Mr McMAHON - For at least four months, some of the best officers in my department have been making an investigation as to whether a cartel was operating at the Australian wool sales. I had heard charges made from one source and another Not one of those sources has given me any verifiable evidence on which action could proceed. If the. honorable gentleman himself, or if the honorable member for Lalor has any evidence that can be substantiated, I will be the happiest person in the world to have it investigated..

From the inquiries that ! have made, I cannot find reliable evidence - indeed, I cannot find any sort of evidence - from which I could conclude that a cartel is permanently operating in Australia and is such that action could be taken by the State governments. If the honorable member for Lalor, who is interjecting, has any evidence, he should give it to me;- be should not make allegations and then sit down and do nothing. Not for one moment am I prepared to say that what are called pies do not operate. They probably do operate, but if they do they are of very short duration. There are some people, including those high up in the wool industry, who think that the operation of a pie can avoid violent fluctuations in the market.