CO129-590-11 Commission of Enquiry into irregularities in Immigration Departments 22-4-1941 - 19-12-1941 — Page 116

28

119

of my newly acquired staff; its subordinate officers seemed reluct-

ant to explain their methods to my examining officers, and there

was constant wrangling over the use of launches. The last feature

has come to a head in a deputaental inquiry which is, I believe,

now proceeding. Whatever be the reason, whether the passing from their hands of pa sport control was felt as a loss of prestige, or because they were the selves, as is quite probable, embrassed by the increased de ends for use of their launches, there is little

tiut can be said for the attitude tusen.

arr

Still less can be said of the co-operation of the Treasury.

I was so fur from unwilling to accept guidance on methods of

accounting tit frequently before my official appointment, and

almost daily after the opening of the office, i was in contact with

one or other of t.. senior officers of that department; there are

still in existence account books of a form devised by then, and I

gratefully acknowledge ar. Burton's assistance in lending more

suitable furniture for my shrofis. Mr. Fudney paid fairly frequent

visits to my office, and was well aware of the harassing conditions

under which i was working; when it was apparent to him that all

was not well, helpful advice, let alone concrete help, simply ceased. There is no hint in his reports which have been brought

before this Comission of his knowledge of the almost insufferable

conditions of my work; he indeed recommended that ledgers and

other books should be kept, but though he himself was the officer

ultimately responsible for proper keeping of Governent accounts,

I cannot find tt he ever represented to Government in aid of my

own requests the urgent need of a trained accountant to put my

accountancy into order wich, us he was well aware, i bud neither

time nur staff to do myself. He did not offer to lend, nor regret

his inability to lend, such an officer from his own department, nor suggest to me a suitable person to be engaged for the purpose, though I may presume he was better qualified to recommend an

accountant than i wub, The only suggestion bearing on this problem

emanating from tik Treasury was made on about 15th January, 1941

when he recomended tht Mr.A.J.0.Taylor, transferred to my

department as an A.1.0., should be called in to put my accounts in