CO129-590-11 Commission of Enquiry into irregularities in Immigration Departments 22-4-1941 - 19-12-1941 — Page 132

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umber of the most desirable men, desirable in other respucts.

At

135

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that time I had no knowledge of the extent to which it would be necess-

ary for them to accept money. I did not anticipate it would be as great

as it has shown itself to be. They have had to handle as much as $25,000

at a time, but I was referring at that time to my out-door staff in ganeral, to my assistant 1.0. in particular, who as I say, were selected as being people of a high social an educational standard.

when you realised that it was unfortunately nocosuary if ships were to be cleared promptly that they should have to handle at times a very large sun, did you take any steps to get approval from Government to

their remaining unsecured?

remove this handling cash.

No, on the contrary, I took steps to ra

Has there been any cash handled since the n?

Very occasionally I believe.

Quoting from memory I believe there is in

existence one of the many instructions to staff which I have issued from

time to time in which I gave express orders that cash was not to be accepted. That was after I became aware of me of the difficulties,

especially in the way of accepting forged money.

And what alternatives did you leave open to the public?

That is explained at great length in a minute which I cannot quote just

now I think I put it in my memorandum just now.

You mean regarding the money changert

Yes - also where tae shipping companies themselves took money from the

passengers, issuing to them transferable deposit receipts.

That is so far as one shipping company - ent?

Another shipping company had a variation of this theme. They issued to

their passengers non-transferable deposit receipts. The system was not

very satisfactory. There seemed to be no difficulty in connection with those non-transferable receipts, but I could see it being very awkward

for enforcement of the bond and therefore I did not encourage it.

So instead of the cash deposit system you had either of two systems -

either the shipping company concerned co-operated or the assistance of

a money changer was obtained?

A.

Yes.