N.S.W. WHEAT "GRAB."

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 58, 11 March 1915, Page 6

N.S.W. WHEAT "GRAB."

POLITICAL CORRUPTION RUMORS » United Pbebs Asbooiation. Sydney, March 10. At the Wheat Inquiry Mr Campbell, secretary of the Farmers' and Settlers' Association gave evidence that he had frequently heard rumors in* the grain trade that bribery had been employed to secure the passage of the Bill. One rumor was tha Mr Holmau had re■rumor was that Mr Holman had received £6OOO. Witness carefully explained that he had not believed the rumor. The Commissioner insisting, Campbell supplied the name of the person who had mentioned Mr Holman. The witness added that it was taid that Sydney millers had made a big contribution to get the Bill passed, and that a lot of money had been distributed among members of Parliament.

Nicholas Mutton, a commission agent, gave evidence of securing the services of a solicitor, Drew, to fight the question of cancellation of contracts. He had agreed to pay him £SOO, but paid £3OO. He denied the allegations that he was asking the farmers to'subscribe the solicitor's expenses. He made it clear a large sum would be necessary to purchase legislation by corruption and bribery, and that politicians could be bought.

SAVING £1,253,060 A YEAR;

Mr D. R. Hall, Attorney-General, in New South Wales, has declared that the action of the Government, after fixing the price whereby the farmer receives more for his wheat than he has for many years past, while the people are paying a comparatively small price for bread is the means by which a saving of £1,253,000 annually can be made.

"In Victoria," Mr Hall added, "wheat is 8s 3d a bushel, and bread' is lOd a loaf in the outer sxiburbs. The genuine farmer is not benefiting to any appreciable extent, and the ordinary consumer is paying heavily- The persons, who are making all the profits are the speculators, and although they have never actually handled the wheat they bought early, and are now refusing to sell unless at an extortionate price. Had not effective legislation been introduced in this State similar results would agcri\e here,. This bears out the opinion recently given by Mr Piddington, who pointed out that there are 'Shylocks' in every community, who seize all opportunities of getting their 'pound of flesh.' " . t