Queensland

Parliamentary Debates [Hansard]

Legislative Assembly

THURSDAY, 21 SEPTEMBER 1967

Electronic reproduction of original hardcopy

Objectionable Literature, &c., Bill [21 SEPTEMBER] Questions 605

THURSDAY, 21 SEPTEMBER, 1967

Mr. SPEAKER (Hon. D. E. Nicholson, Murrumba) read prayers and took the chair at 11 a.m.

TOWN PLANNING DISPLAY Mr. SPEAKER: I advise hon. members that I have made arrangements for archi­ tectural students of the Queensland University to have on display in the Legislative Council Chamber their design for "The Valley of Tomorrow". The display will remain in the Legislative Council Chamber until Tuesday night next. In addition to the university display, the Main Roads Department has made available a model of the proposed Story Bridge Expressway. The display is well worth a visit by hon. members, and I also invite them to take friends in to see it, if they so wish.

QUESTIONS APPEALS AGAINST PUNISHMENT, COLLINSVILLE INDUSTRIAL DISPUTE OFFENCES Mr. Aikens, pursuant to notice, asked The Minister for Justice,- Does he propose to appeal against the inadequacy of the punishment imposed on any of the offenders involved in incidents at Collinsville connected with the recent industrial dispute and, if so, in respect of which offenders?

Answer:- "The question of appeals in respect of the punishment imposed on offenders con­ victed at Collinsville in respect of inci­ dents connected with the recent industrial dispute is being considered. All the necessary information is not yet to hand."

LIBRARY ACCOMMODATION, TOWNSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL Mr. Aikens, pursuant to notice, asked The Minister for Education,- Has provision yet been made for satis­ factory library accommodation at the Townsville High School and, if so, of what nature and when will it be provided?

Answer:- "It has not been possible to date to appropriate the necessary funds to permit a standard-size library-reading room to be provided at the Townsville State High School. This proposal will, however, receive further consideration later in the current financial year in relation to funds then available." 606 Questions [ASSEMBLY] Questions

INVESTIGATION OF LIQUOR AcT OPERA­ studies in subsequent years leading to a TIONS BY PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE Bachelor of Commerce Degree within the framework of a School of Business Studies. Mr. Aikens, pursuant to notice, asked The A lecturer in economics was appointed in Minister for Justice,- September, 1967. The appointment of an ( 1) Has his attention been drawn to an additional lecturer is planned for 1968." article in the Brisbane Telegraph of Sep­ tember 14, in which he is reported to (2) "The position of Professor of have said that he would ask his six-man Business Studies in the University College parliamentary committee to investigate how of Townsville was advertised on the Government's 1965 amendments to the August 14, 1967, and applications close Liquor Act are working in practice? on October 6, 1967. Applicants should hold a higher degree (Doctor or Master) in (2) (a) What are the names of its commerce, economics or business. The members, (b) how were they appointed, appointment will be made as soon as pos­ (c) do they drink alcoholic liquor and sible after the closing date." what and where, (d) what investigations, other than their own personal experiences, (3) "University academic staff are guide them in reaching their conclusions normally required to give six months' for submission to the Government, (e) do notice of resignation but this may be varied they visit any places in the remote country by negotiation." areas in the process of conducting their investigations and, if so, what places, and in what form are their investigations conducted? SMOKING AND INCIDENCE OF LUNG CANCER Mr. Chinchen for Mr. Ramsden, pursuant Answers:- to notice, asked The Minister for Health,- ( 1) "Yes." (1) Has his attention been drawn to (2) "(a) Mr. D. W. Cory, M.L.A., Press reports of the views of Dr. Hiroto Mr. A. T. Dewar, M.L.A., Mr. C. M. Naora, a Japanese cancer expert, expressing Hughes, M.L.A., Mr. W. B. Kaus, M.L.A., scepticism regarding the widely held theory Mr. S. R. Ramsden, M.L.A., Mr. P. R. that smoking causes lung cancer? Smith, M.L.A., Mr. R. Armstrong, (2) Has there been any major change M.L.A. (b) Appointed by Premier at in medical thinking on the theory? beginning of each Parliament. (c) Unknown. (d) and (e) As intelligent men well versed in the provisions of the Answers:­ Liquor Act, they can be relied upon to (!) "Yes." furnish well based observations on the workings of the latest amendments." (2) "No. I have been advised that articles published in the medical journals confirm the view that lung cancer is related SC'lOOL OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, to the smoking of cigarettes. It is also TOWNSV!LLE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE considered to be a factor in the develop­ ment of emphysema, chronic bronchitis, Mr. Tucker, pursuant to notice, asked The peptic ulcer, coronary diseases, cancer of Minister for Education,- the bladder and cancer of the lips, tongue, ( 1) Has a school of business administra­ mouth and larynx. In order that the public tion been lately established at Townsville should know the relationship between University College and have any lecturers cigarette smoking and these diseases a yet been appointed to the school? If so, pamphlet entitled 'Not only Lung Cancer when and on what date is the school to but Other Diseases Too' has been issued begin operation? by tbe Health Education Council setting out the relationship of smoking to these (2) Will a master of business adminis­ diseases and recommending that smokers tration or a person of equivalent profes­ give up dgarette smoking: emphasising sorial status be placed in charge of the that by giving up cigarettes these diseases school and, if so, when will the position may be prevented." be advertised and when wiU the appoint­ ment be made? ( 3) Is a professor as mentioned above DEATH OF ROBERT JOHN FERGUSON morally bound to give six months' notice (a) Mr. R. Jones, pursuant to notice, asked should he be presently employed? The Minister for Education,- ( 1) In view of the many disturbing An.nrers:- features and contradictory statements con­ (1) "In 1968 the University College of cerning the circumstances and events Townsville will introduce full-time first­ leading up to the accident to Robert John year studies in commerce and economics Ferguson, 265 McLeod Street, Cairns, after and will extend to second- and third-year being detained or apprehended by police Questions [21 SEPTEMBER] Questions 607

on Mu!grave Road, Cairns, at approxi­ INVESTIGATION INTO RAILWAY CLERICAL mate!:/ 9.30 p.m. on September 6, 1967, STAFF resulting in his collapse and death by Mr. R. Jones, pursuant to notice, asked asphyxiation from vomiting, will he in The Minister for Transport,- the public interest cause the fullest possible ( 1) Further to his Answers to my inquiry to be made into every aspect of Questions on August 10 and 30 about the the youth's death? Clerkal Advisory Board, did one of the Commissioner's high-ranking administrative ( 2) If a special report on it has been officers, following a visit by members of furnished to the Police Commissioner or the Board to the Railway Department to him, wiH he make a statement of its Building, Adelaide Street, refuse them content regarding the circumstances of the admittance and curtly interview and dis­ youth's death while in police custody? If miss them in the corridor outside his not, will he do so when the reports are office? to hand? (2) Were members of the Board, while on official business, confronted with Answer:- officers from the offices of the Chief Railway Auditor, the Chief Engineer, the ( 1 and 2) "The full circumstances of General Manager, the Chief Accountant, this death have been investigated under and the Secretary and informed that they the direction of a commissioned officer would not be permitted to carry out any of police and a complete report of this investigations in the precincts of their investigation is being prepared for sub­ offices? mission to the coroner at Cairns for his ( 3) If so, is this the usual procedure decision on the matter of the holding of and does it establish precedent in dealing an inquest. I feel that the Honourable with the board set up by the Rockhampton Member wiil agree with me when I state General Manager? that it would be improper for me at this ( 4) If not, why did the departmental juncture in the circumstances to make the officers not agree to have members of the statement sought." board hold enquiries and investigate the administration and clerical workings in their offices?

(b) Mr. R. Jones, pursuant to notice, asked Answer:- The Minister for Justice,- (1 to 4) "No. The officers examining ( 1) Has the matter of the unfortunate clerical procedures are at present investi­ and tragic death of Robert John Ferguson, gating offices of the General Manager, 265 McLeod Street, Cairns, who collapsed Brisbane, and on completion will be and died shortly after having been detained directed to undertake further investigations by police on the night of September 6, as required by the Commissioner." 1967, at approximately 9.30 p.m., been brought to his attention? MEDICAL STAFF, REDCLIFFE HOSPITAL (2) If so, in view of the wide public interest will he arrange for a public inquest Mr. Melloy, pursuant to notice, asked The to be held into the circumstances surround­ Minister for Health,- ing the death of the youth, so that the ( 1) How many permanent medical staff findings of the coroner will be made known are there at Redcliffe Hospital? at an early date? (2) Is this number above or below establishment? If so, to what extent? Answers:­ ( 3) Is Redcliffe Hospital used in the m.ture of a staging hospital for doctors? (1) "Yes." ( 4) How many different doctors have (2) "The coroner at Cairns is making been on the staff at the hospital in his preliminary inquiries as required by the twelve months period ended June 30, law and as a result, has already indicated 1967? to the Department of Justice his intention ( 5) What is the shortest period served to hold an inquest into this death as soon by any doctor in this period? as possible after some further preliminary inquiries are completed. Arrangements Answers:- have been made for the appointment of an officer of the Crown Law Office to assist The chairman of the Redcliffe Hospitals the coroner at this inquest. I might here Board has advised as follows in regard mention that the Coroners Act provides to the Questions asked:- for the holding of inquests in public sub­ ( 1) "The full-time medical staff at ject to certain powers conferred upon Redcliffe Hospital at present is the medical coroners and which 8re only exercised superintendent and two junior resident under certain circumstances." medical officers." 608 Questions [ASSEMBLY} Questions

(2) .. The establishment Is medical Answers:- superintendent, one senior resident ( 1) "The cost of maintaining Govern­ medical officer and one junior resident ment buildings which could be regarded medical officer. Despite repeated adver­ as having historical value is not readily tisements the Hospitals Board has been available." unable to make permanent appointments in respect of the two latter positions. An (2) "The trustees of Newstead House application by a doctor in Melbourne for were allocated certain sums in the years the position of senior resident medical 1964-65, 1965-66 and 1966-67 as specified officer was recently accepted by the Board in the Estimates for those years." but advice of acceptance of the appoint­ ment has not yet been received from him." (3) Apart from the Government build­ ings referred to, others which come to (3 to 5) "The two junior resident medi­ mind are N ewstead House and Wolston cal officers are being made available from House." the Princess Alexandra and Royal Brisbane hospitals on a rotational basis, resulting in there being fifteen different doctors at the Redcliffe Hospital during the twelve ERECTION OF FENCE, MT. GRAVATT months' period, the shortest period served EAST STATE SCHOOL by any doctor being twenty days." Mr. Newton, pursuant to notice, asked The Minister for Works,- In view of the damage being done to SUPREME COURT WRITS Mt. Gravatt East State School sports oval Mr. Melloy, pursuant to notice, asked The at week-ends, when will the front fence, Minister for Justice,- which was demolished eighteen months Will he, for the protection and guidance ago, be replaced? of Honourable Members, lay on the Table of the House details of all current writs Answer:- issued out of the Supreme Court of "Funds have not been available for the Queensland? erection of the fence at the Mt. Gravatt Answer:- East State School. The matter will receive further consideration later in the financial ·'If the suggestion of the Honourable year in the light of funds then available." Member that details of all current writs be laid on the Table of the House were to be carried out, then to be consistent, it would also be necessary to lay particulars LEASING OF WALLUM LAND, BUNDABERG­ of all complaints, charges, indictments and GYMP!E AREA other processes of the court on the Table Mr. Davics, pursuant to notice, asked The of the House. The implementation of the Minister for Lands,- suggestion of the Honourable Member ( 1) What are the particulars of the areas would tend to encourage rather than to of Wallum land between Bundaberg and prevent preliminary hearings of cases in Gympie that have been advertised for the House to the detriment of their fair lease during the last two years? trial in the proper place, namely in the Courts. The procedure which has been ( 2) What are the amounts paid for adopted by all Parliaments of British origin and the terms of each lease granted and to prevent this undesirable result is the what is the name of the person or persons exercise by the Speaker of his prerogative ,ecuring each lease? to stop debates and disallow Questions ( 3) What is the description of areas when they reach the stage that they tend expected to be advertised for lease during to interfere with the course of justice in the next twelve months? the courts." ( 4) Have coal interests on Burrum coalfield offered to surrender certain por­ PRESERVATION OF HISTORIC BUILDINGS tions of mining leases to enable the areas to be advertised for leasing for develop­ Mr. Bromley, pursuant to notice, asked The Premier,- ment~ ( 1 ) How much money has the Govern­ ( 5) If so, has the offer of surrender ment allocated for the maintenance and been accepted and has the surrender of restoration of historic buildings in Queens­ these portions been finalised? If not, why land in the years 1964-65, 1965-66 and not? !966-67? (2) Has any money been allocated to Answers:- societies for this purpose in the same ( 1) "During 1966, one lease under years and, if so, what amount? special lease tenure of an area of 4,060 (3) What buildings of historical import­ acres 1 rood in the parish of Poona, ance have been maintained or restored for Maryborough Land Agent's District, was posterity? granted for wallum development and seven Questions [21 SEPTEMBER] Questions 609

leases of areas totalling 27,912 acres in (2) What applications have been made the Bundaberg district situated between the for changes in the Liquor Act and what are Isis and Elliott rivers were granted. To the names of the organisations or persons date this year, three leases in the Mary­ making the applications? borough district comprising two areas totalling 7,694 acres in the parish of P.oona Answers:­ and an area of 4,300 acres in the parish of Walsh have been granted. Six applica­ (!) "Yes." tions have been received for a block of (2) ··various submissions are made 1.950 acres in the parish of Bingham, fwm time to time by organisations and l\f aryborough district. applications for individuals of opposing opinions for which closed on September 19, 1967. The amendments of these Acts. These sub­ applications are presentlv under considera­ missions, which are rather numerous, are tion with a view to ieaching an early considered whenever amendments of the decision as to the successful applicant." Liquor Act are under review." (2) "The annual rental of each special lease is at the rate of six cents per acre and, upon satisfactory completion of SUPPLY OF TOURIST INFORMATION TO development, conversion to freehold title TAXI AND COACH DRIVERS \\i:l be allowed at the purchasing price of Mr. Dean, pursuant to notice, asked The $2 per acre. The conditions of lease Minister for Labour and Tourism,- require the land to be developed within ten years by clearing, fertilising where ( 1) Has his attention been drawn to a necessary and sowing with improved report in The Sunday Mail of September grasses so that the developed area may be l7. headed "Buildings to sell Tourism," used for cattle fattening. The eleven which stated that taxi and tourist coach leases of wallum land between Bundaberg drivers should make tourists and visitors to Brisbane welcome by telling them of the C~nd Gympie were granted to: (1) H. Stuart-Nairne, (2) W. & J. W. Lawgall, city's landmarks? 13) F. G. W. Draper. (4) E. J. V. & E. H. (2) Will he consider the preparation of Buckland, (5) A. W. R. Draper, (6) D. D. a comprehensive information booklet by the Taylor, (7) K. X. Croese, (8) R. B. Tourist Bureau for the purpose of providing Kamon. (9) J. A. Kingston and others, all taxi and coach drivers and those inter­ I l 0) R. W. Lawrence, (11) A. Heywood." ested in the development of Queensland's (3) "Applications closing early in tourist industry with a copy of the booklet" December next will be invited shortlv from persons prepared to undertake the Answer:- development of portion 95, parish of (! and 2) "I have read the report. Con­ \V .-Ish, containing an area of 3,700 acres cise informati·on concerning some of situated fronting the Burrum Heads Road, Brisbane's buildings already appears in the about three miles northerly from Burrum. publication, 'Places of Interest in Investigations are being made with a Brisbane', published by the Queensland vie\V to the opening of other areas in the Government Tourist Bureau, copies of Maryborough and Bundaberg districts next which are available to taxi and coach ye :Jr. tour organisations. However, should ( 4 and 5) "There ha Ye been indications these organisations feel this publication that coal interests on the Burrum coal­ might be improved upon, to assist them in the promotion of tourism in Brisbane the field are prepared to consider releasing Director-General of Tourist Services will certain areas of their mining leases. be only too happy to discuss this matter However, this land cannot be offered for with their representatives, with a view to development :JS wa!Jum blocks without the seeing in what way the present informa­ concurrence of the Department of Mines tion might be supplemented. I table a and it is proposed to discuss with that copy of the publication herein referred Department the possibility of obtaining a to." mutually satisfactory arrangement." Poper.-Whereupon, Mr. Herbert laid upon the Table the publication referred to. SUBMISSIONS ON AMENDMENTS TO LIQUOR ACT I\ir. Dean, pursuant to notice, asked The REGISTRATJON OF BUILDERS Minister for Justice,- Mr. Dean, pursuant to notice, asked The ( 1) Has his attention been drawn to an Minister for Labour and Tourism,- article in Sunday Truth of September 17, In view of the report in The Courier­ headed "Drink law change soon," which Mail of September 20, headed, "Call for stated that advocates of more liberal builders' registration 'to clean up' indw,try," drinking were predicting sweeping changes will he consider the registration of builders in the Liquor Act within twelve months? for the purpose of protecting the general 20 610 Paper [ASSEMBLY] Grievan.:es

public against builders who fail to com­ FORM OF QUESTION plete their contracts? If not, wiJ! he give reasons against registration? Mr. TUCKER (Townsville North) pro­ ceeding to give notice of a question- Mr. SPEAKER: Order! The hon. member Answer:- is asking for an expression of opinion on a "The registration of builders has already newspaper article. The question is out of received lengthy and serious consideration order. It could be worded in a different way, on many occasions, not only by this and I ask the hon. member to have a look Government, but during the term of office at it with that end in view. of the previous Labor Government, and on every occasion it has been decided to Mr. TUCKER: Will you allow me to finish take no action. The Honourable Member it? is referred to the considered opmwn expressed by his c-olleague, the Honourable Mr. SPEAKER: Yes, but the question is Member for Belmont, on September 27, out of order in its present form and will have 1966, in this Assembly, when he stated to be looked at closely. he was not in favour of the registration of Mr. TUCKER continuing to give notice of builders. Furthermore, a circular issued to the question- Honourable Members of this Assembly by the State secretary of the Amalgamated Mr. SPEAKER: Order! The question is Society of Carpenters and Joiners of Aus­ completely out of order. It asks for an tralia, Queensland branch, dated August 23, expression of opinion from the Minister. 1962, states, inter alia, that sixteen sub­ branches of that Union, members of that Mr. TUCKER: I think it is a matter of Union on scores of jobs, and the State public importance. Delegate Convention, with fifty-five dele­ gates present, decided unanimously to Mr. SPEAKER: Order! the hon. member oppose the registration of builders. There­ can raise the matter during the grievance fore, I suggest the Honourable Member debate if he so wishes. should ascertain the policy of his own party on this matter which, from information available, indicates it is not in favour of GRIEVANCES legislation requiring the registration of builders. As a matter of interest, I might Mr. SPEAKER: Order! I state the als'O mention that numerous requests have question- been received over the years for the regis­ "That grievances be noted." tration of a particular section or class of OPERATIONS OF VIVACO PTY. LTD. AND industry, for example, in addition to builders, they have been received from OTHER COMPANIES painters, concrete contractors, piano tuners, Mr. AIKENS (Townsville South) (11.26 pest extermmators, hairdressers, and so a.m.): I am particularly happy to be able to forth." make this speech in the present circum­ stances, as the galleries are filled with attractive young ladies who, in the course of time, will become the wives and mothers ADDITIONAL MEDICAL STAFF, IPSWICH of good Queenslanders, and what I have to GENERAL HOSPITAL say affects them very gravely and deeply Mrs. Jordan, pursuant to notice, asked The indeed. Minister for Health,- I want to deal with a rather reprehensible In view of the recent building extensions and detestable person who operates here and at Ipswich General Hospital, some of makes a lot of money because he is protected which provide for extra patient accommo­ by this State's company laws. I hope that the dation, will he further consider the many young ladies who are listening to me appointment of extra doctors and nurses will go back to their various organisations to the staff to alleviate the present shortage and try to agitate for the placing of enough in both spheres at the hospital? pressure upon the Government to have the company laws of this State amended to prevent reprehensible people from carrying on Answer:­ their nefarious practices with the full protec­ "Yes." tion of the law. The person of whom I am about to speak is named Victor Colin Coote, and his wife's PAPER name is Valmai June Coote. They Eve at The following paper was laid on the 13 Akuna Street, Kenmore, and they own table:- a company known as Vivaco Pty. Ltd., whose registered address is 21-23 Kurilpa Street, Order in Council under the Harbours Acts, West End. They operate through a post 1955 to 1966. office box number. It is my purpose this Grievances (21 SEPTEMBER] Grievances 611 morning to warn the young ladies present, because the company laws of this State are and all other men and women in Queensland, so riddled with the anachronisms to which to be on their guard against anyone who I referred earlier. operates a business from a post office box Let me deal with Rowel! & Co. In my number, a practice that is permitted under home town, Townsville, I know of a case our archaic and unjust company laws. involving a crippled youth who has to use a wheel-chair. In this instance, a machine This man is a particularly filthy creature, with which one can make wire coat-hangers because quite recently he was prosecuted in is involved. One pays $40 initiation fee, then a court and fined for printing and publishing pays for the wire coat-hanger machine, and particularly foul pornographic literature, the man to whom I referred earlier will films and photographs. As a matter of fact, guarantee to buy the coat-hangers at so one of his companies operates from Box 29, much a thousand, provided they come up to Post Office, West End. It is known as the his standards. On sending the $40 to him, Victoria Book Co. Coote advertises that all one gets is a piece of board with four anyone who cares to write to that box nails driven into it, and one is supposed number can be supplied with such out­ to make the wire coat-hangers over those standing examples of modern literature as four nails. "Sex Orgies", "Wild Flesh", "Nights of This vile man is still operating. I do not Pas~ion", "Young Man of Sin" and many know how many people he has deluded, others. These publications are all priced fleeced and robbed. He has been exposed at $8 each, and he offers a special concession in the South Australian Parliament by the to the foul minded of nine books for $40. Minister for Justice in that State, Mr. Walsh, who issued a public pronouncement warning Mr. Chalk: Have you read them all? the people of South Australia against him. I understand that similar action has been taken \1r. AIKENS: No but I have read some of in New South Wales. But the people of the hon. gentleman's speeches, which are Queensland have not been warned against \vorse. the machinations of this man. This person also offers. for $20, a com­ Coote also controls Junior Playwear plete range of 240 filthy photographs, worse Distributors, Regal Toy Wholesalers, and than those that people who travel overseas multifarious other companies, I repeat, well can buy in the dives of Port Said and Suez, under the protection of the existing company or elsewhere. law. Can anyone blame the ordinary house­ Perhaps the young ladies in the gallery wife for being caught? These days there are ami other decent citizens of Queensland quite a number of household impl.ements and might wish to know how such a foul man facilities that enable the housewife to have can live in comparative luxury-he does Jive some spare time, if she has not too many in luxurious circumstances. This is the point children, and she reads a newspaper advertise­ I wish to make: in addition to those filthy ment saying that if she writes to Box 24, practices which, apparently, he operates Mater Hill, Brisbane, or to Box 29, Post illegally, he also has many legal companies as Office, West End, and later sends $20 or ~40, subsidiaries of Vivaco Pty. Ltd., and these as the case may be, she can be provided are the companies with which 1 wish with clothing and patterns ~r various particularly to deal. machines and instruments from which she can make up to $60 or $70 a week by working This man has the Dorothy Grey Sewing in her own home. Agency; Arizona Arms Export Company (it After the housewife has forwarded the deals in toy guns); Queensland Glamour money, she finds that she has been blatantly Productions (this is the company that now and soullessly robbed by this contemptible di,tributes the filthy books, films and photo­ monster, and then, when she makes repre­ graphs); Miss Della Lingerie; Lucky Shop sentations to her member of Parliament-! Distributors (they are cheap Japanese lucky charms); Astra Enterprises; Rotolux Rubber feel sure that unfortunate women who have Stamp Manufacturing Co.; Australian Rubber been fleeced have made representations to Stamp Manufacturing Company; Mail Order other hon. members also-and we make House of Australia: and Rowell & Co. representations to the Department of Justice, we find that the man is working well within The last-named company is the one against the law, that although the people who deal which I particularly wish to warn the people with him are being robbed, they have no of Queensland. It is a monstrous concern. redress. They cannot go to law because there Coote advertises for people who wish to is no action at law that they can launch, and make money at home-incidentally, most of the Minister for Justice and his departmental these companies are alleged to provide house­ officers are absolutely powerless to deal with wives, in particular, with the opportunity of him. making a great deal of money at home, by sewing and in other ways-and, of course, Mr. Walsh: Do they sign an agreement? when people fall for his advertisements and pay a $20 or $40 initiation fee, they find Mr. AIKENS: No, they do not sign any that they have been led right up the garden agreement. It is not the old contract racket. path and that their money, if I may use the The door-to-door salesman has already been vernacular, has gone down the drain and stopped in his stride by legislation that went there is no possible chance of getting it back through this House giving people seven days 612 Grievances [ASSEMBLY] Grievances

to change their minds. There is no contract the sense in which the Main Roads regula­ in this; the housewife simply sends him the tions refer to them. We see today an ever­ money and he forwards the junior play-wear increasing number of vehicles coming to our stuff or the goods in the other rackets that ports on board ship; they are unloaded and he works with a couple of little pieces of use our roads. M any of these cars are regis­ cloth, a block of wood, or a few patterns. tered; I am not denying that. They are He charges for those things. One woman in registered not in this State or other States my electorate paid him $14.50 for a few of the Commonwealth but in overseas bits of cloth. I have a whole pile of informa­ countries, and I suggest that the wording of tion here if anyone would like to read it. If regulation 19 of the Main Roads Act should any of the young ladies in the gallery want be put into the positive instead of the to see it I will hold it up. negative. As long as the car is registered, regulation 19 places no obligation on a visit­ This is the sort of letterhead people get ing motorist to obtain a certificate to use our from this monstrous, despicable, repre­ roads. If the vehicle bears registration plates hensible creature. Letters are written under and a sticker and is insured, it can be used the flamboyant letterhead "Junior Playwear". on our roads without the owner or driver People send him money-$14.50 or $40- having to give any thought to applying for believing that in return they will get an a certificate, because that is what the regu­ opportunity to supplement their incomes in lation says. It provides- their own homes, but, on inquiry later they find they have been robbed and have no ". . . shall not so long as possible chance of getting any of their money (a) the said vehicle complies with all back either by legal or any other process. the above requirements; and (b) the owner and any driver thereof Mr. Walsh interjected. are insured under a contract of insurance Mr. AIKENS: I am not using the terms I in accordance with legislation in such sometimes use in this Chamber out of defer­ other State or country, the objects of ence and respect for the young ladies in the which legislation are substantially similar gallery. However, I hope I am speaking to the objects of 'The Motor Vehicles plainly enough to warn them so that they Insurance Acts, 1936 to 1944,' can go back to their homes and tell their be required to make application for the parents and friends about it. For heaven's issue in Queensland of a certificate." sake, do not send any money away to people There is no obligation on the driver or owner who insert advertisements such as these in of the car to make any application at all. newspapers. I would much rather see the regulation The Minister for Justice is in the Chamber, worded to provide that the owner has to and I should like him to tell us why it is s

Department, which is not a State instrumen­ comply with what should, of course, be a tality but a Federal department, and our reasonable law. As matters stand he does department. The Main Roads Department not have to do anything about it. I should should have the names and addresses of like to see the regulation changed to make people who bring cars into the State so it obligatory on such a person to do some­ that it could pursue these people if necessary thing about it. In that way, you and I, Mr. at any time to make whatever checks were Speaker, and every other person using our necessary, and be in a position to ensure that roads, will have a greater measure of they are registered and carry insurance in protection. their country of origin. Tn fact, my own view is that we should STAFF REDUNDANCY IN RAILWAY not allow overseas cars to use our roads DEPARTMENT indefinitely with foreign registration. It poses Mr. DUGGAN (Toowoomba West) (11.46 altogether too much difficulty. It would seem a.m.): I wish to raise a matter of very great that at the present time the only check is a importance to many people throughout Aus­ fortuitous one, brought about either by the tralia. In doing so, I shall confine my owner of the car going to the Main Roads remarks to the effects on a number of people Department himself or by a police check on in my constituency and adjoining environs. the road. I ask hon. members how long it is since they, in their own cars, have been Nowadays, with the tremendous techno­ stopped by the police and asked to produce logical developments taking place in industry, their registration papers. In all probability it there is a problem of redundancy which, has never happened to some. unhappily, so far as the railways are con­ It is quite possible for a visiting car to be cerned, because of the inability of the unions driven on our roads for two or more years to get satisfaction from the Government, without any check being made on it. "Tem­ will probably result in an industrial stoppage porarily" is not defined in the Act, and visitors for a couple of days next week. are provided for as being simply "visitors". I wish to say at the outset that nobody It is high time, with the increase in the move­ with any sense of responsibility welcomes ment of overseas capital into this country and industrial dislocation. I want to counter any also in the number of overseas technicians and suggestion that, merely because a strike is personnel, who are bringing vehicles with being held, people are actuated by improper them from overseas, that we made sure that motives or that they are concerned only with vehicles from outside this country offer the dislocating the economy. Because of their same protection to the people of Queens­ heavy financial obligations and commitments, land as our own cars do. particularly in hire-purchase, people do not I know that there are some difficulties in wish to commit themselves casually or this regard. It will not be easy, but I do not irresponsibly to industrial stoppages, which think we should worry about the difficulties deprive them of their wages. The unions are that may apply to the visiting car. We should compelled to take this course of action be concerned only about the welfare of our because they feel that other avenues have own people. I know that cars come through been closed to them and that the only way the border gates. I know that cars can be they can make their presence felt, and their unloaded onto the wharves in New South representations accepted, or considered Wales and then driven to Queensland. Never­ fairly and impartially, is by directing atten­ theless, if the obligation is put on every person tion of the authorities, through a stoppage, bringing a vehicle into this country, even if to the serious attitude they have to this may have to go to Commonwealth levels redundancy. -I do not care where it goes as long as it Some weeks ago I asked a question the is done-- answer to which disclosed that in the South­ Mr. Sherrington: As long as it does not !!0 western Division of the Railway Department to Harold Holt. ~ there has been a decrease of 997 in the number of employees since 30 June, 1957. Mr. SMITH: I am concerned about the It also showed that there is to be redundancy protection of everyone, whether he be a in the current financial year of about 45 follower of the interjector or of my party. I employees in the Toowoomba area and want to extend to people the maximum South-western areas, and that there will be protection. At present, I do not consider that further redundancy of an additional number such protection is available. It is available later on. in the sense that if the car that knocks some­ The unions have attempted to see the one down is uninsured, the injured person can, if he is prompt enough and lodges his Premier and the Minister for Transport in notices in time, sue the Nominal Defendant. an effort to reach some agreement on this But that course is not open to everyone. matter, but so far \\ithout success. In a There are restrictions that hedge around any recent statement the Minister claimed that claims against the Nominal Defendant. the Government had conceded most of the claims by the union. That is not true. The In any event, I do not wish to see the Government has conceded certain claims. fund to which I, and every other motorist, but if it were not for the present indmtrial contribute being whittled away because some­ agitation it would not have conceded a' one comes here from overseas and does not much as it has. The Minister made a great 614 Grievances [ASSEMBLY] Grievances point of the fact that the Government is The Government claims there has been no prepared to transport the goods, materials sacking of employees, but hundreds of men, and furniture of an employee if he is trans­ particularly the younger men such as cleaners ferred from point A to point B. But when and firemen, have left the department because the Southport line was closed in 1964 the they have anticipated what will happen. To department refused to pay the difference show how unreal the Government's attitude between the cost of the freight on employees' is, I refer to an application from a third-year furniture as applicable under the railway apprentice boilermaker in Toowoomba who, classification and the cost applicable to the because of a fear that he has no security in charge by road haulier~. even though the the department, asked the department to employees had no alternative. They had to transfer his indentures to a private engineer­ use road tran' port, yet they were compelled ing firm in Toowoomba that has given him to pay the difference between the two rates. a statement, in writing, that it will accept him for the balance of his training and will It is only because of industrial agitation guarantee him continuance in employment on and pressure that the Government recognises completion of his indentures. But the depart­ the validity of union claims. In this instance ment will not release him. Yet, on the depart­ the unions have asked for some compensation, ment's own disclosures to the union, when but the maximum extent to which the this apprentice completes his indentures next Government will go is to undertake to retain year, it will have to retrench the boilermakers these employees for a period of six months in Toowoomba by one. The gravamen of my at their old classification rate. That is not grievance is that no sympathetic examination enough. I have evidence that the privately is being made of these human problems. owned railways in the United States of America have accepted the principle of I quote now from "The Warwick Daily compensation in cases of redundancy. News", dated 8 April, 1967, as follows:- I Jm quoting from "Federal Office News", ''The tragedy of the closure of the issued by one of the railway unions. It is a Tannymorel coal mine, and the con­ reprint from a newsletter of April 1967. It sequences it will have on so many families, shows that the American railroads have is that with some degree of long-term accepted the principle of severance and com­ planning it could, or should, have been pensation along the same general lines as a voided. those advanced by the Combined Railway Unions; it has been accepted by the British '·The result now is that the State Govern­ Railway authorities; it has been accepted by ment in its programme of railway dieselisa­ the Commonwealth Government relative to tion is, either through lack of vision or the security of its permanent overseas officers plain indifference to the well-being of pro­ serving in Papua; and the natural gas vincial communities, creating situations of authorities in Melbourne have negotiated an acute hardship and economic difficulty and agreement in which recognition is given to doing absolutely nothing to counter their this principle. repercussions. I would be the last person to impede the introJuction of more efficient methods of •·yet there is not a shred of evidence operating the industrial system in this that measures were, or are being, devised, country. I do not think anyone can ignore or even contemplated, to take up the slack altogether the human factor. I know of a by some form of compensating decen­ man, 60 years of age, who has had two tralisation of Government activities. periods of service in the Railway Department, each of 13 years' duration. He was a ganger '·In this regard, perhaps, one is entitled for o,even years. The other day he received to ask just what Mr. Cory, the Country notice that he is to apply for certain vacancies Party member for Warwick, has done to as far away as Quilpie and Cunnamulla. At look after the practical interests of his 60 years of age he has to submit himself for electorate in the depressing developments an educational examination for the porters' of recent months." grade, and also for a medical examination. This is typical of many other cases. Another The article then proceeds to attack the man with 27 years' service, affected by the Government for its failure, as a Country redundancy position in Toowoomba, is Party Government, to give some effect to expected to submit himself to comparable decentralisation. examinations. The first man I mentioned has I feel that the Government should get in a boy and a girl at high school in Toowoomba step with the modern approach of enlight­ and two younger children, aged eight and ened administrations in many parts of the seven respectively, attending primary school. world, including elsewhere within Australia. By hard effort he has paid off his home. He Planning should be undertaken when redun­ is now confronted with a serious human dancy is likely, and training programmes problem. Even if he passes the medical and instituted to see that human problems and educational examinations, if there are no difficulties are minimised in all possible vacancies for a porter in Toowoomba he may ways. The Government should take the be obliged to go as far away as Charleville. unions into its confidence. The Premier Grievances [21 SEPTEMBER] Grievances 615 promised the setting up of a railway con­ The letter reads­ sultation committee, but that has not been "Dear Sir, done. Such steps would cushion the effects On behalf of the residents of the area of undesirable redundancy, which is bringing bounded by McCullough Road, :rroughton economic problems to many and affecting Road, Kessels Road and Mams Road, the economic well-being of a number of the Sunnybank a petition is tendered here­ smaller cities and towns in Queensland. with to you as representative of the Queensland Government concerning a I feel that the Government stands indicted name for this area. on its failure to realise that this is a problem "Every home in the district has been of some magnitude and importance. The visited and except for three persons absent attitude seems to be, "We will ride out this on holidays, every resident had an oppor­ problem. There will be a few complaints tunity to discuss the matter. The result from half a dozen or 10 men, or perhaps a attached is a 95~o response against the few here and there. Some will get jobs and name of 'Robertson' and all those who some will be disappointed, but the whole have signed the attached petition are in thing will die down." I can assure the favour of 'Sunnybank North'. Government that unless it comes to grips "Many of the residents have lived in with the problems of automation and Sunnybank for lengthy periods. Everyone redundancy, the principles for which the is now aware that Sunnybank was named Combined Railway Unions are now fighting and settled in 1862. All considered the will spread to other industrial fields, and in name 'Robertson' has no local significance. the very near future it will have on its hands It quickly became evident that none of a problem of extreme magnitude. the persons in this area had been approached for their views prior to the announcement of the proposed change. SUGGESTED CHANGE OF SUBURBAN PLACE NAME FROM "ROBERTSON" TO 132 have signed in favour of 'Sunny­ "SuNNYBANK NoRTH" bank North'. 2 approved a change to 'Robertson' Mr. CHINCHEN (Mt. Gravatt) (11.57 and did not sign. a.m.): I welcome the opportunity to air 2 considered they live in Coopers a grievance that some of my constituents in Plains and did not sign. the Sunnybank area have asked me to raise. 3 residents were on holidays and The House will remember that when the were not contacted but each of decision was made to establish a university these came from households at Mt. Gravatt, it was decided to divide the where some one or more of their surrounding district into small suburban families have signed the petition. areas. I am not in disagreement with that. 139 Total In Queensland Government Gazette No. 65 "There are four other people on the elec­ of 15 April, 1967, the Queensland Place toral roll but one of these is permanently Names Board listed the names of various in hospital and is at present in a coma. new suburbs and changes in the names of The other three have just married and old suburbs. The board asked for objections to the proposed place names to be lodged have moved from the district. with it, in accordance with section 10 of the "It is suagested that the name 'Robert­ QueenslanJ Place Names Act of 1958, within son' could be applied to the area immedi­ one month of the date of publication. That ately north-west of the University site as of course, is democracy at its best. there is about 160 acres of residential land now being cut up." The board decided that one portion of the Sunnybank area was to be named That was the application to the Queensland Robertson. The people there decided that, if Place Names Board in accordance with what there was to be a new suburb, they preferred was stated in the Government Gazette. it to be known as Sunnybank North. Many I also made a submission and suggested of them have lived in this area of Sunny­ that the name should be "Sunnybank North", bank all their lives. They have a sentimental attachment to the name "Sunnybank", and for sentimental reasons, particularly in the it is understandable that "Robertson" means case of elderly people living there, and nothing to them. because other residents wished to retain the name "Sunnybank". Unfortunately that For the benefit of the House. I should request was refused. like to read the application, signed by J. K. The question now arises: Are we really Jarrott, of 729 Musgrave Road, Sunnybank, living in a democracy? Who must decide that was made on behalf of these people to the Queensland Place Names Board. It things of this sort? If the local residents do defines the area concerned as bounded by not have a say, who should have the say? McCullough Road, Troughton Road, Kessels I agree that the Place Names Board has a Road and Mains Road, Sunnybank. It is diffi~cult decision to make; but surely when only a small area, and at present is one of representations are made by all the residents the most beautiful parts of Sunnybank, by in the area concerned, they should be con­ which name it has always been known. sidered. 616 Grievances [ASSEMBLY] Grievances

had further correspondence with the This is an area that has been known as :Minister for Lands, who wrote to me as Sunny bank for I 05 years. Many of the follows:- people living there are pioneers of the 'The Board has given full consideration district, and they wish it to be called to all factors involved in choosing the "Sunnybank". The senate of the university name, particularly to the proposed estab­ has decided that it should be called lishment of the new University. The names "Robertson" and the decision has been 'Robertson', 'Nathan' and 'MacGregor' accepted by the Place Names Board and the were chosen in collaboration with the Minister. I am objecting to that decision. If University Authorities and the boundaries we arc flexible enough to change from and names determined in conjunction with "peanut butter" to "peanut paste", Dr from the Postmaster-General's Department " "peanut paste" to "peanut butter", in this instance we should be flexible enough to say I have another letter here, dated 19 July, that, because of the wishes of the people of from M. L. Jarrott, which says- the district, we will be happy to change the ''Both the Minister and the Board have name of this suburb to "Sunnybank North". dismissed our objection in a cavalier fashion. We thought we lived m a I am making this plea in the interests of democracy. It is obvious that the Place the people I represent. They have done every­ Names Board at no time had any inten­ thing required of them in the normal way, tion of considering objections from and everybody wants this. It might interest hon. members to know that recently, during residents regarding the renaming of this a fete, I asked twelve different people what portion of Sunnybank (which incidentally the name "Robertson" meant to them, and I has borne the name for I 05 years and was mentioned the new suburb. Eleven of them not waiting to be named as stated by Mr. had no idea what it meant. This information Fletcher.) appeared in the Press and now, of course, '·We should have been warned of this they are very much less interested in the attitude in a letter received from the name. Only one person presumed to have Board dated as long ago as 3rd November, any knowledge of the name. He said, "I am 1966, the last paragraph of which reads:- inclined to think it has something to do with The names of ''Nathan", "MacGregor" the loss of the 'Voyager'." and "Robertson'' were adopted follow­ No-one in the district knows of Robertson's ing consultations with the Senate of the connection with the university, and I feel that University of Queensland, and as the the people's wish, not the wish of the senate, Senate expressed the wish that the names should be considered. Let the senate apply of certain Chancellors and Vice Chan­ itself to its work. and let the Place Names cellors be used. the Board sees no reason Board consider the \vishes of the people of to disagree with this proposal'." the area.

The point I wish to make is that the decision STATEMEI"T BY STIPENDIARY MAGISTRATE had been made by the Place Names Board, ON PENDING PROSECUTION OF obviously Dn the recommendation of the UNIVERSITY STUDENTS scna:e of the university, before the suggested name' ever appeared in the Government Mr. TVCKER (Townsville North) (12.6 Gazette and objections were sought. If the p.m.): I want to raise a matter dealing with university senate is faced with a situation in an article in today's "Courier-Mail" heaclecl, which lecturers and £tuclents arc inciting "No Court Delays for Students' Exam., S.M. other students to break the law, as it is, it Says." l am particularly concerned about the has a big enough job on its plate without first paragraph of the article, and I preface going outside its jurisdiction and advising the my remarks by saying that I hope the magis­ Place Names Board. It has been suggested trate has been incorrectly reported. If he is, to me that some members of the university of course, it will alter the whole of the con­ senate today may wish to have their names text; but if he has been correctly reported, I take umbrage at his statement, which, accord­ perpetuated by having them placed on ing to ''The Courier-Mail", was- suburbs, and that is the only reason I can see for the decision. ·' 'I am not concerned with the students' examinations in fixing elates for the hearings Mr. Coburn: Have they ever done any­ of these cases,' Mr. T. Hickey, S.M., said thing to justify that? in the Magistrates Court yesterday." I well understand that the court has to set ;\ir. CHINCHEN: Robertson, Nathan and down these cases, that they have to be heard M acGregor were people associated with the in a certain sequence, and that things cannot 1miversity in the old days. The Minister told be shifted around to suit everybody's conven­ me-he took three-quarters of a page to do ience, but I should say that this involves a it-what Dr. Robertson had done-that he tremendous principle so far as students are graduated from the University of Edinburgh concerned. For a start, it would mean that in 1892 as a Bachelor of Medicine and a whole year's effort and work could go by Master of Surgery, came to Queensland and the board if, in fact, one of these cases was practised for seven years, and so on. I am called on at a time when a student had to sit not impressed by that. for an examination at St. Lucia. Not only Grievances [21 SEPTEMBER] Grievances 617 could a whole year's work be involved; there I have heard many interjectors say, "These could also be tremendous financial commit­ are irresponsible people." Because they attend ments, and that does not mean only one the university, and because the people's week's pay or an amount such as that. To my money is being spent there, some people knowledge, it could run into hundreds of seem to think that the students' lips should be sealed. It is suggested that if university dollars. students are prepared to raise their voices From the stipendiary magistrate's stand on on any controversial matter, or to demon­ this matter it would appear to me that he has, strate, there is something wrong with them. in fact, pre-judged and prejudiced the I do not hold with that view at all. students' cases by stating that he is not con­ Mr. Pizzey: Whoever said that? cerned about their examinations. Frequently we have heard the Minister for Justice and Mr. TUCKER: I have heard it said on others say in this Chamber that not only many occasions. I am only repeating what must justice be done but it must appear to has been said frequently. At the present have been done. To my way of thinking, if time these students are being labelled as the magistrate continues in his present mood irresponsible, but three months from now there is no way in the world that justice will some of them will graduate as dentists, appear to have been done. Some of these doctors, lawyers, teachers, and goodness students could find themselves called before knows what else. Then, suddenly, they will the court on a day when they have to sit for be regarded as desirable people in the an examination. community. It may be pertinent at this stage to remind Mr. Muller: They are no more above the the House of that very cherished principle law than anybody else. that a person is innocent until he is proved Mr. TUCKER: I quite agree. By the same guilty. We therefore cannot presuppose that token, they are no more below the law than these students will be found guilty and, if a anyone else in the community. All I ask is student was called before the court and then that they be given their rights as members suddenly realised that his case coincided with of the community. Just because they happen his examinations, it is very obvious that he to be students accepting the advantages of a would have to take a long look at what he university education, that is no reason why should do. It would mean that if the student their mouths should be shut or that they tried to clear his name he could be involved should be below the ordinary person in the in litigation that would go not for a matter community. That is the crux of the matter. of hours but for a matter of days. I am not asking for any more than that. Although my son was not involved in I ask that the Minister examine this matter. this incident, what would have happened if I reiterate that if Mr. Hickey has been ~e .had been? What would have happened correctly reported he could well prejudice 1f 1t had been necessary for him to clear the interests of these young people. his name? If he had lost two or three days of the examination he would have been MOGGILL FERRY SERVICE; NOISE FROM completely "scrubbed" for that year. GRAVEL BARGES ON BRISBANE RIVER I believe that this matter should exercise Mr. LICKISS (Mt. Coot-tha) (12.16 p.m.): the mind of everybody in this Chamber and I wish to raise a very serious matter. I admit ev.erybo~~ outside. If a student is placed in that if we could deal with it as a piece of th1s positiOn, what does he do? If it is the fiction, or if it were written by a leading son or t!Je. daughter of an affluent person, humorist, it would probably rank as one of perhaps It Is not so bad for him or her to the world's classic funny stories-almost a miss the examination and thus have to drop "Believe It or Not" by Ripley. It concerns one year. However, a student who is not in the river crossing in the Moggill area. I that fortunate position would have to decide refer to the Moggill Ferry. whether to defend the case or drop it and take the risk of a conviction and a fine. At In this modern day and age, with our the present time I understand it usually technological advances, we have at Moggill, means the forfeiture of about $10 bail. A when it runs, quite a museum piece. It is student would be faced with the possibility certainly not a "Sir James Holt" but I of having to drop the case and plead guilty suggest it has had a more varied career than and risk a fine so that he or she could com­ the "Sir James Holt" is ever likely to have. plete an important examination. At least on one occasion it has been to the bot!om of the river and, not infrequently. I do not think any student should be when the gravel barges cut the cables it goes placed in such a position. If a stipendiary drifting upstream or downstream, depending magistrate says he is not concerned about the on the tide. At present it is not functioning predicament that a student might be placed at all, but it is even more interesting when m because of a pending examination, there it plies on this well-known part of Brisbane's is something wrong with his outlook. Any "No man's land", or "No man's water". stipendiary magistrate worth his salt would say that nobody should be placed in the I refer to it in that way as the Brisbane position where he or she has to plead guilty River has no place in terms of town planning. in order to be able to sit for an important There are a variety of controls. The Depart­ examination. ment of Harbours and Marine plays some 618 Grievances [ASSEMBLY] Grievances

part in its administration, but where it forms There is a team of barges led by King the boundary of Greater Brisbane apparently "Uki", which is the greatest offender of all it is not accepted willingly by either local barges. It would not be possible to put authority. It could be the responsibility of another contraption on it to make more noise the Brisbane City Council, but the people of than it does at present. These barges ply Ipswich also have a share in its future. It is up and down the river at all hours of the even more ironic when we consider that it night and are a confounded nuisance to those connects with Moggill Road, which is the who live in these residential areas. responsibility of the Main Roads Department. I do not complain about the barges Apparently this museum piece is not working during reasonable hours of the wanted by anyone, although it has some day, but surely we must draw ~he line serious applications and plays a rather at their working after 11 p.m. and before important role. Miners work in the Moggill 6 a.m. On occasions they start at 2 o'clock area, and any ambulance connection or mine in the morning. If we respect the rights of rescue operation depends directly on the our citizens we should try to ensure their operation of the Moggill ferry. right to the quiet enjoyment of their homes and properties. We control noise elsewhere, The other day a rather comical situation but we do not seem to worry if it is on was reported in the Press of miners rowing the river. People are living lawfully in these themselves to work. This is a popular route residential areas. Those who live in rural for many people on Sunday-afternoon drives. areas do not complain about the noise of It also serves as a quick connection to cattle, sheep, or goats-this is part of the Ipswich Road, a short-cut from the northern environment-but we do object to the suburbs to Ipswich. I wonder how long this undue noise level of these river barges. stupid situation will continue. I suggest that some effort should be made I raised this matter on a previous occasion. to control them and rationalise the hours The only satisfaction I was able to get was during which they work to allow the people that it was not the Main Roads Department's living in this expanding residential area a responsibility and that it was not the little peace and quiet. If the present practice Brisbane City Council's direct responsibility. is allowed to continue, they will suffer I was told that negotiations were proceeding adversely. with the local authority in Ipswich. Everyone was passing the buck. Since then the ferry UNNECESSARY ISSUE OF ON-THE-SPOT has broken free on a couple of occasions TRAFFIC OFFENCE NOTICES and has gone off on its usual downstream or upstream jaunt. Mr. BROMLEY (Norman) (12.22 p.m.): I have spoken many times in Parliament of When we speak of history repeating itself, the sterling work done both by policemen and with the probability that the ferry will sink by policewomen. One of the main features to the bottom of the river again, it is of their work is the creation of good public consoling to know that the river is only relations between citizens and themselves and 5 or 6 feet deep at that spot and people the engendering of public confidence in them would have a good chance of surviving if it so that the public will assist them in the should go down. This is only one of the performance of their duties. matters I wish to raise, but it is a very serious one. For heaven's sake, can't some­ The majority of members of the Police one do something about this ferry crossing Force do a marvellous job in all ways. How­ at Moggill! What about a bridge? If not, ever, I have noticed recently-and I have had what about a respectable ferry? many complaints about this-that some The other matter concerns the damnable policemen are over-efficient and over-zealous clanking gravel barges, again on "No man's since the Government delegated to them the duties of tax-gatherers. I refer to their land", the Brisbane River. These confounded activities in unnecessarily issuing on-the-spot things work throughout the night. They traffic offence notices for alleged traffic injuriously affect private property from a breaches or unintentional traffic misde­ monetary point of view, and they also deprive meanours. people of the quiet enjoyment of their properties. The nocturnal operations of these Mr. Pizzey: You had better produce one gravel barges are farcical; we are told that or two examples. they operate in the way they do so as to give us cheaper gravel than is obtainable any­ Mr. BROMLEY: I intend to mention one where else. or two people, as an example, as I believe their cases are genuine. We read and hear Mr. Houston: This is free enterprise, isn't about the action of overseas police officers it? where slight or not serious traffic breaches Mr. LICKISS: The hon. member does not have been commiHed unintentionally; in many cases they merely give advice to the know what he is talking about. What other motorist. form of free enterprise has the right to work through the night, and, in so doing, Mr. Pizzey: Does any motorist ever admit create a nuisance to the extent that these that he commits a breach intentionally? They nocturnal monsters do? are all unintentional. Grievances (21 SEPTEMBER] Grievances 619

Mr. BROMLEY: I am glad the Minister that having police officers in full view would interjected, because that is the crux of my be a much better way of educating the public grievance. Many breaches are committed in traffic matters and, after all, the one sure unintentionally. I referred to police officers way of reducing traffic breaches 1s by acting as tax gatherers, and I do not want to education rather than intimidation. get away from my main point. In other States, and in Queensland in some cases, What would be better still, as I have been advice has been given to motorists relative advocating for years, would be the use of to breaches that they have committed an increased number of mobile police patrols unintentionally. However, we see too much in fuJJ view of the public, not hiding round use of stand-over tactics in the booking of corners. That would without doubt consider­ drivers. This, to my way of thinking, is completely unnecessary. I could give many ably reduce today's dreadful road toll. such instances, but unfortunately I have only Although I could quote many other cases, 10 minutes in which to speak. I shall mention only one more. The person Mr. Pizzey: What do you mean by "stand­ concerned, who came to see me, recently over tactics"? changed from a manual-transmission car to one with automatic drive. Although I do not Mr. BROMLEY: Over-officiousness and drive a car with automatic transmission, I over-zealousness on the part of police officers. understand that if the driver accelerates too I do not say that that applies to all of them. hard there is inclined to be a screaming of I want to give the House one or two shock­ tyres. This person has on his car Michelin ing examples of it in the booking of drivers. tyres, which, whilst very good, are somewhat This is certainly not the sort of thing expected noisy. One evening, after attending a of police, and it should not happen. theatre, he was driving up Queen Street and, not being accustomed to automatic trans­ In one case brought to my notice, a person mission, he made his tyres scream. When he was driving a Holden utility along Logan started off, the tyres screamed. That was Road towards the city behind a Falcon quite unintentional, but he was immediately station wagon, which was travelling at 30 pulled up by a passing constable. miles an hour in the middle of the road for some considerable distance. Finally-in Mr. Pizzey: You would not be a very good desperation, I suppose-the driver of the advocate in the court. utility decided to pass the station wagon and, in doing so, his vehicle exceeded the per­ Mr. BROMLEY: I think I would be a missible speed of 35 miles an hour, though pretty good advocate. Things of this sort only by one or two miles an hour. After have to be brought before the House, because passing the Falcon station wagon, the driver it is the only way of raising them. was confronted with a sign bearing the word "Police" and was instructed to pull over to In cases such as the one to which I have the side of the road. He was then booked referred, a word of advice and a quiet talk for exceeding the speed limit and given an produces much better results than a booking "on-the-spot" traffic ticket. There was a does. Of course, in this case the motorist police officer in the station wagon and, wanted to know what breach he had com­ according to my information, it is apparent mitted, but he was still booked. That sort that he deliberately set out to force the of thing is bad and leaves a lasting impression driver of the Holden to commit an offence. on the minds of the people concerned, par­ ticularly if they are young people. If they Mr. Chinchen: How do you know that? are treated in the way I have mentioned, they will never offer to assist policemen who, Mr. BROMLEY: I am quoting the person while performing their duties, are set upon who interviewed me. I have been told of by louts in the street and are looking for many similar cases; unfortunately, 10 minutes help. They will never have confidence in is not sufficient time to place them all before members of the Police Force. the House. The question is this: are policemen to be the only tax-gatherers for the Government, Another quite common sight is to see or should they attempt to create a good police motor-cyclists hiding round corners image of themselves in the minds of members where they cannot be seen, always in the of r'he public while performing their duties, vicinity of "Stop" signs, waiting to book endeavouring to reduce the road toll, and motorists who fail to bring their vehicles to assisting in the implementation of Govern­ a complete stop. I do not suggest that ment policy? This is a very important motorists should not be required to stop, question as far as I am concerned. I remind but what I want to put before the Minister hon. members that almost $2,000,000 was is my belief that the job of the police is to collected during the last 12 months in on-the­ prevent breaches of the law. If a police spot fines. While the system has some merit, officer is stationed in the vicinity of a "Stop" I believe that the police are over-zealous sign he should be in full view of the travel­ and over-offidous. ling public, not hidden round a corner merely to gather fines for the Government. I believe (Time expired.) 620 Grievances [ASSEMBLY] Grievances

STAFF REDUNDANCY IN RAILWAY membership of a superannuation fund, travel­ DEPARTMENT, CAIRNS AREA tin" facilities to staff transferred on redun­ da~cy to a point nearer their homes, and Mr. R. JONES (Cairns) (12.32 p.m.): I am lump-sum payments to redundant salaried aggrieved on behalf of railwaymen, particu­ staff, and so it goes on. larly those in the Cairns area, on the issue of redundancy. In my opinion, the railway­ This, of course, does not apply only over­ men who are going before the Industrial seas. Earlier this morning the hon. mem­ Commission today have a just case. Since ber for Toowoomba West spoke of the the introduction of dieselisation into the agreement issued under the authority

of questions hon. members will see the the policy of this Government. On many development of the issue as it has affected occasions I have said that the decontrol of my area directly. prices has been detrimental to the spending public. Today I intend to speak not so much On the dates mentioned I asked questions on the effects of the decontrol of prices but under the following headings:- on the policy that has been pursued by the 30 March, 1965-Staff in Carriage Government, which has meant that the Paint Section, Cairns Railway Workshops; customer no longer has the protection of the 19 August, 1965-Apprentices, Cairns Prices Branch whenever he finds himself Railway Workshops; involved in a transaction to his detriment because it is not in accordance with the best 7 September, 1965-Railway Clerical ethics of trading practice. Because of the Staff, Cairns; Government's policy, the Commissioner and 11 November, 1965-Repair of Wagons staff of the Prices Branch have now become in Cairns Rai.lway Workshops; virtually a token force in the community, and no longer have the public the protection 18 November, 1965-Resignation of of a Government department if they feel Tradesmen, Cairns Railway Workshops; they have been unduly penalised in any 9 August, 1966-Railway Staff at transaction. Cairns, Innisfail and Mareeba; I wish to deal specifically with a case that 18 October, 1966-Employees and has come to my notice in an effort to point Lo~omotives, Railway Department; out that the Prices Branch must be given 19 October, 1966-Dieselisation and some authority to act in certain cases, other­ Surplus Railway Employees; wise the public have no form of redress. 20 October, 1966-Railway Staff During this speech it is not my intention to Numbers; name either the customer or the firm con­ cerned, as at this point of time I do not think 21 October, 1966-Railway Permanent­ way Gangs; it will serve any useful purpose. Suffice it to say that on 8 September, 1961, the cus­ 25 October, 1966-Use of Data Pro­ tomer was involved in a transaction concern­ cessing Equipment in Railway Depart­ ing a washing machine. She purchased, for ment; £82 19s., a fully automatic washing machine, 27 October, 1966-Mechanised Main­ which was supposed to be fully reconditioned. tenance Equipment, Railway Department; Mr. Campbell: Was any guarantee given? 28 February, 1967-Redundancy in Running Staff, Railway Department, Cairns; Mr. SHERRINGTON: I ask the hon. gentleman to be patient. I have only 10 14 March, 1947-Surplus Railway minutes, and I ask him not to jump in with Employees at Cairns, Innisfail and both feet. A guarantee was given that it had Mareeba; been reconditioned. 10 August, 1967-Investigation into Railway Clerical Staff at Cairns; Mr. Campbell: For what period? 23 August, 1967-Inspection of Mr. SHERRINGTON: That is immateriaL Derailed Railway Wagons and Carriages; From the time of purchase, the machine 30 August, 1967-Investigation into proved continually to be defective. Owing to Railway Clerical Procedures; its defective condition, linen and other cloth­ 31 August, 1967-Railway Accidents ing that were put into it were damaged. It and Derailments. finally became necessary to refer the machine Hon. members will see the development of to the Brisbane City Council and, as a result my case over that period of time. of an inspection by an electrical inspector, it \Vith the limited time available to me was condemned. The purchaser contacted the this morning, I wish to refer to the situation firm. Those concerned were very apologetic as it applies immediately to the railway and said that the machine had been sold in clerical section in the Cairns district. Here error-and I have no reason to believe other­ we see not only Queen Street administration, wise. or Queen Street government, but apparently In 1963, because of the unsatisfactory we are going to have Flinders Street service of the machine the customer was administration of the Railway Department allowed to trade it in on another automatic in Cairns. machine, for which an additional sum of (Time expired.) money was required as deposit, the purchase price being in excess of £100. Unfortunately EFFECT OF DECONTROL OF PRICES for the customer, this machine also proved to be faulty. After it was installed there was a :VIr. SHERRINGTON (Salisbury) (12.43 repetition of continual trouble and, as the p.m.): For a number of years I have made person concerned put it, "I was often com­ speeches in this House about the effect of pelled to use a neighbour's laundry facili­ the decontrol of prices in accordance with ties." 622 Grievances [ASSEMBLY] Grievances

I regret that I have not enough time to Mr. Campbell: You said "second-hand". detail the whole history of the troubles. Suffice it to say that, as a result of the con­ Mr. SHERRINGTON: The Minister is tinual trouble. the person concerned was always eager to jump in with both feet to try given a quote to restore the machine to good to disprove my arguments. He just does not condition. However, on checking with listen. another contractor she found the quote to (Time expired.) be excessive. Eventually, after a long series of negotiations with the firm (the purchaser SEPARATE HIGH SCHOOL AT EMERALD was showing a lot of tolerance) the machine was traded in on a different type. Mr. O'DONNELL (Barcoo) (12.52 p.m.): I was shocked to read in 'The (Rockhamp­ Over a period of years, from 8 September, ton) Morning Bulletin" of Monday, 18 Sep­ 1961, with the exception of five months, this person has been continually paying off wash­ tember, a statement that, with due deference ing machines. Under the hire-purchase terms, to the hon. member for Callide, I shall the repayments will involve her in commit­ quote. It reads- ments until 1968. In effect, she has bought "There can be no querying the justice three washing machines to get one good of Yeppoon's case, for the town's hightop machine. All this happened despite the fact is the State's second largest, and in any that the firm from which she purchased the case, Yeppoon is such a solid, well-founded original machine gave a money-back community that a State secondary school guarantee if the customer was not satisfied. is now a necessity." I am not concerned particularly about the Of course, it means "a separate high school details of this transaction, but I am con­ is now a necessity". The reason for my cerned in that, in an endeavour to assist this shocked state is that the secondary depart­ person, I wrote to the manager of the com­ ment at Y eppoon is not the second-largest in pany, who assured me that he had gone into the State; in fact, it is the largest. If the matter thoroughly and, so far as he was Yeppoon, with the largest secondary depart­ concerned, they could do nothing for her. I ment in the State, cannot hope until the next felt she had been penalised in these trans­ financial year for a separate high school for actions, so I wrote to the Minister for Labour which it is agitating, what hope is there for and Tourism. other towns throughout Queensland to get The basis of my grievance is that, judging them? by the Minister's reply, no longer has the Yeppoon's community is not the only one customer the right or opportunity to turn to in the State applying for a separate high a Government department for protection. school. Whilst I recognise Yeppoon's priority After I had furnished all the details to the as No. I, I know also that the second.Jargest Minister, he wrote, in his concluding para­ secondary department in the State is~ at graph- Emerald. I have had no official notification "The circumstances as related in this that a separate high school will not be erected correspondence are such that it is con­ at Emerald this financial year. Some time sidered the matter is a civil dispute and is ago the Minister for Education promised me one in regard to which ... should consult that Emerald's case would be considered and a solicitor in private practice or alterna­ that it was expected that Emerald's high tively the Secretary, Legal Assistance Com­ school would be under way by now and would mittee, Qantas House, Queen Street, be ready for opening in 1968, but there is Brisbane." no evidence of any activity in this regard. Surely the one good purpose for which the The people of Yeppoon have accepted that Prices Branch existed in previous years was a high school will not be a reality there until to act as arbiter in a transaction similar to 1968-69. As a consequence, as I know that the one that, in the brief time at my disposal, Yeppoon's high-school top is No. 1 in the I have attempted to detail to the House. State, it is clear that there will be virtually But this Government, because it lifted price no expenditure on separate high schools control and now employs a Commissioner of during the current financial year. Prices with a reduced staff, virtually took Mr. N. T. E. Hewitt: What is the present away the last vestige of protection a customer number at Emerald? had. Mr. O'DON."/ELL: It is 197. The next Mr. Campbell: Did orice control ever schools, in order, are at Mossman and operate on second-hand goods? Rosewood. There are four secondary depart­ Mr. SHERRINGTON: The hon. gentle­ ments, and one would surely imagine that man should listen carefully. Recently a work would be undertaken in those instances relative of his asked me to address a Liberal during the current vear, because thev are organisation on price control, and at least not situated in close proximity to' one the people there took an intelligent interest another. in what I said. Had the Minister been I feel that the Government should have listening carefully, he would have heard me the decency to take the people into their say that two new machines were involved confidence and tell them what is proposed. in the transaction. The local parents and citizens' association Grievances [21 SEPTEMBER] Objectionable Literature Act, &c., Bill 623 attached to the Emerald State School meets In accordance with Sessional Order, the regularly, and the subject most under discus­ House proceeded with Government business. sion i' a separate high school. That is what they are working for, and they are prepared OBJECTIONABLE LITERATURE ACT to spend money on the provision of AMENDMENT BILL amenities for it. They must keep putting their claims forward. INITIATION IN COMMITTEE-RESUMPTION OF DEBATE The editorial that I have referred to goes on to say of the Y eppoon State School (The Chairman of Committees, Mr. Hooper, Parents and Citizens' Association- Greenslopes, in the chair.) 'They have shown willingness to hold Debate resumed from 20 September (see their claim in abeyance until the next p. 605) on Dr. Delamothe's motion- education review in 1968-69, while at the "That a Bill be introduced to amend same time making sure that it is kept the Objectionable Literature Act of 1954, before the Education Department's eyes in a certain particular." and accorded a proper priority." Mr. SHERRINGTON (Salisbury) (2.16 There should be some way of acquainting the p.m.): When the debate was adjourned people with the exact financial position of yesterday, I was dealing with American the State in relation to education and what experience of the effect of so-called "horror" it is proposed to do, instead of requiring them comics on the minds of young persons and to w;.tit till the presentation of the Budget endeavouring to point out that, in my to find that their hopes have been dashed opinion, a literature board of review, to be because the Government cannot afford what really effectual, must have every oppor­ is required. tunity to examine seriously the contents of Let it not be forgotten that Senator Gorton such comics. I had given the Committee a has gone to a great deal of trouble to prove few quotations from the book "The Seduction that the Government of Queensland is not of the Innocent" to illustrate the type of spending on education the percentage of language usually associated with the horror governmental funds spent in other States. comics. If only for the sake of posterity, He has persisted in that assertion, and has I think I should incorporate in "Hansard" received much publicity on it. a few more examples of the type of reading matter with which I am dealing. Also requiring consideration is the matter of priorities for the provision of septic First, I draw the attention of the Com­ toilets, which are a most important amenity. mittee to one of the opinions expressed by I think all will agree that an isolated school, George H. Pumphrey in "Comics and Your such as the one at Rolleston, where there Children". He said- is an adequate water supply, is entitled to a "In these comics, no detail is too septic system instead of having to rely on revolting." pits. Other schools with the old-style sani­ He emphasised his point by showing section tary system at least have sanitary services of a comic book in which are depicted with some degree of efficiency, which is not monster-like fig)Jres and the comment is- the case in an isolated community such as "A pair of hands reach out-rotting, Ro!leston. Again we have to wait till the decayed hands-then Benson, the leader, schools in the class IV section have had is soon turned into a fleshless corpse!" their requirements met before the school at No doubt any serious-minded person would Rolleston will receive consideration. Isola­ not wish his child to be influenced by tripe tion and the absence of an efficient sanitary such as that. service should be factors to be considered in assessing priorities. Let me refer again to the book "The Seduction of the Innocent". It contains It is therefore necessary that the Govern­ illustrations-I regret that "Hansard" cannot ment issue some statements to assist mem­ reproduce them-and the one I am looking bers of parents and citizens' assoc1atwns. at depicts an early-morning scene in which a Let it not be forgotten that they are volun­ milkman comes upon the corpse of a young tary organisations that are helping the woman. The dialogue is: "Jeepers! A dame Government, and they should be taken into -and she's been croaked!" its confidence. After reading the leading People in America were so . concer~ed article in "The Morning Bulletin" to which about literature of that type and 1ts possible I referred, it is clear to me that Emerald's effect on the minds of children that a psycho­ chance of obtaining a separate high school logical survey was made of children of this financial year has completely gone, different ages and different intelligence because if one cannot be provided for the quotients. It is very enlightening to read of No. 1 on the list, how can it be provided the reaction of children who had read for No. 2? rubbish of that type. Of a boy named Paul, 2\tr. SPEAKER: Order! I shall now put aged 10 years, the report had this story to the question. tell- "Comic books: He knows the names of Question-That grievances be noted­ many comics and says they are all h_is agreed to. favourites. 'The Indians shoot a man m [Silting suspended from 1 to 2.15 p.m.] the eye with an arrow. The soldier took 624 Objectionable Literature [ASSEMBLY] Act Amendment Bill

his sword and stuck it in him. The "News racks everywhere-from airports Indian took the soldier's rifle, killed every­ to back-street grocers-teem with maga· one in the fort and the boy was shot right zines and comics devoted to, and usually in the back and a baby was shot with a lauding, cruelty, violence, destruction and bullet and then the troopers came and death. they warred. I don't like mystery comics "In a society like ours, still in transition, any more 'cause I dream about them and still finding new standards, this indirect I can't sleep'." invitation to violence is far more dangerous Again, take the case of Jimmy, 9 years of than the spread of smut." age, who was interviewed- "! have no comics. I read my sister's. Where we endeavour to adopt a responsible I like cowboy stories. They kill too much attitude in these matters, I think that to in the mystery comics. I don't like it offer these books for sale with the sole because I dream about it. I dream ghost restriction of offering them for sale to adults stories." only would be ineffectual. It would lead to their falling into the hands of young There is a clear indication of what goes on people, because there are plenty of occasions in the minds of children who are confronted when an adult, whether it be an older with this sort of tripe which, unfortunately, brother or someone else, will purchase the is still available today in Queensland. I books and they still find their way into the know that, under existing legislation, there hands of adolescents. are difficulties because of the operation and duties of the Literature Board of Review and That is illustrated by our liquor laws, the Customs Department; that is why I under which it is illegal for a person under must disagree with the hon. member for the age of 21 years to drink intoxicating Toowong when he speaks in terms of these liquor, yet there are continuous outcries books being sold to adults only. That about teenage drinking. In my opinion, suggestion is not new; it was propounded by restriction by legislative process in an the Askin Government in New South Wales, endeavour to stop juveniles from obtaining but received a very poor response from the undesirable literature would be completely public generally. ineffectual. As recently as 1965 our own Queensland Although the Bill is designed to deal speci­ Literature Board of Review said- fically with literature, in his opening remarks "In other fields of publications, however, the Minister referred to the censorship of the scene cannot be surveyed without films. Recently I set out deliberately to grave reservations." familiarise myself with the type of entertain­ They had been referring to comics. ment presented to young people on television during the afternoon viewing hours. Some of They went on to say- the stuff being peddled by the television "We wonder how long our civilisation stations in the name of entertainment has very can continue to indulge itself with its little more to commend it than the comics I preoccupation, if not obsession with sex, have just spoken about. Most of the films violence and horror in all forms whilst presented deal with crime and violence. One at the same time, hypocritically hoping that comes to mind is 'The Hulk", which to protect the young by exhibiting signs deals with a young scientist who turns him­ 'For Adults Only'". self into a monster for the so-called good of That is the whole crux of the matter. While society. At this stage I feel that I should the hon. member for Toowong might say that castigate the Minister for Education and the we can protect the young from this type Department of Education for not making a of magazine by forbidding its sale other than serious endeavour-- to adults only, in my opinion the place for Mr. Carey: Now you are spoiling a very many of these comics is in the pulping good speech. machine, for conversion to cardboard. I repeat that under existing legislation it is Mr. SHERRINGTON: am pleased difficult to stop the sale of these comics, to hear the hon. member say that. When I which deal with matters of horror and castigate the Minister I do it in an endeavour violence and have a very detrimental effect to be constructive. on young minds. Mr. Carey: You are spoiling a very good I have already said that the principle speech by doing this. enunciated by the hon. member for Toowong is not new. The response to this type of Mr. SHERRINGTON: If the hon. member thing in New South Wales was outlined will only wait to hear what I have to sav in "The Australian" of 19 January, 1967, I am sure he will feel that I am making·,; in these words- very constructive speech. I am not castigating the Minister in a political sense. "Rather than single out sexy pictures and ~ ~ stories-whose harm has yet to be proved, Under its existing policy, the Department despite the disgust of thousands of of Education has seconded two high-school mothers-the New South Wales Govern­ teachers to the Australian Broadcasting Com­ ment might have more usefully legislated mission to design programmes for schools. against the pulp literature of violence My complaint is that this should have been which has a vast young readership. carried further, that these teachers should be Objectionable Literature (21 SEPTEMBER] Act Amendment Bill 625 designing programmes for the viewing time Mr. Aikens: Are you going to produce in the afternoon between the end of school a copy of Rabelais? hours and the evening meal time. If this were done, more educational and entertain­ Mr. HUGHES: I do not read the literature ing programmes would be provided for that the hon. member's tastes seem to run to. children than a lot of the imported rubbish Whether or not we as a Parliament con­ such as "The Hulk" and "Batman". sider that there should be a form of censor­ Mr. Carey: That is fair enough. ship, I think the community at large desires protection against what might be termed Mr. SHERRINGTON: It has been said the unscrupulous or rapacious interests of that the late Wait Disney did more than any some commercial undertakings in flooding other film company in the U .S.A. to promote the market with what they might regard the American image through his studios. The as books, magazines and articles that contain Disney-type of film is either founded on the literary merit. history of America, on exhilarating, clean and The Bill is aimed at avoiding incon­ wholesome comic characters, or on educa­ sistency, and is designed to establish a con­ tional and entertaining nature studies. While sistent form of censorship within Australia. horror comics are available to children and We have too much divided control. In such imported rubbish is screened on tele­ Victoria on one occasion. police officers vision in the afternoon hours, there is a danger to young minds in their formative took a book from the news-stands after it years. had been displayed openly for public sale. In Queensland we have the Literature Board The Literature Board of Review, through its of Review, and the Commonwealth has its activities, should be endeavouring to mould Customs Department. With such divided the good reading tastes of the mind of the control there is room for error in many future adult. I believe that if our efforts were ways, and unscrupulous suppliers who care bent towards the presentation of suitable little for the welfare of the community or material to our young children, we would its censorship values pay little or no atten­ have little to fear about their seeking the tion to what is decent, so that our markets type of rubbish that is to be found on the are flooded with pulp literature, paper-backs news-stands and in the various bookstores. and magazines that hon. members generally, We should not forget that we cannot and I think the public as a whole. find entirely blame the book-sellers. I have distasteful. investigated this matter through various In Queensland, the Literature Board of student bodies and have found that there Review was established for a good purpose. is an overwhelming desire on the part of It has been objective and purposeful in its many young people for better reading matter. approach and, in a restrained way, has They carried out surveys of the bookstores carried out its duties and responsibilities. and asked the various newsagents why they It has a good name with those with whom were selling this low-standard, pornographic it has to deal, namely. the publishers and literature, only to be told that the publisher others in the community. Generally. I gave it to them and they got it whether they think publishers recognise that the board liked it or not. is not a body of old fuddy.duddies who want I have here an item from a 1963 issue of nothing but "M ary had a little lamb" type the "Telegraph" in which it is said- of literature. In a responsible way, the board " ... that book shops were forced to is able to come to a decision analytically take the bad with the good. whether a certain book will have an adverse effect on the community, or may get into "We get consignments from publishers, the hands of immature people and have some printed here in Australia. a detrimental effect on their minds. "If we send books back they spread the word through the trade that we dis­ I think publishers recognise this. The criminate against Australian work." report of the Literature Board of Review for the year 1 July, 1966 to 30 June, 1967, Let us not delude ourselves into thinking records that the board issued six orders that the faul1 lies only with the book-seller banning 14 books. and there was not one who sells the books. The Literature Board appeal. I think that speaks well of the of Review has a very grave responsibility responsible attitude of the board in handling to ensure that the best type of reading is applications under the Act. available to our young people. However, that is only part of the problem, Mr. Chinchen: Do you think parents have because that board deals only with the any responsibility in this matter? position in this State. There is a much wider field in which we should take a broader view. Mr. SHERRINGTON: I will not answer I do not think this can be sectionalised any interjections. I am trying to make a relative to reading material or the application constructive speech. of one's mind. As members of the com­ (Time expired.) munity we should look at this as Australians, not as Queenslanders or Victorians. Our Mr. HUGHES (Kurilpa) (2.32 p.m.): In colleagues in other State Parliaments will my opinion this Bill is long overdue. undoubtedly take this view also. 626 Objectionable Literature [ASSEMBLY] Act Amendment Bi/1

We have divided control at present. The have no maturity in their thinking. I am Commonwealth Government, through the speaking, in the main, of the typical Customs and Excise Department, can bar the Australian, who is mature and respon­ importation of a book. The publication and sible. Again, there are those who, because distribution of books come within the powers of insufficiency of years, are not able of each State. In Queensland, for instance, to assess fully the quality of reading we have the Literature Board of Review; the matter. There are things of a literary nature Police Force has an obligation and respon­ that may not personally offend me. sibility; private citizens have a responsibility and can institute certain action; and the Mr. BROMLEY: Mr. Hooper, I rise to a Crimi.nal Code and the Vagrants, Gaming, point of order. I draw your attention to the and Other Offences Act apply. Therefore. state of the Committee. there are many segments of the form of (Quorum formed.) censorship which presently applies in Queensland. Mr. HUGHES: Intellectual qualifications vary, and there is an obligation to protect There will be State representation on the the young. Whilst a book may not offend board !hat is to be set up, and protection will the hon. member for Norman or me, it may be given to those who constitute the board. be offensive to a teenager who might mis­ With this board there will be a national out­ understand it. Without going completely look, and that is progress. Some claim may overboard in matters of censorship, we be made that this is centralisation of power should give adults the opportunity to make and is therefore not good, and that the States their own choice and be their own masters­ which jealously guard their rights should not in other words, to be their own judges and have their powers usurped by the avaricious censors. But how can this be allowed Commonwealth Government. This is one without permitting the market to be flooded time when responsible members should laud, with at least questionable, if not entirely commend and support centralisation of salacious, literature that might contain only power, because this is a national problem, a few passages that are offensive to some not merely a city or State problem. but not to others? Apart from the existing authorities that As I have said before, I think greater control the importation, publication and dis­ responsibility should be imposed on book­ tribution of books and other articles, this sellers as well as publishers. Just as films board that is to be set up by the Common­ are classified, I believe that there should be wealth, consisting of I 8 members, including a classification of reading matter, and three State representatives, will be able to employees or owners of bookstores should express itself in a free and unfettered way, not, under pain of penalty at law, be per­ and will exercise its responsibility without mitted to sell literature in certain classifi­ having to institute a suit at law. The board cations to persons under a specified age. must be cloaked with sufficient power and That may not completely stop books that protection to enable it to discharge its respon­ contain offensive passages from reaching the sibility properly and fully; otherwise, there hands of the young, but it must be remem­ will be an absurd and ludicrous situation. bered that parents have their responsibilities. Therefore, I fully support the Bill. too. It is impossible to legislate for all situations; we must all, individually and col­ As this debate has become generalised, I lectively, accept our responsibilities. think I should canvass some other points associated with literature. I am not for The maximum result is not being obtained censorship outright, wholly, and regardless. in keeping questionable literature off the We have a community problem here. We market. The Literature Board of Review is have certain people who are publishers and not going as far as it might. In fairness to who, in the pursuit of their business, desire it, I should say that it has not the power to put their wares onto the market. We also and authority to carry out fully my sugges­ have a community consisting of people of tions. As was mentioned by the hon. member all ages. We have a duty to protect the for Salisbury, persons under 21 years of immature and those who have not the experi­ age cannot be served liquor in hotels. It is ence of years to make the best possible true that young people can enter a book­ decision in their own interests, and that is seller's store and buy what they want. But what parents and adults are for. We must I think there should be some responsibility guide our young people and help to mould on the book-seller to see that he has specific their characters. That is our obligation. We sections in his store. If a system of classifi­ have tried to do this by setting up the Litera­ cation and grading of books were intro­ ture Board of Review. I think the community duced, certain of the books could then will support censorship if it is purposeful be sold only to adults. It may perhaps and impartial to the extent that it draws no be suggested that, for certain reasons, distinction between one publisher and another students and others who are minors might and deals only with the matter before it. require to study books that are classified as being for sale only to adults. However, I There are in the community those with remind the Committee that schools and mature, adult minds. There are also those universities have libraries, and I am sure of whom it might be suggested that they that students would have little difficulty in ObJectionable Literature [21 SEPTEMBER] Act Amendment Bill 627 obtaining such books if they needed them Whilst I do not favour too much centralisa­ for the purposes of study, regardless of tion of power, in cases such as this I think the source. a centralised board of literature review would be beneficial because literature affects not In my opinion, we should look at this only the people of this State but every question and see how much farther we can Australian. I believe it is a Commonwealth go; I do not think enough is being done responsibility more than a State responsibility. at present. Films, as well as television Whether or not the Commonwealth people programmes, should be s~rutinised carefully, think this is too much of a hot potato politic­ because a number of them contain scenes ally, I do not know, but they are never back­ that pander to people whose tastes apparently ward in coming forward when they want are rather idiotic. Admittedly, viewers have more power. This is one occasion on which the right to choose whether they will con­ they did not come forward with alacrity to tinue to look at a programme or change get something done that would be in the best to another programme; but in many instances interests of the whole of Australia. As a films are foisted onto the public without result, we have to do this as separate States. being subjected to the degree of censorship We are doing it by setting up a board to that I think is necessary. represent the States. If an article, a book or a magazine is published within Australia and Whilst recognising that the Commonwealth it is brought to the attention of this board has powers relating to television and films, by any even though the board advises I believe that the Literature Board of Review St~te, in Queensland should not simply confine against its distribution it still rests with the its activities to the consideration of respective States to decide what they will do literature; it should turn its attention to about it. While there may appear to be weak­ films shown on television. Many television nesses, I am sure the present Minister for programmes are not screened at times to Justice has a sincere application to his job suit the probable viewing audience. I have and that he will take cognisance of the views had complaints from people about the of this board. After all, the board can only deplorable quality of films shown during draw the Minister's attention to questionable the afternoon, when the majority of viewers literature. are children. It seems to me that there !VIr. Newton: Do you think the Minister for is little, if any, control over the type of Education is doing enough about it? fare presented on television. Mr. HUGHES: I think the Minister for Although the community may have a Education is doing a wonderful job for sense of values, it can be often pros­ education generally. Perhaps we could do tituted by those who have little regard still more, and in this particular regard I for the welfare of the community. People think we might do more, because even in of that type flood the market with trashy our schools-paying due regard to the paper-back literature that gets into the wonderful job the i\l inister is doing, as he hands of adolescents who are not mature outlined recently, which was recognised by enough to form a proper judgment of its the public-we are still teaching children quality. It has been proved in the courts how to read and write more than how to that paper-back books generate unwholesome live. For instance, we are not teaching ideas in the minds of young people and that them anything about the traffic regulations, they try to emulate the exploits of people in and so on. I think v,e could do more in our the trashy literature they read. Children are schools in this direction. innocent when they begin life. and I believe that much greater interest should be shown In conclusion, I should say that whilst the in the activities of rapacious people who have board may make recommendations to the little regard for the sense of values of the 1\1 inister that a certain book should be community. banned, as I understand it, the board itself does not have the powers to ban such book. Many responsible young people attend our It simply makes a recommendation to the colleges. I cite the case of Villanova College. respective States, so that the matter comes Following a speech that I made in this House right back to where we are at present. One some years ago I received many letters from wonders, therefore. whether there is a students at that college. I have a high regard necessity for such a board at all. At least it for the work being done in some of these might help, somewhere along the line, to colleges not only in teaching people how to achieve a uniform point of view among the read and write but also in guiding them in States on matters of literature censorship. It how to live. Many students with whom I is apparently the best t·hat could be con­ have come into contact have views that in ceived apart from the Commonwealth doing some ways are quite developed, and they do the whole job, which I believe it should do not want to have foisted upon them this form and has an obligation to do. It would be in of literature that we find so offensive and the best interest; of the people if it did. For trashy. It is up to us as legislators to see some reasons which may or may not be that we bring down the type of legislation political-it cannot be a question of finance, that will be most beneficial. That is why so it must be a question of politics-the this Bill is not only worth while, but overdue. Commonwealth prefers not to do it. If the I hope it is effective. Commonwealth asked the States for IXJWers 628 Objectionable Literature [ASSEMBLY] Act Amendment Bill

to do this job completely, I feel confident was a genuine error on the part of those that the States would say, "We will grant to continuing the distribution of the prohibited you powers to do this," because we would publications. We have no quarrel with that, then achieve uniformity in this matter. but I do not think a prosecution would do any harm. It would bring forcibly to the I hope that this might be the first step notice of distributors the fact that they have towards that uniformity, and that one day certain responsibilities. They would realise \\e wlll have in Australia uniformity of that it was their responsibility to be aware of censorship thriine Keeler in the person of Mandy moral fibre that this is not brought about Rice-Davies. who was to be brought to by lurid paper-backs. Pick up any reputable Australia by "The Courier-Mail" and the magazine or any reputable newspaper and Wren interests, who own "The Courier-Mail" see what you read. Only recently hon. mem­ and also Festival Hall, as the epitome of all bers may have read a frank article about a that is lovely and desirable in womanhood. man who was beloved of all movie-goers. It It is to the credit of the Federal Government, reported that over the last years Spencer Tracy whatever else it may not have done, whatever has lived in adultery with Katherine Hepburn. other sins of omission and commission it What are young people going to think about may have been guilty of, that at least it had that? What are they going to read if they the decency to stop that little slut from are students of history? Many people mis­ coming into Australia. But that did not stop takenly think that our young people today "The Courier-Mail", "The Sunday Mail" are the products of an educational system and the big southern newspapers from that has a syllabus based on ignorance and glamourising her and holding her up as an superstition. That is not true. It might have example to the young women of Australia. been true in the last century, but not today. When we talk about the need to protect Young men and women today are educated; morals in Australia, when we talk about they are literate; they are intelligent; they building up respect in Australia, when the have the capacity to think. They know that hon. member for Toowong mentioned litera­ they can go anywhere and buy books that are ture debasing the relationship between the not banned, books that will tell lurid stories sexes to nothing more than the slaking of of the illicit sexual intercourse indulged in an appetite, with no more spiritual connota­ by the royal rakes and whores of all nations tion than eating a meal or going to the toilet, and empires down the centuries. I could not agree with him more. I am not Only recently I read an article in "The talking from the point of view of some Sunday Mail" about the death of Edward mealy-mouthed prude. I think I said here the Peacemaker, King Edward VII. He died on a previous occasion that when I first in the bed of his favourite whore, Mrs. stood for Parliament in 1944 I went onto Keppel. She was holding his right hand as the platform and said, "Ladies and gentle­ he died. As an act of grace she sent for men, I am no shrinking violet, no perfumed Queen Alexandra, who was graciously per­ pansy, and I hope I never become one." I mitted by King Edward's whore to come hope I never become a saint, because, when into her bed-chamber and hold the dying we talk of saints, I am always reminded of king's left hand. So King Edward VII, the a question put to a school of little children Peacemaker, gave up the ghost with his about saints and martyrs and one little girl whore holding his right hand and his Queen said, "Please, teacher, a martyr is a person holding his left hand. I am sure that if that who has to live with a saint." sort of thing had happened in the bedroom When I speak about the average-again I of a waterside-worker, or a humble member am not going to use the word "decent"­ of Parliament, or a railwayman, or somebody Queensland citizen, if we talk about the else, there would have been a cry to high whittling away of our morals and the disin­ heaven about decadence and the destruction tegration that has taken place in the moral of the country's moral fibre. But because fibre of the community, if such has taken it happened with one of the most outstanding place, let us place the blame where it belongs. royal rakes in history, it was held up as a Surely we are not going to say that the magnificent example of the queenly attitude 632 Objectionable Literature [ASSEMBLY] Act Amendment Bill and noble fortitude of Queen Alexandra when not. To me, it was one interminable jumble she held his left hand while the King's girl­ of words signifying or meaning nothing. I friend held his right hand until he died. got to the point where it said that he got home and had a pig's kidney and then got When it comes to the matter of adult read­ into bed with his wife and said, "Give us ing, the presentation of art to adults, and the a bit, love." I thought, "If this is banned screening of moving pictures that can be seen literature, what will we ban next?" by adults, we are the most wowser-ridden country in the world. I am talking now How many people have read the book about the ordinary, average adult. Adults "The Golden Ass"? Of course, that is a here are not allowed to read books that are classic. If an author wants to write some­ freely available in every other civilised thing filthy and get it through without any country in the world; we are not allowed to objection from a literature review board or see moving pictures that are freely shown in a censor, he has only to date it about 2,000 every other civilised country in the world; we or 3,000 years back and call it a classic. are not allowed to see the artistic master­ He will then get it through without any pieces that are freely shown in other trouble at all. How many hon. members countries of the world. have tried, as I did, to read "The Golden Ass" and got the same idea as I did? Those I will mention two books in particular. I are the types of books that we are not could remember more if I had time to think allowed to read because some "bird" in about it. How long were "Lolita" and James the censorship office-and apparently this Joyce's "Ulysses" on the banned list in this Bill will perpetuate at a Federal level what country? We cannot say that they were we have at the State level in the censorship depraved or corrupt for young people in this of books-decides we should not read them. country, because young people would not They could not possibly inflame the mind of have bothered to read them even if given the any young person, because no young per­ opportunity. I am a man of ordinary, aver­ son would bother to try to read them. Even age intelligence, a man of ordinary, average if they could wade through them, they cer­ erudition. All my life I have been an tainly would not be inflamed by them. omnivorous reader. I do not want the Neither their temperature nor their blood Literature Board of Review telling me what pressure would be increased. I should read and what I should not read. I think I am old enough and wise enough to Any hon. member who is inclined to read make up my own mind. I honestly tried to some first-class pornography has only to read "Lolita" in order to find out why it was come into the Library with me and I will banned. It is in the Library now; it has been get the Old Testament and read him some taken off the banned list. How many hon. extracts from it. For instance, has there members have gone to the Library and taken ever been a better example printed than the out the book called "Lolita"? story in the Old Testament of the death of King David, in which it said that they got An Opposition Member: You took it out. the most beautiful virgins from the country and placed them on the naked body of the Mr. AIKENS: Yes, I took it out, and I aged king and moved them backward and could not read 25 pages of it. forward on him to try to infuse some Mr. Dewar interjected. life into him? Then comes the most preg­ nant sentence in the Bible. After thev Mr. AIKENS: Nor could the hon. member got the most beautiful virgin of them ail for Wavell, and neither could anybody else and put her on the old, dying king, the story unless he deliberately forced himself to read says, "But the king knew her not." it to find out what it was all about. It was a When we want stories of blatant porno­ hotchpotch of obscure introspection about graphy we should not pick up the lurid nothing at all that I could see. After read­ paper-backs but go to the Old Testament, the ing about 25 pages-I picked pieces out of classics, or to the books that are supposed to it to see if I could read it in order to be the sole monopoly, shall I say the eleva­ understand the minds of the censors who tional monopoly, of the boys at the university. banned it-I found I could not read any If anyone can read right through some of more of it. them, I can only say in the words of KipJing's Mr. Dewar: You can buy books in New famous poem, "You're a better man than I Guinea that are banned in Australia. am, Gunga Din." When dealing with censorship, I have fre­ Mr. AIKENS: We can buy them any­ where although they are banned in quently expressed my opinion of the Litera­ Australia. We are the most wowser-ridden ture Board of Review. By some strange people in the world. reasoning, the Literature Board of Review believes that it was established by Parlia­ How many hon. members have gone to ment to apply a juvenile standard of the Library and taken out James Joyce's reading to the adult people of Queensland. "Ulysses"? If any have, how many have What could it have hoped to achieve by ban­ managed to struggle through it? I got it ning those books mentioned by the hon. mem­ for the same reason as I took out "Lolita". ber for Toowoomba East or the hon. I tried to struggle through it, but I could member for Kurilpa? I would not know. Objectionable Literature (21 SEPTEMBER) Act Amendment Bill 633

I remember one occasion when the hon. of an obscene or objectionable nature, they member for Kurilpa, wishing to make a must become affected by them and their great show, or wishing to big-note himself general views must broaden. when speaking on a Bill similar to this, When a book is submitted for review, I came into the Chamber carrying a great think the case is generally loaded in favour armful of books that he thought were of the one who objects to it. If the board salacious and pornographic. decides to ban a book on the objection of any person or body of persons, the action Among them was a book of stories by that follows is initiated by the publishers, so Rabela1s. He had not opened or read the that the issue then becomes a battle between book. He was talking about it in general the publishers and the board, at the instiga­ terms. I said to him, "Pass it to me and I tion or perhaps some small section of the shall find you the story of the man with community. I therefore feel that the views the 9-inch knocker." That was the first he of the community in general should be sought ever knew of one of the famous stories of when any book is under review; it should Rabelais. Evidently someone had told him not be restricted to the views of the objector, that Rabelais wrote dirty stories. Anyone the publisher and the board. There are other who. can wade through Rabelais is really sections of the community apart from those lookmg for filth. Anybody really looking who object who may not feel that a book is for filth will not go to the paper-backs or objectionable. If their views are not con­ the trash that is found on popular book­ sidered, the issue is loaded in favour of the stalls; he will look in the classics and the objector. other books that are readily available. I think that to a large degree the responsi­ (Time expired.) bility for juvenile delinquency in the com­ munity can be laid at the door of literature ''ltr. MELLOY (Nudgeel (3.36 p.m.): Any­ that is readily available on the book-stands, body would be at a disadvantaae followina not only in its content but in its covers and such an expert in obscenity as the previou~ the way in which it is generally presented. speaker. I have certain views that I wish to I do not think that literature boards of present to the Committee relative to this review are strict enough in their approach to Bill. available literature. The Bill makes provision for a National The hon. member for Townsville South Literature Board of Review hich I assume said that imposing a ban would not stop will strive to gain among the States som~ morons and perverts from obtaining the type form of uniformity which does not exist at of literature they seek, even if it is only type­ present. If that objective is achieved-not written or roneoed. That may be so, but it that I am sure it will-the establishment of would prevent it falling so readily into the the national board will be iustified. There is hands of young people, for whom we are a need for a competent ·board of review. much concerned. One has only to stop for Whether the present boards are doing their a moment at any bookstall and cast an eye JOb IS open to debate. because there is at quickly along the shelves to realise that, at present a surfeit of objectionable literature a stage of their lives when their characters available to the public. are b~eing formed, young people are readily able to get this type of literature. If members of the board are allowed to These books pass from hand to hand in high remain on the board !or too long their judg­ ment could become d1storted, so there should schools, and if no action is taken to ban be regular changes in its personnel. The them, one cannot blame the children for read­ definitions of "objectionable" and "obscene" ing them. It requires only one lad or girl are quite broad and give to members of the in a class to get hold of a book of board an almost completely free hand in that sort and all his or her mates, even their assessment of literature. Their decisions out of curiosity will want to see it. will be based on their individual standards Whether or not they are influenced and their individual reactions to the material to any great extent by it is not the point. they review. They could become case­ lf thev have not been in the habit of reading hardened and too broacl in their attitudes or pe~using such books, it may open their to the material they review. After readinf' eyes to a new type of life and sow a seed many publications subject to suspicion, they in their minds at that stage of their lives when must vary in their assessments. After all if it might prove interesting to them. I do not they are reviewing a book and feel arn~ng know whether we can do much to prevent themselves that it is obscene. because books that. that are more obscene are available in other I recently read a book that has been chosen ?tates they could be inclined to say, "This by one society as the book of the month, and 1s obscene but not nearly as obscene as the I was really surprised by the type of book book entitled So-and-so which is available it was. It made me wonder on what literary in New South Wales." Although they might standards the choice had been made. consider books being reviewed to be obscene, their judgment would, over a period of time, Mr. W. D. Hewitt: Will you tell us the tend to soften, and for that reason I think name of the book? that, to have a competent board of review, Its personnel must be changed at regular Mr. MELLOY: I will tell the hon. member intervals. Because the work of board mem­ later. To me, the book was used as a bers is associated almost entirely with books vehicle to display the author's knowledge of 634 Objectionable Literature [ASSEMBLY] Act Amendment Bill four-letter words and certain biological and Finally, I do not feel that the Literature anatomical processes. It certainly was not Board of Review is capable of carrying out a book of literary merit, because it did the task entrusted to it, no matter how not convey a story to the reader. sincere, genuine and capable its members may be. There is still too much objectionable What should our standard of literature be? literature available on bookstalls, to young I do not know what the Literature Board of people in particular. I am doubtful whether Review can do about it. I think it is guided the board is capable of reviewing the large to a great extent by what it thinks the public amount of literature that is available to the wants, and it leans as far as it can to allow public. I think there should be greater the sale of books that reach a certain stan­ dard. But in my opinion the board is not activity at Government level, particularly doing its job if it really wants to establish by the Commonwealth Government, in the a standard of literature in the community supervision not only of literature printed that is acceptable to all ages. I believe that it in Australia, but also of imported literature. should do much more than it is doing in reviewing current literature. Mr. O'DONNELL (Barcoo) (3.54 p.m.): I suppose that these literature boards of The provision in the Bill giving protection review, whether they are State or Federal, to members of the board is desirable. Those have a purpose, but I do not think it is a members will have to make decisions, and purpose of great significance. I feel that perhaps make statements, that may leave if the people of the nation or of a State them open to a court action of some kind. I are not prepared to set a standard for them­ do not know whether that is so now; if it is, selves, the standard of the Literature Board it should not be. A member of the board of Review will only be on a par with the should be in a position to strike hard at any standards of the people. publisher or any author without fear of recrimination and without fear of a court I do not say that we should do without action being taken against him, so the provi­ these boards. They do have the purpose of sion is desirable. bringing to our notice from time to time The Minister said that the national board certain publications that have gone beyond that is being set up is only an advisory board. the pale and, as a result, people are at least I do not know what good it will do in this jerked into a sense of awareness that some regard. I had hoped that it would be able to publishers, through their business activities­ impose uniform standards for all the States, and also some newsagents and book-sellers­ but if it is only advisory and the State boards are prepared to profit from this undesirable are still the final arbiters in the matter, I do type of literature. not see the value of the national board. It No doubt many hon. members will agree could even be a reflection on the ability or with me if they consider deeply what I am competence of members of the State boards. about to say. I believe that over the last If the matters that are under review are 20 years oral expression has declined in subject to a further review by the national quality. I also believe that the subjects board there is little point in having the of oral discussion have declined in quality. State boards, and if the national board is Therefore, if our oral standards are lower, simply going to refer a matter back to the how can we expect to have a higher standard State boards, then why have the national of literature at the present time? It just board? If the national board is only an does not follow. If we had a higher level advisory board and the decision still rests of expression and discussion it would be with the State boards, how can we achieve the reflected in our literature. uniformity that is desirable in these matters? If a particular book is referred to the national Although we hear constant criticism from board-I do not know whether it can be the male section of the population of referred direct to that board-what does pornographic literature, namely, literature the national board do? Does it review the depicting sex at its worst, strangely enough, book and refer it back to the State board, similar criticism very seldom comes from and then does the matter come back to the the female section of the community. It national board for its advice? I do not see has always puzzled me why there have not where this national board will fit into the been strong protests from the various picture. If it is going to usurp the authority women's organisations. I give credit to them of the State boards we will have to abolish that probably they do not read this type the State boards; if not, and the final decision of literature and therefore are not familiar remains with the State boards, why have a with what it contains. Nevertheless, they national board? must see sufficient depicted on the covers of books on sale at various places to indicate If I am wrong in these assumptions, in the that these publications do not uplift their event of a conflict between a State board and sex and tend to degrade not only the male the national board, who will be the deciding approach but the female attitude towards authority? If the national board strongly what at least periodically in history has advises that a book be banned and the State been regarded as a sacred subject. board does not consider it should be banned, who resolves the position? I suppose these The hon. member for Toowong, and per­ things will become apparent to us when we haps the Literature Board of Review in its see the Bill. report, were a little hard on book-sellers. Objectionable Literature [21 SEPTEMBER] Act Amendment Bill 635

After all, there are book-sellers and book­ Mr. O'DONNELL: Perhaps they will be sellers! Their standards vary. In some very depressed by the decadence of our gen­ instances their approach to literature cannot eration if they judge it by the standards of be said to be anything less than admirable. the hon. member for Townsville South. They and their staffs are sufficiently I believe that the Literature Board of acquainted with the stock that they are able Review, whether on a State or a national to discuss with customers the quality of basis, must do something positive. It is the various publications offered for sale. useless for the board to present a report On the other hand, there are some news­ saying that last year 14 publications were agencies and other bu;iness places where banned. The approach to the whole question pornography is available on the "Pay as should be based on raising the standards. you can easily afford" system rather than in the purchase of expensive volumes of The hon. member for Toowong suggested scientific treatises containing reports on sex that we might isolate the undesirable litera­ perversion, etc. In some instances not only ture in a corner of a bookshop. We want is this type of literature displayed on racks, something better than that; we want an but there is also, in a prominent position on uplifting in the standards. Perhaps we also the ~ounter, a rack containing chocolates from need to inculcate in our children-this is a which a customer can buy a chocolate to parental responsibility; it is not altogethe.r nibble while he reads the book he has the responsibility of the Department of purchased. Apparently the idea is to enjoy Education-by example the standard that two types of pleasure at the one time. they should adopt, and we should also try to eliminate from their expressions any­ This sort of thing is spreading, and I feel thing that is substandard. This is the only it is due to a decline in standards. Per­ way to overcome the problems. As educa­ haps it is due to the males who, particu­ tion progresses it spreads into a wider field, larly during the war years and later, seemed and parents in the next generation will be to be able to spread the rough, crude speech far better educated generally than we are. of their own sex in a percentage of the One of the products of their better education opposite sex. What would have been a should be the raising of the standard, and real excuse in the days of my youth for this should be passed on to their children. knocking someone down for what he said in front of a lady is accepted today by some If the appointment of literature boards of ladies with a laugh. It is no longer a reason review is to continue, no matter how worthy for .:ggression in order to protect a person the personnel are, they must do something who may be as close as a wife, or, in the positive rather than negative. They may have case of a young, single person, as close as to ban or put out of publication certain a g:rl friend. This standard has gone by literature. But, in addition, they should the board completely. The quotation we have endeavour to foster on both a State and a heard from "Semper Floreat" indicates what national basis an appreciation of the qualities could have been distributed on the university of literature and endeavour to foster this campus to be read not just by the male sec­ desirable standard through the various media tion of the university community, but also of education so that the people will emulate it. by the females and, I might say, accepted by They will not succeed immediately, but they them without protest. will make some progress, and, as progress begets progress, that is where the solution I said a moment ago that I recognise there lies. are book-sellers with standards. I saw a tele­ vision programme called "The Critics'', Recently I saw two programmes on tele­ vision which could be controversial. One which featured i\lax Harris, a book-seller. was a play entitled "Five Sides to a Mr. W. D. Hewitt: He writes a good Triangle" and the other was "Till Death Us article. Do Part". In the latter there is a Liberal father. I do not want to classify the son-in­ \h. O'DOl'.':SELL: He is very good in law, because he beats me at times. the literary field. He was competent in his Mr. W. D. Hewitt: You do not want to knowledge of books and objective in dis­ own him? cussion of books that depict real life, giving impressions of the days for which the books Mr. O'DONNELL: I would not want to are written, or what the books seek to depict. own either the father or the son-in-law. "Five Thus he illustrated to me the ideal type of Sides to a Triangle" could be given two book-seller. I wonder what will happen 30 interpretations. A person interested in theatre or 40 years hence when our grandchildren and presentation of the subject matter could read books based on this period of our his­ laugh and say it was a witty satire. A person tory. I wonder what the people who read who was not as disposed to appreciating it "Hansard" for the purpose of delving into could say that it was dirty, sexy, salacious political science will say when they read filth, and that he was surprised the Australian what has been said by the hon. member Broadcasting Commission would exhibit it. for Townsville South. "Till Death Us Do Part" is like a serial; Mr. W. D. Hewitt: They will be very it has an episode each week depicting a impressed when they read your speech. comical, humorous situation that arises in the 636 Objectionable Literature [ASSEMBLY] Act Amendment Bill household. The two types of people I referred which are published in the name of com­ to earlier could again make different com­ mercialism. In "The Courier-Mail" of yester­ ments about it. If such programmes were day, 20 September, a film being screened at constantly put before the public, I doubt that the Lido Theatre was advertised. The adver­ they would lift our standards. There can be tisement reads- too much of this type of thing. The " 'Don't take your eyes off me, darling, characters in it are supposed to express it's "Operation European Strip-tease" . . . Liberal and Labour opinions, but at times and I'm one of the most luscious, volup­ tuous teasers ever to be seen outside my I do not agree with them. The programme broad-minded continent.'" might be amusing to some and silly to others. To my mind there is a lowering of respect I had better put my glasses on for this! for both those political parties. (Laughter). I was afraid that perhaps it would damage the very valuable triple lenses These boards have an important task to that I have in these frames; that is why I perform. I know that reviewing does not did not put them on! set standards, except in a negative way by The advertisement continues- abolishing what is bad. I think that the " 'We're the thoroughbreds of the strip­ proposed board should give what time it can ping world.' to making suggestions so that, no matter 'The swinging movements are m through what media thoughts are conveyed colour ... and strictly for adult viewing." to the public, there is an upward rather than What a lot of tripe! I am not a picture-goer, a downward trend. although I am not against picture shows. I do not go to the pictures for the simple Mr. DEAN (Sandgate) (4.10 p.m.): My reason that I have not the time. In any prime purpose in rising to contribute to this case, a show like that one would not attract debate is to express the feelings of disappoint­ me. There is a picture of one of the ment that I felt after listening intently to the actresses posing, and if that is not obscene Minister when he introduced the Bill. When as far as young children are concerned, I do he had finished giving details of what to not know what is. I am not worried about expect when the Bill was placed before us I the adults who are beyond redemption; I am fel~ . very disappointed, because, in 1;1y worried about the children. We must try to opmwn, the present Literature Board of inculcate right-thinking in the young children Review has failed completely over the years. of today. To my way of thinking, it has never carried out its function. I can remember when it There is also an advertisement for a film at the "Metro" theatre called "The ~as appointed, which was many years before e1ther the Minister or I was in Parliament Liquidator". Goodness knows what goes on and in my opinion it has never functioned i~ in it. However, the illustration in the adver­ the way in which it was intended. tisement leaves very little to the imagination as to what one will see on the screen. In Many interesting references have been my opinion, too little attention is paid to made to various aspects of obscenity. As this important aspect of obscenity in the far back as 1868 obscenity was defined as- community. " ... a tendency to deprave and corrupt This afternoon an hon. member placed those whose minds are open to such in my hands a photostat copy of an article in "The Sunday Mail" of 3 September, immoral influences, and into whose hands headed "Nude Models Pose for All Corners a publication of this sort may fall." at Photo Studio." Although I did not see I feel that when dealing with the present it, I believe those models were shown on trend in obscenity and immorality, too much the television screen being interviewed by accent has been placed on literature. Refer­ a well-known televi'Sion interviewer-! shall ences have been made, including the one by not mention his name-from one of the my colleague the hon. member for Barcoo, Brisbane television stations. to some programmes appearing on television. The article says- I think the Literature Board of Review could "Nude modelling is booming in Brisbane have done much better work over the years at a studio in the heart of the city and by _listening to radio announcers, especially at a trimly-kept home in a Brisbane durmg early-morning sessions. Those are the suburb." only ones I have the opportunity to hear, and I believe that the Literature Board of Review quite often obscenities come over the air into should have been given power to deal with many homes in Brisbane and elsewhere things of that sort when it was first throughout the State. It has to be remem­ established. bered that children listen to these radio pro­ grammes, and we all know that the minds In my opinion, the board has failed to of the young are very receptive. carry out the mission for which is was formed. Some years ago I, with many other I also believe that the Literature Board citizens, formed the Queensland League for of Review could have taken very much more National Welfare and Decency, and its con­ notice of some daily Press advertisements, stitution, which took many hours to draw Objectionable Literature [21 SEPTEMBER] Act Amendment Bill 637 up, stated that the league would try to help too hard or strict in policing this form of the Literature Board of Review if it needed entertainment. However, I feel that the wise assistance. However, the board showed very parent will regulate the times for watching little concern about anything other than a television and see that it is done when these few books on the bookstalls. I repeat: it undesirable programmes are not on the air. has not achieved its object of reviewing immoral literature and reducing obscenity One show in particular that I have seen in the community. on arriving home at night is "The Addams Family". What a shocking television show Reference was made-I think it was by that is! Even the sight of some of the the hon. member for Nudgee-to the length characters would be enough to terrorise a of time members serve on the board, and child. No doubt they are brilliant actors I thoroughly agree with him that their period and actre,ses but some of the characters of membership is too long. That is one depicted must frighten children. That is good point about service organisations; twelve one show that should be taken off the air, months is the usual time for a member to with great benefit to many of our children. serve in office. Everyone who is interested knows that, by virtue of the constitution of Some time ago there came into my hands the organisation, a change of officials must some wrappers from lollies. I remember take place at the end of each year. showing them to several hon. members­ Mr. Pizzey: You would not apply that small wrappers that went around three lolly­ principle to members of Parliament, too, pieces. Some of the captions on those would you? wrappers, which I think some hon. mem­ bers will remember, were really frightening Mr. DEAN: It all depends which members and disgusting. At the time they were in of Parliament the Minister is referring to. my possession they could not be displayed At the moment the Committee is dealing here because legislation dealing with this matter was not being introduced, and S{)me­ with the Literature Board of Review, not how or other they have been mislaid. Good­ with members of Parliament. ness knows what is going on in the com­ I suggest that the Minister for Justice munity today when obscenity can be dis­ should endeavour to ensure that membership seminated in this fashion. Would the board of the board is for a shorter period than at of review take those under consideration? present. If he does that, I may take a One could hardly call the wrapper from different view of the effectiveness of its around a lolly obscene literature, but to my operations. mind some of the references made on those wrappers were obscene. As time passes, it will be necessary to take courage and introduce stricter laws to deal It has been said that this form of legisla­ with this menace in the community. Parlia­ tion will bring about uniformity in the Com­ ment makes the laws, and hon. members monwealth. Uniformity is really desirous spend much time debating the various pieces in any avenue; if one could bring about a of legislation that are brought before them uniform pattern of legislation, or a uniform in this Chamber. But how many times does pattern in anything for that matter, it one see the provisions of that legislation would be far better from the point of view enforced? The enforcement of the law is of policing, but I cannot see how this legis­ very weak, particularly in this instance. I lation will improve the set-up in this State. cannot recall any shopkeeper, or storekeeper, Over the years the State's machinery has or bookstore proprietor, ever being dealt with not worked satisfactorily, and r cannot see in a court for keeping this type of literature how the legislation before us today will help on his shelves or being found in possession to any degree. I sincerely hope that I am of literature that has been banned by the wrong and that when I see the Bill I ''ill Customs Department. Many years ago I fi·nd that it contains very strict provisions worked at the Customs Office and I felt then, for the enforcement of the law dealing with as I do now, that most of this type of the publication and distribution of obscene literature was circulated in the country before literature. However, I suppose its clauses the Customs Department got on to it, but will be strictly confined to literature and after it had been banned it still remained will not cover television or radio so that on the shelves and no action was ever taken these strong media will continue to be able -and the same state of affairs prevails today. to exert a dangerous influence on young people. Coming back to the television screen, I feel that we have to pay particular attention It is often said that the community is to this. Something should be done in regard becoming broader in its outlook. Of course, to this medium, which goes directly into the what might be offensive to one person might home and which, I feel, has a direct impact be entertaining to another. Actors I have on a child's mind. At this very moment spoken to have told me that stage productions one could find children sitting in front of presented in the 17th and 18th centuries television sets, some of them almost mes­ would be banned today. At least we may have merised by the screen. Of course, some of improved with our stage shows, even if we the blame must lie with the parents, but have not with the more modern media of it is a very difficult thing for a mother to be radio, television and films. 638 Objectionable Literature [ASSEMBLY] Act Amendment Bill

realise that an exaggerated view can be As the Minister said when introducing taken of these things. One can be very this measure, the State boards will still extreme or narrow in his outlook. On operate and the new joint board will be the other hand, a person can go the other only advisory. Nevertheless, it must be way so that instead of condemning something thought that it will have some weight of for what it is he gives it another name. It opinion or it would be useless to establish is ail very well to say, '·It is all in your mind; it. Apparently these things take some time to this is art," and instead of condemning it get around to, as I read in the No. 10 Series suggesting that it is something of great beauty of ''Current Politics", issued by the Federal and something to be admired. I admire some Secretariat of the Liberal Party of Australia, forms of sculpture, but other forms are that on 18 December, 1966, the Minister offensive. What I consider to be offensive, for Customs and Excise, Senator Anderson, a so-called expert, critic, connoisseur, or in conjunction with the six State Ministers whatever he likes to call himself, may say, concerned, announced details of a proposed 'This is a high form of art." Sometimes it joint literature censorship advisory board. is so "high" that it is well beyond my compre­ Senator Anderson then recalled that 12 hension and the comprehension of most months previously a plan for uniform censor­ people. ship of books of literary, artistic or scientific Mr. W. D. Hewitt: Are you suggesting that merit had been presented to the Common­ there is something shameful in the undraped wealth on behalf of all the States. It seems figure? that the proposal was examined by the Commonwealth, which agreed in principle \k. DEAN: It all depends on the way one to the establishment of a board such as is views it. It depends upon one's type of mind. envisaged in the Bill, which goes part of the A lot of it can be in a person's mind. He way towards uniform censorship. can think what he wants to think and see While I agree that if we are to have what he wants to see. After all, they say censorship it must be uniform, I am firmly that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. of the opinion that there is much danger in having controls over what people should or For the protection of our young people, should not read. Only by freedom of choice some level of decency or some pattern must an J an easily available variety of literature, be put before them so that they can grow up with access to all schools of thought, can with a balanced understanding of what is art we as people remain democratic. and what is not art. Happenings of past years have demon­ l have expressed my feelings sufficiently strated only too clearly how people can be at this stage. At the moment I am dis­ brainwashed and, because of the attitudes appointed in the legislation. I sincerely hope and beliefs thus instilled by limited choice, that after reading the Bill I will be able to we have had over the years, major wars, express an entirely different view at the cold wars and many smaller conflicts, and second-reading stage. I would have been today we have examples of the results of much happier had the motion on the Business this lack of understanding in a number of Paper read '' ... to amend the objectionable conflicts. Liquor Acts". However. that is by the way. I hope I am \Hong in my present thoughts I do not wish to develop that theme, as it about the Bill. and I shall be happy to take could become very involved. I am concerned back what I have said if its provisions with the gap in understanding at this juncture by our own people concerning literature. are other than what I think they are at the moment. People should not be put in a strait-jacket in their choice of reading matter. Indeed, \1rs. JORDAN !Ipswich West) (4.30 if a publication or book is banned, it gets p.m.): I rise to speak in this debate because publicity and notoriety above and beyond what is normal. People seek it out and I feel that if we are to have censorship of literary, artistic, scientific, or any other books, somehow manage to get it. As a direct it must be uniform. Such uniformity is long result, these publications are much sought overdue. It has been rather ridiculous in after. Without such publicity many of these the past for a book to be banned in one books would get scant attention and, left State and to be freely available in another, in normal perspective, would not make any with sometimes only an invisible borderline mark. between its availability and its not being As the hon. member for Toowoomba available. East said, in some countries a certain section of bookshops is put aside for pornographic It now seems that under the proposed literature. This was referred to by other joint literature advisory board at least some hon. members as well. It has been found that of the idiosyncrasies of the past in relation this type of literature does have a clientele. to censorship are to be expunged. It remains I am thankful that this situation does not to be seen whether the outlook of those who exist in Australia. are to be appointed to do this job will be any more impartial, liberal or disciplinary Standards and attitudes change with each than has been the case in the various States. decade in these modern times. We do not I am not questioning the job that has been speak nowadays of what happened done by any of the State boards, nor am I last century or the century before. What questioning their decisions. was taboo a decade ago could now be the Objectionable Literature [21 SEPTEMBER) Act Amendmellt Biil 639 normal. Traditions and attitudes are not outlandish groups. Unfortunately there immutable, and a new outlook or a different are many who are afraid to be different and interpretation is simply the outcome of of being called "chicken", as they are on changed circumstances and gradually many occasions if they do not "run with becomes the accepted. Our attitudes come the mob''. in the main from teachings and conditioning One does not, and cannot, go direct from by various means, such as our environment childhood to the adult role, and we hear over the years, more particularly in the much about teenagers, teen-time, pop tunes, formative years. and the like. The role of the adolescent in If any censorship is needed, it surely modern society, and his or her relationship should be of the rubbish that is poured out in the family and society, is a subject of to the very young and the adolescent in increasing interest, particularly to the com­ trashy comics and on television. Every mercial world, in which a great deal of parent should be concerned at the lauding publicity and money is devoted to the appeal of cruelty, violence, murder, shooting and to teenagers, who have become the major war that is constantly paraded before their field catered for in these days. Watch tele­ eyes in comics, day in and day out, during vision advertisements for hair-sprays, make­ their most formative years, and at the con­ up, women's underclothing, cigarettes, stant subjecting of our children to films drinks and sweets, which all place the of the pioneering days, particularly in emphasis on youth, unbounded energy and America, where the gun was used to solve what is the "done thing" for the young all problems-or, I think, to cause them. people of today. They all seek to alter our judgment. Many of them make the human Television programmes like "Batman", figure a thing to be less revered and less "Superman", and others too numerous to respected. Youth models itself on these mention, are so juvenile as to be unfit for things; it is constantly subjected to them juveniles. It is all very well labelling them so that they become the norm. "Adults only" and leaving it to the parents I believe that youngsters more than ever to do the screening. In many cases the need adults on whom to model themselves, parents take little interest, and in other and to respect and copy. They need a instances the children have the say. We point of view. They need adults who adults can laugh at them as ridiculous and believe in themselves and in something. leave them alone, and we do have a choice They need adults who can communicate­ in this and can keep things in the right at least to whom they can "get across". The perspective. But the same cannot be said young can decide what to be like and what of our young children. In their tender, not to be like only by observing adults and formative years they take it for real, and their example. They can learn little from one has only to watch them and see how the mass of junk put before them in tele­ obsessed they get with a picture, and witness vision programmes and commercial the tantrums they throw if a parent tries advertising. to take them away from it, to realise the influence these things have on young minds. But, in fact, too often adults imitate the young, rather than the reverse. The young I cannot help but wonder what sort of have their own language-"cool", they call people we are in the process of fashioning by it. They adopt the twist and the go-go. allowing such conditioning of these young They adopt outlandish dress, and very minds. Surely a standard must be set. We, often when one sees them one wonders the adults of today, should be concerned which are girls and which are boys. The about it and do something about it now, parents adopt the language of the young. and not, by our apathy, make it the cause They learn to twist, etc., and mothers dress of great lament in the future that we did like their daughters and wear weird hair-do's, nothing about helping our young people make-up, and mini-skirts. Fifteen years ago to achieve a decent standard so that they or less they shook their heads at youth's will reject the poor level, the immoral antics; now they try to be "with it" and level, the pornographic. are afraid of being called "squares". It has been said by several writers that What I am trying to "get across" is the youth of today, who have had far greater that I believe that in the interests of our educational opportunities and are intellec­ children and the future good of this country tually better prepared, are socially and and mankind in general, we adults should emotionally more immature than the young be helping our young people by assisting people of earlier days. There has developed them to develop good standards and to seek among the young a powerful yen for to continually raise them. I feel that youth uniformity and to identify themselves with does not lack values. Today's youth are no groups such as the mods, the rockers, the worse than the youth of past years, but in surfies, or one of the dozens of other terms these days of greater complexity they find used. Nowadays this is the "done thing" it much harder to find the positive values. for many of them. They are the ones who This is where we all have a responsibility to get the publicity. There are many decent "get it across" to them that man without young people who do not get the publicity standards, shared values, attitudes, codes that is gained by those who belong to these and restraints remains merely animal. 640 Objectionable Literature [ASSEMBLY] Act Amendment Bill

The Bill is at least one step towards a that we have seen other boards engage in uniform code. I would have wished it to and which are always possible when political cover the things of which I have spoken appointments are made. Censorship of the and to put some censorship and control on Vietnam pamphlet distributed by under­ the rubbish that is being poured out by the graduates in Melbourne-! think it dealt with various publicity media, to the detriment American atrocities in Vietnam-was a of our youth and our society. I hope that shocking denial of British justice. in some future legislation for the good of this country the Government will trv to Mr. W. D. Hewitt: Who censored it? control the things of which I have spbken. Mr. BROMLEY: It was police censorship \Ir. BR0!\1LEY (Norman) (4.45 p.m.): As in that instance. far as I can see, the provisions of the Bill Mr. W. D. Hewitt: It had nothing to do are satisfactory, and I am very happy that with the Literature Board of Review? they have been so well received by hon. members on both sides of the Chamber. A Mr. BR0:\1LEY: Not in this State. measure of this type has been badly needed for some time. The actions of the police on that occasion horrified the public, which protested strongly, There seems to be a tendency these days claiming it was political censorship-and this to try to make everything uniform. Whether is where I am tying up the political side of or not that is good, I do not know; but it censorship with the board of review. On the is very strange that no move has been made information I received, it was political cen­ to ~chieve uniformity relative to age and sorship, but I believe that all forms of other things in laws relating to drinking, and censorship, whatever they may be, are that there is no real uniformity in penalties infringements of civil liberties, especially imposed by the courts. I make those com­ when the censorship is not intelligently ments only in passing. applied. In a country such as Australia, in which In this short speech I want to deal with education and social standards are very the objectionable rubbish that is being similar in a number of States, I think that deliberately disseminated by various media. uniformity is fairly sensible, and I am par­ The minds of both adults and children are ticularly in favour of this Bill. In fact, I conditioned to such an extent that children think it is verging on the ridiculous that there in particular feel that that is the correct way is not more uniformity than there is today. of living. I believe that we, as responsible As far as literary censorship is concerned, in legislators, have to do something about this. some States certain types of literature can be If parents cannot be bothered with the purchased easily, but they cannot be bought welfare of their children, then Parliament in Queensland. On the payment of a few should be responsible. I believe that, in cents in postage, of course, literature can be many ways, Parliament is here to do the sent here from another State. It is ridiculous right thing by the people and to protect them that a book should be banned in one State from themselves. and not in another; it is ridiculous that a Mr. Lee: You will agree that we can only book banned in Queensland can be sent here do so much in that respect. and that a book not banned here can be sent to another State. Therefore, I believe that Mr. BR0:\1LEY: I will go along with uniformity is very de,irable under this legis­ that, but still we are here to assist people lation. in all walks of life and of all ages. \!embers of the Literature Board of Much of the material to which I refer is, Review ought to provide a good cross-section without any doubt, objectionable. I do not of opinion, and I agree with other hon. mem­ think anybody could deny that. During this bers that the board should be composed of debate examples of various forms of objec­ both young people and people with a more tionable literature have been cited, and I mature outlook. It will then be a good, want to deal briefly, first of all, with some workable board, providing a diversity of of the advertisements that one sees on the opinion. It should also be divorced from "idiot box", as it is commonly called today. any political pressure or ties. Very often one Most of these advertisements revolve around finds that boards-perhaps not censorship sex, and, I am afraid, revolt responsible boards-are subject to political pressure or people anyway. We heard the hon. member have political ties. Board members say, "We for Baroona speak about the responsible have been appointed by a particular party. attitude of some girls from Lourdes Hill We must agree with what that party says." Convent. who protested publicly. I am very pleased to see that sort of thing happening, Both the board and literature should be because it proves that some young people free from political censorship, and the mem­ still have minds of their own. bers of the board should not be muzzled in any way. Their decisions should be free want to quote briefly from "The and untrammelled. An unbiased board would Australian Temperance Advocate" of not be engaged in witch-hunts of the type August, 1967. It deals with teen cults. I Objectionable Literature [21 SEPTEMBER] Act Amendment Bill 641 will not quote all of it but one article, on or thinks according to one's own page 9, which is headed "Writing on the

for the increase in crime in adults, and trade was for commercial reasons or juveniles as well. One has only to look at because it would be 'unpopular' and thus the statistics for the last five or 10 years to likely to affect circulation. He stated that see that there has been a tremendous increase papers do not create public opinion but in the crime rate in all countries, including must follow it to stay in business. He Australia. It is very disturbing to be told also doubted the suggestion that news­ to go "All the way with L.B.J.", to look up papers are today's most powerful 'mind­ to America, and to realise at the same time conditioner' and quoted elections where that unfortunately most pornographic litera­ people have voted contrary to newspaper ture and offensive television material is recommendations." imported from America. I should just like to mention in passing that Mr. Lee: This may not stop it. we in the A.L.P. are certainties in the Capricornia by-election. Mr. BROMLEY: It may not stop it, but it will assist by censoring certain imports The article later says- that constantly depict this sort of thing as "Frankly, we feel this 'Iilywhite' image part of life today, or condition people's of the press is suspect. It is claimed minds into believing that it is a way of life. newspapers must follow public opinion, but admitted papers have campaigned for When referring to mind-conditioning, I a side politically despite public opinion feel that I should again refer to "The Aus­ strongly in the other direction. The press tralian Temperance Advocate" and quote disclaims being a powerful mind-condi­ from an article which, to my way of thinking, tioner yet practically entirely moulds is of great interest-and it should be of public opinion on international and great interest to most people who care to national affairs where people can't see or read this sort of thing. hear for themselves. To suggest seriously The article is headed "The Press and that more liquor outlets will remove Liquor", and says- undesirable aspects of drinking is surely evasive thinking!" "Objectivity in reporting has long been the aim and the claim of the daily news­ I agree completely with that. As I said papers. Today they have immense mass earlier, to my way of thinking, this type circulation and consequent power to influ­ of literature, this mass advertising, and these ence or condition and, at the same time, all films on television, condition people's minds are part of huge commercial undertakings. in such a way as not to assist the welfare Inevitably this leads to conflict between of either the young or the old. true national interest and figures on a balance sheet." Hon. P. R. DELAMOTHE (Bowen­ That is quite true. After all, money is all­ Minister for Justice) (5.6 p.m.), in reply: I important in the advertising of goods for compliment the many speakers who have sale. taken part in the debate on the introduction of the Bill for their serious approach to this The article continues- problem. The speeches ranged over a wide "This month a special reporter from the field, some of them irrelevant, but most of 'Advocate' interviewed a high executive at them relevant, to the serious problem of a newspaper office, a radio station and a censorship in general. The opinions t~levision station. The newspaper execu­ expressed ranged from no censorship at all tive was adamant that the professional to very tight and narrow censorship. I shall managers of a paper, to run a successful read closely all the contributions that have business, must, over everything, 'satisfy the been made, because there is so much in them public'. When asked why newspapers that it would be difficult to carry away a could campaign one day against drink­ complete recollection of all that has been driving and juvenile drinking and next day said. advocate increased liquor licences and extended liquor hours, he said many I should like to cover some aspects of people believed such extensions could in censorship about which there seems to be fact, eliminate many of the undesir~ble confusion. The problem of the control of aspects of drinking!" obscene and objectionable literature is not native to Queensland or to Australia; it con­ I do not agree with that. It is all very well fronts every country in the world, and there to say that by advertising on television and is a wide variation in the approaches made in newspapers we will get saner drinking to it in various countries. habits, but I cannot agree. If we are to make drink more convenient for people to Cockburn's definition of obscenity ?iven get in every way, they will take advantage in 1868 has been quoted two or three times. of it. It is still good law. But in deciding whether a recently published novel on sex relation­ The article continues- ship or purporting to describe contemporary "The newsman was further asked life is obscene or not, a juryman can take whether the fact that no paper seemed into account the change that has taken place prepared to take a stand against the liquor in the approach to this question since 1868. Objectionable Literature (21 SEPTEMBER] Act Amendment Bill 643

Naturally, in 100 years viewpoints have It must also be stressed that the function changed and approaches to various matters of the board is not to approve literature have changed with them. before it is circulated in the State. It examines only literature that comes to its Having heard the Hicklin definition, hon. notice by reference from a member of the members may be interested to hear an American definition. In the case of the public; by reference by the police; or by United States of America against James the board itself. Joyce's "Ulysses", the court of appeals ruled There are other ways of dealing with that- obscene literature, under the Criminal Code " ... the proper test of whether a given and the Vagrants, Gaming, and Other book is obscene is its dominant effect. The Offences Act. Hon. members will be able same immunity should apply to literature to read those provisions for themselves. as to science where the presentation . . . is sincere, and the erotic material is not Reference has been made to censorship of introduced to promote lust and does not films. That is done by the Commonwealth furnish the dominant note of the publica­ Film Censor under powers referred from the tion." States and now vested in him. In this way Probably the best definition that has come there is one central film censor. It was my onto the Australian scene was given by Mr. hope that literature could be censored by one Justice Fullagar, in R. v. Close, a 1948 central authority, but we have as yet not Victorian case. been able to achieve that. The setting up of Mr. Han.son: The "Love me Sailor" case? the National Literature Board of Review is, as it were, a half-way house to that objective. Dr. DELAMOTHE: That is right. This has been referred to as the almost ideal Much has been said about television. Again, charge to a jury. The substance of it was- hon. members will know that television cen­ "There are certain standards of decency sorship is a Commonwealth responsibility which prevail in the community, and you under the Australian Broadcasting and are really called upon to try this case Television Act. Films, television and broad­ because you are regarded as representing casting are wholly the responsibility of and capable of applying those standards. the Commonwealth. What is obscene is something which offends against those standards. Do you think that One hon. member asked what the functions the publication now before you is one of the board will be. As I have already pointed in which these matters are dealt with out to the Committee, the question of artistically, and, with whatever frankness, obscenity has to be determined in a court, cleanly? Or do you think that there are and literature of artistic, scientific or literary passages in it which are just plain dirt, merit is exempted from the activities of and nothing else, introduced for the sake the board. That is what the National Litera­ of dirtiness, and from the sure knowledge ture Board of Review will determine, not that notoriety earned by dirtiness will the question of obscenity, which can be command for the book a ready sale?" determined in the courts here. The procedure There are three different judicial approaches will be that when a piece of literature is to the question of obscenity. · examined by the board and it is claimed that it has artistic, scientific or literary merit, Obscenity is legally always a question of it will be referred by me to the National fact, which in due course, when action is Literature Board of Review, which will then taken, has to be proved in court. The give me an answer as to whether, in its Objectionable Literature Act exempts from examination by the board the following types view, it has artistic, scientific or literary of literature:- merit. If the national board says it has not, the Literature Board of Review in ". . . any newspaper containing only Queensland will proceed with the prosecution public news, intelligence, or occurrences, or political matter, or any remarks or for obscenity. observations therein, . . . or any publica­ That answers very briefly some of the tion of a medical, pharmaceutical, legal, points raised during the debate. As I said or other professional character bona fide earlier, I wi.ll study with a great deal of intended only for circulation among mem­ interest all the other points raised by hon. bers of the profession concerned, or any members. publication intended only for bona fide political purposes, or which represents in Motion (Dr. Delamothe) agreed to. good faith and with artistic merit any work of recognised literary merit, or any Resolution reported. scriptural, historical, traditional, mythical, or legendary story only." FIRST READING Bill presented and, on motion of Dr. All of those publications are exempted from Delamothe, read a first time. the attentions of the Literature Board of Review. The House adjourned at 5.19 p.m.