Legislative Assembly Hansard 1949

Queensland Parliamentary Debates [Hansard] Legislative Assembly TUESDAY, 8 NOVEMBER 1949 Electronic reproduction of original hardcopy 1396 Questions. [ASSEMBLY.] Questions. TUESDAY, 8 NOVEMBER, 1949. (b) what freight was carried at special rates, and how much revenue did the Rail way Department receive therefrom 1 M~. SPEAKER (Hon. S. J. Brassington, Fortitude Valley) took the chair at 11 a.m. '' 2. What revenue would have been received, if the same quantity of freight had been carried and if the classification QUESTIONS. rates as shown in the Goods By-law had been charged thereon, for the same FINANCES OF QUEENSLAND-BRITISH FOOD period~'' CoRPORATION. Hon. J. E. DUGGAN (Toowoomba) Mr. NICKLIN (Murrumba-Leader of replied- the Opposition) asked the Acting Premier- '' 1. What are the following financial " I. (a) There were approximately 1,200 details .o~ the operations of the Queens special rates in operation. (b) A quarterly land-Bntrsh Food Corporation to 30 return of traffic conveyed at special rates September last, viz.:-(1) Expenditure on is received from all stations, and detailed capital assets, (2) working expenditure thereon are the commodity, station from (other than on capital assets), (3) total station to, special rate, and total tonnag~ expenditure, ( 4) total income from (a) thereat for the quarter. Traffic conveyed . grain crops (including amounts due on at special contract rates is included in this account of sales effected), (b) livestock, return. From these returns, tonnages are (c) other sources, and (d) total from all extracted in the Commissioner's office for sources including amounts due~ the separate commodities at the special '' 2. Considering the large amount of rates, ~ut no assessment of the freight State funds involved, why are details of charge IS made. The tonnages at special the accounts of this organisation not contract rates are omitted in this extrac included in the Auditor-General's report as tion. T'o prepare the information requested in the case of Commodity Boards under would entail extensive time and clerical the provisions of the Primary Producers' effort. Organisation and Marketing Acts~'' ' '2. Recourse would have to be made to the original documents at stations to deter Hon. V. C. GAIR (South Brisbane) mine the amount of revenue at the classi replied- fication rates as shown in the Goods '' 1. The first report of the Queensland By-law. It would necessitate multitudin British Food Corporation, including the ous calculations, extensive time, and cleri financial tables, were presented to Parlia cal effort.'' ment, as provided for in the Queensland British Ji'ood Production Act, on 2 August, 1949. The results of the Queens CARE OF TREES ON MAIN ROADS. land-British Food Corporation's activities since then will, in accordance with the Act, Mr. LOW (Cooroora): I desire to ask the be published after the close of the Cor Treasurer whether he has an answer to the poration's financial year at 31 March, 1950, following question, which I addressed to him and will in due course be presented to Par on 3 November- liament. '' In view of the fact that in recent times "2. The Primary Producers' Organisa many trees planted along State Highways tion and Marketing Acts, 1926 to 1946, and Main Roads in Queensland have, require that the accounts of organisations through utter neglect, been destroyed by established in accordance with these Acts fire, will he advise- shall be audited by the Auditor-General. 1. When was the tree-planting scheme The Queensland-British Food Production first inaugurated~ Act of 1948 contains no such provision. In accordance with the Act, the accounts of 2. The number of trees planted and the Queensland-British Food Corporation cost to date~ are audited annually by auditors appointed 3. What action does the DeJlartment by the Corporation and approved by the propose taking to see that all trees Auditor-General, and the accounts, pro perly certified to by the auditors, are planted are properly cared for in the included in the annual report of the Cor futureW'' poration, which is laid before Parliament. Hon. J. LARCOMBE (Rockhampton) Particulars are given by the Auditor replied- General in his annual reports for the finan cial years 1947-48 and 1948-49 of the '' 1. Tree planting on main roads com moneys made available by the State for the menced aoon after the pa,ssing of the purposes of the Corporation.'' Main Roads Acts in 1920; in the early years the work was carried out in the SPECIAL RAILWAY FREIGHTS. ordinary course of maintenance but since 1939 provision has been mad~ for tree Mr. P ATERSO:N (Bowen) asked the planting as a permanent works activity. Minister for Transport- '' 2. Complete records have not been kept, '' 1. For the year ending 30 June, 1949- but in the year 1948-49, 22,47:5 trees were ( a) how many special rates for the con being maintained. During the year veyance of goods were in operation; and 1948-49 eighteen schemes for tree planting, Ooal Mining Act8, &c., Bill. [8 NovEMBER.] Supply. 1397 provi&ion of amenities for road travellers, SUPPLY. the clearing of undergrowth, &c., were carried out at a cost of £7,059." RESUMPTION OF COMMITTEE-ESTIMATES '' 3. Trees are cared for by local auth TENTH AND ELEVENTH ALLOTTED DAYS. orities and the Main Roads Commission; (The Chairman of Committees, Mr. Mann, the percentage of loss has been small. Brisbane, in the chair.) Where trees have been destroyed by fire, replacement has generally been made. For ESTIMATES-IN-CHIEF, 1949-50. further information respecting tree plant DEPARTMENT OF RAILWAYS. ing I would refer the hon. member to page 16 of the report of the Commis SOUTHERN JliVISION. S'ioner for Main Roads for the year Hon. J. E. DUGGAN (Toowoomba 1948-49. '' Minister for Transport) (11.10 a.m.): I PAPERS. move- "That £8,015,760 be granted for The following paper was laid on the table, 'Southern Division.' '' and ordered to be printed:- This amount is £1,226,111 greater than the Report of the Director-General of Health appropriation for the year 1948-49, and and Medical Services, the Director of £627,113 in excess of the actual expenditure Maternal and Child Welfare, and the for that year. •Director of Mental Hygiene for the year 1948-1949. A summary of increases and decreases The following papers were laid on the compared with 1948-49 expenditure is as table:- follows:- Increases. Proclamation under the Public Works Land £ Award and Automatic Increases, including Resumption Acts, 1908 to 1940, the State part paid in 1948-49 . 322,936 Development and Public Works Full provision appointments, &c., 1948-49 148,936 Organisation Acts, 1938 to 1940, and the Extra staff . 51,101 Fuel-increased costs . 27,830 Queensland-British Food Production Act Stores-Extra requirements and increased of 1948 (27 October). prices 14,349 New boilers . 54,600 Orders in Council under- Maintenance material .. 40,468 The Aliens Acts, 1867 to 1948 (3 Novem Some of the decreases are- ber). £ The Landlord and Tenant Acts, 1948 to Extended leave and retiring allowances .. 22,3 J3 1949 (3 November). Temporary and casual labour . 34,896 Tamaree Smash .. 11,550 The Profiteering Prevention Act of 1948 Savings Account Reft. rooms leased .. 13,000 (4) (27 October). Staff variations and Miscellaneous Services . 4,712 a net increase of £627,113. VAGRANTS, GAMING, AND OTHER I propose to follow the practice I adopted OFFENCES ACTS AMENDMENT BILL. in the earlier debate and merely submit the vote at this stage. If there are points upon INITIATION. which honourable members desire clarifica tion or if there is criticism to which I feel Hon. A. JONES (Charters Towers Secretary for Health and H;ome Affairs): I necessary to reply, I will do so at a later move- stage. '' That the House will, at its present Mr. SPARKES (Aubigny) (11.11 a.m.): sitting resolve itself into a Committee of The Southern Division vote is a very im the Whole to consider of the desirableness portant one and I say that with all respect of introducing a Bill to amend the to my friends from the North who say that Vagrants Gaming, and other Offences the vote for the North is important. Acts, 19ill to 1948, in certain particulars. '' On this occasion I hope the Minister for Motion agreed to. Transport will accept my criticism in the spirit it is given. I do not mind being COAL MINING ACTS AMENDMENT dubbed irresponsible, because after all that BILL. is the Minister's opinion and unlike him, I am prepared to stand on my record and be INITIATION. judged on it as irresponsible or not, whereas he apparently is not prepared to stand on Hon. W. M. MOORE (Merthyr-Secre the record of his department. I object to tary for Mines and Immigration): I move- the statement made by that honourable '' That the House will, at its present gentleman that I, unlike other members of sitting, resolve itself into a Com:nittee of my party, cannot meet the Minister outside the Whole to consider of the desirableness after the debate has taken place. I know of introducing a Bill to amend the Coal that there are many who disagree with me Mining Acts, 1925 to 1948, in certain par in this Chamber but I hope, in fact I feel ticulars. ' ' sure, that there are very few who are not Motion agreed to. friendly disposed towards me, and I to 1398 Supply. [ASSEMBLY.] Supply. them, once we leave this Chamber. His state out! The significant fact is that the road ment was one of the things that rather users are willing to pay the extra fee rather hurt my feelings and I was surprised at the than use the railways.

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