§ 8. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has official information regarding the Wheat Marketing Bill introduced into the Australian Parliament by the Federal Minister of Markets and Transport; and, if so, whether he is prepared to make any statement on the subject?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMMy information is that the Australian Wheat Marketing Bill, which has been read a second time, provides for an Australian Wheat Board, whose establishment will be conditional 2701 on the establishment of separate State Boards in each of at least three States of the Commonwealth, and that, this Central Board shall control supplies and transfers between States as well as export and distribution and sale after export. It is intended that the Central Board shall operate under the terms of an agreement to be entered into with the States, and the draft of such an agreement provides for a guaranteed price to the grower of 4s. per bushel at country siding, equivalent to 4s. 8d. at the port, the guarantee being limited to next season with a proviso that some guarantee for the following seasons may be arranged. The expense or loss sustained is to be borne by the Commonwealth and the States. I understand that growers have been promised that they will have an opportunity of approving the proposals by referendum before the Act is put into force.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the right hon. Gentleman watching this interesting development with a view to our having a corresponding organisation in this country?
§ Mr. GRAHAMI cannot say anything about the corresponding organisation, but I can say that I am interested in the matter and I have studied it, as shown in the very detailed reply which I have given.