CONFUSION AND MUDDLE

Waikato Times, Volume 92, Issue 14262, 13 January 1920, Page 6

CONFUSION AND MUDDLE

IN AUSTRALIAN WHEAT OFFICE. THE ADMINISTRATION CONDEMNED. (United Press Association.) SYDNEY, Jan. 12. The report of the Wheat Commission deals only with the administration of the State Wheat Office. Other matters are still in abeyance owing to hte illness of Gcorgeson. In the aggregate the report is a severe condemnation of the confusion and muddle which prevailed in the wheat office until practically the. beginning of 1919? His Honor found that there had been heavy losses both in wheat and money, but at present it was impossible to estimate the loss in wheat. He severely condemns the failure to appreciate Hie seriousness of the mouse plague until extensive damage was done and comes to the conclusion that with the belief that the handling of the wheat would not last more than a year, the office was not adequately staffed with experienced men and they became overwhelmed with the magnitude of the business which ultimately confronted them. He also reported that certain persons appeared to have conspired to defraud the office in connection with contracts for supplies.