to insist on not paying an unreasonable rate for services.

7108. I notice the thing was not really finalised until November, 1917, to the Westralian Farmers, that is practically two months later than the present date. Why is there such great urgency to settle the matter now, when the Commission is sitting, when last year it was settled two months later. Did you find great difficulty last year in having delayed so long?—Last year there was competitive organisations in the field, and we could say to one "That is unreasonable. We will not employ you." This year when there is only one organisation in the field, unless the Government know whether the terms on which the Westralian Farmers are prepared to handle are reasonable or not, and know it now, they are absolutely in the hands of the Westralian Farmers, because no one else will be able to get their organisation ready in time to handle the coming harvest.

7109. Is it in the mind of the board to consider the other acquiring agents as far as your position as secretary goes?—Yes, if their recommendation is not agreed to as to similar services at reasonable rates and under the conditions that the board have previously recommended.

7110. By the CHAIRMAN : But there were five of six firms in July last, were there not, and you suggested just now there is only one this year. But there were five or six in July last who could carry on the work, and they were asked to quote?—Certain firms, but not necessarily organisations, were in existence. As a fact they were not; why the firms were asked early was so that they could submit a quote and if necessary build up an organisation between August and December.

7111. By Hon. J. F. ALLEN ; If your board still desire to consider the old acquiring agents as a possible factor, why did they not protest against the Government deciding to withdraw the request for tenders from them?—I do not know.

7112. They did not express an opinion at the board meeting that you as secretary could record on the matter?—No.

(The witness retired.)

The Commission adjourned.

FRIDAY, 6th SEPTEMBER, 1918. (At Perth.)

Present: Hon. W. C. Angwin, M.L.A. (Chairman). Hon. J. F. Allen, M.L.C. | Hon. R. G. Ardagh, M.L.C.

LEWIS RICHARD MACGREGOR, Chief of the Wheat Staff on the Westralian Farmers, Limited, recalled:

7113. By the CHAIRMAN : Have you prepared a list of the sites which are not suitable for stacking wheat upon?—yes. I thought I might be permitted also to make certain suggestions in regard to the prevention of wheat pests. The position is so serious that it would justify the introduction of a special measure before Parliament to deal with the steps which are immediately necessary in order to cope with it. I suggest in the first instance that in view of the fact that the Railway Department have a certain amount of say in connection with this matter, the Minister for Agriculture, the Minister for Railways, and the Wheat Pool would require to be unified. All the officials of these three different departments would be required to toe the line, and if any of them occupy a position which would make that difficult, the necessary clauses to provide for that would have to be introduced. Starting from the importation of bags, all care would be necessary on the wharf to see that the bags were not put into a weevil-infested shed. Fumigation of the bags would probably be advisable. Sufficient trucks to take the bags to their destination would also required to be disinfected. The farmer should be warned under penalty for non-observance that on no account should bags be stored in sheds. Practically all farmers' sheds are weevil infested. I have seen a good many parcels of surplus seed wheat, of which many are infected. The bags should be put out into clean paddocks, on dunnage which has not been used before. The old wheat on hand should be delivered by the 30 November, and weevil-infected wheat should be accepted prior to that date without a dock, and the fact that it will be so accepted should be advertised. There should be a penalty attached to the delivery of any old season's wheat after that date or during the coming harvest. Farmers' machines, wagons, and carts should be thoroughly disinfected, and all old dunnage in farmers' paddocks should be burnt. Farmers should be asked to stand their wheat while the bags are awaiting sewing on entirely new ground, that is, in a different portion of their field from last season. Farmers should with their first delivery produce a certificate certifying that they have complied with these regulations. The Industries Assistance Board inspectors could be constituted inspectors within the meaning of the Act. In districts where there are no Industries Assistance Board inspectors, the local co-operative secretary or the local agent of a co-operative society might be constituted an inspector. No wheat should be accepted unless such a certificate has been submitted with the first delivery. All ols stacks at present at country sidings should be delivered to mills