acter?—Mr. Keys' opinion is that it is far more thorough than any business audit that he has ever had to do with. 1568. You think that in the in the interests of farmers in the Scheme a public audit is more beneficial than a private audit?—It is as efficient. 1569. You think there is nothing to be gained by having an independent audit?— I do not think so. We do not mind what sort of audit it is so long as it is a fair audit. Everything is there for anyone to investigate. The officers would have no objection. 1570. So far as you know there is no reason why there should not be an outside audit made apart from the fact that the Government are responsible for the money guaranteed ?— We have no objection to an outside audit. 1571. By Hon. J. F. ALLLEN: Only on the score of expense? — Yes, and so long as it confined to an audit. 1572. By the CHAIRMAN : With regard to the system of dockages instituted this year, was this the result of an order made by the board, or was the matter left entirely to the sub-agents or acquiring agents? — As the general manager was in control of the Scheme from the 3rd December, I prefer that he should answer this question, as he is in a better position to give you expert information upon any follow-up questions you might care to ask. 1573. This is not a question of expert information. You are secretary of the board, and communications have passed between you and the acquiring agents?—I only suggested that in connection with the follow-up questions. The system was instituted by the general manager and approved by the board. 1574. The acquiring agents did not fix it?—The acquiring agents asked for a scale of dockages to be fixed. The general manager fixed the scale, which was approved by the board and the Minister. My answer refers to this year only. 1575. That is when the complaints have been?—Quite so. 1576. Mr Hammond pointed out that the millers some time ago had received the amount of their equity—That is, dealing with final repayments for 1915-16 wheat—while the farmers have not received theirs yet. Is that so?— I answered that yesterday in referring to question 546 of Mr. Baxter's evidence. You will find it in my statement. 1577. The millers are still retaining, what?—About £29,000. 1578. In other words, the millers were not paid their amount of their equity, but they kept it?—That is so. They may have been outstanding in their accounts to that extent practically all through. 1579. In fact, the millers had for some considerable time been carrying on their business at the expense of the Pool?—Partially that is so yes. 1580. A complaint was made here by the poultry farmers, and we wish to know whether the system of handing over the control of damaged wheat to one agent has operated detrimentally to the poultry famers as regards to price?—The poultry farmers say yes, but Mr. Keys is of opinion that they are now paying a fair thing for what they are getting. There was a time, when we did not have control, that the poultry farmers were getting wheat practically for nothing. 1581. You do not think they are paying more than the value of the wheat?—Our instructions to our selling agents, Dalgety & Co., are that they should only charge a fair thing. 1582. If the poultry farms purchase wheat which poisons their poultry, would you consider they were paying above the value of the wheat?—Undoubtedly. 1583. You desire the agents to deal fairly as regards price?—Certainly. The basis is 4s. 9d. for f.a.q. wheat locally. 1584.And as regards inferior wheat?—Allowance is to be made accordingly. 1585. The poultry farmers who came before the Commission stated that experts had recommended them to use the best wheat obtainable in order to carry on their business successfully. Why are they not allowed to buy f.a.q. wheat from the Pool?—It has been the policy of the board right through that all wheat of f.a.q quality should be reserved for human consumption, that whilst there was inferior wheat considered quite good enough for poultry feeding and breeding and for the pigs and other stock, no f.a.q. wheat should be sold for those purposes.