Queensland

Parliamentary Debates [Hansard]

Legislative Assembly

TUESDAY, 9 AUGUST 1938

Electronic reproduction of original hardcopy

Queensland Parliamentary Debates ..

i.egislatibt ~ssemblp.

FIRST SESSION OF THE TWENTY -EIGHTH PARLIAMENT

Appointed to Meet

AT BRISBANE ON THE NINTH DAY OF AUGUST, IN THE SECOND YEAR OF THE REIGN OF HIS MAJESTY KING GEORGE VI., IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 1938.

TUESDAY, 9 AUGUST, 1938. empmYc·ring him, the Hon. Percy Pease, and the Hon. Maurice Patricl< Hynes, or any Ollf' OPENING OF PAR-LIAMENT. or more of them, to administer to all or any members or member of the House the oath Pursuant to the proclamation by His or affirmation of allegiame to His Majesty Exccllenry the Governor, dated 11 July, the King, which commission was then rend 1938, appointing Parliament to meet this to the House by the Clerk. day for the despatch of business, the House met at 12' o'clock noon in the Legislative Assembly Chamber. RETURN OF WRITS. The Clerk of the Pnrliament read the The Clerk informed the House that the proclamation. writs for the various electo•ral districts ha,[ been returned to him severally endorsed as follows:- COMMISSION TO OPEN PARLIA:YIENT. Albert-Thomas Flood Plnnkett. The Clerk acquainted the House that His Aubigny-Arthur Edwarcl Moore. Excellenry the Governor, not being able con­ Bar coo-Prank William Bulcock. veniently to be present in person this day, Baroona-William Power. had been pleased to cause a commission to Bowen-Ernest Joseph Rim·dan. be issued under the public seal of the State, Bremer-Frank Arthur Cooper. appointing the Hon. William Forgan Smith, Bris bane-.T ohn Henry ~f::tnn. the Hon. Percy Pease, and the Hon. Bulimba-George I-Iemy M:uriott. Mam·icc I'atrick Hyncs Commissioners in Bnndaberg-Bcrnard :\IcLean. order to the opening and holding of the Buranda-Ed1Yanl Joseph Hanson. present session of Parliament. Cairns-J ohn 0 'Keefe. The Commissioners so appointed having Carnarvon-Paul J erome Remigius taken their pluees upon the dais, and the Hilt on. Clerk having read the commission, Carpentaria-.Tolm 11ullan. Chm·ters Towers-vVilliam .Tohn Wel- The SE~IOR COJ'!Il'IUSSIONER (Hon. lington. W. Forgan Smith, l\Iackay) said: HoB. mem­ Cook-Harold Henry Collins. bers, we have it in command from His Excel­ Cooroora-Harrv Jh·eclerick \Valker. lency the GoYernor to let you know that, ns Cnnningham-vVilliam Arthur Deacon. soon as the members of the Parliament of Dalhv-Anbrcv Robert Slessar. Queenslnnd have been sworn, the causes of East" Toowoon1ba-Hcrbert Yeates. this Parliament being callecl together will be Enoggern-George Cuthbert Taylm. declared to you; and, it being necessary that J<'assifern-Adolph Gustav :Muller. a Speaker be first chosen, it is His Excel­ Fit7,roy-J ames Clark. lency's pleasure that you proceed to the Fortitude Valley--Samuel John Bras- election of one of your number to be your sington. Speaker, and that you present such person Gregory-Georgc Pollock. so chosen to His Excellency the Governor at Gympic-Thomas Dunstan. such time ancl place as His Excellency shall Hamilton-Hugh J\IcDiarmid Russell. appoint. Herbert-Percy Pease. The Premier thereupon produced a com­ Ipswich-David Alexander Gledsou. mission under the public seal of the State, Isis-William Alfred Brand. 1938-B. .M~embers Sworn. [ASSEMBLY.] Election of Speaker.

Iihaca-Edwa•rcl Michael Hanlon. Jllmcan :\Jacdonahl, Esquire. Kelvin Grove--George AlfTec1 Morris. J~dmund Bcde :'.Iaher, Esquire. Kcnncdy--C'ecil Ge(Jl'ge .lesson. J olm Henry 2\Iann, Esquire. Keppel-D~1Yid John .Marlais Daniel. George Henry J\Iarriott, Esquire. Kurilpa-Patrick Kerry Copley. liaay 2\f:assey, Esquire. L1ogan-J olm l nncs Bnnvn. Bernard McLean, Esquire . .:\Iackay-\Villiam Forgun Smith. Artlmr Edwanl :'.Ioore, Esquire. i\Iaranoa-Charles vVilliam C'onroy. Georgc Alfred .:\!orris, Esquire. J\hrce-\Viili"lll 'l'homas King. A1lolf Gustav Muller, EsquiTe. ?.Jaryhorougj1-D;:rl"icl Fa•rrcll. (,eorgc Frnncis Reubcn Nicklin, Esquire. liTcl'tilyr-.fames !'atrick Kcogh. Thon1as Ninuno, Esqnirc. ~!irani-,E<1w:url _JDlm \Yalsh. .Jolm 0 'Keefc, Es']nrrc. _:_,j unrbngou1T3-~J ohn Dash. Thomas }'lood Plunkett, :F:squire. ~~.'lulT1111l1Jn-Georgc Yranel~ Reuben The Honomable Gcorge Pollock . .!'\icklin. \Villiam Pmvcr, J~SfjUiTe. N anango--Jmncs BraithYOOI] Ellwards. Emcst ,Joscph Hiordan, Esquire. 1\ Dl'Bl:1llby_-rJlh

llir. lHJNSTAN (Gympie) (12.23 p.m.): I appointing me Speaker of this Parliament; desire to second the nomination of l\Ir. G eorge therefore, without more ado I submit myself Pollock for the office of Speal. aiH1, speaking from the dais, said : }Ion: There is more than formal or party pleasure members, having been ''forcibly dragge·l '' to in electing our Speaker. Every one of us, the chair, I must now thank hon. members h:lYing just emerged from another kind of for their kindness. election, realises the personal pleasure and ::'\Iemhers: Hear, hear! (and honour of being able to hear his Yoiee from the chair, and eYen of being callecl to order by the gentleman \Yho, S[lCilking less than any 'l'l1e PRRThHER (Hon. W. Forgan Smith, of us, always speaks to the point, alHl \Vho, :Jinckay) (12.28 p.m.): I rlcsire to congra­ unlike yon, J\Ir. Dickson, is enm permitted to tulate you, 1lr. Speaker, on being C'lccted for speak without any point at all. (Laughter.) the third time to the high office of Speaker During the period of my unsought. aml of the House. It is incleerl a high honour. ;msoli<·ited exclusion from this Chamber, I You have been ealled to a post of considerable missed hearing the Speaker's voice, not importance to Parliament and, through Par­ boeausc the \'Oice \Yas stilled, but because limncnt, to the State. The Speaker is the certain electors, having listened to otlH'r gnanJ.ian of the privileges of PaTliament and voices, consirlcrec1 that my hearing woulrl its n1C1nbers, anc1, therefore, n1ust haYe at all be hettcT directed elsewhere. (Hcnewed times a kno\Ylcdgc of the rights and priYi­ laughter.) legec; of Parliament and be familiar with the However, I seeond the motion for other Constitution Dnd the Standing Orders. Hut, in and more adequate reasons than J'Crsonal :•cr £or retain the respeC't of nwmhers of the House. Rockhampton and I shoulrl be praising the The orrler of debate in the House is eon­ hon. member for Grf::;ory to the skies as n tro!led b:/ the Speaker. He must be impar­ heaYen-sent possessor of all the virtncs, an tinl; he must exerci,c no discrimination Admirable Crichton specially cmlo\wd and amongst hon. members. IIo should be tactfuL designed to preside over this august assembly ccnnteons, kindly, and, if necessary, firm. of members of Parlimncnt. 'Phc hon. mem­ r think, :\[T, Speaker, \Yithout Ulllluc ber. in his turn, IYould pretend to be so eulogy tmvan1s you, that you have displayed modest and so reluctant to accept the office all these qualitin and that duriug yom of SpcalH'l' that he would struggle in the occupancy of the oflice you haYe arldccl lu>tre hands of his nominators wlwn being escortecakers who ha\·e gone before you. more than he conld snstain. To the nninitiaterl the forms of I'arlian:cm ~We do not need those pretences iu these m:1y sometimcJ look nrchaic or fonnida!>le, days. 'vV c (lo not expect the hon. member to nof justificcl by modern conditions nor be a shrinki11g vio1etj and \Ye do 11ot need suited to them, but when one studies pm·lia­ to hmcl him to the skies. 'Ne can testify mentury P'rocc·

rs tl1c Lest form of government that has yet to this office, ant1 also to the Premi"r allil been U:eviseL1, and I am sure that hon. Leader of the Opposition for the kind words n1cn1bers \rill give you every snpporrt in rnain­ they have expressed to~day. taining order in rlobate mlll in canying out Both hgn. memuers who moved and secon~1ed the duties of yom high ol!ice. this motion dealt very nbly w1th the subJect ~\ Speaker '1ho !we, a thorough knowledge in their own inimitable styles. They gave me of tho Standing Onlors and administers them eredit for the possession of qualifications and r>roperly is of assistance to hon. memuers. qualities that l have tried Yery hard to attain There is notbing like on1orly debate to pro~ hitherto without very much success. 1 duce the Lost that is in lwn. members. By acquiesce in the v:ill of the Jlouse with grate· decorum and rcspcet for l:'arliarnont, Parlia~ ful thanks to both the mover and seconder :ment is strengthened nnd grO\\-s in the of the mutioH, the l'remicr, Leader of the estercm of the J••;OlJle. I congratulate you Opposition, and all other hon. memiJers Yvho :\Jr. Spenl;n,~ on heillg elevated to your appear to be prepm·ed to suffer me, to~ethe1: otfice for the third time. with all my shortcommgs, dunng the life of this Parliament. Goyernment ~I embers: Hear, hear! :\Iy position as Speaker during the lnst s~x liir. JIAHER (West J\Ioreton) (18.33 yenrs has been like that of a man among Jus p.m.): :\Ir. Speaker, I eongolitical changes often break the should like cYe'ry hon. member w:10 was in continuity of oflice ot very gTeat Spcal,ers, the previous Pnrliament to accept my very but _YOil have the l1onom· of now winuing that sim·ere thanks. appointment for the third timr. The fact l?0cognition of the authority of the Chair that your nomination has been unopposed by i'J important. I have had no complaints to the Opposition is an inclication of the satis­ malm on that score. 'l'he House hns clealt faction the Opposition fc 'l with c our efforts more Uwn fnirly with me in that respect. If in HUl intaiuing o'rUer in Pnrlirunellt and js I disagreed >vith hon. members in decisions also an expression of appreciation uf what lhat hiul to be made from time to time which 1n bclic1·e to be your impartiality in the in my judgment made for the better conduct exc1·cisc of yonr r1nties. In the proper con· of delJate and the decorum of the House, I iluet of debate a firm ancl capable Speaker hope I shall always be able to respect every is a 11ecessity, because firmness in the chair hon. mombC'r whose disagreement with me is often Hips provocation in the bud and it is foumlcd on desire for the public welfare. IH'ovoeation that invites retaliation, with its That is important. conAN)nent scenes; and to act with that firm~ ::\fnv I say in all sincerity that this House lll'S3 'l Speaker needs the support of hon. this Jlwrning has not elevated a man to this 111C'n1bers. chnir to sit in judgment on a group of ,chool D1ning your period ns Speaker, Sir, the ehildren for the next three years! The stat11s House has been particularly free of unpleasant anll the reputation of this I>arlianwnt are u?t episodes. 'l'hat is lnrgely clue to the fnct that in the keeping of the Speaker; they nre m you seem to sense any impending stir or the keeping· of m·ery hon. member in it. No trouble in the House nnc1 take prompt mea~ Speaker, \Yhatever may be his mental or sures, no matter which side of the House is moral stnturc, c~m bring either prestige or involYecl. repntntion to a Parlinment comprised of men I want to congratulnte you on once again "'ho spc"k other thnn in the public interest. being appointed to the high office of Speaker. This is not a lecture. Jt is merely an exprcs~ I have every cerininty that you YYill carry sion of my vie,Ys of the manner in whieh out your high duties in the snme fnir and Pm-liamrnt' ought to be conducted. A competent YYay as you have done in the past. Speaker's functions are mainly negative. The Speaker, himself, cannot lay down a moral 2'\I:t~ RUSSKLL (Hamilton) (12.36 p.m.): code for hem. mci11bE'rs as to what they should Mr. Speakc'r, may I, on behalf of tho section do or say. Ofttimcs it has been necessary cf the Opposition I represent, offer you our for some occupants of the office to use the congratulations on being elected once again yvords ''must not''; hut, fortunately, I lun·e to the very high office of Speaker of this not verY often had to do that. The most a Assembly'? Of course, there may have been Speakc1: is permitted to tell any hon. member occasions when >re differed from your is ,-hat he sllould not do or say; so that d?cision~, bnt every man mnst be jndgecl by courtesy and consideration toyvards other hon. h1s motives. I can honestly say that you members i' a m8tter for every hon. member lwv~ heen uniformlv fair in what vou have himself. 'I'hercforc the prestige of this

Mr. SPEAKER: I again thank the 1Iouse and the mover and sccomler for their <:onsidcration. I shonlrl like to take ailvantage of this ·oppoTtunity to thank also the Clerk of Parlia­ ment and his ofliccrs mul the Hansard staff for the Yery able assistance that has been Tendered to me ancl en:ry other hon. member of this House ,_-ho has sought that assistance. Honourable .ilfembers: Hear, hear! :;'\Ir. Sl'EA.IOIR: They are willing at all time~ to clo cn•rything that lies in their power to giYe help to those \\'ho seck it. I can only cxprcs,; the hope that the deliberations of this Parliament wiil result in the happiucss, contentment, and prosperity of the people of this State. Ho1wm·ab1e 1\Ie.mbers: Hear, hear!

PRLSEN'L\'I'IOX OF :\In. SPEAKER TO GOVERNOR. 'l'lle PREiiHER (Hon. W. Forgan Smith, ~\Iad

SPECIAIJ AD:JOUTIKJ\IENT. The I'REJHER (Hon. W. ]'organ Smith, i\raclw;v) : I move- '' That the House at its rising do ailjourn until 9A5 a.m. to-morrmY. ''

::\rotion ag1r('ed to. The fT ousc acljoumcrl at 12.45 p.m.