The Royal Commission on Food Supplies and on Trade and Industry During the War was established by Letters Patent on 31 August 1914. The Hon Alfred Deakin was appointed Chairman, the Commissioners were Hon Dugald Thomson MP and G H Knibbs, Commonwealth Statistician. 36 meetings were held. The terms of reference were "to inquire into and from time to time report upon the supply of foodstuffs and other necessaries of life required by and available for, the people of Australia during the war, and from time to time to report upon the amounts of such foodstuffs, available, or likely to be available, for export, having regard to the requirements of Australia and also to report upon any matters relating to conditions of trade and industry arising out of the war which, in your opinion, should be brought under the attention of His Excellency's advisers".
 
A report was submitted by the Commissioners on 30 October 1914 in which they summarised their recommendations to date. These recommendations had previously been submitted individually as occasion arose. At the end of the report they reiterated their three main recommendations:
 
 1) international clearing house;
 2) searching enemy's vessels for guns in neutral ports; and
 3) action on the lines of the British Board of Trade.
 
In the report a survey was made of the crops and the quantities. It was suggested that alternative crops should be grown for home consumption releasing more wheat for export, and that wheat for export should be restricted to the United Kingdom. There was a fear that crops would go to the enemy by indirect channels (proclamation Gazette 23 September 1914).  

As regarded goods previously imported by the enemy, the extension and stimulation of local industry was recommended. The Chamber of Manufacturers reported that commodities produced by, and raw materials required for, goods previously imported from enemy countries could be obtained elsewhere though at increased cost. The Commission recommended suspension of patents on goods manufactured by the enemy subject to the goods being produced for the good of Australia.
 
It was recommended that:
 
(a) permanently forfeited ships of the enemy in Australia, ie those
    captured beyond the three mile limit, should be used for
    transport in view of shortage due to withdrawal of the German
    mercantile marine; 
(b) there should be an International Clearing House "the enemy's
    liability to, and indebtedness to the enemy by, all portions and
    subjects of the Empire may be brought if possible into the one
    clearing house;"
(c) ships held by the Prize Court should be held as surety for the
    debts of the enemy;
(d) neutral Governments should search German mercantile vessels for
    guns; 
(e) a Board of Trade be established on the lines of the British Board
    of Trade to keep in close touch with bodies representing traders,
    manufacturers and producers; and
(f) the Commission was an advisory board, its function being to
    obtain material, facts and, statistical evidence from the
    Commonwealth Statistican on these matters and to submit, when
    necessary, appropriate recommendations for action based on the
    results of their inquiry.
 
Closer liaison was sought by the Commission with the Ministers to implement the recommendations of the Commission, "it is considered by the Commission that any proposed recision or amendment by the Government of a proclamation made on the recommendation of the Commission should whenever possible, be intimated to the latter, so that it may place before the Government evidence as to whether the original proclamation should be adhered to, or whether circumstances had so changed as to justify amendment." It was suggested that a member of the Government should act as a link between the Cabinet and the Commission.
 
The Memoranda in which this was set down, led to a letter from the Minister of Home Affairs, H Mahan, thanking the Commission for their services and stating that the investigations of the Commission could be done by the Departments involved.
 
The Commission resigned on 20 November 1914 (Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, No 97, 5 December 1914, p 2607).
 

Sources
 
 Parliamentary Papers 1914/17 Vol V, pp143-186
 Correspondence 1914/17 Vol V, pp187-192
 Borchardt, Checklist of Royal Commissions pp24-25
 
Acts
 
Trading with the Enemy Act No 1 1914, Acts 1914/15, p 9
 No 2, 1914, Acts 1914/15, p 44
Enemy Contracts Annulment Act No 11 1915, Acts 1914/17, p 105
Historical agency address
Melbourne
Legislation administered
Letters Patent issued 31 August 1914
Commonwealth of Australia Act No.12 of 1902, Royal Commissions Act 1902-1912