2270. Do you not think there is more likelihood of delay occurring when a branch society has to communicate with someone else, say an acquiring agent, and then that agent has to apply to the Government before definite instruction can be given?▬ There should not be the necessity for all that. 2271. You think then that the branch society should communicate direct with the Pool?▬ Not in the way you suggest. We receive all our instructions from the acquiring agents. 2272. Suppose the agent wanted dunnage, he would have to write to the Westralian Farmers and the Westralian Farmers would have to write to the Pool. Do you not think you would be able to get quicker attention by writing direct to the Pool?▬ Not by my experience of any Government institution. 2273. But this is not a Government institution?▬ It is controlled, which means red-tape. 2274. This Scheme is controlled by a manager. Therefore, so far as dunnage is concerned or anything else, the Westralian Farmers might require, the manager of the Pool and no the Minister would be communicated with?▬ I suppose that is right, but in cases of that kind the Westralian Farmers would get an accurate list of every bit of dunnage at every siding in Western Australia, and they would also find out where they could lay their hand on every sheet of iron and everything in the form of covering. 2275. But if your society wanted dunnage?▬ They would not write to the Government to forward it. 2276. Would you be surprised to know that complaints were made by the Westralian Farmers, Ltd., in regard to supplying sleepers for dunnage and owing to some neglect they said they had to take it themselves?▬ I would not be surprised at anything that happened in connection with the Government department. 2277. Would you be surprised to know that the sleepers were sent in a considerable time before they were required for use?▬ That would not surprise me because it would be a natural thing to happen. If a wheat-receiving agent requires sleepers a month ahead, he should do his best to get them. In such a case he would have them for some time before he had the need or the opportunity to use them. 2278. You would not complain that the Government were neglectful in supplying dunnage under such conditions?▬ I do not know the cases to which you are alluding. The position might be clear to you because you have taken a lot of evidence on it, but it is not clear to me. 2279. You said it was regrettable that the Government sent inspectors in addition to the inspectors sent by the Westralian Farmers, and that those inspectors were not required. How do you make out that the Pool inspectors were not required?▬ I meant to convey the fact that there is no need for two inspectors in connection with the one line of action. The inspector of the Westralian Farmers inspect for the purpose of seeing tha the sub-agent is carrying out the terms of the contract. 2280. And the Government or Pool inspector is appointed to see that the Westralian Farmers, Ltd., are adhering to their contract?▬Yes. 2281. Therefore, if the Pool did not have the Westralian Farmers, Ltd., as middlemen, the one inspector would have done for both?▬I do not see where the need of a Government inspector comes in when the Government have an agreement which compels the Westralian Farmers, Ltd to complete certain conditions. 2282. You will admit that when a private agent had the work it was necessary that the Pool should have an inspector to see that the work was being carried out and that the wheat which was paid for was coming forward?▬In the days when the private agents had it I saw very little of the Government inspectors. 2283. It was found necessary before the Pool had been working a short time to appoint inspectors?▬Yes, but not to the extent that the Government have done on this occasion. 2284. You think that the Government should stand as guarantors for two or three millions of money without sending any persons to see that the interests of the State are protected?▬The Government advanced a certain amount of money to us as farmers, but they have no right to act as bailiffs. They take up the position of a mortgagee. When a bank accepts a mortgage over a property it does not take possession; it merely asks you to carry out certain conditions and if you comply with those conditions you will be treated as an honest individual. 2285. When an advance is made against a farming property the security is in sight. It is not so with wheat?▬I think it is. 2286. What about the damages?▬In most cases the damages have been the fault of the Pool. 2287. You say that any person sharing in a bonus of the Westralian Farmers, Ltd., becomes a shareholder in that organisation. How do you explain that?▬A person puts certain business through the company, the profit on which amounts to say £10. Bonus debentures are issued for that amount. The person receiving those debentures is entitled to claim 50 per cent. of their face value in cash, or he can convert them into shares of their full face value.