[COUNCIL)] of the movement and spreads the interest ?IgtigiBfb2 over a renter number of people. I hope Qmirnmc. that. the existing broadly-based interests W~ednesday, 12th September, 1945. will continue in the future. There are so many aspects of national fitness work that PAGE it is necessary that all bodies operating in Motion: North-West, a%to action to reftore economy 60$ the country districts particularly should co- Blls: Mine Workers' lellet(%Wax Senice) Act Amend- mentlt.1. 023 operate for the welfare of the movement. Ri~ In vate an 'riion Act Amendment,

One aspect that many of the country corn- Act Amendment IR...... 62 Police Act Amendment1 Act, 1902, Amendment. nittecs were particularly interested in is the is...... 623 ,question of sales tax being charged on equipment purchased by them, even though the funds were being expended through the central body. I understand that at first it The PRESIDENT took the Chair at 4.31) was anticipated that if the funds were ex- pan., and read prayers. pended through the central body, the Com- monwealth Government would be able to MOTION-NORTH-WEST. waive the collection of sales tax. However, As to Action to Restore Economy. that was found impossible with the result that, apparently, local committees, but for HON. r. 9. WELSH (North) [4.35]: 1 the introduction of the Bill now before the move- House, would have been faced with the That, in view of tie serious position exist- necessity t9~ pay sales tax on all equipment lug in the northern part of the State, this House considers that tim Government should installed in the various centres. I do not take imimediate action to restore the economy know whether the Minister made the point of the North Province. perfectly clear, hut I understand that under My object is to see whether something can the Bill it will be possible for the money be done to alleviate the situation in the %io spent to be regarded as funds expended North. In the old days, and for many by a State instrumentality, and sales tax years now, the North-West of this State wvill consequently be waived by the Federal has produced some millions of pounds Treasurer. worth of. wealth, mainly thirou~gh two major The Minister for Education: That is so. industries, the pastoral industry and the Mr. PERKINS: That is an essential pearling industry. The latter is almost non- point. Prior to the introduction of this existent today. The town of Broome was legislation I had received a lot of corres- practically built up and maintained by the pondence from country centres on this ques- pearling industry. The men engaged in that tion, and I am glad that the position is to activity spent considerable sums of money be rectified. In the circumstances I shall in equipping boats, building homes, and not take up further time in discussing the putting the industry on a sound basis. As Sill. I agree with its general principles a result the State has hen efited to a large and, so far as I am able to judge and in extent from the revenue derived from thost, view of the discussions I have had with operations. Since the last war the price of interested people, it provides the necessary shell has, at times, dropped considerably, so flexibility to enable the work to be carried that the pearlers have had difficulty in mak- onl satisfactorily. I trust the expansion of ing ends meet. The Commonwealth Gov- the movement will continue along the huies ernimenit at one time came to their assist- that have obtained in the past. I have ance by giving- them finance so that the-y much pleasure iii supporting the second could take their boats to sea. But, of reading of the Bill1. course, that -was a first charge against the shell recovered. After that the Japanese seni- On motion by Mr. Leslie, debate ad- pais came along and poached in our waters journed. so that the pearlers still had a wicked time. House adjournedt at 10,16 p~m. When the war, which has just concluded, broke out, the Navy commandeered or de- stroyed practically every boat in the indus- try so that the pearlers were left without [12 SEPTEMBER, 1945.] 6l609 any means of livelihood. Now that hos- scourge of dogs throughout the whole eon- tilities have ceased the Commonwealth Gov- tineut, and in the pastoral areas up north ernment should return all these boats or the problem is very serious. pay a fair price for them. I think it would Hon. T. Moore: Are there foxes as well ? be a fine gesture on the part of the State Government if it could induce the Common- Hon. F. R. WELSH: Yes, quite a number, wealth Government to give some assistance but they do not cause anything like the to the mcii who have spent practically a damage that the dogs do. One trouble is lifetime and nearly all they had in the in- that we do not know exactly -where the foxes dustry, and have now had their livelihood are or where they come from. One trouble taken from them because of the loss of regarding the kangaroos is that in years their beats. These men have been hanging gone by they had their natural enemies which on indefinitely hoping for better times. The forced them to rely for water on what they advent of the war cut the ground from could find in the rock holes in the hills. under their feet. I would like to see this Over a number of years the pastoralists have Government approach the Commonwealth erected windmills and provided troughs on Government with a viewv to the latter mak- their runs with the result that, wvith the ing money available so that these men could added water supplies, the kangaroos have multiplied in their thousands. In addition re-equip their boatb. That should be done, particularly as during the war no shell- to that they have access to the water hotes fishing has taken place so that the quan- in the hills. Despite the fact that the poison- tity of shell on most of the banks must ing of water in troughs has been carried out, have increased with the result that the the pest still increases. On one station be- twveen 9,000 and 10,000 kangaroos wero pearlers might have a chance, if they could get out now, to regain some of the leeway poisoned by this means during one year. they have lost. Members Will realise that it is only in the dry periods that poisoning by this means is The pastoral industry is one with which effective. To attempt to poison the water in I am connected, and I would like to say a the hills would not he safe. As many of the few words about it. I want to mention pasloralists have provided troughs on their some of the factors contributing to the very runs,'that has enabled pois6oning to be carried bad state of that industry. Apart from out more cifeotiely. We often hear it said seasonal disabilities, which no one can con- that overstocking has taken place in the trol, the menace of vermin has attained seri- pastoral areas up north. To my knowledge ous proportions. The kangaroos have ap- there has been no overstocking with sheep on peared in their thousands. Last year I any station. The overstocking that has taken pointed out the difficulty we had in ob- place has been in respect of the kangaroos. taining poison to deal with the dogs and Members will realise that if on a station there kangaroos. It was almost impossible to are 10,000 sheep and a similar number of get it, In addition the dogs have practi- kangaroos, overstocking would naturally have cally overrun many of the place;, and it is the effect of destroying the carrying capa- difficult to know what to do about them. city of the run. The small hill kangaroos, They have taken a heavy toll of sheep which are generally referred to a euros, and stock. The Government has made a have increased tremendously. It is impossible survey of this pest. with a view to putting to hold a paddock for feed, because the trappers on, and also with a view to poison- moment the grass begins to grow the kanga- ing. It is of no use only one or two being roos come in and eat the country bare. sent to do that work. Nothing but a sys- Hon. 0. W. Miles: The kangaroos are tematic crusade against the dogs and foxes worse than the rabbits. will do any good in keeping them down. Hon. F. R. WELSH: Most decidedly, and They arc distributed throughout the North; members should appreciate that up north as a matter of fact, the trouble is on an there are as many kangaroos as there are Australia-wide basis. In "Country Life" rabbits down south. Owing to man power the other day a Queensland pastoralist difficulties there is a labour shortage through- pointed out that dogs in the north of out the pastoral areas, with the res5ult that Queensland had taken toll of nearly 25 per station owners cannot cope with the trouble. cent. of his calves. There seems to he a They cannot maintain the necessary improve- [COUNCIL.] meats, which have deteriorated. As Mr. such purchases, they could not ship the Baxter mentioned the other evening, some materials up north. The result is that re- stations have been abandoned. Those pro- pairs cannot he effected. When members perties now provide open areas where dogs consider the position of the station owner and other pests have a free run. There will with half his sheep gone and nearly all his be no-one on those stations to keep the dogs mills levelled to the ground, they will ap- hack from the stations lower down, and this preciate that it is difficult for people to is becoming an increasingly serious problem. realise the full implications when they If the Government could tackle the task of know nothing about the industry. With pest eradication on a systematic scale, some- all these things happening, one wonders thing could be done, but it is certainly of how the pastoralists are able to carry on. little use doing anything in a spasmodic way. Of course, the heavy rains have filled up Most decidedly it is a big question for the all the rock holes in the hill country and Government to tackle, but I hope it will had it not been for that, further large be dealt with. The present Premier, Hon. F. losses of stock would have been experi- J1. S. Wise, has always displayed a sym- enced pending the repairing of mills, I am pathetic understanding of the problems of mentioning these matters as indicating a the North and the North-West. If there is few of the contributing factors which have any possible chance of doing something for involved pastoralists in their present seri- the pastoralists, I am sure he will do it. ous situation. The scheme of voluntary debt adjustment Another problemt is confronting them. I was instituted by the Premier when he was refer to the lower lambing percentages ex- Minister for Lands and it has proved of perienced in rcnnt years. For some un- distinct assistance to the pastoralists in the accountable reason there have been very North, many of whom have taken advantage few lambs rented up north, which pre- of it and in consequence have greatly bene- cludes any possibility of building up the fited. Then again a lot of credit is due to flocks as we did ordinarily in years gone the financial houses and stock firms that so by. The lanibing- hardly makes op for the losses readily fell in with the scheme and eased due to natural causes. In that re- much of the pastoralists' indebtedness. The spet I think the Government should un- writing-down of indebtedness has assisted dertake research wvork. I do not know whether the poor lambing many to carry on. Another phase of the is accounted for kangaroo problem is that the pest has largely by the non-fertility of the rams, but I do know it reduced the carrying capacity of stations. cannot be attributed to lack of care of the flocks. Furthermore, the pastoral areas have had an This experience applies exceedingly raw deal over the years due to not only in the North, but also lower the prolonged drought. On top of that, the down. In consequence, the difficulties as- occurrence of willy-willies caused consider- sociated with carrying on the pastoral in- able damage. At Port Hedland alone threq dustry are greater than formerly. Then willy-willies were experienced in four yearsi again the lack of the customary larger in- and there great toll was taken of the flocks. creases in lambs has left us with a lot of old sheep. The increased mortality all A disastrous willy-willy struck the Roe- round has severely militated against the bourne district this year and with an building-up of flocks. We are getting very average of about ten inches of rain on the short of ewes in consequence of the low Tableland, did great damage throughout the lambing percentages and the big losses in district. Such a deluge caused enormous stock generally. Many of the best sheep, flooding, while the terrific wind carried away particularly ewes, were swept awvay in the buildings. On one station it was reported floods that followed the willy-willies. that between 18,000 and 20,000 sheep had T do not know how some of the station been drowned and out of 64 windmills owners will he able to earn' on. Certainly only eight remained standing the next it will he beyond the capabilities of many morning. It is hard to make people down to make good. I understand that the Com- south understand the seriousness of such oc- monwealth Government set aside a grant currences. In the first place the pastoral- for the assistance of drought-stricken ists cannot buy materials with which to farmers. If the Government could per- effect replacements. If they could make suade the Commonwealth to grant relief [12 5t.PTILBEB, 1945.] from such a fund to cover the losses by war broke-out we had three State-owned willy-willy, which are enormous, it would boats. One was sunk by enemy action at be a great help to the pastoralists, because Wyndham and the Navy commandeered it is beyond the financial ability of some another, leaving us with the "Koolinda." of these people to make good their losses. 1 can understand that the Army re- I saw the damage done t6 houses and wool- quirements should have come first; that sheds; these were completely wrecked. The is only right, but 'the vessel& were damage done to windmills and tanks is also under the control of the Common- very great, and if the Government could wealth Shipping Board. The Army would do as I suggest it would be a distinct in- come along and say that it required certain centive to the pastoralists to continue to cargo space, It got the space, but the resi-' carry on their stations. The steady rise in dents of the North were deprived of this the cost of materials and labour is another means of securing the supplies which they factor operating against the pastoralists. so urgently needed. If what these people Labour cannot be obtained at pr~sent, but suffered during wartime in the way or even if it could be obtained the cost of it short supplies could only be put on paper, would be prohibitive. Therefore, as I say, it would astonish the people down south. some relief should be afforded to the paks- In my opinion, no part of the Australian toralists in the way I have suggested. coast has had such a raw deal as the North- Freights are exceedingly heavy, and they West coast had during the wan. Even to- have been increased by 35 per cent. for day I notice in the paper that the only war loading. The war loading should now vessel carrying passengers from the North disappear, if it has not already done so. is cutting out all ports from Broome to Prc- The Premier mentioned the other night mantle. That does not give the ports lower that a local committee, comprising- the, down a chance at all. This never happened heads of departments and a representative in the old (lays, when the State ships kept of the Pastoralists' Association, wvas now to a timetable. sitting to consider the disabilities under The Goveranmcnt should insist on the which the people in the North-West are "Kybra," which formerly plied along our labouring. Any recommendation that com- coast, being returned to Wes5tern Australia. mittee might make for relief should he She belongs to the State Shipping Service acted upon immediately if the North-West and is excellently suited for our waters on is to regain some of its former eonomy. account of her small draught. We have only At one tiiuc the pastoralists never asked two vessels-I might almost term them for help; they have had hut little assist- ob- solete-which are not passenger ance over the years;, hut this present ships. They are cargo ships. I- trouble has got breyond them. The timne know the "C hungking." has arrived, as I said, for the State Gov- I have not seen the "Van Spilbergen," hut I -understand she ernment to ask the Commonwealth Gov- is not even a substitute for a vessel. ernment for assistance to rehabilitate the As I have said, shipping is one industry that has produced so much wealth of the main problems with which the North- both for the State and the Commonwealth. West has to eon tend, as the residents have Many of the pastoralists have spent their been left without even ain adequate supply whole lives in the North and cannot now of perishahle goods. At the beginning of afford to leave it. this year potatoes were unobtainable at Port Hcdland. Considerably over 100 cases The shipping problem is vital; I some- were stored in one of the aerodromes, but times feel ver hot about this matter. Un- these belonged to the Army. The potatoes less we have a regular shipping service ivq were going bad and had to be picked over are not going to get anywhere. Forty years dlaily. M1Lany wvere thrown away as they ago we had a very good service; there were could not be used by the Army. Yet the four oversea vessels and two interstate residents could nnt get a potato! vessels trading( up the coast. We had a regular fortnightly service and we knew to Something better than that must be ar- a day when the ships would arrive. The ranged in order to induce the people to re- ports in the North are tidal ports and con- main iii the Nor-th-West, let alone attract sequently we knewv when the vessels would people to go there. Now hostilities have reach them'. Not 90 today! When the ceased I think much might he done to assist [COUNCIL.] settlement there. We must have another the Commonwealth, hut I do not think Li. outlook for the North-West; it must be im- is a responsibility of the State authorities. proved before we can attract settlement The Army authorities ruined the roads dur- there. Relief from taxation is a vital mat- ing the war and, in my view, have not ter. It should apply to all the northern put back one penny-piece into them. It i. areas. From the pastoralists' point of view, the only part of Australia in which the I should say that the period for averaging c.ontrolling authorities of the Army have losses should he extended from five to 15 done so little to improve the condition of years in order to give them some chance the roads. to catch up. M1any factors arise in connec- Hon. H. Tuckey: Do you know whether tion with transport for the North-Weat. In the road hoards have made representation-, the first place, we have not got a good road. to have their roads put into a state of The Army, with its convoys-of course repair? these were certainly necessary-sp oiled the roads, which have not been repaired either Hon. F. R. WELSH: I think so, bitt no by the Army or by the Government. This repair work has yet been done. The Army road communication is vital to the residents, authorities have agreed to scud a man out especially those living 100 to 200 miles to inspect the roads and estimate the dam- away from various centres. They travel age done to them, but I fail to see how it. sometimes 150 miles from the various sta- will he possible to estimate what damage tions to the main road, only to find that has been done to that which in some eases it is impassable. One pastoralist remarked no longer exists. I have not seen anything to me when I was in the North thnt the in tho southern part of the State to ap- boles in the roads were not really holes, but 1:roach the condition of the roads in the air-pockets. North. I wish now to refer to shipping facilitieci on the coast from Derby down- Main roads are vital to the people of the wards. There is no reason why the ship- North-West. I was glad that Mr. W. Heg- ping facilities at Derby should not be kept ney pointed out in another place the neces- in order. I refer now to the jetty accom- sity for the provision of an all-weather niodation, cattle races, etc. Derby is thi! road from Meekatharra to Marble Bar. In natural port for the shipping of all cattle the early stages of the war it was sug- from the Kimberleys, not Broome, which gested and the road was formed, but be- has been used for that purpose during the, fore it -was finished and the pastora,'lists war. It would save the growers from 30s. could use it, the Army came on to it-and to £C2in the condition of every beast if the the position is now worse than it was before. cattle could be shipped from Derby. All The only good thing it- has done is to the facilities there should he put in order. stagtnthe road. That road should he When I was in Derby in February last, the surfaced, and if that were done it would Public Works Department was doing up provide transport to the back country and the cattle-races which had been white-ant save hundreds of miles of travel for people eaten. That work will take some time to through their having to go to some port complete. in order to pick up goods. There is aL To facilitate the shipping of cattle from fortnightly transport service between 'Mee- the Kiniberleys, the Derby jetty races katharra and Marble Blar, but during thd should be put into working condition. At wtinter season the road is practically im- present, the cattle are taken to Broome passable. There is every justification for by-road, a long w-eary journey. It follows asking for a Commonwealth grant so that that the beasts must lose condition on the the roads may be repaired. Not one of the trip. The jetty facilities at Derby should road boards is in a position to do the work hje put in order without loss of time. That itself, because all the local authorities have is the natural port from which cattle should been deprived of so much of their revenu.-- be shipped. A launch or lighter should be during the war years. No road hoard could stationed at Broome and Port Hedland, undertake to maintain its thoroughfares two tidal ports, for the convenience of pas- out of the revenue derived from motor sengers and the handling of cargo. I was vchicles and from rates. The Government in Port Hedland on one occasion when the fthould see that something is done through ship's launch broke down. The passengers [12 SEPTEMBER, 1945.] 613 were out in it all night and taken aboard they were. Now that the war is over I the next morning. They were kept on the should like to see a drastic change made in ship while site went to Derby, and were respect to transport on the coast. I feel later returned to Port Hedland. They sure the Premier himself realises the posi- eould not be put ashore because of the tide tion. We must hang on to what we possess being against the ship. That state of affairs although the population in the North is should not be allowed to continue. The dwindling every day. There is a lot that is cost of a launch or lighter would be made well worth hanging on to; such as the cattle uip by the saving of time lost by the industry, the pastoral industry, the mining steamer while waiting for at high tide. It industry and the developments on the Ham- would also permit of passengers going erslcy Ranges. All these things have to be ashore when the ship arrived. considered. The tides at Broome and Port Hedland We certainly have a good plane service in prevent a ship from going in except at the North. There are five planes a week nearly spring tide. Very often cargo has to Port Hedland and two to the Kimberleys, to be over-carried. If the vessel misses the providing an excellent air service. Residents tide, the cargo is over-carried and is not in the North come to Perth, either for busi- returned until the next trip hack. That is ness or health reasons only. They are often not fair to the people of the district eon- precluded from returning on the plane be- cerned. At Roehourne recently a pastoral- cause of some serviceman or other person ist wanted a quantity of cemnent to enable whbo has a higher priority than they have. him to repair his tanks and troughbs which I know of one lady wvho was put off three had been damaged by the willy-willy, to planes. On the last occasion, she gave up which I have referred. The cement was her room at an hotel, as she believed she cut out of three ships owing to Army re- was catching the north-bound plane, but quirements, but I understand it is goi.ng when she presented herself, she found that up on the next boat. The Arnmy control a miner had taken her seat. She then found over cement has now ceased, but the dis- she had lost her room and had much trouble ability to which I have referred was a in seeuring other accommodation. serious thing io the pastoralist in ques- tion. Many such cases have arisen. I Hon. G. W. Miles: On one occasion admit that Roebourne is not a tidal port, Beeby was allowed to go on a plane and a hut Port Hedland and Broome are affected station-owner's wife had to give up her seat. by the tides, and ships can only get in Hon. F. R. WELSH: Residents in the there when the tide suits them. It would North only come to Perth because they are be quite easy to station a launch at those obliged to, and when they do they meet with ports and take passengers off at neap tide. all these difficulties. When they come to When I was last at Broome, we went Perth, they naturally desire to return at a out to the vessel in a naval launch and had certain time in order to resume their duties. to climb up the side on a rope ladder. It I know of one lady who came down with was nearly too much for me, but a lady in three children. She, too, was put off three front of me got up very well. It is not planes. On the last occasion, she was put fair to expect people to climb up a rope off because a serviceman had higher ladder when a launch and a proper gang- priority. She went up by train to Meeka- way should be provided for them. People tharra, and from that centre she had to in the South have little idea what those in travel 600 miles by car to the station. There the North have suffered during the last was nothing clever about that. Neither the few years. Women and children uip there Army nor the Navy personnel bothered to use have experienced untold disabilities and in- their own service planes until recently, and conveniences that would not be tolerated for in that way leave more space on the other five minutes in any other part of the State. planes. They did not seem to think about No-one knows what the women in the North the North-West. If they wanted to do a have put up with during the war. The cir- thing they did it. Quite a lot will have to cumstances of that time may have rendered be done to bring the transport facilities of these privations more or less unavoidable, the North even up to the pre-war standard. but the people concerned should not have I do not know that we shall ever get the been deprived of the necessities of life, as vessels back to which Mr. Cornish referred. [COUNCIL,]

Some oversea boats must be induced to support the motion because of the fact that trade with Western Australia if only to I have nothing perso 'nal to gain. I have no bring to the State tropical fruits. We financial interest in the North. Again, I was must do something to induce people to stay privileged to he present at the meeting of the in the North. At present they have little people's representatives of the North-West or no inducement, and are leaving as fast as at Whim Creek. Let me assure the House they can. The North-West has great pos- that this was not a meeting devoid of signi- sibilities. I was there in the early days' ficance; nor was it a meeting organised by and found it a country well worth living in. any particular section. It was a meeting of Today we should put forth every effort to men determined to alter their conditions of induice people to settle there and present living, but desirous of carrying out their residents to remain there. We went through intention within the hounds of law. There hard times in the old days, hut I do not was no organiser, but by mutual conversa- think we suffered to the extent that peopld tions, by letter, by messages over the air, suffered during the last war. Vessels that through the medium of pedal sets, gradually were taking our wool away used to come to grew the desire to meet in a body to discuss our coast from England and by that means the hardships of life and to seek a way out. we received a lot of useful material, to say nothing of the ordinary necessities of life. There was no-one appointed chairman until As things are today the people in the 'North the meeting opened, and a graceful compli- are deprived of many of the necessities of ment was paid to 'Mr. Harry Green, for 27 lif e. years chairman of the Marble Bar Road Board, when Mr. L. Gordon of "Millstream" The State Shipping Service has done a proposed that Mr. Green take the chair un- good. lob but it has been under the control opposed. 'Mr. Green has been 55 years in of the Shipping Board and has been ham- the North-West, but he was not the father to the extent of half its activities- The pered of the party, such honour going to Mr. HarrY to have Shipping Board only allowed us Cop pin, of Eginbab station, who has lived what it did not want, despite the fact that in the area for 66 years. This meeting mnust civilians were without the ordinary niecessi- go down in the annals of the North. They ties. I am sure a lot of good will icome out came, 66 of them, from near and far, and of the present inquiry and the recommenda- by various types of conveyances. There were that are likely to he made. A mem- tions men fromj Onslow in the south and Port her of the Pastoralists' Association is serv- Hedlanri and Walla] in the north; and from ing onl the committee. I feel sure that the the east they came from north, south and present Government will do all it can to east of Marble Bar. A chartered plane implement the rcommendations; that aax brouwrht men from Nullagine, 'Marble Bar put forward. Something must be dlone to and Bamboo Springs. Probably the most get people to go to the North. Because or- distant area represented the fact that so many of the residents have was Warrogine. almost on the desert border, closely been nearly all their lives up there, they are followed by 'Mr. Alex Spring from Roy Hill, whose entitled to every possible assistance. I have two stations referred to the disabilities suffered by the "Roy Hill" and "Maribana," extend over a distance equal to that be- pastoral industry, hut many other disabili- tween Perth and Busselton. From north ties could also be mentioned. I commend to the motion to the House, and hope thail south the distance between was about 400 some relief will he given to that part o9 miles, and nearly as much from east to wvest. the State so that it mny'regain at least some What type of men were these? They were of its former prosperity. men representing every vocation in the North-WNest; pastoralists sitting alongsqide HON. J. G. HISLOP (Metropolitan) men with bnsinecs interests and Mixing with [5.131: 1 make no apology for supporting those mining in the hinterland, as well as this motion. Mfy electorate is a small one, the chosRen representatives of the workers, in the centre of the metropolis, but mny in- and one wvoman. I would have liked to have terest is State-wide, I cannot carry out my seen every member of this Houie present task of caring for my electorate without at that meeting, joining in conversation wvith watching events which, whilst they happen those wvho had travelled over a hundred miles hundreds of miles away, may affect it. I or more of flood-smoothed roads, men who [12 SEPTEMBER, 1945.]61 615 brought their swags and dossed by the sides silent burnt-out wreck of the mine, whilst to of their ears or around camp fires, cooking0 the west little remained of the railway to 'their food because accommodation in the Balla. It is a long time since Mrs. Withnell hotel was insufficient for more than a small trod that path, or since the voices of 300 number. Mein who do this are determined men wore heard in a well-organised town- men and wye must- recognise them as such. ship. No main who is not fully imbued with the Dawn brought activity once more, as justice of his case will act so. This was a one by one they wandered to the open- meeting at which men talked wvith men, at air bath room. Over cups of coffee made on which meni spoke with fire and conviction, camp fires, or alongside the fire in the kit- and with a determination born of adversity; chen, over cups of tea, the unofficial meet- a meeting at which men said what they ing was continued; and shortly after 8 a.m. thought and refused to have their motions the meeting was called together again. Here amended for the sake of niceties. was the setting; here was the tradition, and When "one man, after having included the most felt a significance as Mr. Taplin moved words "inefficient service" in his motion, was the first motion, that, as there were no re- asked to substitute the word "unsatisfac- presentatives on the Gascicyne or the Kim- tory" for "inefficient," he ref used, adding berleys present, the deliberations and de- that he desired to amend it to read "crassly cisions of this meeting should be confined inefficient." And the meeting passed the to the area between the 18th and 24th parel- motion in that amended form. These men lel south. At the conclusion of the meet- were intent on one thing-the restoration of ing it was decided to send the minutes of the North-West, a laud in which they have the meeting to the organisat ions of citizens Ihe greatest hope, but from which Nature's not included in this area, but who lived vagaries and man-made difficulties are forc- north of the 26th parallel south. One of ing them. Here, if ever there was one, was the first mnatters discussed was a suggestion a people's parliament. We mnust niot forget that during the meeting sight should not be that it has been from meetings of deter- lost of the fact that the major part of the mined men, of this character, that great re- production of the North-West would be forms have arisen. I feel I was privileged consumed oversea. It was not long, how- to be present at tho awakening of the North. ever, before it became evident that all pre- I wish I could depict to you, Mir. President, sent were convinced of the need for imme- the intensity of that scene. Seventy people diate relief from taxation. sitting round on forms, on fence rails or on Many instances were given of undue upturned boxes, in a small space alongside hardship imposed by heavy taxation, and the hotel in the open air, never relaxing for it was generally agreed that the period of one moment, scarcely one leaving his seat relief should not be less than 20 years. until darkness falling put an end, until next Workmen could not be expected to stand day, to their deliberations. the trying heat of the summer, or the iso- Far into the night the problems were lation from their families, to earn little thrashed out again. Men who lived hun- more--if any-than they could earn in dreds of miles apart, but who knew each areas of less hardship and more amenities; other as brothers though they seldom met, nor could anyone with capital be expected told one another of their problems, of their to invest it in the North-West and take the floods, droughts and Willy-Willies, and of their risk of cyclones, droughts, floods or pesti- hope or despondency for the f uture. Here, lence from blow-flies, or of the ravages of in a small plain surroundered by low hills, ding-oes, unless given reasonable oppor- halfway between Roebourne and Port Red- tunities for profit. Many times during tho land stood the Whim Creek Hotel, a pre- meeting, when some particular disability was fabricated building sent out in its component under discussion, it was stated that without parts from England. Its sturdy construc- taxation such difficulties would not arise or tion of H iron had stood for 50 years, the would settle themselves. storms and floods of that time leaving it in The request for roads was general and its original condition, whilst all around it- well supported. A motion was agreed to, except for Tobias' store-the buildings had asking that from the ports to inland areas gone with the wind. To the east stood the arterial bitumen sealed roads be built with [COUNCIL.] all-weather feeder roads, and that when That freights, landing charges. and tran%, these are built transport over them be sub- port costs must be reduced was emphasised sidised. Figures were supplied, showing by speakers, especially those representing that in the Wittenoom Gorge a bag of wheat the mining areas. Such reductions would for fowls cost £2 5s., and a stone of pota- allow companies to give amenities to their toes 5s. For every £9,000 paid out for employees and pernit of the building of stores, £3,000 represented the cost of trans- reasonable quarters. In addition to these port. Then it was agreed that all freight high charges, the addition to weekly pay or to and from North-West ports should be district allowances and excess rates for subsidised or reduced. The Shipping Ser- working away from borne were an added vice came in for prolonged criticism.' The burden on the industry. Out of every absence of lights on the coast made move- £t25,000 paid in wages, £6,000 was to cover ments of ships uncertain, as the necessity these allowances and excess Tates. Ade- for gaining the tides made their movements quiate water supplies were asked for. Most variable. Some of the criticism appeared of the stations have water at the homg- to fit the Shipping Control Board, but steads, as these arc built on sites wherd water is available; hut the ports have de- documents were submitted to the chairman, plorable water supplies. and remarks made about fresh vegeta~bles sailing up and dfown the coast and eventu- During the meeting, a wire was received ally reaching the consumer in the form of by Air. Taplin advising him that Port Hedl- pulp. land had no drinking water, and asking w~hat they should do. It was pointed out Concerning some matters, such as the that pearling was concentrated in Broome, surest methods of destroying vermin, there because of the inadequate water sup- was difference of opinion; hut it was unani- plies in the other ports. In most of the mous that the present shipping service is ports private supp lies from tanks constitute unsatisfactory. It was agreed that the tho main source of drinking water. Mr. monopoly of the State Shipping Service Noel Butcher reminded the meeting that should he broken, and that British merchant water supply was essential back in the shipping should be allowed to trade to ranges. He stated that the Blue Spec mine North-West ports, irrespective of the Navi- could emnploy 300 mn, were its water sup- gation Act. The general opinion was that ply doubled, hut if the water were not sup- competition in shipping is essential. The plied, then the mine could not be used as it "Koolinda" appeared to meet the needs of rehabilitation point for such a number of the trade, but the "Chiungking" was said men. Asked later why a share issue could. to go backwards if the wind was unfavour- not be arranged to raise the funds for supl- able; and the derricks in the "Van Spil- plying this water, he said restrictions and bergen" are so low that merchandise cannot taxation made it impossible. Astonishment was expressed by the meeting at the fact be landed by them on the wharves, hand that the cost of water in Port Hedland wasq labour having to assist. Emphasis was laid 3,4. 6d. per 100 gallons, as gardens, cool on the fact that, during the time of great- shade, or even vegetable-growing are in'- est stress, the people had no service aiid possible at that figure. that even now the "Koolinda" was taken off as a rule in the hottest -partof the year, and The cost of workers' homes was next on the fist. It was said that if a worker's hoen that without her the ports of Roebourne aind cost £900 in Perth, it would mean an ex- Hedland were badly served. Enthus- Port penditure of £1,800 in the North, and would iasm greeted the motion that the State Ship then not provide any of the necessary ping Service be asked to advise the people amenities for the climate. It was made, of the North without fail of any lengthy clear that not everyone could leave priod during which they will he without the area during the very trying sum- shipping service, particularly during the iner month,;, and that therefore amenities suimmer months; but this, was amended to were e~sential if white women were to live- read that the State Shipping Service mak-i there-and ii' the's did no!, then the eo~t adequate arrangements for shipping to the would continue to he added in living-away- 'North-West ports, before taking the "Koo- from-home rates and district allowances: a linda" off the tort- por way of populating the area. The one f12 SEPTEMBER, 1945.] 617 woman at the meeting stressed that if white in the other States were described, and women were to live in the North-West such eventually it was agreed that they should amnenities as refrigerators, fans, electrical be termed a North-West Development Com- appliances and air conditioning should be mittee and that five should be the number put into the houses without cost. It was of the executive or working body. Mr. Les. suggested that tie provisions of the Work- Cordon and Mr. Robert Middleditch were ers' Homes Act should apply to the North. elected to represent the pastoral industry; That the present standards of education Mr. Noel Bntcher, the mining industry. in the North were far from satisfactory was Air. Jack Evans, the workers; and Mr. L. generally agreed, and called forth prolonged Taplin, the business interests. Although comments. Firstly, it was asked that the the committee was to find its own secre- Government he approached to meet the cost tary, it is more than likely that Mr. Alec. of sending all children over ten years 01 Wyndham, who acted as secretary at the age to the South for education, and to sub- meeting, will be asked to fill this post. sidise their living costs whilst away from!~ The medieal services were freely dis- home. The consensus of opinion was that cussed. General opinion indicated that a it was wise to send children out of the North doctor should be stationed again, as spon for certain years of their lives, and for their as practicable, in all settled areas, that the education during that period, particularly Flying Doctor Service should be purely an in the case of girls. One speaker added a emtergency service, and that the flying doc- little humour to the discussion by saying tor and the pedal set should be stationed that it was essential that children returned together. At present, the doctor and the north during their holidays, so that they pedal set are separated, and this was gener- would recognise the North as their home. ally disapproved. The Flying Doctor Ser- "If they live for long in the South, they vice, excellent though it is, is in urgent end up by telling, their old man what a fool need of expansion if it is to cater for the lie has been to stay so long in the North." medical needs of the North-West. As one It was equally understandable that some de- speaker aptly put it, when describing the sired that a boarding-school be established wvork of the flying doctor, "Dr. Dicks was in the North, so that parents could visit set an impossible task, and very nearly car- their children. Eventually this motion muet ried it Out.'' with approval. Concern was expressed at the suggestion That the Government be asked to establish that, if a hase hospital were built, it would boarding-schools in areas with outlying dis- be inland. The inland, with its mineral tricts where there are children, so that children tip to the age of ten, or if necessary over ten, resources, was likely to move -its centre, can be taught, thus lessening the present bur- was isolated, and the cost of transport of den placed on overworked mnothers. essentials to it was excessive, whereas the Tribute was paid to the excellence of coastal towns were more stable and in more the correspondence course of education, ways than one inore suitable for hospital but it was emphasised that in a climate treatment of the sick. To a disinterested listener, it must have soon become evident such as that, where domestic ussistance that the presence of a reliable doctor and is difficult to obtain, such work added to the already heavy tasks with which a satisfactory medical service gave a sense of security, even in isolation. The presence mothers are faced. An indication of of a doctor is essential in towvns where the trend of thought was gained when there are wvomen and ehildren-9O children one speaker said that one of the reside in Port Hedlaud today-but the care organisations he was representing asked of the men in dangerous occupations must that because of the isolation and the not be forgotten. need for home-made entertainment and amusement and for the raising of the cul- It was with interest that I learned of tural standard, music be added to the cur- the respect which every resident had for riculumn in the North. Mr. Bardwell, or ''Bardie,'' as he was affectionatelf referred to, he being the man (Resolved: That motions be continued.] who sat voluntarily at the central pedal At this stage, the meeting resolved to set listening for calls. Everyone was stir- form itself into a committee with a name. red when Mr. Smith, the storekeeper of The regional committees recently formed Wittenoomn Gorge, handed to the chairman [COUNCIL.]_

an envelope containing £25 subscribed by kangaroos and earo kangaroos were dis- the workmen. An appeal was made for cussed. The numbers killed on the various more subscribers to the Flying Doctor stations were staggering, so much so, that I Fund, and those present were made aware as a listener, wvondered whether it was sheep of the details of the scheme. The condi- or kangaroos that the pastoralists were tion of the hospitals and the treatment of attempting to breed. The value of poisoning the hospital staffs were freely discussed, of dingoes as against trapping was freely it being generally considered that the re- discussed, leaving the impression that neither muneration of the, nursing staff was insuf- was the only solution and that perhaps both ticieut and that conditions left room for were needed. The abuse and failure of the considerable improvement. bounty system camne under review, and time Air travel and transport came next under general idea was that the bounty system examination. Opinion seemed to lye that failed because, when the flush of the killing the present arrangements were more in the was over, the amount of the bounty proved interests of the companies than of the dis- unattractive. This was the point at which tricts they served. It was stated that any the bounty should be raised. one company could not use another comn- And now it was all over. The trek home- pany's landing grounds, some believing wards began. All through the meeting the that it could not be done at all, others that it could lie done once a month, whilst sky had been overcast, except for fleeting half-hours of cloudless blue, and infrequent others pointed out that because the plane been falling. Many an they chartered was able to land at Whim drops of rain had Creek, permission to land on the ground eye had been upturned wondering whether of a competing firm is apparently obtain- the bounteous rain would fall, whilst others well able under extraordinary circumstances. realised that should it fall, they might No one was clear in mind as to whether be marooned for days: but by next day Whim the fault lay with the Department of Civil Creek had resumed its peaceful existence. Aviation or with the companies. There What is the answver to all of this I Is there wvas no doubt about the existing dissatis- any? Whilst all agree that the pastoral in- faction, no matter what the details of the dustry is the main one of the North-West, restrictions might be. it is obvious that methods that will restore this industry alone will never populate the After the meeting had agreed to impose country. And, what is more, we must, at a levy on all present to meet the running this stage, adopt methods of a visionary expenses of the organisation, the chairman nature. I have read the recommendations declared it closed, and so, just before lunch of the Royal Crommission of 1940, and whilst on the second day, the first meeting of the at that time they may have sufficed, they, North-West Citizens' Development Associa- are inadequate now. It has been said that, tion terminated. When the second meeting except for those which proved impassible will be held is a matter of conjecture and for the State to adopt after the Common- depends, in my opinion, to a large extent wealth took control of taxation, all of the on what action this Parliament takes, and committee's recommendations have been im- what is even more important, how soon it plemented. Then it is clear that they have takes it. As if to remind me of the distances proved inadequate in the face of war and the over which these men had travelled, when onslaughts of the elements. the meeting was breaking up, a man on my right referred to the amount which had been Early in the meeting at Whim Creek, the collected by the levy, saying, "It wouldn't following set of motions was moved, the first meet my fare to a meeting."1 only being dealt with by the meeting. The following is the exact form of the motions:- After lunch, the pastoralists met as a separate body, and they, too, showed their ]. That, having in mind the disabilities concern under which thme people of the North-West at the drift from prosperity. of Western Australia labour, the lack of Taxation again was emphasised as being too amenities, particularly for the womenfolk, the heavy a burden ever to allow of any recovery considered opinion that the State Goverment from the disasters that overtake them. But of Western Australia, tinder existing circum- one of the main worries discussed for hours stances, will he unable to finance the post-war reconstruction of this portion of the continent, was the presence, in growing numbers, of and, viewing, as it does, with alarm the vermin. The ravages of dingoes, foxes, deteriorating effects of high taxation, this [12 SEPTEMBIER, 1945.] Rig

meeting requests the Federal Government to of p~ressing need was attended to, namely, give relief from taxation over a period of 20 the relief from the burden of taxation. A years to all people living above the 26th parallel in Western Australia, and to appoint voice described it. as. secession, and I note a commission comprising representatives that a contributor to the Press also described elected by these people and of the Federal it as such, but a moment's reflection will Government, such commission to be virtually show that it is not. The request for a dif- the governing body of the above-defined por- tion of the State of Western Australia during ferent form of government, temporary in the aforementioned period of years and to be time and nearer to the people who shall financed by and responsible for the carrying elect its representatives and be responsible out of its duties and functions to the Federal to the Commonwealth, can never,.surely, be Government of Australia. regarded as secession. Rather is it a move 2. That this meeting elects three members to be its executive to consult with the Prime to bring the people of our distant parts Minister regarding the holding of a plebis- more nearly to the form of government that cite and to bring details of the proposed corn- we in the more populous areas enjoy. mission, should such be agreed to, to this meeting for further discussion prior to sub- Let us dissect the needs of these people mission through such plebiscite to the people and then endeavour to plan a comprehensive for ratification. policy, and we must, I think, inevitably 3. That this meeting requests the Prime come back to the ideas contained in this Minister to defray the expenses of the execu- tive in proceeding to Canberra to lay before motion. The reason for the request for re- him the resolutions and decisions of this lief from taxation is to permit of recovery meeting. by those wvho have been overwhelmed by the 4. That this meeting empowers the execu- greatest sequence of disasters that has ever tive to acquaint the Prime Minister with the befallen such a community and one that is argent need of an adequate shipping service to the North-West ports. unlikely to be repeated in a thousand years. Firstly, there was the world-wide depres- 5. That this meeting empowers the execu- tive to request the Prime Minister to insti- sion. D Iuring those years, Nature was gen- tute immediately separate inquiries into- erous to the North-West; good seasons fol- (a) Educational facilities, lowed in sequence. It was possible to send (b) lifedical services, sheep to the southern markets, but the price (e) Mineral resources, (d) Conservation of water, was low. I have seen the figures of one (e) Eradication of vermin, station for a batch of 2,030 lambs sent in the area of Western Australia north of away. After freight and all charges bad the 26th parallel. been paid, the owner received .7d. per head 6. That this meeting requests that these for them. Today, when stocks are low inquiries be held immediately, because it realises that delay may produce conditions and tlie sheep are not there to be sent, which may prove irreparable and plans will prices are around 35s. per head in the mar- be necessary for the commission, on establish kets. Then followed the worst drought in ment, to implement as it considers essential the history of the North-West, and before nnd practicable. recovery from that was complete, five years 7. That this meeting requests that, where- of war have added to their difficulties. Fur- ever possible, a representative of the resi-