CO129-590-11 Commission of Enquiry into irregularities in Immigration Departments 22-4-1941 - 19-12-1941 — Page 154

Kr. Forrest:

Yes.

66 30.

157

Chairman: At no time, either before this or afterwards, did you aXKE make any report on this agreement until it had been executed and was, so far as the parties to it were concerned, in oporation? I did not mention it until occasion arose, when I think it was Mr. Tudney who first questioned ite existence officially and I at once, as far as I remember, took Captain Kobza with me and visited Ar. Fudney in order that Captain Kobza might himself explain certain things which Kr. Pudney had questioned. If there was no formal report of the existence of the general agency, on the other hand no attempt was nedo or could be ado to keep its existence a secret.

A.

That is hardly an explanation,is it? Because its existence does not begin until the agreement has been signed and has been brought into being. Still, that 1a by the way. Have you ever in any of the other offices that you have held during your 21

years' service thought of entering into any such agreement 7

–

10. The conditions have been so very different.

Have you ever heard of any of your brother offloors who have been parties to agrocents such as this, agreements entered into without muthority, without consultation with Government,

without the assistance of the Grom law officeret

Hot offhand.

I cannot say. In minor things it is quite possible that there are such cases, I would have to think. Perhaps you will, and let me know if any much cases occur to KOU. In th caree of your memorandum you have told us that you opened in the early days three branch offices, at Yaunati, Leighton Hill Road and the Depot, and those were not great Successes, Did it over occur to you that, although they had failed, you might open a branch office, any where the general agency now is, and so keep the work in your own hands and under

your own direct control?

Even that short distance would have rande direct control

impossible.

You mean in the hands of officers of the Depart- ment? It did not occur to me becmuse I had alr:ady had places