t12 October. 1950.317 1179

GASCOYWE RESEARCH STATION. As to Finances and Control. Thursday, 12th October, 1050. H-on. H. C. STRICKLAND asked the Honorary Minister f or Agriculture: CONTENTS. (1) What was the amount of profit or Page loss made at the Gascoyne Research Questions: Superphosphate, as to manufac- Station during each year from 1945 ture at Esperance and sulphur supplies 1179 to Gascoyne Research Station, as to finances 1950? and control ...... 1179 (2) Under whose direction and control Bills: Mining Act Amendment, Sr. are experiments carried out on the re- Western Australian Government Tram- 1179 search station? ways and Ferries Act Amendment, 3r., The HONORARY MINISTER replied: passed...... 1179 Water Supply, Sewerage and Drainage (1) 1945, profit nil, loss £35 17s. 3d.; Act Amendment, 3r., passed 1179 1946, £4 11s. Id., nil; 1947, nil, £283 Os. 7d.;, Public Service Appeal Board Act Amend - 1948, £444 19s. l0d., nil; 1949, £1,263 l~s. 9d.. ment, 2r., Corn., report 11fIS nil; 1950, nil, £567 8s. 6d. Fauna Protection, 2r. .., . . 1180 (2) Superintendent of Horticulture. Acts Amendment (increase In Number of Ministers of the Crown), 2r. 1181 BILLS (3-THIRD READING. Supply (No. 2), £7,000,000, fr. .. 1185 1. Mining Act Amendment. Transmitted to the Assembly. 2. Western Australian Government The PRESIDENT took the Chair at 4.30 Trrarnways and Ferries Act Amend- p.m., and read prayers. ment. 3. Water Supply, Sewerage and Drain- QUESTIONS. age Act Amendment. SUPERPHOSPHATE. Passed. As to Manufacture at Esperance BILL-PUBLIC SERVICE APPEAL and Sulphtur Supplies. BOARD ACT AMENDMENT. Hon. R. J. BOYLEN asked the Honorary Second Reading. Minister for Agriculture: Debate resumed from the previous day. (Q) Has any consideration been given to the prospect of establishing superphos- THE MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT phate manufacturing works at Esperance? (Hon. C. 11. Simpson-Midland-in reply) <2) Would it not be more economical to (4A01: During the course of the debate, bring phosphatic rock to Esperance and Mr. Fraser raised a couple of points which manufacture superphpspbate there, than I said I would check and deal with when cart the pyrite 'ore to Albany, Picton, replying. The intention is that whenever the metropolitan area and Geraldton, hun- any permanent position in the Public Ser- dreds of miles, instead of to Esperance, vice within the automatic range is raised only 125 miles? to a class above the maximum of that (3) -If the answer to question (2) is In range, It shall be declared vacant, if the occupant of the position has not passed the affirmative, would the Government the Public Service promotional examina- give consideration to the manufacture of tion. sulphuric acid from pyrite ore at Horse- man where these deposits exist, or at As members know, all permanent officers Esperance? in the service within the automatic range, proceed by annual increments to a maxi- (4) Have the economics of transport mum salary which they receive when they been considered? reach 27 years of age. This maximum is The HONORARY MINISTER replied: at present £559 per annum. Any tempor- (1) No. ary officers appointed to positions to which the automatic range applies, also proceed (2) Not at present. by annual increments to this maximum, (3) This will be investigated. irrespective of their age. No officer can (4) The whole matter is now under con- be appointed to a position classified above sideration. the automatic range unless he has passed I may add that the matter of pyrites the promotional examination or an ap- is causing considerable concern. I have proved equivalent. It will be seen, there- arranged for an interview with Mr. fore, that if a position within the automatic Cuming of Western Australia and Mr. range were raised, by appeal or otherwise, Cuming of the Eastern States next Tues- above the automatic range, and the occu- day to discuss the matter. 1 shall also pant had not passed the promotional take it up at Norsemnan in ten days' time, examination, it would be unfair to other and perhaps the hon. member will be pre- qualified officers if he retained the posi- sent at that discussion. tion. (421 1180 1180[COUNCfla I

The proposal, therefore, in such cases. grown to thousands. We can remember is that the position be declared vacant im- when the Army was called out some years mediately, and advertised in the "Govern- ago to destroy emus in the Walgoolan area ment Gazette." Until such time as it is -but that experiment was not very suc- filled, the Previous occupant will remain cessful. That shows how the emus can in it and will receive the higher rate of become a pest. salary. When it is filled he will be placed The Honorary Minister in another position within the automatic for Agriculture: grade, of which there are plenty available Some people wanted to protect them there. in the service, and revert to his previous Hon. A. L. LOTON: Those are twa as- saary. Should a position within the auto- pects of the legislation to which I take matic range be raised to a higher classifi- exception. I do not like the provision cation, and the occupant be qualified by in the Bill that all notices are to be made examination, then there will be no neces- by proclamation. WVhilst I am not very sity to declare the position vacant, and keen on regulations, I would far sooner the occupant will continue in it. have a regulation than a proclamation. I Then again, Mr. Fraser was also con- am hopeful that when we deal with the cerned as to the period that might elapse Bill in Committee, the word "proclama- before the position was filled. I am as- tion" will be deleted from as many places sured by the Public Service Commissioner as possible. that there will be no delay, and immediate I notice also that the Bill provides that steps will be taken to gazette and fill any a Person who is a native according to such position. This amendment is neces- the interpretation of "native" in the Native sary in the interest of fairness to qualified Administration Act cani take game only public servants, and to reserve the higher for the purpose of food. I do not know ranks of the service for persons who have whether that means that a native can- fitted themselves by courses of study. The not get a permit to destroy game. I would amendment is requested by both the Civil like the Minister to give some informa- Service Association and the Public Ser- tion on that. The Bill states- vice Commnissioner. I trust the position Notwithstanding any other pro- is now quite clear to the hon. member. visions of this Act a Person- Hon. G. Fraser: Yes, thank you. Who is a native according to the Question put and passed. interpretation, "Native" in section two Eml read a second time. of the Native Administration Act. 1905- 1947, may take fauna- In Committee. upon Crown land or upon any other Bill passed through Committee without land, not being a sanctuary, but where debate, reported without amendment and occupied, with the consent of the oc- the report adopted. cupier of that land, sufficient only for food for himself and BILL-FAUNA PROTECTION. his family. Second Reading. If a man wishes to employ natives to Debate resumed from the previous day. destroy game, theyi should be entitled to get a permit. EON. A. L. LOTON (South) R4A5U: The objectives of most of the clauses of the Hon. L. Craig: A station owner can give EmD are quite worthy, but I take exception them permission to destroy as much game to the protection of kangaroos and emus as they like; but without permission they except when a proclamation Is issued for can destroy game for their own use. their destruction- In the North, kanga- Hon. A. L. LOTON: Only for food. roos are a menace at all times, and to ask Hon. L,. Craig: That is. without per- anyone there to give consideration to mission. them, by way of protection, Is going to the extreme. Owing to the action of the H-on. A. L. LOTOI': I read It otherwise. Protector of Game in the last few years, My interpretation of it is that the native kangaroos In the more settled areas In the can take game for his own food only on southern part of the State have become a Crown land or on property where he ob- minor menace. The trouble is not the tains permission from the owner. How- ever, the minister might be able to clear amount of feed they eat, but the quantity up that point. There are many smaller they destroy by hopping over it, and the marsupial animals within the State such way they break fences. as the wombat, the opossum and the spiny The emu can be, and is, as big a menace anteater which have become almost ex- as the kangaroo. Some three years ago tinct, because of the entry of the rabbit the emu in the southern portion of the and poisoning by the use of phosphorous. State was declared a protected bird as It if sanctuaries can be established where was claimed it would be of value if tour- these smaller, and in most cases, harmless ists could see it. Well, that might be all animals can be cultivated and reared, I right in theory, but not in practice. I feel sure that the objectives of the advisory would far sooner have to get rid of board will be achieved. But. I certainly the first half dozen emus than have to do not like the protection of kangaroos tackle them when their numbers had and emus all over the State. (12 October, 1950.1 li1181

There is another point about this Bill. is the only exception I take to the Bill. It seems to be mixed up with many other but there seems to be this overriding Acts of Parliament. When one reads power of the other Acts intermingled with through the Bill one finds that there are the proposed carrying into operation of references to the Fisheries Act, the Vermin this Bill. There is another matter and Act, the Whaling Act and the Zoological that is the mention, in several places, of Gardens Act. As well as that, if this Bill the word "Proclamation." is passed, we will have the Fauna Pro- tection Act, and they are all mentioned The Honorary Minister for Agriculture: in the Bill, How often does that occur? The Honorary Minister for Agriculture: H-on. A. L. LOTON: On page 8 it states- You have it all wrong. Except to the extent which the Governor declares by Proclamation Hon. A. L. LOTON: No, I have not. pursuant to the provisions of this sec- The Honorary Minister for Agriculture: tion all fauna is wholly protected... You should be glad that these Acts are there because they will override this Act, Then, at line 12 on the same page it if it is passed. states-- and for these purposes may from time Hon. A. L. LOTON: If anyone wants to to time by Proclamation declare... go through this Bill he will have to re- fer to all the other Acts to see which is Again at lines 18 and 19 it states- the overriding one. Thus, to interpret The Governor may from time to time the law a person will have to check by Proclamation, vary the provisions back on all these other Acts, and I think and operation of a Proclamation pro- this is the first Bill that I have seen where mulgated pursuant to the power con- so many other Acts are mentioned as be- ferred upon him.. ing overriding Acts of the particular Bill In about 20 lines the word "Proclamation" being discussed. occurs four times. If the Honorary Min- H-on. R. M. Forrest: All the other Acts ister would like, I will endeavour, during can override this one. the rest of the afternoon, to try to find The Honorary Minister for Agriculture: out how many times the word "Proclama- The Vermin Act is one. tion" occurs in the Bill. The Honorary Minister for Agriculture: Hon. A. L. LOTON: Yes, but It is neces- sary to consider all these other Acts in You do not like the word? order to obtain an interpretation. Ron. A. L. LOTON: No, I do not. The Honorary Minister for Agriculture: H-on. H. L. Roche: All Ministers do. That is very easy in regard to vermin, H-on. A. L. LOTON: There seems to be H-on. A. L. LOTON': Yes, I know that, something in that, but I am sure all mem- because anything declared vermin under bers of this House are not very keen on the Vermin Act will not have the protec- the word. That is all I have to say on the tion of this Bill, But it would be difficult Bill and I give it some blessing but will to discover 'what a man could do under the try to put it in order for the Minister Justices Act, for instance, unless he re- during the Committee stage. ferred to the Justices Act. On motion by Hon. 0. Fraser. debate The Honorary Minister for Agriculture: adjourned. This would not protect grasshoppers or any other vermin. BILL-ACTS AMENDMENT (INCREASE Hon. A. L,. LOTON: No, anything de- IN NUJMBER. OF MINISTERS OF clared vermin under the Vermin Act-such THE CROWN). as rabbits, emus or kangaroos-does not come under the protection of this Bill. I Second Reading. am clear on that point. But all these other Acts are mentioned, and they are THE MNISTER FOR TRAN SPORT overriding Acts. It states that if this Bill (Hon. C. H. Simpson-Midland) [4.551 clashes with any of the Acts previously re- in moving the second reading said: In sub- ferred to, then those Acts override the mitting this Important Bill for the con- Fauna Protection Act. sideration of the House, I crave members' Hon. H. S. W. Parker: Take whaling, indulgence while I recapitulate events which led up to the introduction of the for instance. measure. As members will be aware, the Hon. A. L. LOTON: It would be diffi- first Cabinet under Responsible Govern- cult to connect this up with whaling. ment was appointed on the 29th December. Hon. H. S. W. Parker: It would be very 1890, and comprised five Ministers. confusing, reading this in conjunction I feel it is of interest to relate that those with the Whaling Act. five gentlemen were Hons. 3. Forrest, H-on. A. L. LOTON: We might even have C.M.G. (Premier and Colonial Treasurer), to consult Mr. Parker about the Justices George Shenton, M.L.C. (Colonial Secre- Act or the Police Act, for example. That tary). Septiinus Burt, Q.C. (Attorney 1182 1182[COUNCIL.]

General), William Marmion (Commis- Leake, who appointed two Ministers with- sioner of Crown Lands), and Harry Venn out portfolios, Hon. Adam Jameson. (Commissioner of Railways and Director M.L.C., later Commissioner of Crown of Works)-all men whose contributions Lands in the Transvaal, and Hon. Walter towards the progress of this State were James, afterwards Sir Walter James, of no mean order, and whose names may K.C.M.G., who later became Premier and be observed perpetuated in various parts subsequently Agent General. Since then of the metropolitan area. the only Ministries without at least one These were stirring, halcyon days. mhe Honorary Minister were the Throssell young colony with its meagre population Government which existed for three of 46,000 people was beginning to emerge months only in 1901, and the Mitchell from its teething troubles and was on the Government of 1930-1933, in which Hon. eve of vigorous developments. Soon the Sir Charles Latham was Deputy Premier Coolgardie and Hannan's goldfields were and Minister for Lands, Immigration and to be discovered, thousands of acres were Healt. being alienated annually and the produc- As I have said, the number of constitu- tion of wheat, sheep and cattle was ex- tional Ministers remained at six until 1927 panding steadily. The previous decades when the then Premier, Hon. P. Cornier, had been tedious and difficult. Develop- introduced a Bill to increase the number to ment had been hampered by the shortage eight. This received the whole-hearted of labour and what progress had been support of the Leader of the opposition, achieved was at the cost of great effort Hon. Sir James Mitchell, who agreed that and considerable self-sacrifice. there was far too much work for six Ministers and that the use of Honorary Then came Responsible Government, Ministers was not sound. The Bill passed Western Australia being the third Austra- through the Legislative Assembly without lian colony to be granted this privilege. further comment, and oppositi6ii in the The application of local knowledge to local Council was negligible. conditions met with immediate success. and posterity honours our first Ministers Turning to the present Bill, the Govern- who laid the foundations of our present mnent's experience since it was elevated to contented and well-organised community. power in 1947, has made it apparent that It is of interest to members of this House two more constitutional Mixi-sters are to note that one of the three delegates necessary. Cabinet is fully in agreement appointed to visit England and assist in with the Leaders of the Government and the passage through the Imperial Parlia- the Opposition, who emphasised in 1927 ment of the Enabling Bill for Responsible that the principle of Honorary Ministers Government was Mr. S. H. Parker, Q.C.. in control of departments was undesirable. later to be Sir Stephen Parker, M.'L.C., The Honorary Ministers of the Present Colonial Secretary, and subsequently Chief Government, as were others before them, justice, the father of our colleague, Hon. are fully engaged and have the actual, if H. S. W. Parker. not the constitutional, responsibility for In the first Parliament under Respons- the administration of the departments ible Government there were 15 members under their control. in the Legislative Council and 30 in the It is unquestionable that the work of Assembly. The five Ministers were re- government could not proceed satisfac- sponsible to a population of 46,300 persons. torily without the assistance of the Honor- one-twelfth of the people for which today ary Ministers, and they are entitled to be we have only three more Ministers, An recompensed for their services, which, as additional Minister, making six in all, was members are well aware, is of a full-time appointed in 1894, the Mines Department nature. It is not equitable, either to them- being created in that year, with H-on. E. selves or to the portfolioed Mlnister% that H. Wittenoom, M.IJ.C., as the first Minister the Honorary Ministers should have to for Mines, mhe other portfolios were Pre- share the allowances made available under mier and Treasurer, Attorney General, the Constitution for eight Ministers. The Commnissioner of Railways, Commissioner cost to the State of providing two more of Crown Lands, and Minister for Educa- Ministers would be negligible, and the tion-two fewer Ministers than at Present, work of government would benefit. At with far less than the onerous duties of present an Honorary minister, although today, to govern 82,000 persons, one- exercising complete jurisdiction over his seventh of the population of 1950. The departments, cannot sign statutory docui- membership of the Legislative Council had ments, which must be referred to a port- by now increased to 21 and that of the folioed Minister who is nominally in charge Assembly to 33. of the departments. This is cumbersome and a waste of time for all concerned. No further increase in the number of constitutional Ministers was made until There are difficulties inherent in the 1927, but the principle of Honorary Min- administration of this vast State that are isters. or Ministers without portfolios, as not met in smaller and more closely popu- they were then termed, was first adopted in lated communities. Our far-flung boun- 1901 by the then Premier, Hon. George daries, our distant settlements, our lengthy [ 12 October, 1950.1 i1838 li1nes of communication, our .primary in- smaller undertakings. Then we have de- dustries and our expanding secondary in- partments whose operations have increased dustries all call for a degree of adminis- greatly In the past two decades, such as tration that is peculiar to Western Aus- the Departments of industrial Develop- tralia. Since the Constitution was amended ment, Education, Works and Water Sup- In 192? to provide for eight Ministers, I ply, Health, Native Affairs and others. do not believe any member will disagree with my contention that the functions of There is the very likely possibility that goverrnent have grown substantially. I considerable attention will have to be given might state that, prior to the increase in to the matter of civil defence, which the 1927, there were six constitutional and Commonwealth proposes to treat as of three Honorary Ministers engaged on full- great importance. This will mean prob- time duties. ably that there will be a State Minister The work of a Minister entails far controlling this matter. In addition to more than attending Cabinet meetings and those I have referred to, the work of all sitting in his office. It is essential that departments has increased with a corres- he sees at first hand the machinery of his ponding addition of responsibility to all departments and this requires a consider- Ministers. An indication of the increase able amount of travel, which is responsible in work of government is provided by a for the absorption of much of a Minis- comparison of the number of persons em- endeavour to pay ployed by the Government. In December, ter's time. He must also 1933--earlier figures are not -available- attention to the requirements of his con- the total of Government employees, in- stituents, and this to a busy Minister cluding the Public Service, railways, presents certain difficulties. I do not hesi- trusts, trading concerns, etc., was 28,240. tate to say that the work of government By June, 1950, this had risen to 35,049, in this State requires the full-time ser- an increase of 25 per cent. In 17 years. vices of 10 Ministers, and it is~only equit- This is indicative of the growth of work able that each of those Ministers should by the Government, all of which increases be adequately compensated for the exact- the responsibility of Ministers. In case Ing responsibilities that he Is prepared to members fear that the greater number of shoulder on behalf of the people of the Government servants means a growth of state. bureaucratic influence, I would like to point In regard to the numerical strength of out that both in 1933 and at June last the Ministry, it must be remembered that the proportion was one in 16 to the popu- although the Constitution was amended In lation. 1927 to provide eight portfolioed Ministers, each Cabinet since then, with the excep- A comparison with other States is of in- tion of the Mitchell Ministry of 1930-33, terest. New South Wales has 16 Min- has found it essential to utilise an Honor- isters, including one Honorary Minister; ary Minister, and for the past three years Victoria has 12; Queensland has 11; South two Honorary Ministers have been neces- Australia has six-none of these States sary. having Honorary Ministers-and Tasmania has six portfolioed and three Honorary The tremendous developments within Ministers. It is obvious that if Tasmania, the State since 1927 are exemplified by the with its size and compactness, requires the following facts which I shall place before services of nine Ministers, then Western you. Mr. President. Our population has Australia, with the difficulties inherent in grown by 157,000, or 40 per cent.; Con- its great size and scattered population, is solidated Revenue and expenditure from entitled to the services of 10 Ministers. Consolidated Revenue have almost treb- Comparisons with other States are, how- led themselves: the value of output from ever, difficult and not likely to prove pro- industrial establishments has been more ductive. It Is necessary that we gauge our than trebled; the total area of land under requirements by the demands made upon crop has grown steadily, as has the produc- our Ministers, and this is the true cri- tion of livestock: the output of gold is once terion. again showing an upward trend: 50 per cent. more coal is being produced than in An indication of the increase in the work 1927, and continual improvements in this of the Government is provided by a com- reirard are expected; the total value of parison between the Expenditure Estimates both our imports and exports has been of 1926-27 and 1949-50. There is a con- quadrupled. siderable disparity, even allowing for the There is not the slightest doubt that in difference in the value of money. The the past 23 years the functions of govern- Estimates for 1926-27 amounted to ment have expanded substantially. The £9,780,000, against a total of £23,510,000 work of practically all departments has for 1949-50. A review of some of this pro- increased to a large degree and, with the posed expenditure is of value. It was esti- growth of industry and production, it has mated that in 1926-27, £4,832,000 would been found necessary to create new de- be spent from the General Loan Fund. partments, such as the State Electricity The figure for 1949-50 was £12,262,000. A Commission, the Public Trust Office, the comparison of the individual items is of State Housing Commission and other interest. These are as follows:- [COUNCIL.)

£C £ Hon. Sir Charles Latham: The railways 192 6.27 1949-50 Increase are in much better condition. Oepartsnental.... 140,034 151,250 11, 216 Railways and Tramways 1,052,223 3,179,657 2,327,434 THE MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT; flarbaurs and Rivers. 233,285 890,197 656,912 Water supply and sew- That is so; but Western Australia's rester erage ...... 589,080 1,351,423 762,343 mileage presents a bigger problem In ad- D'enrlonent of goldfields ministration. With regard and mineral resources 105,175 185,944 $0,769 to mining, I Development of Agricul- do not think anyone will pretend that ture...... 2,123,750 847,863 1,275,887 South Australia can be compared with (decrease) Roads and bridges, pub- Western Australia so far as the volume lic buildings, etc.. 329,300 750,000 420,700 and importance of mining activities are Sundries...... 259,500 1,171,384 911,884 concerned. Another point is that, quite Electricity supply... Nil 3,534,529 3,534.529 a number of years ago. South Australia £4,832,347 12,262,247 7,429,900 decided, rightly or wrongly, to transfer the northern half of that State to the Members will note the greater Expendi- Commonwealth. In Western Australia we ture Estimate in 1926-27 for Agriculture. have the administration of the North- The bulk of this however, was allocated West which constitutes a Problem that to group settlement. Governmental ex- South Australia does not have to handle. penditure also shows a vast Increase, In alD the circumstances, I suggest that £:2,436,000 being allocated for 1926-27 com- the time is overdue for the step proposed pared with £8,900,000 for 1949-50. Some to be taken. I move- of the items making these totals are also That the Bill be now read a second of interest. In 1926-27, £605,438 was al- time. located to Education as against £1,908,596 In 1949-50. Other amounts were- HON. 11. S. W. PARKER (Suburban) 1926-27. 1949-50. [5.19]: 1 have pleasure in supporting the £ £ Bill because I appreciate that, with things Agriculture .... 84,570 303,307 as they are at present. Ministers cannot Publlc Health 32,974 745,430 get around the country as they should. Mining .... 78.059 208,778 They have too much to do In their offices, Lands ...... 72,689 230,705 which is wrong. I regret that the Bill Police ...... 2i1.502 550,179 does not provide that two full Ministers I trust that my remarks will assist mem- shall be appointed in this Chamber. I bers to reflect upon the necessity of in- believe that is absolutely essential. I re- creasing the number of constitutional collect that an Increase in the number of Ministers. This Bill is not the result of Ministers was made previously on the an idle whim. The Government has understanding that there would be two brought it down because experience has full-time Ministers in this Chamber. shown the amount of work to be done Hon. Sir Charles Latham:, H-ave there by Ministers and the drain that it exerts ever been? on their nervous and physical energy. It is incontestible, too, that with the influx Hon. H4. S. W. PARKER: No; but I of migrants and the opportunities of pro- thought there was an understanding that gress in this State. the work of govern- there should be. I am one who has always ment cannot but increase. I Can assure been opposed to Honorary Ministers. the House that there is ample work for Hon. R. M. Forrest: Why call them 10 full-time Ministers. So far as finance honorary? is concerned, the extra expenditure will be negligible, and the responsibilities Ron. H. S. W. PARKER: Exactly 1 It shouldered by the Honorary Ministers is entirely wrong. Moreover, it is a mis- justify their promotion. nomer. Until recently, when we amended It has been pointed out that South Aus- the Constitution Act, I had grave doubts tralia has six Ministers compared with whether an Honorary Minister was not our proposed 10. Perhaps the matter is debarred from sitting in this House if he one of each State managing its own received any remuneration. Honorary Min- affairs, and maybe it would be impertinent isters perhaps do not receive remuneration, for us to say that any State wobld be but they do receive some compensation, better or worse off if it did exactly the if I might put it that way. same as another State. It may be asked, Hon. E. M. Davies: They do not receive however, whether South Australia is the that from the Treasury. one State that is right and the five other States are wrong. I unhesitatingly say Hon, H. S. W. PARKER: It does not that the administration of departments matter where it comes from, provided they in this State is a full-time job for each are remunerated for some Public work. of the 10 Ministers. I would direct atten- Let me give an example. When I Was a tion to the fact that Western Australia member of another place, I was engaged has a considerably greater mileage of rail- by the Crown to conduct a prosecution at ways than has South Australia. It is true the request of some people who had been that South Australia handles roughly the robbed. I was not permitted to take any same total amount of business from the fees-it did not matter where they came point of view of value. from-because I was acting for the Crown. (12 October, 1950.1 181185 Uf I had done so, the work would have constituted an office of profit under the ~Ecgizaiiien zz bg Crown, no matter who paid. So I have had grave doubts whether an Honorary Thursday. 12th October, 1950. Minister might not perhaps be prejudic- ing himself as a member of Parliament by CONTENTS, accepting such an appointment. However, I am Pleased to say no-one has tested the Questions: Railways (a) as to Increase Inpu Point and I trust nobody will. freights and fares. .. .. 1165 (b) as to freight on pyrites and coal 1186 I hope that we will not have any more (e) as to departmental report ....Ils Honorary Ministers, but that all those Education, as to teachers and class holding portfolios will be full-time Min- numbers I...... 1188 isters and that they will be able to carry Harbour dredging, as to acquisition of out completely the duties allotted to them dredge "Sir James Mitchell"I 1188 instead of some of them having to refer Gas supply, (a) as to extension to Baa- so many things to nominal Ministers. We sendean-Mldland districts ... 1..8Is have, for Instance, a Minister controlling (b) as to supplies of pipes .. ...1186 the Agricultural Department:, but he is Bread, as to hygienic methods of handling 1187 .not the Minister for Agriculture. Yet, Superphosphate as to quantity des- under the Act, It is necessary for the patched and haulage ...... 1187 Minister for Agriculture to sign various Milk, powdered, as to shortage of sup-. documents; with the result that we have pies -..... 1187 the anomaly of the Minister f or Lands Housing, as to building costs and In. in another place being nominally the Min- creased basic wage...... 1187 ister for Agriculture and Hon. 0. B. Wood Billis: Supply (No. 2), £7,000,000, Message in this House actually being the Minister Standing Orders suspension, all stages 1187 controlling the department. It is very Electoral Act Amendment, report ...1188 wise for the Government to put an end Western Australian Government Tram- to that state of affairs. I trust that memi- ways and Ferries Act Amendment, returned I. I... 11.88.IS bers will give full support to the Bill. Water Supply, Sewerage and Drainage It is said that South Australia Is able Act Amendment, returned .. .. 1188 to get along with six Ministers. It may Mining Act Amendment, Ir...... 1188 be that they are quite happy about it, Health Act Amendment, Zr., Own., but Ministers there certainly have not the report ...... 1188 great distances to travel Prices Control Act Amendment (Con - which confront tinuanee), Zr., Corn., report ...1195 Ministers in this State. Again, on account Tmaffico Act Amendment, 2r., Corn .. 1196 of the conditions existing between the Agriculture Protection Board, Message, Commonwealth and the States, Ministers 2r...... 1..202 have to travel to the East a good deal. Vermin Act Amendment, Message, Zr. 120 All that those in South Australia have Noxious Weeds, Message, 2r...... 1206 to do is to jump on a train in the even- Railways Classification Board Act ing, do their work the next morning, and Amendment, 2r...... 1208 return the following day. They can go Reads Agreements Between the State backwards and forwards to Melbourne, Housing Commission and Local Sydney or Canberra with the greatest ease. Authorities, 2r., Corn ... .. 1209 That cannot be done in Western Australia, although there are aeroplanes. We cannot expect a Miister to leave The SPEAKER took the Chair at 4.30 here at night, travel to Melbourne by aero- p.m., and read prayers. plane, do his work the next day and catch the plane back to Perth. No man's physique could stand up to that. He QUESTIONS. would be run down and in il-health In a short time. In South Australia it Is a RAILWAYS. different proposition. A Minister can get (a) As to Increase in Freights and Fares. some rest in the train. That is not pos- Hon. E. NULSEN asked the Minister sible travelling in an aeroplane at night. representing the Minister for Railways: it is a wise step the Government has taken (1) What percentage increase generally to provide for 1.0 full-time Ministers, and on railway freights has been made since I support the Bill. 1947? On motion by Ron. E. H. Gray, debate (2) How much has railway freight in- adjourned. creased on superphosphate, per ton, per mile, and what is the percentage increase BULL-SUPPLY (No. 2), 17,000,0O*. since 1947? (3) What is the increased freight on Received from the Assembly and read a wheat per ton, per mile, and per centum? first time. (4) What is the percentage increase on railway fares, first class and second class House adjourned at 5.27 pan. respectively, since 1947?