mate cost? — The cost of construction is estimated as being 2d. in excess of new South Wales because of our geographical position and freight. The bulk storage silos are estimated at about 1s. 2d. a bushel. 1029. Our present method is not only in regard to the cost of jutes , the depreciation , the loss of grain , but there is also the increase in labour conditions , handling and bagging? — The handling cost of bagged grain is in excess of that for bulk grain , because you cannot shift bagged grain without the bags becoming damaged. It has been estimated by millers who have been operating bulk grain is about one-fifth of bag grain. 1030. It also saves the re-conditioning costs of re-bagged grain? — Yes. There is no question as to handling bulk grain being cheaper than bagged grain 1031. The more you inquire into it the more you are in favour of bulk handling ? — Yes. 1032. By Hon. J. F. ALLEN: Did you notice a statement by Dr.Duval in relation to difficulties of insuring cargoes of wheat in bulk from the western coast of America to European ports?— Did that not apply to the time when they had to send the cargoes round Cape Horn? 1033. Yes. Our wheat would have to go round the Cape? — We raised the question of insurance and came to the conclusion that there would be no difference. 1034. I notice in a report of the Advisory Committee on bulk handling that you gave a list of ships and companies prepared to carry in bulk , and also some which were not. Had you made any inquiries at that time in regard to insurance ? — I think I did . I found that we need not anticipate any difficulty. Other people made inquiries , for instance the agent General for New South Wales. 1035. Do you favour a uniform f.a.q standard for Australia as against the present system?— I think we should have some uniformity , but I do not know how far that is practicable. It is unfair that , if we have wheat here which is superior to that of the Eastern States , it should be valued at the same rate as that of the East. 1036. Do you think this State has suffered through not having had that in the past few years? — We have not , but we might in the next few years, when more inquiry will be made in connection with our wheat. I believe that when the war is over it will be found that our past methods will not be regarded as satisfactory . Great attention is being paid to our wheat. It is becoming weevily on the way home and the f.a.q. standard is not altogether satisfactory and that will lead to conditions which will influence the adoption of a better system.I am sure another system will be forced on us. 1037. After they troubled with weevil in Canada?— Yes, but probably not to the same extent as we are because they have not the high temperatures that we have. 1038. Have you ever heard of trouble in connection with weevil so far as timber silos are concerned? — No. Dr. Duval has pointed out that when weevil becomes troublesome they shift the wheat — they keep moving it about. 1039.That can be done with silos of timber or concrete? — Yes. 1040. When the advisory committee on bulk handling was sitting , were the Committee instructed to draft that report or were you instructed to do so ? — Our duties were finished when we handed in our report. Mr.Johnson , who was Minister , called the committee together again and supplemented the personnel by appointing the Engineer-in-Chief , who at that time had just returned from abroad. (The witness retired) The commission adjourned.