Queensland
Parliamentary Debates [Hansard]
Legislative Assembly
THURSDAY, 23 OCTOBER 1958
Electronic reproduction of original hardcopy
790 Inspection of Machinery, &c., Bill. [ASSEMBLY.] Questions.
THURSDAY, 23 OCTOBER, 1958.
Mr. SPEAKER (Hon. A. R. Fletcher, Cunningham) took the chair at 11 a.m.
QUESTIONS.
PUBLIC PATIENTS AT CAIRNS BASE HosPITAL. Mr. ADAIR (Cook) asked the Minister for Health and Home Affairs-- "(1) Is he aware that accommodation for Public Patients at the Cairns Base Questions. [23 OcTOBER.] Questions. 791
Hospital is such that it is a fact that on Prime Minister might deal with the sub occasions patients seeking admission have ject to suit his election campaign and had to await the discharge of other itinerary~'' patients before beds could be found for them, and also that of the 158 public beds Hon. G. F. R. NICKLIN (Landsborough) available 47 are situated on verandahs replied- sheltered only by aerolax or canvas blinds " This matter has been the subject of which are unsatisfactory and substandard, several conferences and much negotiation. especially during the heavy wet season~'' The negotiations have reached a crucial '' (2) Will he investigate this matter stage and it would be inadvisable to make with the view to making available extra statements or bring the matter into public accommodation as soon as possible~'' controversy whilst they are still incomplete. The Honourable Member may rest assured Hon. H. W. NOBLE (Yeronga) replied- that this House will be informed of the '' Extra accommodation for patients in result as soon as it is practicable to do so.'' the Cairns Hospital is, and has been, under consideration for some time. The first step has been the provision of new nurses' UsE OF RAW OR UNPASTEURISED MILK IN quarters, which will be opened in the very PUBLIC H:osPITALS. near future. The transfer of nurses to the new quarters will make the old nurses' Mr. BURROWS (Port Curtis) asked the quarter;; available for use for other pur Minister for Health and Home Affairs- poses, and the Board proposes to convert '' With further reference to the use of the top floor to provide more patients' raw or unpasteurised milk in certain public beds.'' hospitals on the grounds of economy, will he advise the House whether action has been OLD NURSES-QUARTERS, SOUTH BRISBANE taken to ensure discontinuance of the HOSPITAL. practice and, if action has been taken, will he advise whether it has been of a prompt Mr. HANLON (Ithaca) asked the Minis and positive nature such as the application ter for Health and Home Affairs- of Section 33 of the Hospitals Act or '' To what use is it proposed to put the merely in the form of an expression of dis former Nurses-quarters at the South Bris approval which might allow the continuance bane Hospital~ '' of this breach of hygiene~ '' Hon. H. W. NOBLE (Yeronga) replied- Hon. H. W. NOBLE (Yeronga) replied- '' As the future of the building referred to, together with that of the old buildings '' This matter is still under investigation, in the Chronic Section of the Hospital, is as there are many problems such as availa bound up with investigations being made bility and continuity of supplies of pasteur into the development of geriatrics and ised milk, and factors connected with the physical medicine now under consideration, possible termination of existing contracts it is not possible at present to give a with Boards for the supply of other than definite answer.'' pasteurised milk.''
SUGGESTED COMMONWEALTH AID IN REHABILITATING TOWNSVILLE-MT. ISA COTTON-GROWING IN BURDEKIN DISTRICT. RAILWAY LINE. Mr. COBURN (Burdekin) asked the Mr. HANLON (Ithaca) asked the Premier- Premier- '' (1) Has he read the statement in the " (1) Has the Co=onwealth Govern Ayr 'Advocate' of October 17 by Mr. ment been requested to make any direct F. E. Lang, a cotton-grower from the contribution to the cost of rehabilitating United States of America who after three the Townsville-Mt. Isa railway line and, if days' inspection of the Lower Burdekin not, why not~'' said inter alia 'The potentiality of the '' (2) If a request has been made has the Burdekin area as a cotton-growing district Commonwealth agreed to make a direct is amazing' ~ ' ' contribution comparable to the national '' (2) If so, has the Government any importance of the project and, if not, why plans for making land and finance avail not~'' able in the Lower Burdekin to prospective " ( 3) Has reluctance on the part of the cotton-growers and, if so, under what terms Commonwealth to accept any major and conditions~'' responsibility for the project been a " ( 3) In view of Mr. Lang 's statement serious factor in the prolonged delay in that irrigated crops in the Burdekin had finalising arrangements for the proposed yielded from 1,000 to 2,000 lb. of cotton loan from the World Bank~" per acre while the average production in " ( 4) Are this Parliament and the people Arizona was only 300 lb. per acre, will he of this State to be deprived of infor do everything possible to assist all those mation in this matter which might reason who desire to engage in cotton-growing on ably be given them in order that i;he the Lower Burdekin?' ' 792 Questions. [ASSEMBLY.] Questions.
Hon. G. F. R. NICKLIN (Landsborough) Hon. A. W. MUNRO (Toowong-Minister replied- for Justice), for Hon. G. W. W. CHALK " (1) The visit of Mr. F. E. Lang to (Lockyer), replied- cotton-growing districts of Queensland was " (1, 2 and 3) It is understood that the· carried out in co-operation with technical circumstances were as stated in the and field officers of the Department of question. ' ' Agriculture and Stock, and they are well " ( 4) Any action to be taken against aware of his views." Harris Carriers will be dependent upon the facts reported by responsible Police Officers '' (2 and 3) The average cotton pro and the advice upon those facts given by dcction in Arizona in recent years has the Solicitor-General.'' exceeded three thousand (3,000) pounds of '' (5) There is no knowledge of any such seed cotton per acre per annum and not concessions having been allowed.'' 300 lbs. as stated. This materially alters the position from that implied in the Question. Obviously, any request for REBATES ALLOWED BY STATEJ GOVERNMENT INSURANCE OFFICE ON WORKERS' CoM finance for the production of cotton would PENSATION PREMIUMS. have to be treated on its merits and the position as disclosed does not warrant any Mr. DONALD (Bremer) asked the special scheme being developed for the Treasurer and Minister for Housing- Lower Burdekin at this stage. However, '' What was the value of the rebates for the information of the Honourable allowed by the State Government Insur Member, the Government at the moment is ance Office to employers on premiums paid engaged in a special drive to encourage to cover compensation during the years cotton-growing in this State and he can be ended June 30, 1956, 1957, and 1958~" assured that the Burdekin area will not be Hon. T. A. HILEY (Coorparoo) replied- overlooked in this regard.'' " For the year ended June 30, 1956, the rebate, which was in the form of a bonus TRANSPORT OF ·wooL BY HARRIS CARRIERS, of 10 per cent. of the adjusted premiums, LONGREACH, FROM PENTLAND DOWNS amounted to £333,752. No rebate was STATION. allowed for the year ended June 30, 1957. The actual amount involved for the year Mr. AIKENS (Mundingburra) asked the ended June 30, 1958, will not be known Minister for Transport-- until the end of the current financial year, but it is estimated at £400,000.'' '' (1) Is he aware that a motor truck, registered number NAX 406, owned by Harris Carriers of Longreach, and driven TRAFFIC CONTROL AT NORMAN PARK by a man who gave his name to the NEW FARM FERRY TRAM STOP. Charters Towers police as Harris, broke Mr. BAXTER (Norman) asked the Min down near Balfes Creek on or about ister for Labour and Industry- October 16 last, while illegally transport '' In view of the many accidents that ing 71 bales of wool from Pentland Downs have resulted in loss of work to the victims Station, near Muttaburra, to Townsville~" at the Norman Park-New Farm Ferry tram '' (2) Is it a fact that after the break stop on the Balmoral tram line, due to down he tried unsuccessfully to secure a excessive speed and a total disregard by motorists of the recently installed Zebra transport licence from the Officer-in-Charge Crossing together with the very recent of Police, Charters To·wers, so that he could incident, when a man was struck by a car borrow a truck to continue thE> trans and killed whilst crossing in the Zebra portation of the wool to Townsville F' Crossing- "(3) Is it a fact that after the refusal (1) Will he give consideration to hav of the Officer-in-Charge of Police at ing Traffic Police supervise the traffic Charters Towers to issue the road licence at this danger spot during the periods requested, Harris then asked the Station 7.15 a.m. to 8.15 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. to master at Charters Towers to provide him 5.30 p.m. with a view to imposing with a railway wagon to enable him to get penalties on irresponsible motorists and protecting human life~ the wool to Townsville ~" (2) Will he give consideration to "(4) If such events occurred will he installing pedestrian controlled traffic advise the House if any action has been crossing lights immediately at this taken or is contemplated against Harris danger spat~ for his blatant illegal action~'' (3) If he doubts the veracity of my '' (5) Has the Railway Department at statements that a bad danger hazard any time within a reasonable period for does exist at this crossing, will he checking made any concessions in rates accompany me ineognito and not in his and/or fares to Pentland Downs Station or own car some afternoon and view for its management personnel, and what was himself the hazardous flow of traffic at the amount of such concessions~" the times mentioned f'' Grown Employees Bill. (23 OCTOBER.] Grown Employees Bill. 793
Hon. K. J. MORRIS (Mt. Coot-tha) Mr. MANN (Brisbane) (11.11 a.m.) : The ;replied- Opposition called "Not formal" to the third " (1) Yes." reading of the Bill. It is an unusual pro "(2) The Traffic Engineer will also cedure, but I do it to draw public attention examine the location with a view to deter to the alliance between the Queensland mining whether a set of pedestrian con Government and the Queensland Labour trolled traffic lights should be installed Party. I intend to move an amendment to there.'' the title of the Bill. Instead of being called the Crown Employees Bill I think it should ." (3) Because of previous reports of thrs area, a zebra crossing was installed in be called the Queensland Labour Party Preference Bill. The people of the State the belief that this would materially assist. should know that there is an alliance If, as is indicated, motorists are ignoring between the Country Party of the Government this. ins~allation they must be brought to a reahsatron of the purpose of the crossing, and the Q.L.P. crowd. That has been quite and therefore the traffic flow at this loca evident for some time. tion . will immediately be examined and if The principle of the Bill is sound. It seeks con~rdered necessary, Traffic Police will be to give State public servants the right to statiOned there during the peak-hour traffic nominate as candidates for the Commonwealth periods each day.'' Parliament and to take their seats if successful. But I do not think the Premier SUGGESTED Co-ORDINATED RAIL SERVICE TO outlined the real reason for the Bill. He BURLEIGH HEADS AND COOLANGATTA. really introduced it to give Q.L.P. members employed in Government departments an Mr. BAXTER (Norman) asked the Minister for Transport- opportunity to nominate as candidates. " (1) Will he extend the new Co Government ]}!embers interjected. ordinated South Coast excursion to Bur leigh Heads and Coolangatta on the same Mr. MANN: Hon. members opposite do percentage rate principle that he gave the not like it but I say the purpose of the House in answer to my question of 22nd Government's action is clear. It is quite instanU" definite that the Government had all their candidates in the field and the Labour Party '' (2) If so, what would be the co had all theirs in the field, but the Q.L.P. ordinated fare to each destination men were short of candidates. The only persons tioned~'' they could get were employed in Government Hon. A. W. l'HTNRO (Toowong-Minister departments so, to make sure that they would for Justice), for Hon. G. W. W. CHALK field a full team, the Government introduced ( Lockyer), replied- the Bill under the guise of being fair. " (1) The cheap Sunday Excursion fare Dr. Noble: You would not call that to Surfers Paradise has been introduced being unfair~ during the months of October and November as a trial. As stated in the ]}Ir. ll'IANN: This story of the Govern Press announcement concerning its intro ment's being a fair Government is so much duction, the matter of extension to other bunkum. They are trying to inculcate it into resorts will be considered when the results the minds of the people through the Press. of the trial have become known.'' If something is repeated often enough and "(2) See answer to No. (1)." published in the Press often enough the people will believe it. The Bill is designed to give an assurance-and I say that PAPERS. advisedly-to the Q.L.P. that they will have The following papers were laid on the candidates in the field in the hope that they table, and ordered to be printed:- can defeat the Australian Labour Party in Report upon the Operations provided for the election and so assist the Menzies by Part III.-Aid to Development, of Government. I feel sure that if the Menzies the Financial Arrangements and Develop Government had not the support of the ment Aid Act of 1942. Q.L.P. in Queensland, or the D.L.P., or the Report of the Agricultural Bank for the anti-Communists in Victoria-- year 1957-1958. }fr. Power: You put them in as a The following paper was laid on the Government, anyway. table:- Mr. ]}!ANN: The hon. member talks Fifty-eighth Report of the Bureau of about us putting them in! Here is a photo Sugar Experiment Stations. graph of the hon. member for South Brisbane shaking hands with the Premier on a deal. CROWN EMPLOYEES BILL. Most hon. members of the Country Party are THIRD READING. men whose word is their bond. They will shake hands and having shaken hands it is Hon. G. F. R. NICKLIN (Landsborough as good as their word-as good as a signature Premier) (11.10 a.m.): I move- on a document. When they shake hands on '' That the Bill be now read a third a deal it is a deal. But the Queensland time.'' Labour Party no longer want to shake hands 794 Grown Employees Bill. [ASSEMBLY.] Grown Employees Bill.
with the Premier because they know that to the Australian Labour Party by giving there are forces within the Country Party them the right to stand a full team of· that do not look too kindly upon them. candidates to make sure that the Menzies Therefore they say they want it in writing, Government would at least be successful in not only in writing, but in an Act of Parlia Queensland. ment. So that the agreement cannot be repudiated they want it put in an Act of !Ir. AIKENS (Mundingburra) (11.19 Parliament. For that reason I say that the a.m.) : This is the first occasion since I have Bill should be called the Q.L.P. Preference been in Parliament that I have ever known Bill. a debate to take place on the third reading of a Bill. I do not deny the right of the Dr. Noble: What about second hon. member for Brisbane to call ''not preferences~ formal,'' and to initiate the debate, although I am rather an~azed at the attitude Mr. MANN: The Minister for Health and he has adopted and the argument he has Home Affairs talks about the second prefer advanced. Let us get down to the real funda ence. I never had any idea that they would mentals of the position as they appear in the give us their preference; they will give them Bill. It has been said-and truthfully so to Menzies. that the first step towards the establishment lUr. Power: You are more anti-Labour. of a dictatorship in any country is the You helped to vote them in by voting against suppression of the political minorities. the Labour Government. I know just how many attempts have been made in the 14 years I have been in Parlia !Ir. !IANN: What are you talking about? ment to suppress me as a member of a politi !Ir. SPEAKER: Order! cal minority. No-one was more venomous and vicious in the attempt of suppression than the Mr. Aikens: To whom are you going to hon. member for Brisbane who acted in the give your second preference~ positions of Chairman of Committees and Speaker. I am sympathetic ,a;nd tol~ran~ .to Mr. SPEAKER: Order! wards the existence of political mmonties, even though I might violently disagree with lir. MANN: I was replying to the inter their philosophy and their policy. No-one jection of the hon. member for Baroona. In can claim that I have any political agreement reply to that interjection I want to say that or sympathy with the Queensland Labour it does not matter how loud he sings out or Party or any of the other political how much he howls he cannot be saved from parties. My own party stands .t~day the wrath of the people when he goes before as the only dinkum and undiVIded them at the next elections. Labour Party in Australia (Laughter.) llr. Power: I may win Brisbane at the We see in this Chamber not only the next elections. A.L.P. but the Q.L.P. torn asunder by dissi dent factions. We hear the voice of the A.L.P. Mr. JIANN: I challenge the hon. mem as spoken by the hon.. member f~r Brisbane ber to stand against me in the Brisbane in violent contrast With the voice of the electorate, no matter where the boundaries A.L.P. as spoken by the Leader of the are. A.L.P. We hear the voice of the Q.L.P. as spoken by the hon. member for South Bris }Ir. SPEAKER: Order! I warn the hon. bane in absolute variance with the voice of member for Baroona and the hon. member the Q.L.P. as spoken by the hon. member for for Mundingburra that I will not tolerate Baroona, and we wonder how many more loud and discordant interjections which cut cliques and schisms will be formed in these across my remarks and the remarks of the parties. There is no clique or schisn: in our hon. member who has the rostrum. I suggest party within this Chamber or out of It. The to the hon. member for Brisbane that he position is this: it may be true, as the hon. confine his remarks to the principles of the member for Brisbane suggested, that the Bill. Queensland Labour Party found itself ~n the position of not having enough candidates Mr. MANN: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank you also for your indulgence because in the coming Federal elections to contest I realise I did get away from the subject every seat. I think as students of politics I wanted to deal with, but I was replying to we all realise from their point of view-- interjections. I thank you publicly for your Mr. lUann interjected. tolerance. Mr. AIKENS: The hon. member has not The Bill appears to be a very simple one. told the House who is going to get his The principles contained in it appear to us second prefenence. I challenge the hon. to be fair. We believe that any person who member to tell the House now. has the qualifications should be able to stand for election to Parliament, both Federal and Mr. Mann: We are giving it to them, State. But looking at the Bill again. and the Q.L.P. considering it in the light of the events of the last few days we are convinced that the Mr. AIKENS: After what you said about Bill was designed in its entirety as a pay-off them~ for the Queensland Labour Party's opposition Mr. Mann: Yes. Grown Employees Bill. [23 OcTOBER.] Grown Employees Bill. 795
Mr. AIKENS: As a monument of poli Government Members: Hear, hear! tical inconsistency, I think the hon. member for Brisbane takes the palm. I think as Mr. AIKENS: I would have done it. Do political students, from their viewpoint-not not let there be any mistake about that. necessarily our viewpoint-the Q.L.P. found If our Party were contesting the coming it necessary to run a candidate for every Federal election (A.L.P. laughter). If the electorate in the coming Federal election in hon. member for Port Curtis would use his order to have an organisation set up to secure head for any other purpose than just keeping the return of Senator Condon Byrne. With his ears apart, he would not make that out an organisation set-up in every electorate, asinine bray that he has just emitted. Senator Condon Byrne-if I may use the ver nacular which the Minister for Labour and If our Party had decided to contest seats Industry was groping for the other day in the coming Federal election, and one of would not have the Bolter 's chance. It was our potential candidates was a public servant obvious the only thing which prevented them who was barred by the Commonwealth Con from running a candidate for every electorate stitution or any provision of the Common in the coming elections was that some of their wealth Electoral Act from standing as a potential candidates were State public ser candidate in that election, I should have had vants who were barred by the Federal Con no hesitation whatever in going to the stitution from contesting the coming Federal Premier and drawing his attention to the election. Smely the hon. member for Bris fact that the Commonwealth Constitution bane will not suggest that public servants or the Commonwealth Act prevented one of should be barred from nominating as can our candidates from contesting the election, didates. and asking him to do something about it. It is the duty of any hon. member of this Mr. Mann: I never suggested that. What House to draw the attention of the Govern I am complaining about is the deal with the ment to any anomaly in our law, so that Premier. justice may be done on an equal basis for all the citizens of the State. Mr. AIKENS: I am not concerned with any alleged deal. I am not only concerned When we talk about agreements or shirt .about the rights of the State public servants, tail agreements-as I often stigmatised but of all those people in Queensland oyer them-I ask how many times there were the age of 21 years, who want to contest a shirt-tail agreements between the A.L.P. Federal seat, whether they belong to the members when they formed the Government Q.L.P., the Liberal Party, the A.L.P. or any and Government members when they formed other party or want to contest it as an Inde the Opposition as members of the Liberal pendent. Once we deny the right of a Country Party. Look at the Standing Orders citizen to contest any election that is being and you will find Standing Orders that have held in this State, we take the first step been placed in the official records of this towards Fascism or Communism. Do not Parliament as a result of collusion between make any mistake about that. I do not the A.L.P. and the Liberal-Country Party, belieY~ i~ totalitarianism. I. suffered enough Standing Orders deliberately designed to from 1t m the last 14 years m this Assembly, suppress me. The Standing Order that you and I warned you, Mr. Speaker what would quoted recently, Mr. Speaker, is an example. happen if you adopted the ta~tics of your I think it is Standing Order 127 or 137 predecessor, but fortunately you have not which gives you the right to order from the done so so far. Chamber for the rest of the day any hon. member who invokes your displeasure. Whether there has been an agreement and whether it is under the surface or over the JUr. lUann interjected. surface, does not affect me in the least. This Bill states in plain, simple and unambiguous ~fr. AIKENS: If he is honest, the hon. terms that the present Goyernment of Queens member for Brisbane will admit that that land are going to make it as easy as possible was deliberately placed in the Standing for any State public servant to contest the Orders of this Parliament as a result of coming Federal election. What the heck collusion between the A.L.P. and the Liberal is wrong with that! Country Party in order to trap me, but to date I have taken care not to be trapped. If the hon. member for Brisbane has any Take the other Standing Order, as we are proof that an approach was made by the talking of collusion- hon. member for South Brisbane to the Premier to introduce this legislation, even ~fr. SPEAKER: Order! that would not affect me, because, if there was a bar, any legal bar at all, that pre Mr. AIKENS: And a charge against the vented a State public servant from contest hon. member for South Brisbane with regard ing the coming Federal election and the to this Bill. I think I can tie up the subjects. Premier did not know of it, it was the duty The hon. member for Brisbane is not object of the hon. member for Brisbane, the hon. ing to the principles of the Bill. He is in member for South Brisbane or any other accord with the principles of the Bill, his hon. member to bring that to the notice of only objection being the so-called clandestine the Premier and ask him to correct the approach allegedly of the hon. member for anomaly. South Brisbane to the Premier, and he de- 'i96 Grown Employees Bill. [ASSEMBLY.] Grown Employees Bill.
precates any collusion between any Oppos before the first Federal election after we ition member and any Government member on assumed office~ Nominations have not yet the formulation of any legislation or the like closed. Am I to gather that he would have to be introduced into this House. objection to it if had we introduced it tluee I will not press your tolerance too far, Mr. months ago or three weeks ago~ \Yhat is &peaker, but let me refer to the Standing the point of his objection~ He would not Order which provides that no division shall be haYe objected if the principle had been intro recorded in the pages of '' Hansard'' or eYen duced too late to give justice in the terms taken unless there are five members of the that he acknowledges as fair justice. Spokes House who vote for or against the ques men for his party say that the principle of tion. That was a Standing Order ihe Bill is sound, and I say that this is deliberately designed to preyent "Bombshell" another illustration of the harsh Labour Barnes, Frcd Paterson, George Marriott, and attitude towards its servants. Heavens aboYe,. myself from having divisions recorded in have we not repeatedly brought to the notice '' Hansard.'' 'l.'he hon. member for Brisbane of hon. members opposite when they were the should be the last to talk about collusion Government the conditions of employment of between the Opposition and the Government. serYants under the Crown ·I Have we not Yes, ,he now has the decency to blush in brought to their notice the shocking and in shame. describable conditions we found of how they were being underpaid in relation to compar ~Ir. SPEAKER: Order! n ble positions elsewhere in Australia g We found that pension conditions were bad to the lUr. AIKENS: The principles of the extent that if we made the scheme a voluntary Bill are inviolate and cannot be denied by one, not one public servant would stop in it any man who has in his heart the faintest but would prefer the age pension. Did we trace or even a scintilla of decency and not plead with Labour in office to give its demGcracy. Because this Bill is a good one servants the protection of the Factories and and gives the right to every citizen in _Queens Shops Act~ Were not our pleas consistently land, whether he be a public servant or not, and persistently refused~ Worst of all, did to exercise his democratic right to contest a we not again and again come across illustra seat in a Federal election I am in favour tions of how Labour in office wanted to exer of it and I propose to vote with the Govern cise tyranny of thought over the people who ment on the Bill. worked for them~ That is the real reason for the demonstration this morning. They Hon T. A. HILEY (Coorparoo- regret that their servants are now to be freed Treasurer and Minister for Housing) (11.32 from the restrictions that they applied for a.m.) : It is quite truly a somewhat rare the 25 years that they were in office. procedure for the House to engage in a debate on the third reading stage of a Bill :ilir. Dugga.n: The position was being pro but it is not the first occasion it has hap gressively corrected. pened. It will be recognised that the time Mr. HILEY: It was progressively cor for the House to exercise this rare right to rected, but I am speaking now of the restric debate a third reading of a Bill, is when some tions that apply to Federal elections, which new matter or phase emerges which was not is the only purpose of the Bill. available for consideration in earlier stages We are entitled to say that this is evi· of debate. I heard nothing from the hon. dence of a further split in the Labour Party. member for Brisbane which could not have We now have the Manu versus Evatt split. been introduced with equal facility at the I remind hon. members that last week the appropriate stage, and I can only conclude hon. member for Brisbane completely opposed that this is another illustration of the Labour Party missing the bus. his Federal Leader on the subject of interest rates on Commonwealth loans; he described ~Ir. Hanlon: There has been a series of as ridiculous Dr. Evatt 's proposal to cure nominations since then, you know. the loan market by reducing the rate of interest to 3 per cent. Now, within 48 hours ~Ir. HILEY: The purpose of the Bill is clear, and the hon. member for Brisbane in of his Leader's offering the olive branch to his opening remarks said that the principle the Q.L.P., he again says that he is com of the Bill was perfectly sound. pletely and utterly opposed to him. Is the explanation that now that the A.L.P. have Mr. Hanlon: That is true. openly branded themselves as going before the 1\Ir. HILEY: Apparently, having said people of Australia as a leaderless legion that the principle of the Bill was sound. he with a leader who has offered his resignation objects to the timing of it. in advance-the hon. member for Brisbane is prepared to aspire to that position~ Is that ~Ir. Mann: I want to draw public atten the purpose of the demonstration this morn tion to the alliance between your Government ing~ and this crowd here. It has been conceded by the Opposition Mr. HILEY: Then, will the hon. member that the principle of the Bill is entirely for Brisbane kindly inform the House why sound. If the objection is to the timing this Government would not be justified, once of the Bill, will the hon. member for Bris it introduces a sound principle-which the bane try to persuade anyone that the Govern hon. member acknowledges-in introducing it ment should have acted at some time other Grown Employees Bill. [23 OcTOBER.] Grown Ernployees Bill. 797
than on the eve of a Federal election and member for Moreton has come along this before nominations clo,,e ~ Does he think morning to make sure that the Bill goes that we should have perpetuated the present through to save his skin. (Government and injustice for a further three years~ Q.L.P. laughter). There is little doubt that the hon. member for Moreton, together with I\Ir. HANLON (Ithaca) (11.38 a.m.) : It a number of his Federal colleagues in Queens 'vas not my intention to speak on the matter land, knows quite well that if he goes to the now before the House. I rise onlv to cor country on 22 November in a straightout con rect the deliberate misrepresentation that test with the Australian Labour Party can has been placed by both the hon. member for didate, Mr. Ouston, he will have no chance Mundingburra and the Treasurer on the at all. It is evident, and only natural, that action of the hon. member for Brisbane. he has taken time off from his campaigning When I look across the Chamber I can quite to come along this morning to make sure understand that some hon. members opposite there is no hitch. He is an envoy from the might find difficulty in following sensible Prime Minister to see that the Bill goes arguments that arc advanced, but at least the through enabling a full Q.L.P. team to be hon. member for Munclingburra and the fielded. I will bet that the Federal mem Treasurer are both capable of following any ber for Moreton got quite a shock when the point that is put forward from this side of hon. member for Brisbane raised the matter the House. Consequently, I cannot excuse this morning. either of them for misinterpreting the The Treasurer has merely brought to the remarks of the hon. member for Brisbane. attention of the House the fact that there has indeed been an arrangement. It is The hon. member for Brisbane said that probably not altogether because of the beg we of the A.L.P.-the official Opposition ging of the Q.L.P. or of the hon. member and other members on this side of the House for South Brisbane. The hon. member for regarded the principle of the Bill as very South Brisbane was probably just outside sound. Indeed, it is an amendment to the his c1oor heading for the Premier's office t(} law that possibly should have been brought ask him if he could do it when he found the down a long time ago. I assure hon. mem Premier rushing down George Street to bers opposite that we have no intention of meet him to see if he could do the same opposing the Bill or calling for a division thing for him. on the motion. In its early stages the Leader I repeat that we have no objection what of the Opposition clearly indicated that we ever to the principle of the Bill. It is supported its principles, and the hon. mem important that this Parliament or the ber for Brisbane repeated that this morning. Federal Parliament or any other Parliament However, since the earlier stages of the Bill should not be a closed shop to any person certain developments have led the hon. mem in the State. The Federal member present ber for Brisbane, and other members of the could perhaps pay some attention to the A.L.P., to believe that a definite arrange matter raised in the early part of the debate ment had been entered into, and he regarded the intricate arrangements that have been it as his dnty to bring the matter before the written into Commonwealth legislation to attention of the House and the people gener prevent State members of Parliament from ally. We do not believe that the same con standing for Federal seats without resigning sideration-and the same early consideration their State seats. -would have been given to the Bill if mem When we find the Treasurer rising and con bers of the A.L.P. had been concerned. It demning the A.L.P. for bringing to the atten would have been different if A.L.P. can tion of the public the arrangement that has didates had been waiting to nominate for been entered into by the Country-Liberal' Commonwealth election and fearing that if Party of the State in a vain endeavour to they did so the Government might not allow protect the dying Menzies-Fadclen regime, or them to resume their employment in the State the Menzies-McEwen regime, we just want service. to go back for a minute to the previous I do not suggest that the hon. member examples we have had under non-Labour for South Brisbane went clown on his knees Governments in Queensland. Hon. members to the Premier to have the Bill introduced will recall that in 1932 State public quickly. As the hon. member for Brisbane servants in the late Mr. Baker and pointed out, this is a deal or anangement or the late Mr. Copley-and I am not sure, convenience that will react to help snse the whether the hon. member for South Brisbane Menzies Government. I would not be at was similarly affected-had signifiecl that they all surprised if the Prime Minister himself intended to become Labour candidates for had asked the Queensland Government to the particular areas in which they were bring in legislation so that the Liberal stationed at the time. In an endeavour to Country Party could be sure that there would destroy their prospects as candidates the be candidates in the field assisting them from Moore Government dispatched Mr. Copley the Queensland Labour Party in every seat to one end of Queensland and Mr. Baker to, within the State. Indeed, on one of the the other and I am not sure whether the hon. benches in the Chamber just outside the bar member for South Brisbane was also. of the House is sitting one of the Federal dispatched. members who is very closely affected in the Mr. Aikens: Do you want this Govern matter. There is little doubt that the Federal ment to do that with Q.L.P. members~ 798 Grown Employees Bill. [ASSEMBLY.] Grown Employees Bill.
Mr. HANLON: I certainly do not. definitely would not have given if it had Honourable Members interjected. been advantageous to the Australian Labour Party. ])Jr. SPEAKER: Order! The hon. mem ber for Ithaca should be allowed to continue Hon. V. C. GAIR (South Brisbane) (11.49 .his speech but I suggest that he confine his a.m.): This debate on the third reading of remarks to the principles of the Bill. the Bill is not only extraordinary because it is not customary to have debates on the third Mr. HANLON: I certainly do not wish reading of a Bill-- to go against any ruling of yours, Mr. Mr. Aikens: You cannot deny him the :Speaker. Indeed I appreciate any latitude right to initiate it if he wants to. that you have given me so far, but I direct your attention to the remarks made by the Mr. GAIR: No-one would deny the hon. Treasurer who referred to the Budget debate, member for Brisbane the right to initiate it. rates of interest, the Federal leadership of I did not say that. But it is extraordinary the A.L.P., and any number of subjects which because it is not customary to debate the had very little to do with the Bill. third reading of a Bill in this Parliament. It The point I am making is that we believe is also extraordinary because we find opposi that the Government have introduced the Bill tion to the Bill at this stage whereas on its earlier than they might otherwise have done introduction, at the second reading stage and because of their desire to assist their Federal even in the Committee stage yesterday the {)Olleagues and perh•aps also a •desire to Opposition gave the legislation its blessing assist hon. members of the Q.L.P. I do not and agreed with it in principle. Even this know all the people who are concerned-Mr. morning we find the hon. member for Ithaca Kehoe, Mr. Dohring, Mr. Bidner-and I am saying that he is in accord with the prin not going to say anything against them at ciples, yet he is prepared to lend aid to the all, but perhaps in encouraging them to nomi attitude of the hon. member for Brisbane. nate as candidates for the Queensland Labour After having heard the hon. member for Bris Party in an endeavour to assist the return bane on this Bill we can understand why Jack ·Of a Liberal-Country Party Government in Egerton, the President of the Trades and the Commonwealth sphere the Queensland Labour Council, adrocated at the current Government are not really doing them. a good Trade Union Congress the urgent need for turn. By encouraging them to stand they the political education of A.L.P. political are only encouraging them to lose their £25 leaders. Now we can understand why he deposit, or whatever it might be. If they believes there is an urgent need for setting had any regard for these gentlemen they up schools for the training of those in the might have held the Bill back for a time A.L.P. It is becoming very evident that 'SO that they would not have encouraged since the Labour movement in Queensland in them to stand for election where they have no common with the other States has been taken .chance. ?ver by. the Comms., the single-Party system Is growmg on members of the Opposition. vVhen you called the House to order, Mr. They believe now in the Communist policy Speaker, I was making the point that it ill that there should be only one political party becomes hon. members opposite to deliber and the electors should have no alternative but ately misinterpret the remarks of the hon. to vote for the party under Communist con member for Brisbane because when we go trol and dictation. to the last example of Tory Government in. Queensland we see how they deliberately Mr. BURROWS: I rise to a point of went out of their way to try to prevent order. The remarks of the hon. member for ·Crown employees from contesting seats. South Brisbane are objectionable to me and I ask that they be withdrawn. Mr. Aikens: You want this Government to do the same1 Mr. SPEAKER: Order! My opinion is the hon. member for South Brisbane is within lUr. HANLON: Of course not. his rights in giving his own opinion on the matter. ])Jr. Aikens: What are you squealing abouH llJr. DA VIES: I rise to a point of order. The hon. member for South Brisbane ])Ir. HANLON: The hon. member has more intelligence than to make an interjec deliberately stated that the Australian Labour tion of that nature.- What we are trying to Party had been deliberately taken over by do is to warn the people of the type of the Communists. That is a deliberate arrangement that is entered into by the untruth; it is offensive to members of the Country-Liberal Party with the splinter A.L.P. and I ask for its withdrawal. groups, the Q.L.P. or the D.L.P. in other Mr. SPEAKER: Order! If the hon. States-in an effort to return the Liberal member for South Brisbane made a cate ·Country Party Government in the Federal gorical statement like that he must withdraw sphere. What we want to bring to the atten it. I understood the hon. member to pass tion of the public is not that there is any an opinion on the matter. ihing wrong with the Bill but that there has been consideration given in bringing the Bill ltlr. GAIR: That is my opinion, Mr. forward at this stage, consideration which Speaker. I believe that CommuiLists have Crown Employees Bill. [23 OcTOBER.] Crown Employees Bill. 79!9 taken over control of the .A.L.P. What Communist Party. There is a motion before greater evidence could I adduce than the fact the House. It has nothing to do with the that the Federal leader of the .A.L.P. and Communist Party. members of the Federal Executive of the .A.L.P. have been prepared to confer with Mr. GAIR: I can assure you that it is well-known and avowed Communists in the with great readiness that I get away from formulation of Federal policy for this the Communist Party, but when we hear election. people talking about Moscow, Rome, and all these things, we have to sit up and take lUr. DUGGAN: Mr. Speaker-- a bit of notice. Mr. SPEAKER: Order! I think the Much has been said this morning. It could hon. member is getting too far away from be thought, according to this debate, that the principles of the Bill. I have allowed this legislation will benefit every Q.L.P. can some latitude because it is necessary to didate who is about to nominate or who has permit hon. members on both sides to express nominated for the Federal election and only their opinions, but we are now getting too Q.L.P. candidates. Only three Q.L.P. far away from the principles of the Bill candidates are involved. If this legis and I suggest that the Communist Party lation had not been introduced, other can should not enter into this debate. didates were available to stand in their stead, that is, if the candidates selected had not been lUr. DUGGAN: I rise to a point of order. given some measure of understanding with The hon. member for Maryborough rose to regard to reinstatement. It is very strange a point of order and said that the hon. indeed to find opposition to this democratic member for South Brisbane asserted that the piece of legislation introduced by the Govern .Australian Labour Party had been taken ment. Why it was not introduced earlier, over by the Communists a"nd he regarded that I do not know, and I am not alone in respon as offensive to him and asked that it be with sibility for the non-introduction of it. Prob drawn. It most certainly is offensive to me. ably it was not introduced because the matter If the hon. member had said that the Liberal was not raised, but I can state that early in Party had been taken over by the Fascists my political career at least two eases came there would be definitely a very strong point to my notice of Crown employees who were of order. disadvantaged because they contested Federal seats. On their defeat they were reinstated Mr. Nicklin: There would be no point in the Public Service on a much lower classi of order. fication, and I made representations to those leading the Govermnent of the day for the ~Ir. DUGGAN: I say very definitely that rectification of what I believed to be aa there would be. .And you yourself, Mr. injustice. Speaker, have established it. You have directed the attention of the hon. member Mr. Cob urn: This Bill will save a repeti for South Brisbane to it. I say that the tion of those injustices. assertion that the policy of the .A.L.P. is Communist is offensive to me and I certainly ]'lr. GAIR: That is the idea of this ask that the hon. member for South Brisbane legislation. be instructed to withdraw it. If I made appli0ation to the Premier or had some understanding with him in con Mr. HILEY: I rise to a point of order. nection with this matter, I make no apology Is the hon. gentleman in order in disagreeing for it, none whatever. The Premier and the with your ruling, except on a Notice of Government have seen fit to introduce this Motion of disagreemenU legislation. It is to their credit. It is in accordance with the spirit of democracy and . Mr. SPEAKER: I recognise the point If the hon. member for South Brisbane it gives to Crown employees the same right categorically had stated that the Communist as that enjoyed by people outside the Crown. Party had taken over the .A.L.P. In the service, to nominate for any election, without hurley-hurley it is most difficult for me to the handicap of sacrificing their positions in be sure of the exact language used. My life. impression was that the hon. member was Hon. G. F. R. NICKLIN (Landsborough. conveying his opinion. If that is not so, I -Premier) ( 11.59 a. m.), in reply: I put him on his honour to withdraw it. have only one minute in which to reply. May I say in that time that ~Ir. GAIR: Your impression of what I said is quite correct. I am expressing my I have never seen such an example of paltry, belief with regard to the .A.L.P. policy. political propaganda as I have seen this morning from members of the Opposition. A.L.P. Members interjected. This Bill has been before the House for the best part of a fortnight, and at every stage . Mr. SPEAKER: Order! I am heartily when the Bill was under discussion hon. siCk of the irresponsible interjections which members opposite have praised it. Now that have no relevance to the matter being dis it has reached the third reading stage we get cussed. I again appeal to the hon. member this move by the hon. member for Brisbane. for South Bri.abane to get away from the What for1 It is made in an endeavour to· 800 Supply. [ASSEMBLY.] Supply. gain cheap political propaganda or alter Hon. G. F. R. NICKLIN (Landsborough natively to deny to all citizens of this State Premier) (12.4 p.m.): I move- the right to nominate for Federal election. " That £23,023 be granted for 'His The action of the hon. member for Brisbane Excellency the Governor (Balance of is symptomatic of at least one thing, that Vote).'" is, the latent adherance of the A.L.P. to a political philosophy which accords to its This is an increase of £7,616 over the Vote opponents no rights or privileges whatsoever, passed last year and it represents salary not even the right to exist. increases of £1,236 and an increase in con tingencies of £6.380. The increase in salaries Mr. Duggan: That is not true. is because some of the officers have pot reached their maximum salary rates under lUr. NICKLIN: Irrespective of the their respective classifications and because denial of hon. members opposite that they there has been an additional clerk appointed. oppose this Bill, they are opposing it. It The main increa,;e in the Vote for contin is useless for them to say that they do not gencies is because during the coming financial oppose the principles of the Bill. From their year with the prospects of a Royal visit and statements this morning, and the action they the centenary celebrations there will be a l1ave taken at this stage, it is very evident number of functions associated with Govern where they stand. They are opposed to ment House. the Bill, irrespective of what they have said. In other words, they are opposed to giving As this is the first occasion on which this citizens of this State a right they should Vote has been before the Chamber since His .enjoy, the right to nominate for a Federal Excellency took over his duties as the Queen's election. Hon. members opposite ought to be representative in Queensland, I should like ashamed of . themselves. to take the opportum ty of paying a tribute to both him and Lady May for the wonderful Motion (Mr. Nicklin) agreed to. job they are doing. They are carrying out the very arduous duties of their high office Hon. G. F. R. NICii:LIN (Landsborough IYith great dignity and efficiency. During the Premier) (12.1 p.m.): I move- short time that they have been in Queensland '' That the title of the Bill be 'A Bill they have earned both the admiration and the Relating to Employment under the affection of all Queenslanders. Her Majesty Crown.' '' the Queen chose wisely indeed when she selected His Excellency as her representative in this State. Mr. SPEAKER: The question is that this be the title of the Bill. Those who are of As Sir Henry is a good soldier, one would that opinion say ''Aye,'' to the contrary naturally expect him to have a very high "No." I think the "Ayes" have it. sense of duty. That was well exemplified by his action in accepting the first opportunity :crir. Aikens: Divide! (The House that offered to get into the stricken city of ·divided.) Bowen to see for himself the damage that was wrought by the disastrous cyclone earlier 1\Ir. SPEAKER: Hon. members, on in the year. His Excellency offered words of checking the Standing Orders I find that an encouragement to the people and tried to help order to divide can only be called by an ho 11. them over the difficult period that they were member who has spoken with the minority. I experiencing. heard the hon. member for Mundingburra proclaim that he intended to vote with the His Excellency never spares himself in ·Government. carrying out his many arduous commitments. He has already travelled vast distances lUr. Aikens: You don't blame me for throughout the State; he has met all sections putting this turn on, do you~ of the community, and has gained a tremen Motion (Mr. Nicklin) agreed to. dous knowledge of the problems that con front Queensland. He has tackled his duties In accordance with Standing Order No. with intense enthusiasm, and from the knowl 307, the House went into Committee of edge that he has gained in other parts of the Supply. world he has been able to give a good deal of advice to a number of agriculturalists. He has also been able to offer very valuable SUPPLY. suggestions to the general public with whom he has come in contact. RESUMPTION OF COMMITTEE-ESTIMATES
FIRST AND SECOND ALLOTTED DAYS. Lady May is a very worthy partner to His Excellency, and she has helped him consider (The Chairman of Committees, Mr. Taylor, ably in carrying out his duties. She is also Clayfield, in the chair.) cheerfully and efficiently carrying the many responsibilities that always come the way of ESTIMATES-IN-CHIEF, 1958-1959. a Governor's Lady.
~XECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE-HIS EXCELLENCY Although Sir Henry has been among us for THE GOVERNOR (BALANCE OF VOTE). only a few months, he is already a real Supply. [23 OCTOBER.] Supply. 801
\iueenslander. If one searched the length and Governor, none of my remarks should be con breadth of the State, one would not find strued as an attack upon His Excellency Sir anywhere a more enthusiastic advocate for Henry Abel Smith. I have a tremendously <;)ueensland and Queenslanders. high regard for him. I know of few men On behalf of the Government, I take this to whom it is possible to warm so quickly. <>pportunity of extending heartfelt thanks to He is completely without side. He is His Excellency and Lady May for the excel· extremely approachable. He is most desirous lent job they are doing as Her Majesty's of seeing as much of this country as he can representatives in this State. and of seeing the people in their various moods, in times of difficulty and in times of :Mr. DUGGAN (North Toowoomba joy and happiness. He has indicated a great Leader of the Opposition) (12.9 p.m.): I desire to facilitate the exchange of views rise principally for the purpose of elaborat between members of this Parliament and him ing, on behalf of the Opposition, some of the self on the affairs of the State of Queensland Premier's remarks. It is hardly necessary for us on this side of the Chamber to reaffirm in the first instance and of the particular our loyalty to the Throne and to Her constituencies in the second. While dis Majesty's representative in this State. I, and agreeing with the general appointment of others with me, made those affirmations dur Englishmen to the office of Governor of the ing the debate on the Address in Reply. State, I agree wholeheartedly with the However, seeing that the Premier has chosen Premier that a very happy choice has been to elaborate on the work of His Excellency made in the selection of Sir Henry. I am since his arrival in Queensland, I should like sure he will leave his mark on the State. it to go on record that we support every He and his wife have certainly created a thing he has said. I do that particularly most favourable impression by their willing· because many people try to make cheap ness to submit themselves to all sorts of political propaganda out of the fact that, as physical discomforts to discharge efficiently they allege, we of the Australian Labour the duties pertaining to the office, and I have Party are less loyal in our devotion to the no doubt that their efforts will be recorded Throne than are some other elements of the with every satisfaction in the various ·Community. We of the Australian Labour chronicles that register those events. Party have a very high regard for the monarchial system of Government and for the I hope that both His Excellency and Lady splendid example that has been set by Her May will be spared to be with us for many Majesty the Queen in carrying out the duties years. Wiith their knowledge of the State <>f the very high office that she holds. and their obvious desire to serve it they will perhaps have more fruitful opportunity to Consequently we view with very great advance the claims of Queensland in quarters interest and concern the appointment of a to which some other occupant of the office man to carry out her delegated tasks in the might be denied access. We know that Sir State. I have put it on record that we of the Henry, with his commercial associations in A.L.P. do not think it necessary that we Great Britain, has been able to make very should subscribe to the policy of bringing valuable contacts in fields that might be people from England to represent Her denied someone else. I know he has already Majesty. We think the position could well seen to it that certain views that be filled by a distinguished Australian. It he holds have been transmitted to people is perhaps appropriate to note that even in who may be in a position to advance Queens· the last few days it has been suggested that land's interests in one way or another. We the present Prime Minister of Australia is hope that in the coming year not only will likely to be asked to become Governor Sir Henry have the opportunity of welcoming General of Canada. That may well bring a special representative of Her Majesty the .about some modification of the A.L.P. 's point Queen in Princess Alexandra, but also, of view-if the opportunity for Australians through his contacts with her, the ties that to serve as Governors or Governor-Generals bind Queensland to Her Majesty will be in various parts of the British Commonwealth strengthened even more. I hope that Princess {lame about. But we think there are men in Alexandra will be able to fulfil! the itinerary Australia, and for that matter women, well planned for her. I share the Premier's view fitted to represent Her Majesty the Queen that, while we should arrange for her to see with distinction and honour to themselves and as much of the State and as many people with credit to the country. There is indeed as she possibly can, we should remember the .an implied reflection on our citizens in the Yery wearying effect of travel over great assumption that we have not within our own distances in Queensland. Although there ranks people with the requisite experience has been a considerable increase in the Vote and sense of loyalty. I offer no objection to it because I believe it has been brought about by the general Having said that, I want to repeat what I increase in the cost of maintaining an ·said in the Address-in-Reply debate, namely, establishment of this kind. Indeed I suppose that the present Government having exercised it is infinitesimal when spread over the whole their prerogative and elected to invite an of the financial obligations of the State. Englishman with very distinguished service to Taking into account the desire to maintain his credit to fill the important office of the standard necessary for the occupant of 1958-2c 802 Supply. [ASSEMBLY.] Supply. such an important office we do not offer any young people when they visited various objection to the very much increased vote schools. At the reception held in the beautifu1 this year. park at N oosa Heads, attended by representa tives of the local authorities and other public Hon. V. C. GAIR (South Brisbane) (12.15 organisations, the Governor showed great p.m.): I join with the Premier in paying interest in the history of early days. He tribute to His Excellency the Governor on the chatted freely with the pioneers who were manner in which he has accepted his office very pleased to meet him. It was evident that and the way in which he has discharged the the Governor must have heard and read much duties associated with it. As I have said about the early clays in Queensland. previously in the Chamber, at this time in the history of Australia I am opposed to the Next year the Governor, his wife and appointment of Governors from overseas. It is daughter will be a great help during the not that I have anything personal against a centenary celebrations when history will be man born in another country, particularly in made. We look forward to the celebrations England, but I am confident that in Australia which will be graced by the Governor, Lady we have men of character and integrity who May, and Elizabeth, and the Hon. the Premier have distinguished themselves with equal and Mrs. Nicklin. We appreciate the work of merit in many walks of life in peacetime, and our very worthy Chief Justice, Mr.• Justice particularly in war, as people whom we bring Mansfield who carried out the duties of State from overseas. As a member of the Common in the absence of the Governor during his wealth of Nations, Australia has the right to tour of Queensland. nominate some of her distiguished sons for Mr. BURROWS (Port Curtis) (12.24 the high and honourable post of Governor. p.m.) : I think it is redundant for us to get J<'rom time to time Australians Wh
were the Toowoomba Foundry Co. Ltd. and The CHAIRMAN: Yes. We shall be Lester & Harris's ribbon factory, and he dealing with that item later. expressed his great astonishment at the existence of so many factories iu Toowoomba. Mr. DONALD: That matter more than Both Sir Henry and Lady May expressed any other prompted me to rise to speak. I very great surprise at Queensland's develop did not want to miss the opportunity. I thought I could deal with it under this item ment. They had no conception that this but find that I cannot. However, that doe~ State had developed to the extent it hns. i not destroy the value of the sentiments I have They told me they expected to see far more expressed OT detract fTom the wisdom of the barren~tracts of land than there are here. people in choosing the present Governor. At They had no idea that such an immense the same time, I repeat that it is my belief area of Queensland was under cultivation. that we have in Australia people able to fill The selection of Sir Henry Abel Smith the office just as well, and that has been as Governor of Queensland will do untold demonstrated again and again. In the State good not only for this State, but for Australia we need go no further than Queensland-born, as a whole, and I compliment the Government bred and educated Sir John Lavarack, who on their choice. I think we should alternate filled the office with distinction and credit. between Englishmen and Australians in the We are all very proud of him. In the national appoi.ntment o_f State Governors. It is a good sphere we must pay tribute to two distin pnnciple to give Australians the opportunity guished Australian-born citizens who carried of filling the office of Governor, but we out important duties with credit to themselves should no~ ~orget that men from other parts and to the nation. I refer to Sir Isaac of the Bnhsh Commonwealth can effectiwly Isaacs and Sir William McKell. The former and efficiently fill the role of State Governor. was a bTilliant jurist who distinguished him I refer not only to this State, but to other self in his profession. Indeed he reached the States as well. top of the tree and the way in which he carried out the duties of his exalted office Next year we will be honoured with a visit reflected great credit on the Australian from Princess Alexandra and as 'l'oowoomba will celebrate its centenary the following people. year, I ask the Premier to give consideration The CHAIRlUAN: Order! The hon. to having her visit Toowoomba. I do not member may make only passing comment on think we will be fortunate enough to have a subsequent Royal visitor especially for that subject. Toowoomba 's centenary. lir. DON ALD: I am just drawing atten ~I~. ~ONALD (Bremer) (12.41 p.m.): tion to the value of appointing a local I J0111 With other hon. members, and particu Governor. Sir \Villiam McKell rose from larly my Leader, in paying tribute to the the mnks of the boilermakers to be the first Governor and his gracious lady. From my citizen in Australia and we do not talk enough own personal experience I can enclose all that about it as rm example of what is possible t~ey h~ve said. I was very much impressed under the Commonwealth Constitution. A With Sll' Henry's conduct when he visited the man born in Australia, by his own initiative woollen mills of North Ipswich and the and ability climbed from being a humble Ips>vich Railway Workshops when he made a hoileTmaker-though it was a veq important very favourable impression on the employees. trade-to barrister, to member of Parliament, He has expressed a desire to make an under to Premier of a State, and then to the ground inspection of a colliery in the Ipswich exalted office of Governor-General, which he district and I can assure hon. members as I occupied with distinction and credit. That i~ assured Sir Henry at the time, that h~ will something to bo proud of and not silent abont. be very welcome there. Mr. DA VIES (Maryborough) (12.45 Hon. members have spoken of the great p.m.): I am very glad to have the oppor value to the Governor that his lady is and tunity of joining with the Leader of the there is another lady about whom I wish to Opposition and other speakers in reaffirming speak and for whom I seek some recognition. to His Excellency the Governor our loyalty Iu doing so I will be repeating a plea I made to Her Majesty the Queen and in expressing some years ago. Every married man in the our appreciation of the services that he and Chamber knows what value his \\·ife is to him. his good wife, Lady May, are rendering to I have had the experience of knowing just what value a wife can be and how hard it is the State. for a member of Parliament to carry out his The people of the Maryborough electorate duties without a wife. Provision is made in greatly appreciated the visit of His Excellency the Estimates for ''Railway passes to mem to the Maryborough district so early in his bers and ex-members of Parliament and their term of office. I do not intend to dwell at relatives.'' length on the great interest that he took in the town and district, the people, the indus The CHAIRMAN: That is another Vote trial development, and the tourist possibili and does not come under the item before the ties of the district and the Bay, but in a Committee. general way I want to express, on behalf of lir. DONALD: Is this just the Governor the people, their sincere appreciation of his himself~ three-day visit to us. Supply. [23 OCTOBER.) Supply. 805
As the hon. member for Toowoomba has The increase in the amount of the vote for availed himself of the opportunity to suggest the upkeep of this office of several thousand to the Premier that Princess Alexandra pounds is fully justified. It must be remem should visit Toowoomba when she comes to bered that visitors come here from all over Queensland next year, so I put a word in for the world many of whom have the privilege Maryborough which was not fortunate enough of staying at Government House. It is the to have a visit from the Queen or the Queen duty of Parliament to see that sufficient Mother. Might I ask also that our delightful money is granted to maintain a standard in city be included in the itinerary of Princess keeping with the best in other parts of the Alexandra~ At a later stage I shall join British Commonwealth of Nations. with other authorities in the city of Mary I reaffirm my loyalty as a member of the borough in approaching the Premier to ask Australian Labour Party. That applies to for a visit by the Princess to that city and every member of the Australian Labour area. Party. It should hardly be necessary for hon. The CHAIRMAN: If the hon. member members to reaffirm their loyalty to the cannot keep his speech away from the subject Crown or His Excellency the Governor as the which has been ruled out of order, I will representative of the Queen. In the debate have to ask him to resume his seat. on the motion for the adoption of the Address in Reply, the hon. member for Bundaberg JUr. DAVIES: I have much pleasure in said that it was unnecessary in the course supporting the vote. of that debate to reaffirm our loyalty. Every time we sang the National Anthem lUr. BYRNE (Mourilyan) (12.52 p.m.) : we offered a prayer on behalf of Her I join with other hon. members in expressing Majesty, thus affirming our loyalty in that the loyalty of the electorate that I represent, way. I believe that the reaffirmation of to the person and office of Her Majesty, faithful loyalty to the Crown is a good thing. Queen Elizabeth II. I sincerely desire to I am happy to avail myself of the opportunity pay a great compliment to our Governor and to do so. his good lady. During his period of office he has travelled extensively in order to see Because of the smear attacks upon the the various areas and meet the ordinary loyalty of the Australian Labour Party to working people. The people in my area who His Excellency the Governor, and through have had the pleasure of meeting him have His Excellency the Governor to Her Majesty expressed great confidence in him. The pro the Queen, I am glad to have the opportunity gramme drawn up by some of our local bodies to deny the vicious statements that have for the Governor's visit is sometimes too been made by hon. members of the Govern arduous. The unbounded goodwill towards ment and the Queensland Labour Party when the Governor which is expressed by the they said that we were disloyal to tJ:te ordinary working class people is a wonderful Governor. tribute to him. His Excellency was present last night at the snooker tournament where The CHAIR,lUAN: Order! The hon. mem he met the players and officials. He waved ber has been told that the Vote concerns the to many of the people who were present. On allotment of money only to His Excellency all sides the expression was, ''What a tine the Governor and his staff, and only those chap. lliThat a great honour to meet him. matters may be debated. How good of him to come along ancl view this game of snooker.'' ll'Ir. Aikens: You can have a crack at that The amount voted is only in keeping with on the Premier's Vote. the standard of the office. On my own behalf and on behalf of the residents of the 3Ir. DAVIES: Thank you, Mr. Taylor, Mourilyan electorate I express our loyalty I am grateful for your advice. I do not and affection to the Throne and person of need to go to the hon. member for M:Unding Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. burra concerning matters that affect your ruling. I was led astray by the repeated ;r trust that at an early date the Governor statements of various hon. members who will have an opportunity to visit Tully, where wished to associate themselves with expres he will see extensive progress in the sugar sions of loyalty. As our loyalty had been industry and the great electrical undertaking attacked I considered I was justified in at Koombooloomba. reaffirming our loyalty to His Excellency the The Governor has visited the outback and Govemor and to the Crown. many other parts of Queensland, and has shown a keen interest in the Flying Doctor The CHAIR:iUAN: Order! The hon. service. He is anxious to become acquainted member has made his point. I ask him to with the potentialities of the State, the need deal stl'ictly with the vote. for development, and the living conditions and problems of the people. No job seems to Mr. DA VIES: I am pleased, Mr. Taylor, have been too difficult for him, and no place that you have accepted our statement. You too distant to visit. His work has been widely believe in justice and you realise the injus aclaimed. He will indeed be a great tice of the attack made on us this morning. ambassador for Queensland. 806 Supply. [ASSEMBLY.] Supply.
Mr. BAXTER (Norman) (12.58 p.m.): Queensland. He expressed the opinion that if I join with my Leader and other hon. he, as representative of the Queen, was to members of the Australian Labour Party in become conversant with all aspects of life expressing loyalty to the Throne. in the State it was desirable that he should meet the leaders of our unions. I give fuli We are very fortunate to have as Governor credit to the Premier and the Treasurer for a man of the great capabilities of Sir Henry introducing the Governor to the presidents and Abel Smith. secretaries of the unions who were at the The doubts expressed prior to his appoint gathering that day. The Vote under dis ment reminded me of the doubts expressed cussion provides for an extra £5,300. It is J3rior to the appointment as Governor of the interestmg to note that the sum expended late Sir Leslie Wilson. In each instance they in 1957-1958 was £1,293 in excess of the proved to be unfounded. Both gentlemen appropriation. I do not begrudge the carried out their duties with distinction, but Governor the extra money because it was at the same time showed that they had not spent in a fit and proper manner. In addition lost the common touch. to meeting people in the metropolis, His Although I doubted the wisdom of the Excellency has travelled throughout the State choice of Sir Henry Abel Smith, and believed and has witnessed the hardships that are that Sir Alan Mansfield was the right man endured by people in the outback. It is for this position, I must concede that the obvious that as the direct representative of Governor and his family with their humane Her Majesty the Queen, he regards it as his approach to problems and their keen interest duty to make himself conversant with the in Queensland have become very popular. The activities of all sections of the community. Governor has mixed freely with all sections of the community. He visited the wharves. Again I say that we are fortunate indeed Although the wharf labourers had grubby in having as Governor a man with a human hands and were dressed in dirty clothes, sand approach to the problems of all sections of the community. As well as taking an interest shoes and shorts, it was apparent that those in the agricultural activities of the State, he things did not make any difference to His has met workers in industry. For example, he Excellency. He shook hands with them and has visited wharves and seen men at work discussed matters of interest to them. there. The hon. member for Burdekin seemed The choice of Sir Henry Abel Smith as to be Burprised that His Excellency saw fit to Governor has proved a good one. As he shake hands with an aboriginal. What more was interested in the breeding of stock over appropriate gesture could we have from the seas, particularly Arab horses, naturally he Governor of the State than for him to shake would be interested in stock-breeding in this hands with an aboriginal-a true Australian~ country too. and so it is fitting that he should It gives me very great pleasure to speak hold such high office in a primary-producing in praise of His Excellency and to support State like Queensland. He has visited this allocation of extra money for the current drought areas to acquaint himself with the year. Seeing that next year will be Queens lives of the people there. Recently we saw land's centenary year and that we shall have a picture of him enjoying a cup of billy tea. a visit from Her Royal Highness Princess Good for him! Probably it was the first Alexandra, I am sure that the extra alloca time he had ever enjoyed a cup of really tion will be spent in a fitting way. good tea. I would be failing in my duty if I did not Hon. G. F. R. NICKLIN (Landsborough emphasise his desire to meet the people. When Premier) (2.22 p.m.): I appreciate the he attended his reception at Parliament remarks of all hon. members about the service House he was introduced to members of the His Excellency is giving to the State. They Liberal Party, the Country Party and the emphasise the point that all hon. members Labour Party in the marque erected on the realise the great job that His Excellency lawn outside this Chamber. Re made a and Lady May are doing. I am sure every remark that truly depicted his character. He one will agree that His Excellency deserves said to the Treasurer, and I think to the every word of commendation that has been Minister for Transport, too, that having met uttered by hon. members. members of the community, mayors, coun The hon. member for Mourilyan expressed cillors, members of the Liberal Party, the the hope that the Govern
We also convey our thanks to Miss Doyle Mr. AIKENS: Yes, and a lot of hard and the members of the Refreshment Rooms work. If an hon. member becomes a Minister, staff. Anyone who has been here any length even though he may only serve in Parliament of time must admit that there has been a for a few years, quite a different set of big improvement in the refreshment rooms circumstances obtain. I am not endeavour since Miss Doyle has been in charge. The ing to make political capital, but I use this service is better, the food is better, hon. mem as an outstanding case on the point. Paddy bers are treated with every courtesy in Atherton who, I think, is dead-I hope every way. I think I can speak for all hon. he is not-- members when I convey to her and members llfr. Nicklin: He is dead. of her staff our gratitude for the way in which she looks after our meals and other llir. AJKENS: The late Paddy Atherton refreshments, particularly when we are enter was elected in 1929 as a member of the taining visitors. Moore Party and was immediately made a Minister of the Crown. So also was Mr. It is good that we should recognise all Macgroarty immediately made a Minister of these people just as conscientiously as we the Crown after his election in 1929. Both recognise the services of the Governor, his of those gentlemen were defeated in 1932 lady and daughter. I think everyone will after having served only three years in this agree that in their capacity they are giving Parliament, but because they were Minister~ just as useful a service to "the community as of the Crown for that period they got a gold the Governor, his lady and his daughter. pass over the railways of Australia as long I rose mainly to plead again for the wives as they lived; and I understand their wives and widows of ex-Members of Parliament. got one too. They should at least get some reward for liir. Gair: No. their sacrifices and their work on behalf of the Government in assisting their husbands as Mr. AIKENS: If that is so, I stand Members of the I"egislative Assembly. I hope corrected. Let me mention the case of the the Premier will give some consideration to hon. member for Condamine who was a my appeal. Minister of the Crown for a very short time -about 12 or 15 months. Mr. AJKENS (Mundingburra) (2.33 JUr. Nicklin: If he served only 15 months p.m.): First of all I endorse the remarks he is not entitled to an all-States pass. of the hon. member for Bremer about the llir. AIKENS: How long must he serve? excellent service and courtesy rendered to hon. members by all members of the staff at l\Ir. Nicklin: He must have three years' Parliament House. I think the hon. member service. for Bremer omitted to mention a most iUr. AIKENS: Macgroarty and Atherton important section of the staff. I am sure and all the others who had served for three he must have done it inadvertently. I refer years and no more were entitled to the pass. to the girls in the secretarial rooiu, without whom many of we back-benchers would be llir. Gair: They delayed the election in absolutely lost. order to make them eligible. He mentioned passes for ex-Members of llJr. AJKENS: That is an interesting Parliament. I am glad he did, because it observation. I know that they did delay has been a burning question for a long time. the 1932 election till June. Perhaps that The system of issue of passes to ex-Members was the reason. The position is we have of Parliament is completely unfair, in as much men who served only three years, and who as a back-bench Member of Parliament that enjoyed all the privileges and emoluments is, a Member of Parliament who never attains attached to Ministerial office getting a free the dignity or otherwise of Cabinet rank can pass over the railways of Australia for the serve in Parliament for a quarter of a' cen rest of their lives, compared with men-and tury or longer but when he retires from I could name many of them-like vVinstan Parliament either of his own volition or ley and many other members of the Labour because he is defeated at the polls, he has to Party and members of the Country Party hand in his pass because it belongs to the w.ho served for donkey's years without get electorate. All he gets in return is a per ting Cabinet rank and went off with a per forated pass which entitles him and him alone forated pass for the Queensland Railways only !o travel on the Queensland railways. There -not that the nature of a pass matters Is, as the hon. member mentioned, no recog two hoots in Hades. As far as I am nition for his wife. If he were a railway concerned they can give me a peanut shell as man who had served a lifetime in the railwav long as it authorises my wife and myself service then he and his wife would get ~ to travel over the Australian railways. The first-class pass every year for a month to construction of it does not matter. A pri travel from station to station. Being a back mte member c4n serve a lifetime and devote Bench member of Parliament he gets a all his time to carrying out his Parliamentary pass over the Queensland railways and his duties, and may do much more for the State wife gets nothing- than the man who occupies Ministerial position for three years-and there is the llfr. Gaven: She gets experience. greatest discrimination. Supply. [23 OCTOBER.) Supply. 809
Mr. Nicklin: You are not quite right. Mr. HANLON: Yes, but the people who Once a member has 25 years' service, he is want them do not get round to buying them. entitled to a railway pass all over Australia. If they are told that copies can be bought at the Printing Office, they do not always get Mr. AIKENS: I will never be able to use round to buying copies from the Printing it, if it applies only to ex-members of Par Office. It should be made as easy as possible liament, because I will never be an ex-member to supply copies to those who are interested until the Grim Reaper takes me away. in parliamentary debates. It would not cost Mr. Nicklin: What are you worrying very much. I put the suggestion to the abouH Government. The figure for the maintenance of the Mr. AIKENS: That shows my fairness Legislative Assembly is £105,000. That does and sense of justice. As the Premier will not include the salaries of hon. members and know from my speech this morning, I always a few other substantial expenses, but it is a .put up a better fight for the other fellow very reasonable amount for the protection than ·for myself. I am in favour of justice given to the public by the parliamentary and equity. If a member of Parliament system. Recently in this Chamber I had the with 25 years' service gets a pass over all privilege to move for the setting up of a the railways in Australia, I shall qualify for public accounts committee, and while I agree that on my head. I will have had 16 years at that the hon. member for Kurilpa has been the next election, with goodness knows how making some pertinent and very important many more to go. The only question is contributions in this Chamber on the decline whether I can hold off the Grim Reaper. of Parliament, and particularly the relation Mr. Nicklin: You may qualify for two. ~hip between the Commonwealth and State Parliaments, I think the democratic protec Mr. AIKENS: I may. ' ion the public receive in that their represen I thank the Premier for his previous inter tatives can raise relevant matters and ask jection. A back-bencher with 24i years' certain questions is well worth the expendi services gets a pass only for the Queensland ture of £105,000. It is quite a reasonable railways, but a Cabinet Minister with three amount. years' service gets a pass over the railways l'\Ir. Aikens: We have heard rumours of Australia. that they are going to expel the hon. member for Kurilpa from the Liberal Party. Mr. HANLON (Ithaca) (2.41 p.m.) : I wish to discuss several points, the first being Mr. HANLON: That is hardly relevant, the number of copies of "Hansard" made but I noticed where Senator 0 'Sullivan was available to hon. members. I think we are very annoyed about the remarks of the hon. supplied with 24. The population of the member for Kurilpa. Whether that hon. State has grown considerably in recent years, member is to be expelled or not I do not and I think the Premier and hon. members knovY. I think that the hon. member came would agree that it is common to receiYe out of the exchange a lot better than his many requests from electors for copies of Federal colleague. '' Hansard. '' While some hon. members may not have a great demand for them and issue I hope that you, Mr. Taylor, will let me only a comparatively small number of copies, develop the point I am about to make. I [ know that in my case and the case of other was disappointed in the attitude adopted by hon. members many requests are made by hon. members of the Government Parties those interested in parliamentary debate for during the Budget debate when so few of them copies of "Hansard." It is not possible to took the opportunity-- meet all those requests. I think provision The CHAIRMAN: Order! The hon. should be made for the supply of extra copies. member can hardly expect to be allowed to I do not mean a bulk supply of '' Hansards, ·'' develop that point. which would not be issued. Hon. members could supply Mr. Speaker or someone else in lUr. HANLON: I do not want to authority with a list of the people to whom disagree with you, Mr. Taylor, but the the "Hansards" were to be sent. The point I am about to make is that £105,000 number could be increased to 50. of public money is being appropriated for Mr. Nicholson: Public relations. the Legislative Assembly. I am referring to the attitude of Government members who did Mr. HANLON: It is not a matter of not take advantage of the money being pro nublic relations. It may be thought that vided by the public to provide a forum for hon. members get some public relations value them to bring to the attention of the public out of "Hansard." Although all hon. things that they considered should be aired members have complaints from time to time on a State basis and on the basis of their Rbout the way debates are presented in the own electorates. I ask you to allow me Press, or the fact that they are not covered to develop that. We are appropriating in the Press, it must be realised that news £105,000 to enable members to speak in this -papers publish only the news of greatest Chamber and by their neglect Government value to them. members have not taken advantage of the Mr. Ewan: Copies of "Hansard" can be facilities provided for them. I think that I bought. have every right-- 810 Supply. [ASSEMBLY.] Supply.
The CHAIR.ltiAN: Order! Will the hon. Parliament should have the same opportunity. member for Mundingburra please sit back Sometimes we hear people complain that all in his seat. If the hon. member misbehaves these ''perks'' to members of Parliament are he will be dealt with. I should point out paid for out of the public purse and are not to the hon. member for Ithaca that if he merited, but I believe that the provision of intends to speak about the behaviour of railway passes to members of Parliament is members of Parliament in this Chamber he essential in order that they may carry out is perfectly at liberty to do so but he is not their duties adequately. entitled to refer to a debate that has con cluded. If he wishes to discuss the behaviour Mr. BURROWS (Port Curtis) (2.52 p.m.): of members he is at liberty to proceed. I would be neglecting my duty if I did not take this opportunity of expressing my Mr. HANLON: I thank you for the appreciation and admiration of the work that opportunity you have given me. We have is done by the various sections of the staff at heard much from hon. members opposite and Parliament House. In particular, the Parlia those on the cross benches about the respon mentary Librarian and his staff give a won sibility of hon. members to the electors but derful service. Those remarks apply also to my remarks do not apply to members of the the members of the "Hansard" staff. I refer cross benches when I speak of neglect of particularly to the way in which they trans duty because those hon members played their late and interpret our speeches during the part with the members of the A.L.P. in uproar that frequently occurs in the course the Budget debate. It is rather strange of a debate. I marvel that they can get even that those who talk about members of a slight understanding of what we are saying. Parliament being responsible to the electors However, they always seem to get a remark should neglect their duties to such an extent ably good picture of our thoughts and inten as to allow the Budget debate to go through tions and every time I read a speech of mine with only two government speakers. I pay in '! Hansard'' I am inclined to consider the hon. member for Mundingburra the com myself a much better speaker than I really pliment of including him among the am. Opposition speakers. Eleven members of the Opposition spoke during the Budget debate I have always found Mr. Gunthorpe and as against two from the Government benches, his staff the essence of courtesy and at ten not including the Treasurer who presented tion. They are frequently a great help to me the Financial Statement. I should like hon. and, I am sure, to other hon. members. members opposite to give me an illustration Although I have not specifically men.tion~d of any Budget debate in any Parliament-- other services that hon. members enJoy m Parliament House, we must express our The CHAIR.ltiAN: Order! I think the appreciation to the members of the ~taff who hon. member has made his point. I render them. emphasise that the Vote relates to the admin istration of Parliament. I ask him to speak On the subject of our obligations as mem to the administration of Parliament. bers of Parliament, many of us could greatly improve our behaviour and our attitude Mr. HANLON: It is not right that towards one another in the Chamber. We were £105,000 of public money should be voted to afforded an example of that this morning. the Government to enable them to use Parlia Because one hon. member expressed his ment either for political propaganda purposes suspicions about certain legislation, there was or as a plaything. I believe that in the a good deal of uproar in the Chamber and Budget debate, which after all occurred dur several hon. members rose to their feet. ing the present fianncial year, Parliament was misused and that the Government Whip The CHAIR.LtiAN: Order! The hon. displayed a completely unco-operative attitude member is not entitled to refer to that subject that was quite foreign to the behaviour that during this debate. we would expect from him and the Govern ment in the expenditure of money that is ltlr. BURROWS: While hon. members granted for the conduct of Parliament. It is are in the Chamber they are granted certain not right in a budget debate that there should privileges and e~joy protection from th~ .law be endless speakers on one side of the of libel. Even rf they have only suspiCIOns Chamber and virtually none on the other. they have a duty to voice them and that is I regard expenditure on the granting of why they are given that .licence or l.iberty or railway passes to hon. members as well worth privilege, whatever you like to call 1t. ~ven while. I refer now not so much to the use if I disagree with a man I t::ke the attltu~e of railway passes by hon. members when they of one French patriot who sard words to thrs retire but when they are still active members effect "I do not agree with what you say of P~rliament. It gives them an opportunity but I will fight for your right to say it.'' to get round the State and acquire an inti That is one of the foundations of democracy. mate personal knowledge of the interests and It is no good going on vyi~h cant and hum~ug problems of all its people. We have already about the rights and pnvrleges that we enJOY heard how the Governor has travelled round under the democratic system if in the next the State to gain a knowledge of the people's breath we hound a man or gag him or shout activities and interests, and members of him down. when he tries to express his opinion. Supply. [23 OCTOBER.] Supply. 811
If there are any faults about the administra· struggles and sacrifices, and oft-times tion of Parliament House or the Parliament martyrdoms, which throughout many genera itself, they lie more inside the Chamber than tions have bought for us our democratic free outside amongst those whose job it is to give dams and privileges. the service that they give us so efficiently. When the day comes for them to visit this Assembly to see a Parliament in being and at Mr. TOOTH (Kelvin Grove) (2.57 p.m.) : work, many of them come in a spirit not This item of more than £105,000 for the only of deep respect but also almost of awe. maintenance of the Legislative Assembly, the Let us be frank about it: the reality seat of government, with the efficiency and often comes to them as an anti-climax. I dignity that it warrants, is very important. know, of course, that this is a working The hon. member for Ithaca took the oppor Assembly, that it is neither desirable nor tunity to chide the members of the Govern indeed possible to maintain formal ment party on their behaviour in the Budget dignity at all times. But I do think, even debate. Hon. members on this side of the at the danger of being thought presumptions, Chamber felt that to paint the lily or to gild that hon. members should consider the the refined gold of the Treasurer's Financial importance of that first hour when the gal Statement would have been in the circum leries are occupied by school children of stances a wasteful and ridiculous excess. Had tender years. Those of us who have had the members of the Opposition really launched an opportunity to talk to children after an effective attack on the Budget I a~ sure a visits to the Assembly have been not only whole legion of Government back-benchers interested in their reaction, but also per would have leapt to the defence of the turbed. We hear such questions as: "Why Treasurer and his Budget if they had thought do members seem so uninterested in what is it necessary, but as the contribution of the being said and done~ Why do they get up Opposition was something in the nature of a and walk about~ Why do they call outf" hallelujah chorus we were happy to listen I know that is all part of the machinery and enjoy the harmony. of the Assembly. I think that the necessary explanation should be made to the children Mr. Hanlon: You do not remember the but in my opinion there are many ways in days when you people used to take up the which we could help to improve the time of the debate talking about the Q.C.E. impression. and all those things, do you~ Mr. Aikens: Are you suggesting that we give them a perfectly false picture of the The CHAIRMAN: Order! I should like to point out to the hon. member for Kelvin operations of ParliamenU Grove that I have allowed him to answer the hon. member for Ithaca, and I ask him now Mr. TOOTH: I think the comment of the to confine his remarks to the Vote under hon. member for Mundingburra is perhaps discussion. pertinent, but it does not overcome the prob lem. Children coming here in their impres sionable years are going to carry away an Mr. TOOTH: Thank you, Mr. Taylor. I should like to address myself particularly to indelible impression of democracy in action. the dignity of Parliament, with special refer It may be the only time they will ever visit the Assembly and they will carry away from ence to the effect that the conduct of hon. it an impression of how democracy works and members leaves on the impressionable minds operates. I think the very best of impres of the yonug people who visit us during the sions should be given because there are times first hour almost every day. It is with very when the Assembly conducts its debates and great diffidence that I raise the matter because business with extreme dignity and extreme I am a very new member of this Assembly propriety. there are gentlemen who have been here for many years-but I think I have some claim to Mr. Aikens: Do you think they should speak on it because I have very specialised carry away the impression that they have seen knowledge of children, particularly children of Madame Tussaud 's waxworks~ that age, and of the impressions they have gained from their visits to the Parliament. The CHAIRMAN: Order! I must draw Most of the children who come here during the attention of the Committee, particularly the first hour of the day, and perhaps a little after the interjection of the hon. member for later, are from the two senior grades in the Mundingburra, to the fact that this Vote primary schools-Grades VII. and VIII., relates to the administration of the Legislative though we occasionally have visits from Assembly and all that concerns it. Any com secondary school children, too. One of the ment on the behaviour of hon. members or important projects of the children in the two the conduct of the Assembly reflects either years of Grades VII. and VIII. in social on Mr. Speaker or upon the Chairman of studies is the study of the history of the Committees. Although I have allowed the growth of civic freedom. In the course of hon. member for Kelvin Grove to pursue his that study they start with the first germ of remarks so far I ask him to keep in mind democracy, of democratic thought and prac that the only subject to discuss under this tice, away back in the days of our Anglo Vote is the administrative costs of the Legis Saxon forefathers. They trace its develop lative Assembly, not the conduct of hon. ment through the centuries with the members or the conduct of the Chamber. 812 Supply. [ASSEMBLY.] Supply.
Mr. TOOTH: I offer a very sincere Mr. BAXTER: That is so. It is under apology both to Mr. Speaker and yourself if standable because the correspondence section any of my remarks can be construed as is not clearly indicated in any Estimate con being a reflection upon the government of the tained in the debate. Nevertheless on behalf Chamber. But I do want to make the point of the hon. member for Bremer and myself that if hon. members who bring school child I extend congratulations to Miss Williams ren down here were to explain to them and to each and every one of the typists in beforehand just what is involved, misappren the Correspondence room. hensions and wrong impressions about the conduct of the Assembly would be avoided. I I congratulate Miss Doyle and the Refresh think that would be a fine method of over ment Room staff on their work. The service coming this problem. in the Dining Room and the excellence of the meals speak volumes for the manageress and lir. BAXTER (Norman) (3.5 p.m.): The the girls. I should think the improvement sum of £105,571 is required for the year should mean a much more satisfactory 1958-1959. The appropriation for 1957-1958 income in the Refreshment Room this year. was £90,372 and the amount expended was I presume that the provision of an extra £500 £105,779. This year we are seeking £105,571, is to meet the purchase of necessary utensils which is £208 less than the amount expended and cutlery for the forthcoming celebrations, last year. It appears as though there has when Princess Alexandra visits Queensland. been a slip-up by some person who calculated The hon. members for Bremer and Munding the expenditure for the coming year. It is burra mentioned the help given to hon. mem very necessary that we should check the bers by their wives. Under a previous Vote figures thoroughly to find out how they are the work of the Governor's wife and daughter allocated. was praised. It cannot be denied that the I listened to the remarks of the hon. mem· wife of a member of Parliament works ber for Kelvin Grove relating to the behaviour equally as hard if not harder than her hus of members in this Chamber. You, Mr. band in this Assembly. As has been said, Taylor, were very tolerant in allowing the she has to act as secretary, answer the tele hon. member so much latitude. phone and so on, and accompany her husband to functions. Mr. Aikens: You cannot expect us all to be as well-mannered as I am. Government Members interjected.
lir. BAXTER: That irrelevant inter Mr. BAXTER: Those silly interjections jection certainly caps the bill this afternoon. by the hon. members for Mundingburra and The hon. member for Kelvin Grove said that Cooroora are nothing but an insult to the school-children came here to see how the wives of hon. members. If those interjectors Legislative Assembly functioned. I think the had any respect for the womenfolk, they hon. member was a little bit disgusted. would not make those sarcastic remarks. They would not stoop to insulting the womanhood lir. A. J. Smith: The children go away of Australia. disappointeil at the conduct of their ex teachers. (Laughter.) The reporting staff deserve mention. My sympathy goes to '' Hansard'' reporters on JUr. BAXTER: That may be correct. This many occasions. I think they do an extremely morning it was my privilege to bring some good job. As the hon. member for Port of the children from the Camp Hill school Curtis has said, at times we do not even to listen to the debate. They did not go away recognise our own words. I extend congratu with any false impression. I consider it my lations to Mr. Dunlop and his assistants for duty to explain the procedure of the House the good job they are doing in the affairs to the children. There was also an obligation of Government. on the hon. member for Kelvin Grove to do An additional allocation has been made the same. for the Library. That is warranted. At I extend my congratulations to Mr. Speaker least 75 per cent. of the matter used in debate who has carried out his duties with dignity is obtained by reference to Library books. and decorum. It is not an easy position and The excellent manner in which periodicals Mr. Speaker deserves our congratulations. The are cared for, the book-binding and so on, same applies to you, Mr. Taylor. I also merit the extra expenditure on this item. extend my thanks to each and every messenger all of whom do a magnificent job. I thank The ' ' Hansard' ' staff and all other staff Mr. Gunthorpe and his assistants for their of Parliament House are entitled to a special extremely efficient work. word of praise. They do an extremely good job, which tends to the smooth running of The hon. member for Mundingburra said the Assembly. that the hon. member for Bremer had omitted to mention the typists when congratulating Mr. LOW (Cooroora) (3.15 p.m.) : I members of the staff on their work. convey my thanks to the staff generally throughout the House. I have been in Mr. Aikens: I said he did not do that Opposition as well as on the Government side deliberately. and I have found that members of the staff Sttpply. [23 OcTOBER.] Supply. 813 go to no end of trouble to help members of mental trees. Only recently we lost a beauti this Assembly in every possible way. In ful jacaranda tree. I hope that during 1959, helping us the staff help the people. That our centenary year, we will replant another is good for democracy. jacaranda and other ornamental trees in the grounds to keep the place attractive. The decision of the Government to hold the Many people seem to hold the opinion that annual opening of Parliament will full the blooming of the jacaranda trees round ceremony and invitations to visitors is a Parliament House is a sign for hon. members ,good idea as it creates interest in the public to fight among themselves. In spite of that, mind and brings new people to the House. I hope that the jacaranda trees that we It would create great interest in the work have lost over recent years will be replaced, of Parliament. I congratulate the Premier that in each succeeding year theiT colourful
recording what takes place in the Chamber. by way of any carping criticism, but as a There must be many occasions on which it reminder to Mr. Speaker because I rftalise he is an extremely difficult task. I have closely has a multitude of duties and little things examined the figures under the heading of might escape his attention. "Contingencies." I note that in 1957-1958 the appropriation for '' Hansard and other I want to say a word about the '' Hansard'' Printing, Telephone, Stationery, Maintenance, staff. They have a very onerous duty to Etc.,'' was £24,000 and the expenditure perform. Their work is very good. Some £35,203 while the estimate for 1958-1959 is times when I read my proofs I marvel how £31,500. Perhaps the Premier will enlighten they have been able to make my speeches me as to the reason for spending the extra read so well, correcting all my grammatical £11,000. I have no doubt that it represents errors, changing my speech into perfect Eng some improvement or other but I should like lish, and making it read very sensibly. I to have it explained when he replies. know I do not express myself as well as the proofs read. I know that I am very grate One item under the heading of '' Contin ful. gencies'' that we should feel proud of in a Mr. Windsor interjected. general sense in a democracy is "Contri bution to Commonwealth Parliamentary Mr. MANN: I say to the hon. member Association''. I have often heard people say for Fortitude Valley that it is rude to inter they could see no good in such an association rupt. I suggest that while he is sitting in but I differ from that view. Our contribu the Chamber he take a little notice of the job tion is a very small one but it does a great done by the staff, the dignity and decorum deal of good, because it is highly desirable they display and the good manners they that the representatives of the Parliaments extend to all hon. members. I suggest that of the Commonwealth should get together to he might just brush up his manners in that discuss common problems. The free expres regard. sion of views 1n an assembly of representa tives of Parliaments of the Commonwealth Mr. Windsor: I was siding with you. of Nations must lead to a better understand Mr. ~IANN: The hon. member should ing of the work of Governments. display the dignity and decorum that is so Mr. Speaker and your good self, Mr. Tay necessary in this democratic institution. lor, have done a good job. You have given us I am glad to have this opportunity to say all a fair deal and I compliment you both. these few words about all members of the staff, not forgetting the refreshment room Mr. MANN (Brisbane) (3.28 p.m.): The staff. I would be lacking in my duty if I debate on this item gives hon. members an clid not thank all the members of the dining opportunity to express appreciation of the room staff for the job they are doing. We work of the staff of Parliament itself. I have an up-to-date dining room, and I pay refer first of all to the work done by the Mr. Speaker the compliment of saying that Clerk of Parliament, the Clerk-Assistant and the dining room has improved since he took Sergeant-at-Arms, and the other Clerks. We office. It is up to first-class dining room are all fortunate that we have men of their standard. I give Mr. Speaker credit because calibre, men who are prepared not only to I believe members of the staff are doing a do their own work for Parliament but also very good job. I know that members of to advise and assist hon. members. You well the Australian Labour Party-indeed I am know the Clerk of the Parliament is a very sure all hon. members-appreciate the service capable man. I highly admire and readily in the dining room. We sometimes are accept his opinion and I take this opportun critical of the cost of running the dining ity to thank him for the work he has done for room, but I am sure it is well run. me as a member of this Assembly. Whenever I heard the hon. member for Rockhampton I have sought his advice about Bills and speak of the telephonists on the switch. For their contents and any happenings in the once I agree with him-they do an excellent Parliament he has readily given his idea. job. They send us messages on these little His idea is' not always my idea but at least it )'ellow slips. I offer my praise to all mem is good to have the views of someone with a bers of the staff for the excellent way in knowledge of Parliamentary procedure and \Yhich they carry out their duties. practice. Sometimes the expression of an idea puts one onto a new train of thought. Hon. A. R. FLETCHER (Cunningham)' (3.33 p.m.): On my own behalf-and if I may I know you are a great man for librari.es, presume to do so, on yours, Mr. Taylor-I Mr. Taylor, and you take every opportunity say thank you to all those hon. members who to encourage people to read. I pay tribute have expressed appreciation of our efforts to the Librarian for the assistance he has during the year. Again speaking on behalf given hon. members and the help he has of both of us, may I say that we have clone given me. As we are to have a visit from a our best to be fair. As one who is more or member of the Royal Family next year, I less responsible for the more material aspects might offer a suggestion to Mr. Speaker of running the Legislative Assembly, I would: through you that he take a look at the fioor like to make a few remarks about the finan coverings in the library and other parts of cial affairs and the running of the Assembly the building. I make that suggestion, not generally. I might say that I am greatly Supply. [23 OCTOBER.] Supply. 815 heartened by some of the expressions by hon. :Mr. Davies: What would be the cause of members along the lines of a devout hope that that~ the standard is going to be improved. I ,should like to say how grateful I am to the Mr. FLETCHER: I expect that they are hon. member for Brisbane who has now more efficient in private enterprise. espoused the general principle that it is rude to interrupt. I think it is a splendid one. Mr. Davies: More efficient than the Taking that in conjunction with the remarks Government Printer f of thie hon. member for Port Curtis who has Mr. FLETCHER: That is the only thing chided us about not being as perfect as we I can say offhand. There may be other might, and who by implication said that he reasons. By and large that is what you would is going to be a better boy in future, and expect. A big item referred to was the fact that the hon. member for Mun '' Hansard'' and other printing, telephones, dingburra looked so sympathetic with the stationery, maintenance, etc., £11,204. This idea, I am greatly heartened. I say, ''Thank was largely due to more printing in connec you'' to those very many hon. members who tion with 'Hansard.'' Members appar have a great sense of their responsibility in ently talked longer and more often during regard to decorum. Their orderly conduct the last Parliament than was usual. has been a great help. It is not much use calling out ''Order! '' unless there is a general :Mr. Davies: Do you mean the "Hansard" sense among the body of the Assembly that was bigger in volume or more '' Hansards'' order is necessary and desirable. If members were printed' are going to be disorderly and enough of them decide to be disorderly there is nothing lUr. FLETCHER: "Hansard" was bigger much that the Chairman or the Speaker can in volume and there may have been more The staff downstairs who do our typing, of lack of :finance. The kitchen and amenities under Miss Williams, have given tremendously generally have cost a great deal of money. effective service. Many hon. members will I thank the Minister for Public Works for the admit that if it were not for that staff and very kindly interest he has taken in Parlia their capacity to write letters or perhaps ment House and for the services and money even rephrase letters, we would be inhibited he has made available so that Parliament to a certain extent in our job. may be something of which we can be proud. I extend thanks to Mr. Reardon, who is I am indeed encouraged to say that I think in charge of the messengers. I draw atten we are making some progress, and in regard tion to the fact that the term "messenger," to painting, and comfort the general appear denotes more when used in relation to the ance has improved, but a good deal has yet House of Parliament than outsiders probably to be done. realise. It has more significance. Messengers I notice the interest that has been taken have to be diplomatic in dealing with the in the jacaranda tree in the garden that fell' public. They act as liaison officers between recently. I have a special interest in the hon. members and the public. I have no fault garden and I am making some slight head· to :find with their service. way in making it something of which we I gratefully acknowledge the remarks hon. can be proud. There are two points to be members have made about the staff. I considered in regard to that tree. It was reinforce those remarks with my own thanks. a beautiful specimlln but it precluded a good view being obtained from the outside bal The great service rendered by Mr. Wailer cony and it was difficult to get a good pic of '' Hansard'' has been acknowledged. ture of Parliament House from the outside Heaven knows, that is true. IYhen the tree was up against the front Mrs. Thurbon at The Lodge, the gardeners facade. Those who advise me on gardening and all others who have helped so willingly tell me that you cannot have good trees and to keep this place running deserve our thanks. good gardens too. lllr. lllann: You will not forget to look lllr. Aikens: It was only pretty when it at the carpets in the Library, and some of was flowering, and that was only once a the other parts. year. Mr. FLETCHER: Hon. members can rest Mr. FLETCHER: Exactly, and it was assured that I have been looking very care not a good tree when it was not flowering. fully, very hard and very long at the carpets If you have a big tree in a garden plot you and many other things about the House since cannot have a good garden, hence you have I have been Speaker. I acknowledge that to decide which you want. I have not yet there is still a great deal to do. made up my mind about the provision of lllr. Aikens: It was a bit of a mess when trees round the place. We are situated close you took over. to the Botanical Gardens. Trees form a large part of the landscape and I am inclined lllr. FLETCHER: I am not here to talk to think that we should concentrate on a about what the place was like when I took better garden. There are prospects about over, but I do not mind acknowledging that the back garden and I hope to provide more there is still much to do. green decorations from the glasshouse when In regard to the staff, I think the excellent certain things come to fruition. service we enjoy is in some way attributable ])fr. Davies: How many are on the com to the fact that we have looked after their mittee controlling these matters~ interests. There convenience and comfort upstairs have been improved tremendously, ])fr. FLETCHER: There are six, with and I honestly think we get a better standard the Speaker. of service and a better standard of servant because we are able to offer them conditions As I do not think I will be speaking from that become us, and help them to enjoy life the floor again, I take the opportunity of say while they are here. ing how grateful I am for the services given by the Art Gallery Director, Mr. Haines, lllr. Aikens: You have to thank the who has advised ui' on painting, colours and ex-Speaker for Miss Doyle. That is about lighting. He has loaned us a few art treas the one good thing he did. ures as he thought this was a good place to display objects that have cost the Art lUr. FLETCHER: I do not agree with Galler~· much money but which, because of that. There are many things for which we lack of space, could not be accommodated on have to thank the ex-Speaker. the walls of the Gallery. l\lr. lllann: I do not want any praise or I again thank members for any compli· acknowledgment. mentary words they were kind enough to say in regard to myself, the Chairman of Com l\lr. FLETCHER: The hon. member is mittees and the staff of the House who over selfless. the year have made my position and that of There are many things I should like to the Chairman of Committees so happy and do that I have not been able to do because comfortable. Supply. (23 OCTOBER.) Supply. 817 Mr. DUGGAN (North Toowoomba Speaker has not done so. In any case, I Leader of the Opposition) (3.49 a.m.): I know that the hon. member was being have found over the many years that I have facetious so I shall not refer to it. been here that hon. members who appear to be comfortablv ensconced in their seats have I deplore the absence in Queensland of criticism to offer about the facilities of much of the public-spiritedness towards the Parliament House. When they leave the pre institution of Parliament that is so evident cincts of this House and :find themselves in in other States. It may be, of course, that some other activity they are glad to by our own actions we generate outside a re-embrace the uncomfortable benches and spirit of cynicism towards the operation of other poor facilities generally provided at Parliament. Reference has been made to the Parliament House. As one who comes within journalists who report the proceedings in that category I wish to say that my general Parliament. I do not blame them for any purpose in rising is because I have had many thing that may have happened, because they years of association with this Assembly. have to serve the public. No-one would Next year will be our centenary year, and object more than the reading public if the it may be appropriate on this occasion to Press reporters gave them a verbatim report make one or two brief observations on the of many of the speeches that are made here. im.portance of our system of government. Consequently, they are obliged to pick out The sum of £105,571 is not a large amount those items and incidents that they regard when one considers what is involved in the as colourful and as high-lights in the debates. maintenance of our Parliamentary system Sometimes, of course, disproportionate of Government and our Parliamentary emphasis is placed on some of the scenes institutions. At this stage I should like to that occur in Parliament. We all know that echo the sentiments of the hon. member for in a speech lasting 40 minutes an incident Cooroora, who indicated that the centenary occurring during it may take only a minute year would be an appropriate time to review and there is a tendency for the Press to our general attitude towards Parliament and feature it rather than something else. I do all matters incidental thereto. not want my remarks to be misconstrued by the Press reporters; I have no quarrel with The only item in the Vote for the Legis them. However, that is probably one reason lative Assembly that causes me some per why people outside become cynical of our turbation is the tremendous increase in the Parliamentary institution, and why there is amount appropriated for ''Gas for Parlia not here the same acceptance of Parliament mentary Buildings.'' The appropriation has as there is in South Australia for instance. been increased from £300 to £600, equival In that State, one public benefactor was pre ent to 100 per cent. The distribution of gas pared to donate a large sum of money here in such large quantities from time to towards the cost of a new Parliament House. time causes me to think that Mr. Speaker Most of the public institutions in South could have effected some economy in that Australia have been liberally endowed by direction. (Laughter.) public-spirited citizens. Mr. Speaker has been very temperate in On the subject of the maintenance of the handling of his Estimates. In his Parliament during the centenary year, I agree absence, I compliment him for not trying with the hon. member for Cooroora that we to score politically in some of the matters should examine ways of making this an that were raised. It would not be very diffi institution of which we are proud, without cult for him to counter some of the criti placing an undue burden on the public purse. cisms that were voiced and gain political We can do that in two ways. The :first is propaganda thereby. As I say, I compli to set an example to the rest of the com ment him for not trying to do that. Prob munity by our own conduct, by showing that ably there are two reasons for his not doing we are reasonable and well informed toler so. ant, understanding and temperate that we Firstly, as he has a very high conception appreciate the other person's point of view. of the duties and responsibilities of Speaker, That is a general obligation that devolves I think he wants to uphold, to the best of on all of us and if we discharge it there his ability, the traditions surrounding that should be a general acceptance outside that high office with impartiality and objectivity. we believe . in the principles. of democracy, Secondly, he may have a realistic appraisal and that thrs Assembly compnses men with a of the danger that confronts any Speaker very deep sense of responsibility in the dis who is unduly provocative. I quote the charge of their duties to their constituents example of a Speaker in Pakistan who was and to the State generally. recently assassinated, per.haps because of his attempts to guide to excess the affairs of I do' not altogether agree that an hon. member's responsibility is confined to his that Parliament. electorate. I think it was Edmund Burke who Mr. Nicholson interjected. once said that the moment he was elected to the House of Commons he ceased to become Mr. DUGGAN: I would not try to test the member for Brighton, I think it was, and the fairness and tolerance of the Chairman became a member of the House of Co=ons. by referring to what occurred in the Cham We could well adopt that attitude and recog ber this morning, especially seeing that Mr. nise, without neglecting our responsibilities Supply. [ASSEMBLY.] Supply. to our own constituencies, that we have a been neglected over the years. I do not think higher responsibility to the State as a whole. anyone can fairly deny that. T·his institution should be a place to which we could point ~Ir. Aikens: What I meant to imply was with pride and say, ''That is our Parlia that what we say and the manner in which ment!" I can remember when it was quite a we conduct ourselves are matters between us thrill to bring people down here for a meal. and our electors only. Silver vegetable dishes and things like that were in use. It all probably means more ~Ir. DUGGAN: That can be so, too. work and additional staff and I am not saying Returning to the hon. member for Cooroora that we could do a great deal in that direc I have mentioned his name several times-I tion these days, but there has been a progress should like Mr. Speaker to consider more ive decline in the quality of linen, crockery ·carefully before he finally decides the matter and cutlery in use and food dispensed to of abandoning a tree-planting scheme in the members of Parliament. I do not apologise grounds of Parliament House. No-one has a because sometimes there is a deficit in the greater appreciation of gardens than I. I have Parliamentary Refreshment Rooms. After all, about half an acre of land in Toowoomba and the exigencies of public business demand that I probably have a more varied selection of we should be here for long periods of time in shrubs than 95 per cent. or more of the certain months of the year. Necessarily we do people of Toowoomba. I know how hard it is not have the spread of hours where customers to have a garden and large trees, too. After are coming in to have meals. Meals are con all, Mr. Speaker has command of many of fined to one hour between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m., the institutions at which flowers and other and 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. Consquently costs of floral decorations are readily available for maintaining the Parliamentary Refreshment use here. I do not agree that the architecture Room must be correspondingly higher than in ·Of a building such as this should be exposed a public restaurant in the city. in all its nakedness. There is nothing more I do not in tend to waste the time of the pleasant than to look at a building of this Committee by re-naming the various members delightful design through the tracery of a of the staff who have been complimented. ·deciduous tree. I do not necessarily suggest Each speaker has more or less selected one that it be a jacaranda tree. There might be section. Mr. Speaker spoke about every some other appropriate tree. We all know the section of the staff, expressing his apprecia tremendous amount of time and effort that is tion of their work. But I do want to say being expended on the rear lawn and how and I think I am expressing the views of all hard it is to get a smooth lawn because it hon. members-in respect of all sections of the does not get enough sun. We know the great staff, whether it be the Clerk of Parliament, ·difficulty gardeners have in maintaining plants the Library staff, Refreshment Room staff or in the various flower beds in the grounds of any of the other ancillary services here, we the House. Some of them are so situated that are singularly fortunate in having people who the plants have to compete with the roots of are so efficient and extremely courteous. I large trees; the shade is not necessarily am glad that Mr. Speaker has been able to responsible for the difficulty. We are not tell us about some further improvements in sufficiently tree-conscious in Queensland. We the Library. I hope he will be able to con might well follow the English example-if a vince his colleagues-apart from my sugges tree is cut down, plant two or three in its tion that the acceptance of the recommenda place. I am not being dogmatic but I should tions of committees should be more mandat like Mr. Speaker to consider carefully getting ory-that there should be a progressive sum good advice as to an appropriate tree. I do of money allocated in the Estimates each year, not think the palms are suitable. They are not irrespective of what Party is in power, to beautiful and they do not lend themselves to catch up on the back lag of repairs and the architecture of Parliament House. I am maintenance of Parliament House. I have ·quite sure that a suitable tree would help been in Parliament House in New South tremendously. Wales, one of the oldest buildings in the I pay a tribute to Mr. Speaker. The Gov Commonwealth, but the floors are well pre ernment are certainly deserving of credit for served, and the furniture is kept in an excel the way in which they have improved the lent state of repair. It is not uncommon in amenities for the staff and for hon. members. some parts of this building to find torn chair covers and shabby furniture. Such a state of I should like to see evolved some system in affairs should not exist in an institution of addition to the existing Parliamentary Build this kind. I am not attempting to make any ings Committee. In my experience the Com political propaganda because Mr. Speaker has mittee does not seem to play the important very fairly refrained from trying to score role its name suggests. Over the years many politically. I merely say that we should try .of its recommendations have not been carried to continue our current maintenance pro out. The hon. member for Ithaca spoke about gramme but in addition a sum of money setting up a Public Accounts Committee. I should be set aside each year, sufficient to should like to see some body organised, repre enable us progressively to overcome the lag sentative of all sides of the House, so consti and make this an institution of which we tuted that it would be obligatory on the Gov could well be proud. A start could be made ernment of the day to give effect to its in the Library. I take some personal credit decisions. Unquestionably the buildings have for attempting to establish the Library on a Supply. [23 OCTOBER.] Supply. 819 much better foundation than existed before. and in keeping with the practice carried out Following the invitation of a previous by every other State Parliament and the Speaker, Hon. S. J. Brassington, at my own Commonwealth. I agree that the wives of expense I visited all of the southern Parlia Parliamentarians do play a tremendous part mentary libraries. On my return I furnished in the work of their husbands. I would be a report which was ultimately submitted by the first to admit that if it were not for the the Speaker to the Government of the day help a member gets from his wife it would which culminated in the appointment of Mr. be much more difficult for him to carry out Ryan as Librarian. I am not casting any his work. However, the matter has been reflection on the then members of the staff. looked at, but we may look at it again to They had no opportunity for proper training see if anything can be done. The all-State in a librarian's duties. Now they have much gold pass came about as a result of an agree better opportunities and there has been recog ment between the Commonwealth and the nition of the position by a re-classification. States, and the conditions cannot be altered The Parliamentary Library should be the best without general agreement with all of the reference library in the State. I am glad we States. At the next Premier's Conference we do not spend a disproportionate amount of propose to put various suggestions before the revenue on fiction. We have a very good other States on the matter of the privilege of library. a gold pass over the railways of Australia. I should like to see ultimately a better plan It is not held by a great number at present. In this State there are two ex-Premiers who for the progressive improvement of the have the privilege of a pass over all lines. Chamber. Looking back over the pages of They are Mr. A. E. Moore and the hon. '' Hansard,'' as far back as 20 years ago, I member for South Brisbane. Those who read where I advocated individual seats. If occupy the office of Premier for one year are we had leather desks they would not make entitled to a pass over all the railways of very much noise. Many of us are obliged to Australia. A Speaker who has held office leave the Chamber to answer the phone. While for three years is also entitled to that privi we are out we might go through our mail. lege. The ex-Speaker, the hon. member for If we could bring it in here and read it Brisbane, holds a life rail pass. Those who quietly and sign letters at a desk it would have held the office of Cabinet Minister for tend to make for a full attendance in the three years are entitled to that privilege. Chamber. As next year is the State's centen There are 14 in this State who are entitled ary year it might not be too much to hope to it. A Leader of the Opposition who has that we get a system of automatically regis held his position for six years is also entitled tering our votes rather than crossing the to the privilege. May I say that the present Chamber. is not a pressing matter but an It Leader of the Opposition presented me with improvement that could well be left to the my gold pass after nine years in that posi future. There should be some plan that can tion. It must have been forgotten. Person be progressively implemented from time to ally, I did not know it was available, but the time. is a sorry state of affairs if in a It present Leader of the Opposition found out £90,000,000 Budget we cannot spend some about it and was good enough to present money without it being suggested that we are doing things to make things more comfort me with it. able for lazy politicians. There is a duty on There are two ex-Members of the late hon. members to earn their salary and inform Legislative Council who have been issued with themselves on matters of public importance. gold passes for Queensland railways only, and If we encourage that idea and endeavour to 65 present Members of Parliament and ex attract to this Assembly men who are pre Members of Parliament in this State are pared to use their talents for the benefit of entitled to gold passes over the Queensland the State much good will result. railways only. On the approach of the centenary of the Also, as I mentioned by way of interjec establishment of responsible Government we tion to the hon. member for Mundingburra, should reflect on the tremendous develop I think, private members who have com ments that have occurred and the freedoms pleted 25 years' service in the aggregate in we have and the necessity to retain them, and the Commonwealth and/or State Parliaments the necessity to build up a fair apprecia are entitled to a gold pass over the railways tion of what our duties are, and to provide of Australia for life. evidence for the public that the great major ity are conscious of their responsibility and Mr. Roberts: What is their entitlement by their work are worthy of the amount paid. in the State~ Hon. G. F, R. NICKLIN (Landsborough Mr. NICKLIN: First-class travel, plus Premier) (4.7 p.m.): Mention was made by sleepers and seats. the hon. member for Bremer about rail passes Mr. Roberts: You said there were 65 and the possible extension of the privilege to present Members of Parliament and ex wives of ex-members. This question was Members of Parliament. examined by successive Governments, and on each occasion they thought it was not desir Mr. NICKLIN: They have to serve in able to extend the privilege. They took the three Parliaments or seven years to be view that the present practice was adequate entitled to the State pass. :820 Supply. [ASSEMBLY.] Supply. The Premier of Western Australia has Mr. NICKLIN: No, the next one. some suggestions on the matter to put before Remarks were made by hon. members the next Premiers Conference. He suggests opposite about the alleged neglect of Govern that a gold pass on all Australian railways ment members in not doing their duty with be granted to Members of Parliament who respect to the Budget debate. Hon. members have served for 21 years in either State opposite are sore through their own neglect and/or Federal Parliaments, and to the Pres and inefficiency. They allowed the Budget ident of the Upper House or Speakers, if the debate to collapse sooner than they wanted it occupant serves in that office during the full to. Might I say that it is the function of three-year term of Parliament, although not an Opposition to criticise, and it is not the actually the full three years. function of the Government to continue a I thought that information on the condi debate if they do not desire to do so. If :tions of that privilege would be of interest the Opposition wanted the debate prolonged, to hon. members. it was up to them to do so. When we were in Opposition every member of the Opposition May I say that a gold railway pass now spoke. is not the privilege and benefit to an hon. member that it used to be years ago. In Mr. Duggan: I will bet that you cannot fact, I think I have used it only during the point to one occasion when the proportion last two elections, that is, in the last five of speakers was 11 to two. ;years. I think that would apply to all hon. members, particularly those who live within Mr. NICKLIN: I know one occasion 100 miles of the capital cities. They usually when there were only five speakers on a -come to Brisbane by car rather than use the Budget debate, four being in Opposition and railways. In the old days a gold pass used one from the Government side. That was to be a tremendous benefit and privilege, back in the 'thirties when the late Mr. but it is by no means as valuable at the Forgan Smith was Treasurer. I repeat that present time. it is the function of the Opposition to The hon. member for Ithaca mentioned the criticise, and when the Financial Statement supply of '' Hansards' ' and suggested that is presented it is for them to offer criticism a greater number of copies should be made of the Government's actions in handling the available to hon. members. At the present finances of the State. If hon. members look time hon. members are entitled to 24 free at May's Parliamentary Practice they will copies of '' Hansard'' and 12 at half price. find that it is not the function of Govern My experience over the years is that a ment members to pat the Treasurer on the number of hon. members use their full entitle back. That is what they would be doing if ment, while others do not use very many, they spoke to the Budget. Our Budget was with the result that there generally seemed so good that we were content to stand back. to be sufficient copies for those who wanted them. Further, a sessional supply can be Mr. Baxter: Does it not also imply that brought for 3s., or, if posted, for 6s. Hon. back benchers did not think it was good members will agree it is a very cheap publica enough to support~ tion. It costs a lot more than that to publish it. That is one of the reasons for the increase Mr. NICKLIN: No. It was on my in expenditure on the printing of "Han instructions that Government members did sard'' referred to by the hon. member for not speak on the Budget. I wanted to see Norman. With rising costs in recent years, how good the Opposition were. They fell the increase for '' Hansard'' in the last 12 down on their job and now they are trying mouths is over £20,000. Unless copies of to duck from under. I was in Opposition "Hansard are going to be used adequately, for a very long time and I again say that an increase in the free issue would not be it is the function of the Opposition to criticise justified. the Government, that it is not the Govern ment's function to provide the Opposition llr. Baxter: Mr. Speaker mentioned that with opportunities to criticise them. the greater volume of '' Hansard'' has meant an increase in costs. lir. Hanlon: If those are your tactics we will meet them. JUr. NICKLIN: Yes, Parliament has been sitting longer, consequently the volume is lir. NICKLIN: If you can beat us in greater. Printing costs have increased. tactics good enough. Mr. Houston: Do you think that it was Mr. Thackeray: The Commonwealth for fear of the Opposition that you gagged ·grant free air travel. Would you consider your own members~ free air traveH Mr. NICKLIN: No. Mr. NICKLIN: It cannot be done. There has been an increase in the number of air Hon. members made suggestions about the trips available to hon. members. conduct of the House and Mr. Speaker has replied to them. Mr. Hanlon: Does the question of gold The Leader of the Opposition made a very :Passes come under this Vote' interesting speech on the functions of Supply. [23 OcTOBER.] Supply. 821 Parliament and on the way in which Parlia The debate on this Vote has been very ment is often wrongly regarded by people interesting, and I thank hon. members for <)Utside who do not know exactly what is their comments. a mendicant State. If that did not justify Mr. DUGGAN: No-one can anticipate the the members of the Opposition in dealing course of events, but the Premier through with the broad matters to the exclusion of his Treasurer, one of his senior Ministers, these smaller departmental matters. I wants to say how co-operative they are, even do not know what other order of be provooative about the whole matter and importance or priority could properly chide us because we have not taken advantage be suggested. The overall :finances of these things. I say that the responsibility of the State and the possibility of its becom is on the Chief Secretary's Dllpartment, ing a mendicant State, or a claimant State. through the Government Printer, to see that with the possible loss of free hospitalisation the reports covering the departments are and other advantages, are surely important available. I think that is a fair ailtitude enough to justify our dealing with them in for us to adopt. I shall have something to a general way, and in those circumstances say about the Co-ordinator-General's Depart the Treasurer is not justified in chiding us ment later on, also the .State Public Relations with neglecting the opportunity to speak on Bureau and the Public Service Commis individual departments. sioner's report. The chief point I want to make is that if I shall have something drastic to say about the Government were so anxious to facilitate some of these reports. At this stage I want the work of the Opposition, why was the most to make one or two general observations on important document issued by the Chief the sub-departments because of the possi &ecretary 's Department, namely, the report bility of my being invited to reply to some of the Co-ordinator-General of Public Works, thing the Premier says later on. Consequently not made available until today f Undoubtedly I do not want to reserve the right to speak the Co-ordinator-General's Department is an about these things when the various sub agency that co-ordinates the activities of all departments come up. the departments. It deals with the general picture of the State's development. I cer I think I am justified in attempting to tainly think the Government could be very debunk the matter raised by the Agent properly criticised for their failure to make General about the work done by the Agent copies of the report available for the perusal General and his staff in London. At the of hon. members when it was tabled yester outset let me say that I believe the Agent day. I do not think there have been many General, Mr. Muir, to be a very capable, cases in the history of this Assembly when efficient and courteous officer. I think he is a report has been tabled and supporting a distinct acquisition to the staff in London. copies have not been made available immedi I believe he is well qualified to represent the ately to hon. members and to members of Goventment in that capacity. the Press. Speaking of the visit overseas of the :Mr. Nicklin: You seem to have forgotten Queensland Promotion Delegation led by the for years past we have discussed Estimates Deputy Premier, the Agent-General says that completely without one report. At least you the delegation's main objootive was to attract have had all the reports. more secondary industry to Queensland. He goes on, in the manner of the rather sickening Mr. DUGGAN: I do not mind, if he spate of apologetics we have heard since the wants to, t11e Premier can make politics hard. delegation returned home, to say- The Premier is adopting the slogan all the time, ''This is a fair Government.'' He is '" It is most encouraging to record that saying that they are doing this, that and several organisations are considering the something else. The whole time he is posing possibility of establishing factories in that they are doing things and that the Queensland, or of having their products public should congratulate them on the fair manufactured under licence in our State. and and efficient way they are doing them. Quite a number have in fact signified their The fact remains that they are doing nothing intention of sending a representative to different from what their predecessors did. Queensland to investigate these possibilities. Whilst the delegation has accomplished Mr. Nicklin: You have the reports. much, a considerable amount of follow up work will be necessary if the State is Mr. DUGGAN: We got them today. to benefit fully from the valuable contacts which have been made.'' Mr. Nicklin: This is only the Chief Office Vote. I think that this delegation has been sur rounded with more ballyhoo than a Tex Mr. DUGGAN: The whole Vote could Rickards-promoted prize fight. I do not want have gone through today. I looked through to be accused of being a knocker or of adopt '' Hansard'' last night and found that there ing a contemptuous attitude but I want to was almost no discussion on the Legislative tell the Deputy Premier that I am with him Assembly Vote last year. Had the debate in his desire to secure secondary industry followed the same pattern this year we would for Queensland. I am quite sincere when I have been beyond the Vote for the Co-ordi say that but I would be more interested to nator-General of Public Works by this time. hear of accomplished results rather than this tremendous splurge of propaganda. It cost Mr. Nicklin: We are not. us £3,500 to send the delegation overseas. I Supply. [23 OCTOBER.] Supply. 823 am not cavilling particularly at that; it Mr. Windsor: It will be permanent when the _an1ounts ;received by men o~ lower pro their counterparts in the various parts of the fesswnal attamments in private practice. Commonwealth. Occasionally they should be permitted to attend important professional The calibre of these men and the degrees conferences overseas. I do not think that is which many of them hold are so high that too much to ask. I am not suggestiRg how they could undoubtedly earn much more than often the trips should be offered. I know the average earnings of outside practitioners. that a direction has gone out from the I have made it my business to check on the Premier's Department that attendances at degrees held by some of these gentlemen, but important professional conferences in Aus I do not want to particularise. Take Dr. tralia should be considerably restricted this Pye 's case. Can anyone tell me that the year. That is a retrograde step. There is tremendous responsibility he carries is not nothing more disheartening for a man in a worth much more money than he receives~ profession to find that there are conferences Incidentally, I have not discussed this matter being held where many papers are read and with Dr. Pye. He is in charge of one of the he is not able to attend and keep himself largest hospitals in the Southern hemisphere. abreast of current problems. These profes If men with these high professional attain sional men are being denied the opportunity ments are prepared to work for a Government of being present at such conferences and department on a salary scale much below hearing the views expressed by other learned the average income they would get outside the members of their profession. There are many department, it proves that they must be moti such conferences in connection with surgery, vated by a great sense of public service. cancer and tuberculosis, and I think the There are many who are prepared to do that, Government could very well stretch a point lawyers, doctors, dentists, architects and and see that financial provision is made for engineers. As long as the salary classification these men to go overseas and interstate to get is reasonably adequate and conditions of the opportunity of getting on top in current employments congenial, they would much pre developments and knowledge on these matters. fer to engage in this activity than in private I hope the Premier will consider the matter practice. very sympathetically because I know that The chief reason for the non-adjustment unless he does so there will be dissatisfaction_ in the salary scale has been largely the impact within the Public Service, not because officers that that determination would have on the of the Service do not want to serve the publie Public Service generally. I think hon. mem but because they feel somewhat frustrated. bers without any political bias will agree when It is of such importance that the Premier I say that if any Government gives an increase might bring it up as a subject at the of £300 or £400 to a particular technical or Premiers' Conference. My remarks particu professional officer, that decision immediately larly apply to medical and professional men. sets in train agitation for the margin to be If a man in private practice wants to go progressively applied right down the line of overseas a certain amount of the cost involved public servants. The aggregate effect could in the trip is allowed as a tax deduction. amount to many thousands of pounds. For Those in State employ who wish to go over that reason there is always a reluctance on seas have to take the opportunity of their the part of the Government, Industrial Court vacation and at the same time pay all the or wage-fixing tribunal to adjust salaries in expenses and these expenses are not a taxable particular cases. allowance by the Commissioner of Taxation. I think it is wrong that men who deny them From experience I do not think the Ol'din selves salaries comparable with those paid ary person, as long as the salary scale is outside should be penalised in being obliged reasonable and the conditions of employment to spend their own money to attend these con are good, is very much concerned about ferences and sacrifice their vacational leave amassing a very great amount of money. It and not be permitted to have part of the cost is up to the Government of the day to see as a taxation allowance. A doctor in private that these men are provided with a reasonable practice, using his own car, is allowed a cer superannuation scheme. I am prepared to tain amount for depreciation and running admit that the existing scheme is not ade expenses, but the specialised men, the surgeons quate. I think beyond that there might be in general hospitals and the chief administra some other conditions which would result in tive officers in State departments have not had the retention of these men in State depart the opportunity to participate in the direc ments. At the present time there are many tions that I have indicated. I think that this attractions offered to members of the State is an important matter and it is one of the Public Service to go to the Commonwealth ways in which the Government and the Com service or to other positions in the South. monwealth Government could do much to We should retain them here in the various attract professional men to the Public Ser institutions of the State. I am suggesting vice and so obviate the necessity because of very seriously that one of the most economical the financial difficulty of handing out State ways in which retention of staff could be scholarships and fellowships to brilliant young brought about is to see that staff have the men who will ultimately be required to serve opportunity of being able to work in an in outback parts of the State. Many parents environment where the professional status who would like their sons to follow the prac is maintained by an interchange of ideas by tice of medicine are not able to pay permitting them to attend conferences to meet university fees and so have to rely Supply. [23 OcTOBER.] Supply. 825 on fellowships for them to get the our way of life. Queensland's centenary, req1:1.ired training. To get the benefit of therefore, should be an occasion for re-exam the fellowship he is required to serve the ining our own outlook. State. It is a pity that some of our brilliant We must start to do that in Parliament young men are being lost. The Government itself. We must consider the improvements might be able to make seme provision in the that we can make and how best we can show contract to allow these young professional the people of Queensland that the State men to go to the conferences that are held Parliament is an institution of which we can in the various States and overseas, to attend all be proud. Mr. Speaker and the Chairman the special clinics and conferences where they of Committees have already done much to would meet all the eminent men in their pro raise the tone and standard of conduct in this fession. I am certain that this would show Parliament, and I believe that we could attain that the Government are interested in their a further improvement by an alteration of work and the maintenance of professional the Standing Rules and Orders. As one standards and they would be happy to remain centenary project may I suggest that we in the service of the Crown. adopt the system of regarding first readings This is not a matter to be dismissed lightly. of a Bill as being purely formal and not I regard it as very important in these days long-winded discussions that cover ground not when the Public Service should have at its necessarily traversed in the Bill~ Second command the services of men who are highly reaaings, when the legislation is known to trained, whether they be doctors dentists, members, would be the occasion for discussion want many more. I suggest that a Queens were necessary to subsidise their visit by land literary competition be sponsored with arranging special tours at low rates. The, sections for works of fiction, plays and novels, small amount of money needed would be well as well as factual studies. A similar compe spent. A hundred or so young people tion for our artists is worthy of consideration. bubbling with enthusiasm about Queensland Returning to outdoor activities, in the sport would be worth their weight in gold as ing field we will have international cricket ambassadors for this State. Other tourists, and tennis just before the centenary year I know, will be encouraged to come to begins-the first cricket test in Brisbane and Queensland. May I suggest that ample the world-famous Davis Cup. We will not be information be available about attractions able to repeat those events so they are very which are peculiar to Queensland. People worthy of mention at the beginning of the from southern States, for example, should centenary year. Athletics and swimming be shown pineapple, banana and papaw deserve every encouragement. Both have plantations. To us this may seem common hundreds of young people keenly interested in place but to them it is of intense interest. the competitions they provide. It could well Queensland's birds and animals will arouse include top standard competitors, not only of interest, of course. \Ve should make every school age, but top schoolboys and school girls endeavour to encourage them to visit the from other States meeting the best in Queens Barrier Reef. If we cannot, we still should land, not just the best in Brisbane. Some set out to show that Queensland has advan financial assistance would be needed but it tages which are not to be found in their ,1·ould be money well spent. These are only a own home State or country. few examples. I believe all outdoor activities should receive encomagement-none should be Mr. Roberts: The sugar industry in the favoured. crushing season. As a lasting reminder of the Centenary JU:r. HOOPER: Yes. Visitors who come Year one public building should be chosen in to establish industry in Queensland will, I Brisbane. Might I suggest the Public know, receive a special welcome. In 1959 I Library~ If possible, I should like to see believe that we shall see the start of work work on this building completed during 1959. on the Mt. Isa railway line improvement. I May I in passing suggest that every effort think we will know more definitely the plans be made to see that there is the greatest for bauxite treatment. I believe that possible facility for borrowing books from the preparatory work done by the Minister the Public Library. The more books that for Labour and Industry will show valuable are read, whether in the Public Library itself results in industrial expansion. I know of or by approved borrowers in their own homes, at least one very big industry in addition to the better the library that makes the books those mentioned by the Minister that will be a\ ailable. established next year, and others >Yill follow. The Brisbane City Council has decided to make its centenary project an olympic I hope to see the Queensland Industries swimming pool. Let us commend them for Fair make an outstanding success of its that decision and not seek opportunities for efforts. They are well and tmly on the way. sniping at them on cheap political grounds. N at only must we produce more ]Jut we Let us encourage other local authorities to must sell more. To me the centenary year choose their own centenary project. They is more than an occasion for parades and will, I know, see that it is a worthy one. official functions; it is an occasion for inspiring and fortifying and strengthening There are many other suggestions I could our State. make which would help to make the centenary celebrations a great occasion for the people May I conclude by saying how pleased I of Queensland. In the time available, how am that Her Royal Highness Princess ever, I should like to turn to a few sugges Alexandra will be coming to Queensland for tions with regard to people from overseas. our centenary year. \Ve are very fortunate First of all, I should like to see as many indeed in having such an outstanding per young people as possible come to Queensland sonality from the Royal family to act as in the centenary year. I realise that this is the link between us and members of the partly the responsibility of the Minister in British Commomyealth. It is bv such visits charge of the tourist industry, but I have that our ties are made much stronger. We no fear about the lack of co-operation can still rejoice in saying that the British between him and the Premier. Every State Commonwealth of Nations are a friendly and could well be asked to facilitate interstate united group, the like of which no other tours by such youth organisations as the group of nations has been able to build up. Young Australia League. vVe in our turn would need to be ready with a full programme ~Ir. AIKENS (Mundingburra) (5.7 p.m.): for them on their arrival in Queens There are three matters on which I wish land. I should like to see encouragement to speak during this debate. One is the given to parties of young people-preferably question of the appointment of Justices of young people who have just left school-to the Peace, particularly those recommended come to Queensland from America, England, for the position by rank and file membere the Continent and South-east Asia, even if it of Parliament. Wihen a back-bench member Supply. (23 OCTOBER.) Supply. 827 makes a recommendation that a certain person have approved the nomination. I thought as be admitted as a Justice of the Peace, it you did, that it was 100 per cent., but these is the practice, I understand, to have the things can happen. It happened to me. officer-in-charge of the police in the town or the area in which the nominee resides lllr. AIKENS: I accept the Treasurer's to make a report on the fitness of the nominee statement in its entirety as he is not a person for the position of Justice of the Peace. who would make a loose or unfounded state ment but I am certain that the Treasurer I have not very much objection to ~hat exc~pt that it does not always work out m practice would not know the man he nominated as with the measurement of fairness and justice long or as intimately as I know this particu we expect. I am not going to mention any lar man. I have know him and have been names. One man I recommended for the associated with him in many organisations, appointment as Justice of the Peace some public and otherwise, for ~0 y_ears in T?wns ville alone, and I knew h1m 1n the Ra1lway time ago is as reputable in eve:y wr;y as ~ny Department for many years before that. I member of this Assembly. H1s pnvate hfe, know of no stain on his personal character, his family life, his business dealings, his no blemish on his citizenship, and I know he lack of any convictions in any Court will is not a member of the Communist Party. stand comparison with any man in the State. Certainly, in his car:acity. as a militant tr~de But that man is a militant trade unionist. unionist he has sa1d thmgs at trade-umon He is not a Communist. I have known him meeting~ and public gatherings that would virtually all my life. As a trade union perhaps displease a tick-whiskered Tory, but official on trade union congresses and on I know of no other reason that could be union matters he must necessarily associate advanced for rejecting the nomination. with those Communists who are tra :Mr. :Mann: That is a story of your own. with a little bit of clerical experience and gets a minor job gets more than men :Mr. AIKENS: If that is a story of my who are first-class engine drivers, men who own, I must be able to write the transcript of are in charge of fast passenger trains such the criminal court! I think Government mem as the Sunlander and other fast-moving bers will remember the case very clearly. The trains and who have valuable freight man's name was Wood. I think he was a trains under their control. So long as the herbalist or brain-shrinker operating in Government are looking ahead, and looking South Brisbane, over Victoria Bridge. He with a clear eye, and not trying to buy the may have been a layer-on of hands or some Public Service, it is all right. I know that other type of health-maker, not that all there is a futile illusion amongst members layers-on of hands are not health-makers. I of the Government that once they get the know some chiropractors who are excellent Public Service vote they can control the Gov men and do a good job, but I have never had ernment. That is not true. There are more a very high opinion of this particular bird as electors and more Crown employees apart a health-inducer, producer, or anything else. from those in what we call the Public Ser I want to deal with the attitude of the vice. With my blessing, I say to the Govern Government towards the Public Service. I ment, go ahead with your plans to better the was pleased to read in the annual report Public Service so far as salaries and working of the Public Service Commissioner that the conditions are concerned but do not forget GoYernment are in the process of reaching that what you give to the Public Service an agreement with union leaders ·of the you will be rightly and justly expected to Public Service and other people in the Pub give to every other Crown employee in the lic Service to raise the status of public ser State. vants and to incre>tse their salaries and to I now want to deal with a matter that give them better working conditions. I want has caused a great deal of concern amongst to say that I commend the Government for the trading community and particularly the that. I hope they do not stop at the Public trading community of Townsville. It has Service. been the subject of discussion at meeeings of Chambers of Commerce and at various 1Ur. Houston: They will. other meetings. This was a subject that 1 raised at the end of my Address in Reply lUr. AIKENS: I hope they do not. It speech but I was prevented from contining was freely stated amongst people who claim with it because the ''gong'' beat me. I was that they know what is going on that there able to give the Treasurer a cutting from was a pact between some Public ''The Townsville Daily Bulletin.'' Service Union heads and this Govern ment prior to the last election-'' We Mr. Hiley: I followed it up, too. Did will vote for you and you jack up our they show you the letter I sent them explain salaries and better our conditions.'' I do ing the matter in full detail~ You should not know whether that pact was made but look at it. I do know that public servants are going to get higher wages and better conditions. Mr. AIKENS: I know that the Treasurer I commend the Government for it, but I is quite consistent. We can all remember remind them that they will start a chain that Ydwn the Treasurer was in opposition reaction amongst other grades and sections he made quite a scathing attack upon the of Governm.ent employees. After all is saicl then Government for their attitude in send and done a lot of people work for the Gov ing materials from Brisbane to North ernment. There are 29,000 railway men, Queensland w.hich could be bought in the there are men engaged on main roads and North Queensland stores. For instance, he there are forestry employees and others mentioned the case of a refrigerator which working for the Government, and if the was sent all the way from Brisbane to, I Government are going to give them the same think, a Government project in the Burde consiilera tion as regards increases in salaries kin Valley. Anyhow, it was some\vhere in and a betterment of working conditions that the North. they propose to give to the Public Service, I have a very clear mental picture of the then I am right behind the Government. Treasurer on that occasion quivering with But if the Government are going to differ indignation and with his pontificial attitude entiate and create a favoured class of Crown saying, "Yet when that refrigerator broke employees, they are in for a lot of trouble. down, believe it or not the Government had If the Government realise that once they the colossal impertinence and hide to ask a give to one section they must give to the northern electrical manufacturer to repair other they will have my support, whether it, and quite rightly he refused to do so.'' they get the support of other hon. members Unfortunately, the State Stores Board or not. There is heartburning amongst the is still adopting the tactics that were wages section of Crown employees. It was so rightly condemned by the Treasurer on mentioned some time ago in the case of rail that occasion. When goods are required way clerks who are tied to the Public Servicee for any Government instrumentality in salary classifications that, if I remember North Queensland, from towels to the rightly, a sixth-class clerk in the railway ser largest articles that it uses, in the main vice, a man who went to the railway service tenders are called for supplies to the Stata Supply. [23 OCTOBER.] Supply. 829' Stores Board in Brisbane, with the result Mr. AIKENS: I wish the Treasurer would that Brisbane wholesalers, manufacturers and read it. I am not a member of the Towns merchants have their tenders accepted. Then, ville Chamber of Commerce. If the Treasurer at the expense of the Government, the State examines its constitution and the political Stores Board rails the goods to the various complexion of many of its members, he will Government instrumentalities in the North. understand why I am not particularly per The northern manufacturers, wholesalers and sona grata with many of them. However, retailers have not a bolter 's chance of com what the Chamber of Commerce does is peting for the supply of goods in Brisbane. reported in ''The Townsville Daily Bulle For example, if a Townsville firm submitted tin'', and I am able to keep in touch with a tender of, say, lOOs. a dozen for a certain its activities. Frankly, I am not concerned commodity, the State Stores Board would say with the Townsville Chamber of Commerce t.hat it could but the same articles in Bris as such. I am concerned only with bane for 96s. a dozen. However, it would what they do in the interests of North then pay 10s. a dozen in freight to have them Queensland. If they do anything in railed to North Queensland and the Govern the interests of North Queensland I ment lose on the transaction. The Railway haye no political prejudice against them Department, of course, buys its requirements at all; I have no personal prejudice in bulk here and rails them to North Queens against them. If the Chamber of Commerce land free of cost. in Townsville or anywhere else, or any other organisation in the North, is trying to do The present practice is grossly unfair to something for the betterment of North the northern manufacturers, wholesalers and Queensland, it has me as an ally. They retailers. I think I remember reading in a certainly do not write to me. They certainly report of a meeting of the Townsville Cham do not take me into their confidence. They ber of Commerce that the Government had do not invite me to their meetings. I can advised them that when tenders are called the only pick up what they are doing from rail frieght from Brisbane to North Queens Press reports. If I think what they are land will be taken into consideration when doing is right, of my own volition I bore the tenders are being examined. into the fight, just as I brought that article lUr. Hanlon: Is it a fact that commodi down from the Townsville ''Daily Bulletin'', tiPs such as cement from the North Queens if I remember rightly, and gave it to the land cement works are sold in Townsville at Treasurer of my own volition. The Chamber almost the same price as in Brisbane~ of Commerce did not ask me to give that to him. 'rhat was something right off my own JUr. AIKENS: That is true. bat because I thought what they were trying to do was correct, and I wanted to help ~Ir. Hanlon: It is not right from the them along, whether they liked it or not. point of view of the consumer there. lUr. Ewan: They tell me they offered you ::ur. AIKENS: It is not really right. I a life membership up there. should like to be able to develop that argu ment but it does not come under the State 1\Ir. AIKENS: I would sooner be a life Stores Board as the North Queensland member of the Townsville Chamber of Com Cement Company is not a Government instru merce than a life member of some of the mentality. organisations to which the hon. memLeT for Ro.ma belongs. I would go a wng way liir. Hanlou: It would affect the Govern rcund before I would mix with some of the ment's position in buying it. company he mixes with, and I am not being personally derogatory of him in saying that. JUr. AIKENS: That is so, but there are many other commodities besides cement. The CHAIRMAN: Order! Northern instrumentalities of almost every kind-schools and hospitals-are supplied Mr. AIKENS: I want to draw the atten with goods that come from Brisbane. That tion of hon. members to the conditions into is plain silly. Of course, some mticles that 'Yhich the Public Service has got. I think are used in the furnishing and stocking of it 'Yas the Leader of the Opposition who northern Government instrumentalities are mentioned the lousy salaries and conditions bought in the ::'irorth, but that is usually paid to some of the medical officers in the an accident. Queensland Public Service at the General Hospitals. We have many excellent men in I think that the Treasurer is still of the the medical services of Queensland. \V e have same opinion as when he was in Opposition, a real first-class surgeon in Dr. Scott Young, that is, that the present discrimination by of Townsville, a man who devot-es all his life the State Stores Board against the North to his job, and in addition to being Medical should be removed once and for all, and that Superintendent of the Townsville General northern retailers, wholesalers and manu Hospital, which is a job on its own, he does facturers should get a fair deal. all the major surgery at that institution, and }lr. Hiley: You do not see your friends works 14 to 18 hours a day. in Townsville very much these days. I wrote I found the other day from some inquiries to them on this subject and got a lovely I made about another matter-to give hon. reply. We will read it for you. members some idea of how salaries in the 830 Supply. [ASSEMBLY.] Supply Public Service have been allowed to slip into feel well and truly proud of a splendid record the discard-the salary of the Chief Dis of administration and progress in Queensland. penser at the Townsville General Hospital is Like many other Ministers the Premier has :a magnificent £1,200 a year! There are very certainly not spared himself in carrying out few workers in industry, meatworkers or the tasks associated with his office. I pay others, who, if they have a good season, special tribute to the Premier acknowledging cannot earn £1,200 a year without any respon of course that he and other hon. members get sibility, certainly not the responsibility that great assistance from their womenfolk. I attaches to a position such a~ that of the congratulate him in his splendid work for the ·Chief Dispenser of a big institution like the Government and the State in encouraging and Townsville General Hospital. inspiring the people to do a good job for the development of Queensland. Mr. Hiley: He could make a mistake :and kill hundreds of people. The development of Queensland is a tremen dous job, full of responsibilities. Now that ~Ir. AIKENS: That is so. Not only that, the importance of the Co-ordinator-General's not only must he be a qualified chemist, but also before he can get the job he must go Department has been increased it is timely up the ladder of promotion and be there for that the Co-ordinator-General should be given a number of years. That is why they cannot even more powers. With the extra money get dispensers at the big State hospitals. How allocated to him and with his co-ordination can you expect a man who is not only a quali and the help of his splendid staff the State ·fied chemist but who is also in the top flight can look forward to worthwhile development. of qualified chemists to go and work at a But we must, of course, look to the Federal public institution for a beastly or a measly Government for additional finance. The £1,200 a year~ Government are approaching the problem realistically in submitting a good case for the Mr. Windsor: He could start in business consideration of the people in the South. on his own. We must have finance to overcome our prob lems. It is very easy to say that we should Mr. AIKENS: This man was in business pay public servants more, that we should do on his own but, because of failing health, he this and that. We have the will to do it, gave it up, and I understand he did the but we need the finance. I hope that it will Townsville General Hospital a very great be forthcoming. favour at considerable personal inconvenience to himself by taking on the job of Chief Dis We got some assistance from the Federal penser. Government but they could help in other directions too. I cannot understand why the JUr. Ewan: You agree with our policy? Commonwealth Government should continue to ~Ir. AIKENS: I do, yes. charge the States pay-roll tax. Queensland pays up to £2,000,000 annually in pay Tile CHAIRMAN: Order! The hon. roll tax and if the Commonwealth member should realise that the salary of the Government would forego it it would -Ghief Dispenser of the Townsville General be of great assistance to the State. Hospital is a matter that comes under the Semi-Government and local government vote for the Department of Health and Home authorities also would be assisted by being Affairs and not the Chief Secretary's vote. relieved of pay-roll tax. I do not think that it was ever intended that one Govern llr. AIKENS: I merely mentioned it in ment should levy tax on another. It is unfair passing as a sort of twig on the big tree of and unreasonable. The State Governments the Public Service. However, in view of your are exempt from sales tax and other taxes ruling, I will not pursue the subject. and it is not asking too much of the Com Mr. Burrows: You sort of mixed your monwealth Government to relieve them of prescriptions. pay-roll tax. State Governments try to do their best for their people and for the develop Mr. AIKENS: That is so. I would like ment of their State and a pay-roll tax is to mix a prescription with a fair amount of an imposition on them. nux vomica in it, if hon. members know what that is, and give it to someone in this Mr. Davies: Dr. Evatt has promised relief Chamber if I could get him to take it, and for local authorities. that does not apply to the hon. member who interjected, strangely enough. Mr. LOW: Dr. Evatt will not win the election. He will still be in the cool shades The CHAIRMAN: Order! of opposition after 22 November. He has stated that he is prepared to chop his head Mr. AIKENS: Having said that, I thank off, so I do not know what his promises will you for your latitude, Mr. Taylor, and, before be worth. you instruct me to do so, I will resume my I noticed in the report of the Co-ordinator seat. General of Public Works that shortage of :i)lr. LOW (Cooroora) (5.30 p.m.): This finance is delaying his programme but I am is the first opportunity we have had to certain that every effort will be made to -examine the record of the Government after obtain more money. I agree with the Premier 12 months' administration. Indeed we can that there is something wrong regarding the Supply. [23 OCTOBER.] Supply. 83lb population figures on which the Common one of great progress and development. The wealth distribute funds. There are more occasion should inspire everyone to set an voters on the Federal roll than on the State objective and take steps to achieve it. An rolls. Where do they come from~ The enthusiastic drive by the people of Queensland Premier has caused a check to be made of to this end must be of benefit to the State. the population figures. There is no doubt that there is a mistake somewhere, and when I must mention an important event on the it is corrected we shall benefit. near North Coast. T·he Premier has been closely associated with the surf life saving It would be to the advantage of the States movement for many years. Mooloolaba, a if more Premiers' Conferences were held. promising and progressive seaside resort, has There are many matters of mutual interest been chosen as the venue of the Australasian that could be discussed with benefit to all the surf life saving championships to be held at States. It is disturbing to think of the trans Easter 1959. Arrangements, including port position that has been caused by Section important improvements, are being made to 92 of the Commonwealth Constitution. We accommodate over 1,000 competitors and are losing tremendous sums of money because thousands of supporters and well-wishers. of border-hoppers. The Premier is president of the association. I was very pleased to learn that as a result The event should be one of the highlights of of my representations to the Premier that 1959. at the next Premiers' Conference he will bring I shall now deal with the elimination of up the matter of the establishment of a dangerous level crossings. I was somewhat national disaster fund. At present the Com disappointed to read on page 81 of the monwealth will ~ubsidise the States £1 for Estimates that only £13,000 is to be expended £1 for personal distress. The Bowen cyclone on this work. I had hoped that a much emphasised the urgent need for prompt action larger amount would be available for this to establish such a fund to assist local purpose, but with a great drain on available authorities and people who suffer loss from finance I suppose it is not possible to com floods, cyclones and other major catastrophes. plete all the work in one year. I hope that I hope that the States and the Commonwealth next vear the elimination of dangerous leveL will be able to agree on the establishment crossings is given high priority. of such a fund. The States should see that their sovereign rights are preserved. Irrespec A part altogether from the matter of tive of the political colour of the Federal employment, the serious accidents and conse Government, little by little they are taking quent loss of life warrant a high priority for away the Statrs' Sovereign rights, and if the this work. The Co-ordinator-General, with practice continues eventually the States will the extra powers now allocated to him, should probably have less power than local authori be able to influence the Commissioners for ties now have. V-/ e must make every effort to Railways, Department of Main Roads and retain our Sovereign rights. Transport Department to eliminate dangerous The hon. member for Kurilpa in a very level crossings as soon as possible. There interesting speech brought to our notice a must be closer and more definite co-operation subject of great importance. than in the past. Conferences should be held to determine these matters from time to time. Mr. Davies: He has not been back since he was rebuked. I want to stress that the eliminatioR of many dangerous level crossings is a sound Mr. LOW: He is at present serving in financial proposal. There is a level crossing the Commonwealth Forces and has every right in my electorate across the railway line on the to seek leave of absence. That is reasonable. Y andina to Bli Bli main road. There is ::. natural bank on both sides of the line and it Mr. I withdraw that remark. I Davies: would cost about £5,000 to construct a bridge dic1 not know that. to eliminate this dangerous level crossing. 1\'Ir. LOW: The hon. member for Buranda There is bad visibility at the crossing and dealt with a matter of great importance, the the constTUction of a bridge would save the forthcoming centenary celebrations. We wages of the local gatekeeper, maintenance appreciate the representations of the Premier on the gatekeeper's house, the lighting on for the visit of a member of the R.oyal the gate and the payment of overtime and family. We were distressed and disappointed other expenses. It must be costing the Rail to read on various occasions that no invitation way Department at least £1,000 a year to had been sent, but we were confident that it maintain this level crossing. Interest and had been sent through correct channels. This redemption on a loan of £5,000 \vould be ~harming young lady, Princess Alexandra, will negligible when spread over 15, 20 or 30 years ertainly receive a Royal welcome. She is a which would be the life of the bridge. Beside · ose relative of His Excellency the Governor eliminating a dangerous crossing steps could: ,d Lady May, so that she will feel at home be taken to straighten the road alignment. Queensland. The people of Queensland are The Main Roads Department would accept a king forward to her visit. fair share of the cost. The local authority ocal authorities will co-operate to the full concerned has asked for the briage and I have he centenary celebrations. All local auth asked for it for more than 10 years. I think ,es will undertake important works to that the Commissioner for Railways should ·rate the occasion. The year should be make his contribution, the Main Roads 832 Supply. [ASSEMBLY.] Supply. Department its contribution, and there could We are working along the right lines. be one by the local authorit;v. I repeat that Although not many new factories have been it is a sound financial proposal and the established in Queensland recently, I know Co-ordinator-General of Public Works should from the many inquiries that have been take positive action and say, ''This is a must received about Queensland's potentialities it for next financial year, it is a sound financial is very likely that a number of new indus proposal; the Commissioner for Railways will tries will be started here in the near future. save money and the dangerous crossing will Once the ball starts rolling, I am sure we be removed.'' shall all be gratified with the number of The Co-ordinator-General should be given new industries that are established. Potential the necessary power, if he has not already investors should be fired with confidence in got it, to call all interested people together. Queensland. It is quite natural that before they spend large sums of money they want With rising costs throughout the State some assurance about the future. A very and the world and increases in this important overseas representative who was item and that, the State Stores Board in my company for a day recently assured could assist the Government, semi me that Australia-and Queensland in par government bodies and local authorities by ticular-had the greatest potential of any purchasing for them. It buys in bulk and countrv in the world. If we advertise our it can buy cheaper than anyone else. It wares "overseas, I am sure that our efforts would be able to pass on the benefit. The will not be in vain. Government, semi-government bodies and local authorities are all working in the inter Mr. Thackeray: Are you in favour of ests of the State and any saving by local new States~ authorities would be spent on other work. lUr. LOW: I shall not touch on that sub JUr. Windsor: The hon. member for ject because it does not come within the scope Mundingburra would not agree with you. of this Vote. ]}lr. LOW: If the hon. member for As I say, I am sure that we are working Mundingburra does not agree I think he along sound lines. ~Whether we are Govern should examine the facts. The State Stores ment, Opposition, or Independent, we must Board should be able to pmchase in bulk to show our confidence in Queensland's future assist other bodies that are all part of a big and encourage people to come here. If we organisation working in the interests of the all do that, I am sure that 1960-Queens people. Local authorities have asked for it on land 's centenary year-will be one of many occasions and I hope the Premier and immense progress for Queensland. his Ministers will examine the suggestion to Bee if some such system can be worked out. ]}lr. DONALD (Bremer) (5.54 p.m.): I am confident that all hon. members will agree Thir. Windsor: Bulk buying means cheaper that the important functions and responsi buying. bilities of the office of the Leader of Her Majesty's Opposition in the State Parliament ]}Ir. LOW: It certainly does. It must of Queensland is of equal importance to that save a good deal of money, and wise and prevailing in other States of the Common successful buying can be of great advantage wealth-and, for that matter, in other coun to everybody. tries of the British Commonwealth of In conclusion, I should like to mention the Nations-and that the prestige and import activities of Mr. Muir, at Queensland House, ance of the office in Queensland does not I.ondon. He is carrying out a very important suffer by comparison with the other Parlia role. Any hon. member who has asked the ments of Australia. Premier for letters of introduction for con stituents visiting England must eventually For the general information of hon. mem learn from them on their return that those bers, I s-hall inform them of the conditions letters have been very useful when they have enjoyed by Leaders of the Opposition in the visited Queensland House. We have an excel other States of the Commonwealth. I think lent organisation in London and we should it is important that hon. members should be very thankful for the services rendered have the information. In New South Wales the base salarv of a member of Parliament by the staff there. They are doing their is £1,975, plus an allowance ranging from best to sell Queensland to the world, and it £500 to £800 according to the location of was an excellent idea for the Government to the electorate. invite Mr. Muir to visit Queensland on a refresher course so that he could acquaint The allowance for the Leader of the himself with what had happened here since Opposition in New South Wales is £1,000, he went to London. I met him in my plus £250 expenses a year. capacity as chairman of one of the North In Victoria the base salary of members o Coast shire councils, and I was able to show Parliament is £2,000 with an extra £1,000 f( him what had been done to develop the tourist the Leader of the Opposition and a furth resorts there and to encourage the establish allowance of £500. ment of secondary industries. I am sure In South Australia the base salary of mr that Mr. Muir 's journeyings throughout the bers of Parliament is £1,900 with an e: State afforded him valuable information for £700 for the Leader of the Opposition, his work in London. £75 district allowance. Supply. [23 OCTOBER.] Supply. 833 In Western .Australia the base salary is sympathy of the Opposition to the ladies £2,100 with a £40 a year basic-wage adjust· and their husbands. We hope that the ladies ment, £50 electorate allowance, an extra £700 will sson be well again. a year for the Leader of the Opposition, and In Western .Australia servicing and minor £300 a year expenses. repairs to the Leader of the Opposition's car In Tasmania the base salary is £1,382, are undertaken free of charge by a govern with an extra £1,000 for the Leader of the ment garage. In Tasmania a car with dnver Opposition and £650 electorate allowance. is provided for official purposes. In Queens In Queensland the base salary is land no car is provided, in fact, no arrange £2,501 10s., with a miserable £500 extra for ments of any kind are made for the transport the Leader of the Opposition, with all the of the Leader of the Opposition to any responsibility and work he has to undertake, function or activity that he has to attend and £175 electorate allowance. as the occupant of this important office. In fairness to the Premier, let me make the Mr. Ramsden: They might have better observations that at least on one occasion quality Leaders of the Opposition in those when we were both going to a function at other States, do you think~ Government House at the invitation of the present Governor, the Premier had the Mr. DONALD: I think I should ignore courtesy to ring and tell me that he was such an inane interjection as that. When sending his own car to pick me up and bring the hon. member for Merthyr has been here me back to Parliament House. That gesture long enough to evaluate not only the worth was greatly appreciated but hon. members of the Leader of the Opposition but also the will agree that it should not be an obligation worth of individual hon. members he will thrust upon the Premier to provide trans be able to put a true valuation on the pre port for the Leader of the Opposition. From sent Leader of the Opposition. my occupancy of the position I can say that Mr. Herbert: But who set this miserable transport is a big problem to the Leader of £500 margin 7 the Opposition. I am not going to complain about the salary-personally I think it is Mr. DONALD: I am not going to live in ample-but transport does present a big diffi the past. We can learn from the mistakes culty. of the past and take advantage of them. I In New South Wales the Leader of the want to live in the future and to forget any Opposition has full telephone facilities, mistakes that have been made in the past including trunk line calls at the office at irrespective of who made them. Parliament House. For the telephone at his Transport is a very important item to any private residence, in company with other member of Parliament but it is extremely members, he is recouped three-quarters of important to the Leader of the Opposition. the rental charge. In Victoria there is no He should not be forced to travel on trams limit; all calls emanating from the office and to hire taxis w.hen a better method of are paid for by the Government. In South transportation could be made available to him .Australia rental and calls are provided for and is made available to the Leaders of bv the Government both at the office and at the Opposition in the Parliaments of other his home. In Western .Australia the Govern States. In Ne_:w South Wales and in Vic ment pay all telephone charges to the resi toria a car with driver is provided for the dence of the Leader of the Opposition and use of the Leader of the Opposition. In his office at Parliament House. In Tasmania South .Australia a car with driver is provided all telephone services to the office of the for official purposes. Leader of the Opposition are charged against the Parliamentary Vote. Trunkline Mr. Evans: Your Government didn't do calls made from the secretary's home to the that. Leader of the Opposition are re-imbursed out Mr. Dnggan: But you said you were a of the Contingencies Vote. In Queensland the fair Government. home telephone rental and local calls are paid and £35 is allowed for trunk calls. .All local lUr. Evans: You actually took £200 off calls at the office are paid and £100 is allowed the Leader as well. for trunk line calls. The CHAIRMAN: Order! The hon. I think there should be an improvement member for Bremer. in regard to the staff here, although it is not too bad. In New South Wales a private Mr. DONALD: Thank you, Mr. Taylor. I secretary and two shorthand-typists are pro did not want to interrupt the little cross vided. In Victoria a secretary and typist firing. In Western .Australia a car with stenographer, South .Australia a secretary, 1river is provided for official purposes. Western .Australia a male secretary and a 'here the Leader usually uses his own car female typist, the same as here, and in 1d is supplied with 25 gallons of petrol a Tasmania a male secretary and a typist and onth free of charge. stenographer, and in Queensland a private I have just heard that Mrs. Fletcher and secretary and a clerk-typist. I think there s. Chalk have met with a rather serious should be an improvement in the salary paid i accident. I should like to express the to the private secretary to the Leader of 1958-2D 834 Supply. [ASSEMBLY.] Supply. the Opposition in view of the nature of the for a moment, as was implied by the hon. work performed. In New South Wales a member for Merthyr by way of interjection, private secretary receives £1,477 the :first that the present position of the Leader of year and £1,657 for the fifth year. One the Opposition was all that the Premier was shorth·md-typist receives £800 and another worth while he was Leader of the Opposition. £533. In Victoria the secretary receives £875, plus £462 cost-of-living allowance and Mr. Ramsden: That is not correct. the typist-ste!l(ographer receives £429' plus £347 cost-of-living allowance. In South Mr. DONALD: The hon. member for Australia the secretary's salary ranges from Merthyr said distinctly that that was all £1,721 to £1,&86. In Western Australia the present Leader was worth. Although his the secretary is paid £1,195 per annum. The interjection reacts against him and his party, salary was scheduled for early review at he should be man enough to take full respon 31 July, 1958. The typist receives £745 sibility for it. Neither the present Leader including £150 per annum over the female of the Opposition, nor any other hon. mem basic rate plus £25 per annum efficiency allow ber of the Opposition, thought that the Pre ance and £30 per annum special allowance. mier was not worth what he received. In Tasmania the secretary's salary is £1,512 per annum and the salary of the typist Mr. RAMSDEN: I rise to a point of stenographer is £817. In Queensland the order. In my interjection I made no refer private secretary receives £1,380 plus £75 ence to the Premier when he was Leader of cost:of-living allowance. The female typist the Opposition. My interjection referred receives £465 plus £27 10s. cost-of-living solely to the present Leader of the Australian allowance. In regard to staff overtime, in Labour Party. New South Wales the private secretary received £30 per annum allowance. Typists Mr. DONALD: I accept his explanation, are paid overtime only when authorised by but he only gets further into the mire, the Premier's Department. I do not think because the present Leader of the Opposition there would :be any objection to that. In receives the same ~ate of salary, minus what South Australia no overtime is paid in respect the present Premier, when Leader of the of late sittings. In West Australia there Opposition, denied himself by refusing to apply for it. I give him credit for that. He is no payment for overtime. The same position prevails in Queensland. did that quite voluntarily and we must give him full marks for doing it. The same con I have had a personal conversation with ditions prevail. If the hon. member for the Leader of the Opposition, and he is not Merthyr is annoyed with me for my interpre asking for a very flash car. It is not needed tation of his interjection, he can only blame nor does he require it, but he does need som~ himself. The position in regard to services form of transport. If he is to use his own and salary is the same now as when the car he needs a fair allowance. He would Premier was Leader of the Opposition. Every be satisfied with a Holden or Zephyr car hon. member of the Opposition knows that without the provision of a driver, with petrol the Premier' during the long years he spent and oil supplied; normal maintenance to be as LBader of the Opposition carried out his carried out by the Government garage with duties capably, efficiently and courteously indemnity in respect of maintenance or ~epair and with all the distinction, grace and honou; work done when away from the city. He the position called for. I say that definitely asks for not less than the same air travel an~ _without any eq;rivocation: That is my opmwn, and that IS the opmion of every privileges to nominated points as are avail other hon. member. able to other members of Parliament, a fixed expense allowance to meet the costs of I notice that the Vote for the Co-ordinator attending official functions throughout the Gen~ral of Public w.orks has dropped by over State, review of the status of secretary, who £10,o00 compared with the Vote last year in also acts as Public Relations Officer though spite of the fact that £80,906 was m~de the salary classification does not cover the available from Trust and Special Funds. I dual responsibilities. As revealed in the can only conclude that that must interfere aforementioned table, the allowance above with the development and progress of this the base salary paid to the Leader of the State. At the same time the Vote for the Opposition in. Queensland is less than in any State Public Relations Bureau has increased other Australian State. I do not think we by £8,682 compared with last year. The can afford to allow that to continue. How Governme~;t ~ay . for propaganda purposes ever, a review of this position is not sought see some JUStificatiOn or some reward for this as presumably this matter will be one for additional expenditure, but is the State get reference to the prospective tribunal or such ting full advantage from the expenditure of other body as will determine Parliamentary an additional £8,500 in this way. From thr talaries generally. I think hon. members State viewpoint, the additional expenditur on both sides of the Chamber will consider cannot be justified. the matter in a judicial way, and that Cabinet There is a small increase in the Vote f, will be influenced by the merits of the sub Parliamentary Counsel and Draftsman. missions and their conception of what is have always been very kindly disposed to proper for the office of Leader of the gentleman who occupied this position. W Opposition. I do not want it to be thought r entered Parliament, I often felt very SI Supply. [23 OCTOBER.] Supply. 835 for him, perhaps without justification. He Mr. DONALD: Government members had to prepare Bills for introduction by have the advantage of knowing what is in various Ministers. The Bills had to be pre a Bill, but the Opposition has to rerply pared in a thorough manner, because at that entirely on what the Minister gives in his time there were three very capable barristers explanation of the Bill. in the Chamber, in the persons of Mr. Justice I do not know if it is permissible to speak Wanstall, Mr. Frank Roberts, and Mr. Fred of the State Reporting Bureau, but I want Paterson. Those barristers can take their to tell hon. members that in Tasmania there time and criticise the drafting of Bills or is no '' Hansard'' staff and no '' Hansard'' clauses by the Parliamentary Counsel and is issued. The record of proceedings in Par Draftsmen. Those officers have to work liament is kept in the daily Press at Hobart. under pressure and as quickly as they can, I do not think any hon. member here would whereas their brother barristers can work at like to rely on our daily newspapers for the leisure and pick thtom to pieces. I think printed records of Parliament. I am not that the gentlemen concerned earn their saying that in a way that should be regarded money; it is less than the value they as derogatory of the representatives of the give to the community. They are worth Press. If the same conditions operated here every penny paid to them and I think as in Tasmania, probably they would be not only the Government but hon. members allowed to report the proceedings here more of the Assembly and the people of Queens fully than at present. land generally are under a deep debt of gratitude to those who perform the work of (Time expired). Parliamentary Counsel and Draftsmen. Mr. EWAN (Roma) (7.35 p.m.): On Mr. Hart: I agree with you. behalf of the people of the Roma electorate, as well as on my own behalf, I should like Mr. DONALD: I am pleased to have the to thank the Premier for the splendid services support of my learned friend, the Q.C. from that he has rendered to this State since assum Mt. Gravatt. ing office. For many years he served the State with distinction as Leader of the I did not forget to refer to the girls in the Opposition, and it was very gratifying to me members' correspondence room as the hon. to hear the hon. member for Bremer speak in member for Mundingburra suggests. They such glowing terms of the Premier's occu were not covered by the provisions vote. How pancy of that important post. It is character ever, I now take the opportunity to refer to istic of the Premier that he should approach them. I do not know what private members his very important task with the humility would do without their skilful assistance and that is always the hallmark of a man of great co-operation. I notice with a good deal of ability. During the short period that he has satisfaction that their number has been occupied his important post, he has won for increased by one, and I think the Govern himself not only the respect of the great ment are justified perhaps in appointing masses of the State, but also the love and another. respect of many who are opposed to his We have had several discussions on what political ideals. No greater honour than that the Government are going to do during the could be conferred on any man. I know that centenary year. I plead with the Government not only the electors of Roma but the vast through the Premier on this occasion to help majority of the people in this State would the eisteddfod movement financially to a support me in expressing the wish ~hat the greater extent than in the past. It has been Premier will long be spared to contmue the customary to give the Queensland Eistedd yeoman services that he is rendering to this fod wherever it is held in the State a grant great State. of, I think, £150. I am not sure of the :figfure. Seeing that next yea.r will be the Speaking on the appropriation for the centenary year and there will be a centenary centenary celebrations, should we be honoured with a visit from Princess Alexandra-and eisteddfod I request the Government to double the grant previously given. it has been officially intimated in the Press that we shall be-l repeat the plea that I It is pleasing to see that the Government made during my Address-in-Reply speech t~at are continuing to subsidise the Playground she will honour the people of the West w1th and Recreation Association. The movement a visit. It is extraordinary that not one is doing a good service to the community and member of the Royal family who has visited deserves all the support it can get from the Queensland has honoured the West with a general public and the Government. visit. It is illogical that the people of the I cannot agree with the hon. member for West should not have enjoyed one Royal '3uranda who has advocated the shortening visit while the people of Brisbane have been f the period an hon. member can speak on so l{onoured on at least 10 occasions. The ·e introduction of a Bill. That would be a people of Brisbane cannot be compared in trograde step. An hon. member has only importance with the primary producers of the · minutes and to reduce that time would West. The manufacturers in the Brisbane a curb on the freedow of speech. area have not so far added, and perhaps never will add to the wealth of this great State by ·r. Hanlon: It is all right for Govern exporting any of their products. The people ~ members, who do not want to talk. of the West, with their wool, meat and farm 836 Supply. [ASSEMBLY.] Supply. produce provide the great bulk of the State's It will certainly surpass anything in Charle export income, which is its only real wealth. ville or Longreach, and that is a challenge. If no-one else says this, I feel honoured on behalf of the people of the West to tell the Mr. Watson: That's a challenge, all people of Brisbane that this city is only a right. clearing house for the great industries that Mr. EWAN: I hope that in the prepara are sponsored by those in the far-flung areas tion of the itinerary due consideration will of the West. be given to the people on whose behalf I Mr. Baxter interjected. make this plea, not only those of my own electorate but also those in the Balonne Mr. EWAN: It is beautiful scenic electorate, who will honour Roma with their country, except in a drought. I understand presence on that occasion. from a report in the Press tonight that it has been suggested tl>at Princess Alexandra may It is clear that Government employees over visit Charleville, Longreach and Mt. Isa and the years have not been very fairly treated then visit the great coastal cities. in relation to accommodation and salaries. That has been indicated in no uncertain Mr. Dufficy: She will be sensible if she fashion by the drift of highly paid and doesn't visit Roma, anyway. skilled officers who have been attracted to other States by better conditions there, and Mr. EWAN: I am surprised that the hon. by the lack or paucity of Government super member for W arrego should make such an annuation schemes. This applies to every inane interjection because I was just going section of government employment. By their to say that I was delighted to hear that she outburst this morning, characteristic of the might honour with a visit the people of guilt of many hon. members who grace the Charleville and all that great area that he benches of this Chamber and who have graced represents. The same applies to Longreach. them over the years, the hon. member for At the risk of being classed as parochial, I Brisbane and the hon. member for Ithaca appeal to the Premier and those responsible indicated in no uncertain fashion that, because for arranging her itinerary to include Roma of the maltreatment dished out to public in it. servants over the years, it would be highly Mr. Dufficy: Why? improbable that any public servant would run under the A.L.P. banner. That is why Mr. EWAN: Because Roma is perhaps they objected to the principles of the Bill, one of the most important inland towns in the third reading of which was carried Queensland. unanimously this morning. Mr. Dufficy: I am glad you said Mr. DAVIES: I rise to a point of order. ''perhaps.'' The hon. member would know that he is incorrect in saying that any hon. members of Mr. EWAN: Let me inform the hon. the official Opposition made any statement member for Warrego that, despite his lack that we believed that no member of the Public of desire that the Princess should be enabled Service would run under the banner of the to see all the people in their own environment, Australian Labour Party. The only objec the Roma district is the headquarters of the tion was to the title of the Bill. area that produces 25 per cent. of the wool and the beef of the State. The CHAIRMAN: Order! I think the Mr. Dufficy: Perhaps. hon. member for Roma has made his point. I ask him to accept the explanation of the Mr. EWAN: And I had the great honour hon. member for Maryborough. I also ask within the last two or three months to attend him to refrain from continuing in that strain all-schools sports meetings in the electorate and to confine his remarks to the subject of the hon. member for Condamine and in my matter of the Vote. own electorate, and I could think of no more fitting celebration than an all-schools sports Mr. EWAN: I thought I was doing that. in Roma to be held on the day Princess I was merely expressing my own opinion, Alexandra honours it with a visit. If she naturally not the opinion of the Opposition. is going to visit the electorate of the hon. There is no doubt that as a matter of survival member for Warrego, seeing that she has to it would be necessary for them to have that fiy over Roma, where there is an all-weather opinion. As a Government we have pledged strip, nothing would be more fitting than for ourselves-and steps are in progress to give her to land and spend a couple of hours effect to that pledge--to give better condi there. The people of Roma would welcome tions to Government employees. her and extend their characteristic warm Mr. Houston: Does that include th · hearted western hospitality. We should be wage-earner~ proud to show her the grand children it is our privilege to rear in the western areas Mr. EWAN: All Government employe< of the State. If we are honoured with such The hon. member should not get so ups a visit the children and their parents will Hon. members opposite so often claimed t journey to Roma from hundreds of miles in they were the friends of the workers yet t every direction and will put forward a celebra gave them the worst conditions of any 8 tion unparalleled in the history of the West. in the Commonwealth of Australia. Supply. [23 OcTOBER.] Supply. 837 An A.L.P. Member: Are you going to Mr. Davies interjected. grant them three weeks annual leave~ Mr. EWAN: We have a long way to go Another A.L.P. Member: Are you going to make up the leeway after 31 years of to grant equal pay for the sexes 1 Labour Government. We intend with every means at our disposal to implement the policy A.L.P. Members interjected. of better conditions for Govermnent The CHAIRlUAN: Order! I must ask employees. In return we think that the hon. members on my left not to keep up this employees should become at least public continual heckling. relations officers for the advancement of this State. They have a responsibility and we Mr. EWAN: Thank you for your inter expect them to exercise it in a manner vention, Mr. Taylor, although I am enjoying befitting their station. it immensely. I know it is grating on your nerves but I am not a bit upset. I want to Mr. Davies: You are not suggesting they are not doing so. tell hon. members that there was only one lavatory provided for the female staff of lUr. EWAN: I suggest that 95 per cent. Parliament House when we came into office. of them are doing an excellent job. There If they think that is fair play for Govern· is an odd one who, for some reason-whether ment employees they have another think it is that he was dragged up by the scruff coming. &uccessive Labour Governments of the neck-does not know the meaning of enforced the conditions of the Workers' courtesy. Accommodation Act on private employers, but they did not extend similar privileges to their Mr. Davies: You said 5 per cent. own employees. !lr. EWAN: The hon. member would try Mr. Davies: Did your members of the to gain politkal kudos out of the miaouw of Committee ever raise any objection or a cat. In return for the good conditions bring the matter up~ and the justice which the Government are giving them and which was denied them in Mr. EWAN: The matter was brought up the past, we expect them to realise their long before the hon. member for Marybor· responsibilities and act with courtesy. Many ough came into the Chamber. hon. members of the Opposition have observed Mr. Davies: You were not in Parliament. discourtesy from time to time. I saw an example of it given by a lad porter. I heard Mr. EWAN: Long before the hon. mem a policeman speak to a lady in a motor-car ber came into Parliament. I was in Parlia and I am going further with this-in a ment from 1950 to 1953. Then I had an manner ill-suited to his rank. Ninety-five enforced spell that did me a great deal of per cent. of Government employees carry out good. The hon. member will have one after their duties excellently, but there is a small the next election for three years. He can section who fail ' to do so. When we are rest assured of that after what we saw this giving them better conditions and assisting morning. them generally we expect them to assist us During the occupancy of the Premiership and give good and courteous service to the by the hon. member for South Brisbane it was people. my great pleasure when he made a goodwill Mr. A. J. Smith: Can you name the 5 per tour of the State to make representations to cent.~ him for a house for the manager of the State Government Insurance Office at Roma. Mr. EWAN: If the hon. member was one Following those representations on his return I would name him No. 1 booause he has not to Brisbane he put through an Order in Ooun· the faintest notion of courtesy in his whole cil to buy a house for that gentleman. This make-up. I shall not waste any more time Government have provided a home for the replying to the irresponsible interjection from police magistrate and three or four homes for the hon. member who never knows when he other police officers in Roma. It will be the has had enough. objective of this Government of which I have the honour to be a representative, to Mr. A. J. Smith: Have you the courage provide residences for all senior Government to name the 5 per cent.~ employees who are subject to transfer. We are going to provide houses for railway Mr. EWAN: I shall name the hon. mem workers. The previous Government provided ber No. 1. 'nly a few houses here and there. Their Mr. A. J. Smith: Name the 5 per cent. 'commodation for railway workers was an Have the courage to do so. I am not a public dictment of their administration. Hon. servant. There are public servants in the ·mbers opposite know that only too well. Premier's gallery, They are suspicious of nope that we can provide residences for the hon. member. ~ks of petty sessions, officers of the Depart- t of Lands, State Insurance officials and Mr. EWAN: The hon. member's mind is 1overnment employees subject to transfer. such, as the hon. member for Mundingburra nany occasions they do not take advan- said, the only need for his head is to hold of transfers because there is no accom his ears up. It seems to me that the system ',ion provided for them. of promotion in the public civil service is 838 Supply. [ASSEMBLY.] Supply. cumbersome. I do not know why promotion Mr. A. J. Smith: You would not be in should be in the hands of the Public Service it. Commissioner. Mr. EWAN: Neither would the hon. Mr. Davies: Whom do you think should member. He would not even be considered. control it¥ If my suggestion was adopted, we may be Mr. EWAN: The heads of the various able to relieve personal distress in drought departments should have the right to say areas. If the Government sponsored the whether an officer should be promoted or scheme and the people of Brisbane and other demoted. The present system is too cumber areas of the State were made aware of the some. An employer who is working along sufl'erings of drought victims, I am sure an side an employee is in the best position to appeal would meet with the same generous assess the capabilities or weaknesses of that response as the appeal for the relief of dis· employee. He is in a far better position to tress among flood victims. give a decision than someone in a remote (Time expired.) position. Many verbose men, such as the hon. mem· Mr. BURROWS (Port Curtis) (8.0 p.m.) : ber for Carpentaria, build up a reputation The Vote under discussion covers a wide field. for possessing some ability, but in most Previous speakers have mentioned the plans instances the assessment is wrong. Depart of the Government to localise the buying for mental heads who work side by side with an Government departments in country areas. employee are in a better position to assess As one who has 20-odd years' experience in his capabilities. Under that system the an administrative capacity in a fairly large employee would receive greater justice and institution in the country I warn the Premier equity. against the plan, not that I am opposing the Mr. Davies: Is this a vote of no con patronising of local industries. Such a scheme fidence in the Public Service Commissioner? could operate for the benefit of a local agent of some firm in Brisbane or a manufacturer Mr. EWAN: No. It is merely my sug in the South. It would be a bad bargain on gestion. I cannot waste any more time on the part of the Government and the money irrelevant interjections. could be better spent for the benefit of the I note from the Estimates that £4,500 has inmates of a local institution than by going been set aside for the relief of personal to the middleman. distress likely to be caused by flood or I appreciate the fact that the Government cyclone. I congratulate the Government on have not had much experience in this matter the splendid assistance they rendered to the but in all sincerity and good faith I warn the victims of recent cyclones and floods, and I Premier that he be careful in delegating the pay tribute to the generosity of the people buying of supplies to local bodies in the of this city and the State. They responded country. I could quote hundreds of items, magnificently to the appeal for finance and but I shall give only a few. I wanted a goods to relieve personal distress. Although typewriter in the office and the State Stores the victims of floods and cyclones were Board gave a price of £18. The local agent entitled to the assistance they received, they or traveller would want £45 for the same are not the only ones who need assistance. make of machine. Typewriter ribbons could After having travelled through the drought be bought for 6s. 6d. a dozen through the stricken areas of the State, it seems to me State Stores Board but they cost 3s. 6d. each a pity that we cannot bring into existence if bought locally. In regard to iron washers a fund for the relief of distress among vic -and this might interest the hon. member tims of drought. A flood is generally over for Fortitude Valley-I was able to buy quite within a week and the victims know what a quantity at one time on a quote of ld. each, they have lost and what they have to do but on sending down to the State Stores to rehabilitate themselves, but a drought can Board they could be bought for ls. a gross. continue almost indefinitely. In the far west I want local industries to be patronised. of the State it has lasted 26 months. The Some timber might be wanted at Gladstone. things that those people have worked for, That timber could be bought in the timber the stock they have bred, and their achieve yards at Rockhampton. Those yards would ments have been destroyed gradually and have imported the timber from Maryborough. inevitably. Drought has a far greater It would have to be railed back to Gladstone. demoralising effect than any cyclone or flood, I could illustrate a rather ridiculous position I speak from my heart in suggesting the in regard to an institution that was alongside• formation of such a fund. I know it would a sawmill, one that supplies timber to diffe· be difficult. Perhaps it can be started for ent parts of Queensland as well as interstat the purpose of relieving only personal dis Instead of the institution buying the timl tress. In far-flung areas families will lose from this sawmill it bought it from Ro everything they own, even if the rain starts hampton. That is an instance of wh tomorrow. Their personal distress is hard to economy can be practised. I do not think describe, and it is far greater than the per hon. member wishes to see money waste(! sonal distress of flood victims. I hope it is I warn the newer hon. members abou possible to get together the best brains from actions of people who come to them both sides of the Chamber-- allege dishonesty against administ Supply. [23 OCTOBER.] Supply. 839 officials who in fact are probably doing what give an immediate and permanent impetus to is Tight, and aTe getting full value for the the State's economy. Many of the schemes public moneys that they spend. Because put forward benefit a particular district they will not pay exorbitant prices, many because of the wages paid during construc people who do not get orders from them tion. When a scheme is going on near a town, make nasty insinuations against them. When that town enjoys a measure of prosperity, but I was secretary of a hospitals boaTd, the it is not worth it, for the simple reason that chairman of the board got an anonymous immediately the scheme is completed a letter suggesting that I had acted dishonestly reaction sets in. When the expenditure ceases in a purchase that the board had made. the false sense of security disappears because Tenders had been called and the chairman there is nothing to support it. had asked me to give him full particulars. Because we did not buy the articles from Mr. Windsor: Don't you think we should do those jobs~ the gentleman concerned, he was quite pre pared to damn my reputation and brand me Mr. BURROWS: I do not know of any as a grafter. I warn hon. members to exer job in Queensland more important than road cise care if they are approached by people building. of that type. Mr. A. J. Smith: What about water con If the Government can buy an article servation~ locally, by all means let them do so. But they should make certain that they are not Mr. BURROWS: Well, what about water paying an over-riding commission to a local conservation? go-getter and robbing some Government instrumentality of money that could be put Mr. A. J. Smith: That is more important. to better use in other directions. I offer the Government the benefit of my experience in Mr. BURROWS: I can show the hon. that connection. In my 20-odd years' experi member a dam at Mundubbera that cost ence the board that I was associated with £200,000. And how many people are taking bought thousands of pounds' worth of water from it today, I will guarantee that material through the State Stores Board. I not more than 10 extra people are taking found the knowledge, capacity and ability water out of the river at Mundubbera than would have been taking it if the dam had of the State Stores Board buyers nothing short of astonishing. They all had a very never been built. It is a good scheme; all wide experience in buying, and if I wanted those schemes are alright; but give us the roads and save the motor vehicle operator tyre something urgently all I had to do was ring wear and wear and tear on his car and there them and they could grasp immediately the will be a return for the money spent. Roads details of my requirements. By and large, are most important to the development of they could purchase hospital supplies at about the country. No-one realises the importance half the price that we would have to pay the of water more than I do but I put roads in local agents of the southern manufacturers. the highest possible category. The officers associated with the Co ordinator-General of Public W arks are doing Mr. A. J. Smith: Some people in Brisbane a very good job, but we must see to it that are without water. We have had two hot days their skill and energy are applied in the so far this summer and they cannot get a best interests of the State. The Government drink of water, yet you say roads are more must be very careful that they do not make important than water. an industry out of building white elephants Mr. BURROWS: Of course they are. I throughout the State. It needs very little have seen men miles away from a drink of imagination to visualise many things that we water because the road was so bad that it want badly. I think everyone will agree with broke a spring of their motor-car. me that the engineers and skilled adminis trators in the Department of the Co-ordinator Mr. A. J. Smith: And they forgot to General of Public W arks could not be engaged drink the water out of the radiator. on anything more important to the State than road building. Only the other day Mr. BURROWS: I firmly believe in the revelations were made about the Tinaroo importance of roads. As an undertaking they Falls dam scheme. That scheme involves might appear very common, very ordinary. an expenditure of £30,000,000-odd. Think how There is nothing grandiose or elaborate about many roads that sum would build! In 30 them. They are not as spectacular as other vears' time it will be appreciated but we want schemes, but in the long run they are most •ads immediately. We want three times essential. The better the roads the more many as are being built today. If we put quickly will the country be developed. I am those engineers into the Department of sure the Minister for Development, Mines, n Roads to use their ability, their capacity, and Main Roads agrees with me and I will r skill-- be prepared to wager that if he were offered £30,000,000 tomorrow to spend on roads he r, Windsor: Their ingenuity. would be the happiest Minister in Australia. , BURROWS: Yes, their ingenuity. If I appreciate what has been done by the tploy all their technical skill on roads so officers of the department from the Premier ary to increased production we will down. I can speak only on how I have been 840 Supply. [ASSEMBLY.] Supply. treated. I am not saying it as a duty. It is sentatives include one from each of the major no mere formality on my part when I thank parties in the Chamber, a tribute to the the officers of the department for the courtesy Premier's fairmindedness in that he has not they have extended to me, and when I thank attempted in any way to confine suggestions the Premier for his courtesy he has extended or arrangements to the Government. The since the Government have been in office. four representatives make it a Parliamentary setup, rather than a party on~. In addition Mr. HERBERT (Sherwood) (8.15 p.m.): to Parliamentary representatlves the com I should like to make a few comments about mittee comprises two representatives from the centenary celebrations next year. Natur the Brisbane City Council, one from country ally it is a matter that comes under this Vote local authorities and three members of the because the Centenary Celebrations Commit general public. The Premier is the chairman tee is under the Premier's jurisdiction. In of the committee. Under the Executive Com some countries of the Old World a centenary mittee there are a whole host of organising would not attract much attention because so committees, each with a chairman and a many centenaries have been celebrated. But council to work out details of functions. this is our first so it is an occasion to be The following committees are already carry fittingly celebrated. I shall probably say ing out organising work:- ''cenTENary'' and ''cenTEENary'' so no one can accuse me of being biassed towards Accommodation, one pronunciation. Aquatics, Queensland was one of the last ,States of Finance, Australia to be granted the privilege of self Historical, government. We are very proud of the pro Illuminations and Decorations, gress we have made in the first 100 years. Migration, The only unfortunate feature is that in the Music and Arts, last quarter-century or so the State has been Pageants, hampered by very poor government. How Publications, ever, Queensland managed to surviv·e the Publicity, handicap of poor government. On the eve of Tree-planting, our second century we have a Government School Displays, that believe in progress. Indeed it is very Rervice Displays, proper that this special function should be Sporting, in the hands of a Government that believe Women's Activities, in progress. It seems almost impossible to Youth Week. realise as one travels throughout the State that a little more than 100 years ago the land They cover a tremendous number of subjects was completely undeveloped. With a full and will provide Queensland with a veritable appreciation of the importance of the occa feast for next year. These committees have sion the Government have taken steps to make been working for months. Many of them next year one to be remembered, to organise are waiting for the date of the expected celebrations that befit the most important Royal visit before they finalise their plans State in the Commonwealth. Queensland's and arrange their programmes. They will centenary celebrations will be on a wider be a tremendous variety of entertainment scale than ever attempted by any other State. throughout the year. It is an undertaking Of course, the Royal visitor will cap the cele of great magnitude and Mr. McPherson, the brations. The celebrations will extend over Under Secretary, and the officers under him a little more than a year, appropriately open in the Premier's Department will have a ing with the Davis Cup on 29 December. The big job in seeing the year out without any Q.L.T.A. is to be congratulated on obtaining hitches. I am sure it will be something of this very important fixture for Queensland as which Queensland will be proud. It came at part of the State's centenary celebrations an opportune time because the Government because Queenslanders have made their mark believe in tourism as a possibly major indus in Australian tennis, and, of course, Austra try through which we will be able to attract lians have made their mark in world tennis. many more visitors to Queensland. They will Many more sporting functions have been take back a message to their home towns and featured for the year. The aquatic sports countries and the benefit will be felt in the seem to be the first in the field. Rowing, increased tourist figures. We have already yachting, and power-boat people are all had many inquiries from other States and co-operating to the full, having already overseas for particulars of the programme in organised regattas and other functions on a the centenary year. A programme of dates national scale. It is to be hoped that other has already been selected. In case it ma-,' sporting bodies will follow their lead. be thought that the whole programme is The supreme body, the Centenary Council, series of sporting functions, I point c has some 50 representatives of various that it has been decided to usher in organisations. A committee of that size is New Year by the ringing of church bell' indeed very representative. Then there is midnight on New Year's Eve, accompa1 the Executive Committee to deal with matters by a musical programme and a message f on the spot. The Executive Committee is an the Premier. T.here will be several er example of the Premier's desire that Queens services on New Year's Day calling the land's centenary should be a truly Queens ing of Divine Providence on this State d land effort. The four Parliament:uy repre- the year. The same procedure w Supply. [23 OcTOBER.] Supply. 841 adopted on 9 December to mark the actual used to extend the work of the conserva· date of our entry into the second century. torium and so give musical education to On that day the committee hopes to have a country centres. Scholarships could be pro message from the Queen recorded or read. vided for Queenslanders with talent, and There is one feature about the centenary salaries sufficient to attract to Queensland celebrations that may cause a little worry, the best music teachers could be paid. At the moment the conservatorium is very well and that is the paucity of suggestions in a cultural direction. Brisbane has often been run by Dr. Lovelock and a small staff. described as a city of commerce rather than Mr. Davies: You will admit they are of culture. We .have done little as a people very good teachers. to develop cultural facilities in the capital city or elsewhere in the State. Realising }Ir. HERBERT: Yes. They could form that, the Government have shouldered a tre the nucleus of a wonderful staff, but the mendous programme for building a public Government are unable to advance further library and an art gallery, both of which amounts for the expansion that is needed. are big undertakings. The Government are The centenary provides an opportunity to to be commended on initiating things of ask the public and business organisations to this nature during the present time of subscribe for a conservatorium without peer financial stringency. They are not able to in the Commonwealth. We have gone through carry out all the cultural facilities that a century of pioneering work and are enter the people should have. In other States the ing a century of cultural development. We Conservatorium of Music is supported by should start that century by providing a grants from interested people. A public proper conservatorium, not just a small school appeal to establish a fund for the Con of music. At the moment those with ability servatorium of Music may have satisfactory in the sphere of music have no prospects of results. All proposals to date have involved advancement in Queensland and they go the expenditure of Government money, which either to the South or the Continent. They in effect is the money of the people. No are lost to Queensland for all time. Even suggestion has been made as to a centenary at the moment the conservatorium attracts project to be paid for by public subscription. students from the South, who have a per I have mentioned the art gallery and the sonal knowledge of the present instructors, Public Library. The Brisbane City Council but that is not enough. We want to attract is building a swimming pool. If a publie people to Queensland's conservatorium on the appeal is to be made, it will have to be basis that it has the finest staff and facilities commenced very shortly. The funds received in the Commonwealth. could be used for a number of projects. For instance, there is no suitable hall for over I do not know where the appeal should be seas singers or celebrities. initiated. The move could come from responsible citizens outside the Government. Mr. Davies: An opera house. It could be an appeal for funds to provide a Chair of Music in the University or an Mr. HERBERT: I do not suggest the independent conservatorium. As that does building of an opera house, but we do need not come within this Vote, I shall mention it a hall bigger than the AlbertJ Hall and later under the Vote for the Department of possibly smaller than the festival hall of Education. The fact is that we have a the new Stadium. small nucleus on which it is possible to build The conservatorium was started with money a great future. made available by the Government. To date I should like to mention one or two no outside financial assistance has been given, functions in connection with our centenary although a piano was recently presented to year. Some other countries have Spring the conservatorium. illuminations as part of the normal year's The Ormonde Chair of Music in Melbourne ,celebrations. We have virtually got to the was established by outside subscriptions. The stage of having them annually, but I suggest Elder Conservatorium in Adelaide was built that for a little extra cost many of the almost entirely with funds subscribed by Mr. illuminations we have could be made per Elder, one of South Australia's benefactors manent. There could be an annual festival who believed in using his money for the of some type illuminating the whole city. benefit of his State. Queensland is unfor The time to do that would be about the time tunate in that a great proportion of the of the Royal National Show. The festival wealth made in the State goes beyond the could extend for perhaps a fortnight over borders. If an investigation was made, it the show period which coincides with Spring. would probably be found that the Melbourne The system works well in India where there Jonservatorium was financed to some extent are magnificent illuminations during Spring. •ith Queensland money. By coupling these illuminations with the If the appeal was organised on a proper Royal National Show festivities I am Eure 1sis, I think some of the big organisations we could build up a function which would at send earnings out of Queensland could become known Australia-wide. pursuaded to subscribe to it. Approxi All the big functions planned for the tely £100,000 would be needed to provide centenary year have to be supplemented by 1inimum income of £5,000. That could be small local concerns. Many of the local 842 Supply. [ASSEMBLY.] Supply. authorities are already pwceeding with small The Department of the Premier and Chief plans for the centenary celebrations but Secretary and its various sub-departments are unfortunately some have not got into their staffed with a very efficient band of officers stride. When the itinerary of Princess who not only give great service to the State, Alexandra is announced there will be a spurt but are also ever ready to help all hon. mem of activity in the areas she is intended to bers, from whatever side of the Assembly they visit. come, in any inquiries they may make. At the same time, they are always happy and Practically every suburb seems to be build willing to give courteous service to the public. ing up some sort of a local organisation. Oxley, named after the :first Surveyor-General In opening the debate today, the Leader of and the man who sailed up the Brisbane the Opposition became rather hot under the River and surveyed the city area has plans collar because the reports associated with for the biggest Scout rally ever held in these Estimates were not in his hands yester Queensland. It will be held at Oxley and it day. However, I remind hon. members that will be to re-enact the landing of one party quite frequently in the past we have com at Oxley Creek. The Scout movement hope pleted the debates on Estimates without to put on the biggest Scout spectacle ever having any of the relevant reports available to seen. That is only one of the many functions us. Of course, we all know that there is a to be :fitted into the programme. I would great deal of difficulty each year in having not like to have th€ job of the man :fitting the various reports printed, as each depart them all into the programme. ment wants its own report printed as soon as possible. In an endeavour to overcome that Hon. members are perhaps tired of hearing difficulty and to give hon. members annual me speak on the matter of dress reform for reports of departments before the relevant the messenger staff of the House. I men Estimates are discussed here, we decided early tioned it last year, the year before, and the in the year the order in which the various year before that. We could perhaps take Estimates were to be discussed, and the the blue serge coats off them and clothe them Government Printing Office was informed that in white shirts with epaulettes bearing a the reports had to be printed in that order. Crown and with flaps over the pockets and belted trousers and they could thus be more Mr. Hanlon: It would be more realistic comfortable and work more efficiently. The to table them when you have them ready to business of the Chamber would be improved give hon. members. We should not have to by their comfort. wait a week or more for them. The last thing I refer to is the possibility Mr. NICKLIN: When did that happen? of doing away with the iron fence around the grounds thus removing the bastille look. Mr. Hanlon: The Auditor-General's We have lost two jacaranda trees. We report was distributed about a week after it could make the approach to Parliament was tabled. House grounds more beautiful. I would be the last to suggest removing trees but this Mr. NICKLIN: The report of the Public could be done now that the trees have gone. Service Commissioner was tabled some weeks We have the chance to do something in the ago. The Auditor-General's report was tabled form of a landscape garden approach. yesterday morning, but owing to a little difficulty in the Government Printing Office The CHAIRMAN: 0Tder! the usual distribution of advance copies to the Press and the Leader of the Opposition Mr. HERBERT: I realise I am getting did not take place until this moming, when off the track, so I conclude with a :final all hon. members received them. That some appeal for a Centenary Conservatorium Fund. hon. members have read the reports is evi denced by the fact that they have quoted Hon. G. F. R. NICKLIN (Landsborough them in this debate. I assure hon. members Premier) (8.34 p.m.): I take the oppor that it will be the endeavour of the Govern tunity of thanking hon. members for their ment to have all relevant reports in their remarks eoncerning officers of my department. hands before the Estimates are discussed. After all, if we want good discussions on the Mr. Davies: This is not closing the Estimates, we should do everything possible debate, is it~ to enable hon. members to debate them intelli gently. Mr. NICKLIN: No, we have another day yet. I listened with interest to the remarks of the Leader of the Opposition on conditions ir An Opposition Member interjected. the Public Service. He stressed the fact tha the Public Service has suffered because of tl Mr. NICKLIN: What is the hon. member low salaries paid to certain classificatior talking abouU particularly on the technical side. I ha Mr. Hanlon: The debate this morning. never listened to a worse condemnation the Government of which he was a mem· Mr. NICKLIN: That had to close at 12 for so many years. I could not agree n noon. Hon. members opposite should learn with everything he said. It is a disgrac something about Parliamentary procedure. think that this State has neglected sucJ !Supply. lZ3 UCTOBER.J !Supply. important section of its Public Service in the The Director-General of Health, Dr. Fry· 1vay that it has. However, I am glad to be berg, has just returned from an overseas able to say that the Government are rectifying visit. Moreover, hon. members will find in the omissions of previous Governments over the report of the Public Service Commissioner the years. At the present time, the Public a long list of Queensland officers who have Service Commissioner is in conference with been overseas in the last 12 months or who officials of the various unions associated with are at present overseas studying or working the Public Service in an endeavour to come under fellowships or scholarships they hav an equal opportunity with merchants in the one from Rockhampton and two from Towns· South. The policy followed by the State ville. The lowest Townsville quotation to Stores Board over the years has been to call specification was £988 18s. 9d. The order tenders for Government requirements when was placed with a Brisbane manufacturer a measure of preference has always been at £7 54 delivered at the Townsville hospital. given to materials manufactured in An examination of those figures shows that Queensland. In parts of the State the hon. member for Mundingburra really away from the metropolis, if prices had nothing to complain about. were comparable, the local merchant The hon. member for Cooroora made got an opportunity to supply the goods. a very interesting contribution and a very As far as North Queensland is concerned the interesting suggestion that State Governments purchases from Brisbane firms were made and local authorities also should be relieved because they could supply the articles cheaper from the incidence of pay-roll tax. That is than the local firms could. Of course, the something with which hon. members will question of the articles being up to standard agree. It is really an anomaly that one is naturally taken into account. Regarding Government should tax another in this the furniture for the Townsville hospital the manner. The Commonwealth Government board, which has liaison officers in Rock loan money to carry out various works, and hampton, Townsville and Cairns had quotation then collect quite a deal of it in payroll tax notices given to all persons whom they when the work is carried out. The hon. thought might be interested. When the member for Cooroora can be assured that this quotations were received it was found that Government in the same way as previous those from Brisbane were very much more Governments will spare no effort to have this favourable than those from the North. Nine imposition removed. quotations were received including three from Townsville manufacturers for furniture. The Mr. Duggan: Do you think you will be quotation of Townsville manufacturers were any more successful~ accepted for two items, the value involved being £441 4s. 6d. In regard to the remain Mr. NICKLIN: I am not particularly ing 25 items the Brisbane :firms beat the optimistic, but if we keep trying we may get Northern firms by many thousands of pounds results. in the total quotes. In regard to one item The hon. member for Bremer spoke of con the Brisbane quote was £1,272 and the ditions attaching to the office of Leader of Townsville quote was £1,667. For another the Opposition. He mentioned the various item the Brisbane quote was £1,534 and the conditions applicable to Leaders of the Townsville quote was £3,741. For another Opposition in the various State Parliaments, item the Brisbane quote was £118 and the and pointed out that the Queensland Leader Townsville quote was £275. For the remain of the Opposition was not treated as well a5 ing item the Brisbane quote was £770 and his counterparts in other States. That is the Townsville quote was £1,383. The total correct in some ways, but it has applied in of the Brisbane quotes was £3,696 and Towns this State for very many years. Just as no ville £7,069. Taking into consideration the one worried about the conditions of public cost of freight, packing charges, cartage, servants, no-one worried about what happened etc., of £647, the total for Brisbane was to the Leader of the Opposition when we £4,343 and the total for Townsville was were in opposition. On one occasion I asked £7,069. for an increase in the salary of my private secretary. It was turned down with very Mr. Houston: Can the hon. gentleman great enthusiasm. give us any idea why there was such a big margin' Mr. 'Duggan: Can you cite an instance when I was a party to that sort of thing? Mr. NICKLIN: I have no idea. Mr. NICKLIN: I do not know if the hon. Mr. Houston: I wondered what the member was a party to it. reason was. Mr. Duggan: I tried to get some help Mr. NICKLIN: I do not know why there for the hon. member for Mt. Coot-tha. was such a difference. In one instance Townsville was below the southern firms. Mr. NICKLIN: As a member of the pre vious Cabinet the Leader of the Opposition Mr. Duggan: If they get their new State must accept responsibility for the actions of the cost of Government will be a bit higher. his Cabinet. Mr. NICKLIN: It looks like it. 1Ir. Davies: That does not say it should In regard to refrigerators the quotation be continued. from Townsville was the highest but it was accepted as it was the most staisfactory. Mr. NICKLIN: It is not being continue{ The amount involved was £669. A further The hon. member for Bremer spoke abor example showing the higher quotations at transport for the Leader of the Oppositio' Townsville was for the supply of blinds and and said that nothing in the way of trar fittings for the nurses' quarters. Eight port had been provided for him. J, quotations were received, five from Brisbane, recently the Government agreed to prov Supply. [23 OCTOBER.] Supply. 845 the Leader of the Opposition with a car to Mr. NICKLIN: We are not. attend official functions within the metro· politan area, and said that if a car was not Mr. Dnggan: It was not a State election available he could obtain a taxi and we would campaign. meet the expense. Mr. NICKLIN: We are fairer than the Mr. Duggan: Do you think that is a fair hon. member could ever hope to be. and reasonable proposition to advance? Quite a number of hon. members have spoken on the centenary year and made some Mr. NICKLIN: When I was Leader of excellent suggestions. We are approaching a the Opposition I paid for my own taxis and very important year in the history of Queens Royal visitor to Queensland. The emphasis of the Royal visit is on Queensland and not the rest of Australia. She is coming here to add additional lustre to our centenary celebra tions. She will spend half her time in Aus tralia in Queensland. In fact, from what I can gather her only official function will he in this State. Her visit to the other States will he more or less of an unofficial character. The hon. member for Roma issued a strong plea for a visit by Princess Alexandra to the West. I personally hope that she will consent to a visit to the western parts of the &tate, because the people in those areas have not had the same opportunities as those in other parts of the State of seeing previous Royal visitors. I am sure that the Princess would sooner see the western parts of the State than the cities, because she sees plenty of cities in other parts of the world. We are looking forward with a great deal of interest and pleasu:re to her visit, and also to next year's centenary commemorations. Progress reported. SPECIAL ADJOURNMENT. Hon. G. F. R. NICKLIN (Landsborough Premier) : I move-- ''That the House, at its rising, do adjourn until Tuesday next.'' Motion agreed to. The House adjourned at 9.9 p.m.