rCOtmCnn.

Mr. Court: What is this amendment? Although I am not entering into the Is not It character assassination? debate on the King Bay question, I would Mr. DAVIES: I do not think the Minis- like to express my concern and say that ter listened to the debate or the case put I feel the amendment is well founded. forward by the member for Pilbara, and Amendment put and a division taken the Leader of the Opposition, because had with the following result:- lhe done so be would obviously have found exceedingly good grounds for our kyes-lS Mr. Bateman Mr. Hlaman moving as we did. The Government gives Mr. Bertrm Mr. Jamieson the impression that it feels badly about Mr. Blickerton Mr. Lapham it, but I would point out that only two Mr. Brady Mr. Mclver Mr. Burke Mr. Bewail speakers have risen to refute the amend- Mr. H. D. Evans Mr. Taylor ment. If the Government really felt Mr. T. D. Evans Mr. Toms Mr. Fletcher Mr. Tonkin badly about this question one would have Mr. Graham Mr. Davies thought its Ministers would have been (Teller) anxious to get to their feet and defend los-fl the Government. Mr. Bovell Mr. McPharlin Mr. Brand Mr. Mensaros Yet, as I have said, only two speakers Mr. Cash Mr. Mitchell have risen; indeed at one stage it looked Mr. Court Mr. Nalder as though we might Mr. Dunn Mr. O'Connor have one speaker. Mr. Gayfer Mr. O'Neil We might just as well have had only one Mr. Urayden Mr. Ridge speaker, because the Minister for Rail- Dr. Henn Mr. Runciman Mr. Hitney Mr. Stewart ways did little to uphold the prestige of Mr. lewis Mr. Young the House; his contribution was purely and Mr. W. A. Manning Mr. 1. W. Manming simply character assassination. (Teller) Mr. O'Connor: It does not worry You Pairs Ayes Noes that my own character has been assas- Mr. Moir Mr. Williams sinated. Mr. Jones Mr. Craig Mr. May Mr. Hutchinson Mr. DAVIES: The Minister was there Mr. Norton Mr. Rushont to defend himself, not to assassinate mem- Mr. Hall Mr. Burt bers on this side. Amendment thus negatived. How puerile can you get? Mr. Court: Debate adjourned, on motion by Mr. Mr. DAVIES: The fact remains the Mitchell. - Minister did not defend himself effec- tively. We are still waiting for the answer House adjourned at 10.40 ptm. to the charges that have been made, and I think it is a matter for regret that questions are being treated in this manner. Mr. O'Connor: Have you anything to say on the question of the T.AB.? Mr. DAVIES: I am not dealing with specific questions but with certain in- Wednesday, the 14th August, 1968 stances which have occurred to me over the years, which are on the file, and which have caused me some concern. These eases have made me feel that Ministers The PRESIDENT (The Hon L. C. Diver) treat questions too lightly; that they do took the Chair at 4.30 p.m., and read not realise we are trying to ferret out prayers. Information on behalf of our electors. I have reminded the House-and the QUESTIONS (12): ON NOTICE Minister was niot here at the time-that BALL POINT PENS when the Opposition brought forward charges of this nature against the Minister Use on Legal Documents for Police nobody on that side of the 1.The Hon. R. F. CLAUGHTON asked House stood up to defend him. They left the Minister for Justice: the Minister for Police to flounder around (1) Is it a fact that in all States, ex- by himself when the member for Beeloo cept Western Australia, ball point said the Minister was incapable and in- Pens are acceptable for use on competent. legal documents? This adds nothing to the prestige of the House. I only hope that in future far (2) Does any unusual, logical, and greater thought will be given to answers to defensible reason exist for this questions which are asked, because for my State not to follow the practice part I am not at all happy with the cava- already adopted in the other lier fashion in which questions are often States? treated. They appear to be a source of (3) If not, will the Minister take steps annoyance to the Government and it seems to allow the use of ball point pens it would be happy if they were not asked. on legal documents in this State? [Wednesday. 14 August, 1968.) tel

the Hon, A. F. GRIPFIT-H replied: The Hon. A. F. GRIThrH replied: (1) 1 amn bnawflre of the practice in (1) A 10 mninute sample c6unt only other States. has been taken. (2) The daily traffic volume is more (2) Answered by (1). than 1,500 vehicles but less than (3) The use of some ball point pens 5,000. is not considered desirable be- (3) Answered by (1) and (2). cause of the tendency of the ink to fade. MERREDIN AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH STATION ZONE "A" ALLOWANCE. Acquisiton of Land Extension to Mizrohison-Eyre Electorate 4. The Hon. R. H. C. STUBBS asked 2. The Hon. G. E. D. BRAND asked the the Minister for Mines: Minister for Mines: In view of the scarcity of light land at the Merredin Agricul- As persons living in many towns tural Research Station, and the in the Murchison-Eyre electorate, considerable advantages to be s'uch as Yalgoo to Meekatharra, derived in agricultural research Wiluna, Leonora, Laverton, War- on light lands in the Merredin burton Range, Menzies, and towns and -other districts, will the along the trans.-Australian rail- Minister take steps to acquire two way, are definitely worse off in locations, comprising Locations amenities and living conditions 26890 and 20686, totalling 77l6 than many of those living north acres, which are for sale, and of the twenty-sixth parallel who are adjacent to the Merredin ex- receive the benefit of the Zone perimentAl farm? "A" allowance, will the Minister suggest to the Government that The Hon. A. F. GRIFFITH replied: the facts be brought to the notice This matter is being investigated of the Federal Treasurer, in order and the honourable member will that the Zone "A" area be ex- be advised in due course. tended to include the towns men- tioned above? HOUSING The Hon. A. F. GRIFFITH replied: Calista: High Density Project A submission was made by the 5. The lion. C. E. GRIFFITHS asked the Government to the Federal Minister for Mines: Treasurer in October, 1965, seek- (1) What is the total number and the ing the extension of Zone "A" so type of housing units contained as to include the towns listed. in the State Housing Commission A reply from the Federal Treas- higher density project in- urer indicated that the Govern- ment's submission would be taken (a) Maydwell Way and Gawler Into account when the zone al- Way, Calista: and lowance boundaries were next (b) Kenton Way and Clint Way, under review. Calista? There has been no further corres- (2) What is the total land area in pondence in the matter but it is each case? apparent that the Commonwealth (3) What is the ultimate total popula- has not been prepared, to date, to tin to be housed in each project? vary the present boundaries. The Hon. A. F. GRIFFITHI replied: TRAFFIC COUNT (1) (a) There are 10 three-bedrdomn terrace units in three separate Canavan Crescent, Manning buildings. 3. The Hon. J. DOLAN asked the Minister (b) There are 16 two-bedroom for Mines: fiats in two separate two- storied buildings. (1) Has the Main Roads Department taken a traffic count in Canavan (2) (a) 1 acre 1 rood 23.3 perches. Crescent, Manning. during the (b) 1 acre 1 rood 23.7? perches. last 12 months? (3) The premises are currently occu- (2) If so, what traffic features were pied by- revealed? (a) 21 adults and 25 children. (3) If not, will the department give (b) 32 adults and 19 children. consideration to taking a count Tdtal-53 adults and 44 children. as this street is now an important In no instance has the commission moad link between Manning Road built up to the permissible limits and Canning Highway? of the G.R. 4 buildinjg t~de and all 360 360[OUNCIL-]

buildings meet with the require - D. J. Snow, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., mnents of the model building by- D..., P.R.S.!!., F.A.C.M.A. laws and were approved by the Deputy Commissioner of Public local authority. Health. L. W. Samuel, B.Sc., Ph.D., HEALTH M.A.I.A.S., M.R.S.H., F.R.A.C.L., P.R.I.C. Director Government Organisms in Treated Sewerage Effluent Chemical Laboratories. 6. The Hon. R. F. CLAUGHTON asked C. F. Jenkins, M.A., Chief Division the Minister for Health; of Biological Services Depart- With reference to the Presidential ment of Agriculture. Address "Man-His Water Sup- W. Bellinge, IvLR.C.V.S. Veterin- plies and Health, Yesterday. To- arian. (Veterinary Surgeons day and Tomorrow," reprinted Board). from The Journal of the institu- A. MoWhinney, PW-C., M.P.S. tion of Engineers, Australia, Vol. Pharmacist. (Pharmaceutical 40, No, 4-5, April-May, 1968. and Council of W.A.). because research findings dis- 0. Dallimore, Ph.C., MP.S. Phar- cussed in this paper give cause macist, (Pharmaceutical Service for alarm- Guild). (a) will the Health Department B. Bell, BSc., AARA.CJI. Chamber give an assurance that it is of Manufactures. aware of the dangers arising from gastroenteritis and in- J. .Kirkham, Chamber of Manu- fectious hepatitis organisms factures. surviving in sewerage effluent SCHOOLS IN WEST PROVINCE under normal treatment con- ditions; Future Proposals (b) is the department carrying 8. The Hon. FR R. WHITE asked the out research to determine Minister for Mines'. whether contamination of (1) What additional classrooms, if seafood by the abovenamed any, are proposed for- organisms is occurring in the (a) Kalamunda Primary School; vicinity of sewerage cutlets? (b) Carmel Primary School? The Hon. G. C. Macsr.NNON replied: (2) Is a new primary school proposed for South Kalamunda? (a) Yes. (3) If the answer to (2) is "Yes"- (b) Seafood samples are tested (a) what is the location of the bacteriologically from time to approved site; * time. (b) what are the details of the construction proposed; and POISONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE. (c) when will pupils commence Names and Qualifications of Members study in the new buildings? The Hon. A. P. GRIFFITH replied: 7. The Hon. J. DOLAN asked the Minis- ter for Health: (1) (a) Kalamunda-4 classrooms. What are the names and quali- (b) Carmel-nil. fications of the members of the (2) Not in this financial year. Poisons Advisory Committee estab- (3) Answered by (2). lished under the Poisons Act? KALGOORLIE DISTRICT HOSPITAL The Hon, 0. C. MacKINNON replied: Installation of Heating Ap-pliances E. R. Beech, M.B.B.S., M.R.C.P., M.R.A.C.P., F.P.A.R.A.C.S. 9. The Hon. J. J. GARRIGAN asked the Spiecialist Physician. Minister for Health: R. C. Godfrey, M.B.B.S.. M.R.C.P., owing to the extreme cold M.R.A.C.P., F.R.S.H. Medical weather experienced in Kalgoorlie Director, Princess Margaret during the winter months, will Hospital. the Public Health Department give consideration to having D. D. Letham, M.B.B.S., heaters or heating appliances in- M.R.A.C.P., D.P.H., F.A.C.MA. stalled in bathrooms in the various Physician-in-Chiarge (Occupa- wards at the Kalgoorlie tional Health), Department of District Public Health. Hospital? The Hon. G. C. MacKINNON replied: M. F. Lockett, M.W.B.S., M.D., M.R.C.P,, Ph.D. Professor of This matter will be investigated. Pharmacology, University of 10. This question was postponed until Western Australia. Tuesday, the 20th August. tWednesdaY, 14 August, i968.iJ8 $61

PEE-VOCATIONAL CENTRES (e) The jierc~entage strike of the cuttings planted last year was Availability and Publicity '70 per cent., which is con" 11. The Hon, R. F. CLAUGHTON asked sidered reasonable. the Minister for Mines: Misses will be replanted with (1) At what schools are pre-voca- rooted vines this month. tional centres established? (2) There has been no development. (2) Have the communities where (3) NO. these schools are located been ADDRESS -IN-BEPLY: SEVENTH DAY informed that the centres would be available for night classes if the Motio~n Education Department is so re- Debate resumed, from the 13th August, quested? on the following motion by The Hon. F. R. White- (3) If not, does the department in- tend to publicise this fact? That the following Address be pre- sented to His Excellency:- The H-on. A. F. GRIFFITH replied: May it please Your Excellency: (1) Belmont Senior High. We, the members of the Legislative Bentley Senior High. * Council of the Parliament of Mirrabooka Senior High (in Western Australia, in Parliament course of construction). assembled, beg to express our John Forrest Senior High. loyalty to our Most Gracious, Hamilton Senior High. Sovereign and to thank Your (2) The communities' needs for night Excellency I or the Speech you classes are being satisfied through have been pleased to deliver to the use of the manual arts Parliament. centres. THE HON. H. C. STRICKLAND (North) (3) No. [4.44 p.m.]: I offer my congratulations to You, Sir, on your re-election as President VINE GROWING for -another term. I am certain you will discharge your responsibilities and carry Types, and AcreAge at Mt. Barker out your duties during the next six years as 12. The H-on. J. M, THOMSON asked the efficiently as you have done in the past. Minister for Milnes: I also join with others in wishing you good health to enable you to do so. I regret (1) With reference to vine growing in the absence of my comrade (Mr. Heenan) the Mt. Barker district on the who lost his seat; -and I also have some, property of Mr. C. A. Pearse at sympathy for Mr. Robinson who lost his Forrest Hill- seat. However, I am pleased to welcome (a) what acreage is under vine; those who have replaced the two members (b) how old are these vines; I have mentioned. We all know the (c) what type of table wines will political wheel turns constantly and no- these vines ultimately pro- body can say just how long he is likely duce; to remain in the Chamber, whether as a result of an election, or through ill-health; (d) when is It anticipated that we have no control over these things. samples of wines produced As somebody else said, we are a democracy from these vines will be and we can expect to have new members. available; and in the Chamber from time to time. (e) can the Minister provide any Since last year's session of Parliament further information in rela- tion to the prngress of this I have been very perturbed at the con- property? tinual loss of wages in respect of employees generally, and particularly those who are (2) To what extent has this industry covered by arbitration court awards. The been developed on other proper- basic wage, which operated throughout ties in the Mt. Barker district? Australia for very many years, and proved (3) Are there any similar properties a satisfactory means for employers and being developed in the Albany employees to obtain some satisfaction in district, and if so, to what extent regard to their demands, requests, and can questions (1) (a) to (d) be representations, has been abolished. We applied? could also say that under the arbitration. system which operated when the basic The Hon. A. F. GRIFFITH replied: wage was In existence, there was cornpars- (1) (a) Five acres. tive peace in industry as compared with (b) One year. the past seven or eight months since the (c) Light, dry table wines, viz., basic wage has been abolished. riesling and claret. An endeavour has been made to replace (d) From the vintage in 1971 or the basic wage with what is known as a 1972. total wage. That concept was born in the. 363 362ECOUNCIL.J

Commonwealth Arbitration Court in 1965. The Vernon committee based its report when the Employers Federation, assisted on the gross national product, which is and supported by the Liberal Party and advanced as the yardstick. However. Mr. Commonwealth Government advocates, Hawke was able to subpoena the members was successful in inducing that court ulti- of the committee to appear in the court inately to supplant the basic wage with and he proved through those members what I have said is termed a total that the workers' wages had fallen behind. wage. The members of the committee admitted this. The outcome of the hearing and the Since the court delivered its judgment in subsequent findings of the court resulted December last year, after two years' hear- in an increase for metal trades employees ing and many months of consideration. generally from 10e to $10, or thereabouts, there have been serious repercussions in The Arbitration Court handed down its respect of the work value of employees in judgment. The court did not direct, but the metal trades industry, A decision suggested-by intimation more than any- handed down In December of last year was thing else-that those employers who were criticised not only by employers, but also paying over the award rates should absorb, by the Federal Minister for Labour and or endeavour to absorb, the increase the Federal Treasurer on more than one granted by the court. occasion-both at the time and again quite recently. It has always been understood that an Arbitration Court award is a minimum The Federal Treasurer, attended a rate. It is the law that nobody must be dinner of employers representing the paid below the rates fixed by the Arbitra- metal trades and other manufacturing tion Court. However, anybody can be paid unions, at which Sir Richard Kirby was above that rate and some employers are a guest, and during the Treasurer's speech very pleased to pay above award rates. he intimated there should be no more Some employers continued to pay above rises in wages and no more costs loaded the award rate, but other employers en- onto industry. deavoured to absorb the increase in the overall payment. There we find the Surely it is most unusual that Govern- answer to what is known as the total wage. ments should set up tribunals of learned men to adjudicate on wage cases and then The total wage, no doubt, was brought interfere with their judgments. They de- in to endeavour to overcome this position. liberately go out of their way to attempt I think every farmer in the House knows to influence the courts. I think it is a that for many years he has paid over- pretty poor show; and all workers through- award rates for shearing. That has been out the Commonwealth of Australia know going on for as long as I can remember very well they are not going to obtain a -t least as far back as 1920-with re- fair deal through the courts while there gard to the shearing award. is a Liberal and Country Party Govern- ment in charge of the Treasury Bench. Getting back to the Commonwealth -There does award, the Arbitration Court found that not seem to be any doubt it was in trouble. The award was to take about that. History indicates that ever effect as from the 22nd January, of this since the Labor Party more or less fell year, but the strife and turmoil which fol- out of favour with the electors, through lowed cause the court to sit again in Feb- internal strife and the publicity given to ruary. On this occasion, it delivered a that internal strife, the Liberal and startling judgment. The court decreed that Country Party coalition appears to be 70 per cent. of the awarded increase taking advantage of the situation-in a should be paid retrospective to, I think, very extreme manner-to see that the low the 22nd January of this year. However. income earner is kept on that low income, the other 30 per cent, of the increase was and does not receive through the arbitra- to be deferred until the 6th of this month. tion system what was initially intended to That decision was most unjust and, of be a fair day's Pay for a fair day's work. course, it caused more turmoil. That cannot be denied. During the course of the two years' Between the time of handing down the hearing of the metal trades award by the decision in December, and early February Commonwealth Arbitration Court, the this year. the court fined the metal trades unions' advocate. (Mr. Bob Hawke), proved unions in excess of $100,000 for minor stop- conclusively that the wage earner had pages and breaches of the award, where fallen behind his entitlement. Mr. Hawke some men refused to accept less than they proved this by summoning before the were entitled to, and what they had been court the members of what is known as paid However, the court did ntstop the Vernon committee. They were sub- there. In my opinion it penslised the poenaed to appear in the Commonwealth court, and Mr. Hawke finally got the workers twice because every worker had members of that commission to admit that contributed-through his stibscriptions to the wage earner throughout Australia had the union-towards the $100,000 paid in fallen something like 8 per cent. or 10 fines. The court also decided that the per cent. behind his entitlement. workers would not receive 30" Per cent, of [Wednesday. 14 August, 1908.] 3636 the increase because they had been expect that price movements in West- naughty boys. Those workers were ern Australia over this Period- pensflsed for the same offence. The commissioners were talking about an experience covering 15 years. To con- On the 6th of this month Sir Richard tinue- Kirby-and the other judges who sat with -would be greater than other States. him-decided that the 30 per cent. could However, such is not the case, as the be paid as from the 21st of this month. following figures indicate- Without taking any more evidence, the PERCENTAGE INCREASE IN PRICES AS decision was reached that the 30 per cent., INDICATED BY TElE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX should be paid. Another cry came from Consumer PrIce Increase the employers that they had not had an 5etIndex Setper cent. opportunity to present their case why the 1950 1905 30 per cent. should not be Paid. That is an Perth 69.7 110.0 86.5 Six Capitala . 69.5 133.5 92.1L amazing thing! 'For two -years the em- Sydney .. 69.2 131.8 90.5 ployers gave evidence as to why nothing Melbourne . 090 135.6 94.8 Brisbane...... 70.4 138.5 964 should be paid, and when the court found Adelaide...... 69.5 130.7 37.2 that something should be paid, and gave Hobart...... 86 137.0 99.7 A decision, they were still not satisfied. So it can be seen that the percentage in- It is high time the trade unions, crease in the consumer price index in Perth remained the, lowest in Australia, despite through their industrial organisations, got the quarterly adjustments. The judgment to work and educated the wage earners then went on- -and salary earners because they are also taking some action, as will have been Prices have increased less in Western Australia, where quarterly adjustments noticed through the Press-in these mat- have been fairly consistent, than they ters. The workers should be shown that have in other States where, in line many of them are electing the wrong with Federal determinations, quarterly members into Parliament-members of the adjustments have been abolished, and wrong party. The workers will not get any- have been less than in South Australia, where while the employers' representa- where a form of price control has con- tives are governing the country. They are tinuously applied. not in the race, They will have to wake up and elect men from Those figures are compiled by the Com.- the Party which will monwealth Statistician. I think that look after them. There is only one party judgment proved conclusively that the that will do that--the Labor Party. Industrial Commission in its granting of quarterly adjustments was acting on very So I take this opportunity to say some- sound bases and on the evidence placed thing along these lines hoping that some- before it. one may one day read Hansard and learn a little about this matter. However, apparently this Government decided that a stop must be put to the The Industrial Arbitration Act in this granting of quarterly adjustments so what State was amended in 1906, following a did it do? In 1966, by a devious method- judgment delivered in November, 1965, by and I mean "devious" because it was done our court, when it unanimously agreed to by a roundabout method-the Government continue to grant quarterly adjustments abolished the basic wage and the quarterly to the basic wage. The Glovernment hinted adjustments that could be made to it. The -or made known the fact-that it dis- Government knew very well what em- agreed with the granting of quarterly basic ployers throughout Australia were doing; wage adjustments. The judgment of the it knew the Commonwealth court would Industrial Commission, sitting as a full introduce a total wage. So what did the court composed of Commissioners Brand-Nalder Government do? It tied the Schnaars, Kelly, and Cort, was unanimous State basic wage to the Federal wage and the wage was increased following rises because It knew that the Federal wage, as in the cost of living. a basic wage, would be abolished a few months later with the idea of introducing I shall ref "to the judgment which was a total wage. So I think I am right in in relation o Pr-art. VIE of the Industrial using the word "devious" in referring to Arbitration Act- 'Qasic wage, quarterly re- what-the State Government did on that view. The judgment is dated the 10th No- occasion. vember, 1905, and at page 10 the following I realise the Government, because the appears:- elections were only 12 months away, would not want to abolish the basic wage if quarterly adjustments are a straightout, and so it fastened the State greater contributing factor to price wage to the Federal wage, well knowing increases than the less frequent move- what would happen in the Commonwealth ments resulting from the Common- sphere. We were told in this Chamber that wealth determinations, then one might it would be far better to have only one 364 364[COUNCIL.] basic wage instead of two, and some mem- years. That is only one case and I could bers, but not Labor Party members, fell quote a large number to show what has for it. Labor Party members were opposed happened over the years. to the proposal whereas other members fell for the idea of having only one basic I would now like to touch on the wage and, I suppose, to them it seemed a Federal Budget and in this regard I want reasonable Proposition instead of having to mention the plight of the pensioners two conflicting wage levels. No doubt the and the superannuated people who are idea was to abolish the State basic wage, still alive-but only lust. How they and quarterly adjustments, and tie that struggle along on their paltry pensions, I wage in with the Federal basic wage which do not know. I think every member in the Government knew would soon be abol- this House would realise how difficult It ished in favour of a total wage. would be. People who are on the pension, or are receiving superannuation, have had So the workers were deceived-in fact no opportunity throughout their working they were absolutely robbed of something lives to get off the labour market. Not like $1.50 or $1.60. That is the figure so everybody is lucky, or as lucky as many of far because our wage is behind by that us are, in being able to get off the labour much, and had the industrial court market. In some cases when one does been left alone the State basic wage, with get off the labour market it Is more by the quarterly adjustments that would have good luck than by good Judgment. How- been made, would have been $1.60 greater ever, I repeat, those on the pension, or than it is now. receiving superannuation, have been forced The H-on. Rt. Thompson; it is $1.60 a to work all their lives, and by the recent week less than would have been the case. Federal Budget they were granted an increase in pension of $1 per week; and The Hon. H. C. STRICKLAND: That is the level at which they start paying tax so. Members will notice that through their has been lifted by another $70 a year. unions the workers are struggling to maintain their equity in what is known as This is not of much benefit, particularly the gross national product, or to obtain to old people who are unable to seek work their- share of the wealth which they to enable them to earn a little money over produce. Admittedly the investors are and above their pensions. From time to entitled to their share, but they would not time we hear and read where Government get anything at all if it were not for the members of the Federal Parliament have workers producing the goods. a great deal of sympathy for the pen- J. Thompson: What sioners. But they never give them any The Hon. S. T. practical relief. Why do not these memi- about the poor old farmers? bers stand up and demand from the The Hon. 1I. C. STRICKLAND: I will Federal Government something for the tell the honourable member about them pensioners? Why do they not practise a little later. The investors get along what they Preach? Unfortunately Federal fairly well but always at the expense of members are prepared to let the pensioners workers. They are both entitled to live go along on their meagre pensions. and the object of our democracy Is to endeavour to spread the wealth as fairly But let us look at the anomalies in the as possible. We cannot have some people Budget. A few moments ago somebody left behind, struggling, while others are asked about the farmer. What about the mare or lees rolling in wealth. However, farmer? Every pensioner is subject to a that Is what is happening and it is some- means test. He has to live within a limit, thing that we as Labor members have and how he does so, I would not know. He to try to rectify because we represent has to scrape along as best he can, but the workers. Unfortunately too many of look at the position with the farmer! them do not realise it and they fall to There is no means test on the super sub- see what is happening to them. sidy. I do not know whether the super subsidy should be Provided, or whether Many members in this Chamber will it should recall, during the Hawke Government's not; but what is good for one regime, from 1953 to 1959. several occa- section of the community should be good sions when we introduced legislation to for the other, and the restrictions of the give bank officers Saturdays off. But the means Vest should be eased considerably in legislation was always defeated in this the case of pensioners and superannuated House. people. I cannot see why a farmer who sold a The Hon. F. R. H. Lavery: What a howl bull for $25,000-as was the case recently- there was about it. should be eligible for the super subsidy. The Hon. H. C. STRICKLAND: But what I cannot see why the farmer who was able happened as soon as the Government to Pay that amount for a bull should changed? The present Government in- receive the super subsidy. I cannot see troduced legislation to provide for the why farmers who are producing double banks to close on Saturdays, and In that the State average for wheat should be instance it had robbed bank officers subsidised. By all means subsidise the of Saturday leisure time for a number of man who Is producing below the State [Wednesday, 14 August. 1968.] 3355

;average; he needs to be subsidised. But intelligent and were able to vote so well. why subsidise the man who is producing I might say that at the time the team of more than the State average? management was different from. the team had been there three years pre- We have American farmers like Art which Linkletter, and others, including companies, viously. The manager asked me what I who have big properties in the Esperance wanted to do. I said I would read the area. They are subsidised, even though provisions In the Electoral Act. I told they do not need it. They have that him that he had a copy and he could see much money that they have to get it out what he could do, and that I would do of America and invest it somewhere else. what I could as a scrutineer. I said fur- Obviously there is no means test in those ther that I would bring my authorisation cases. The farmer is not badly off, and I to act in that capacity. will say this about the Country Party: With On election day the natives went -all due respect to you. Mr. President, the through and voted. These people do not Country Party looks after the farmers. -My know very much about the matter, and -word it does! they have to be herded together to go The Hon. S. T. J. Thompson: You should into the polling booth, with the gins go- -come down to my electorate. ing in first and the bucks following. The wives of two members of the management The Hon. H. C. STRICKLAND: I think said, "We will give you some assistance by the Country Party should be called the each handing out a card to every native -self-help party. It is doing very well. It is voter-one a Liberal card, and one a disappointing- Labor card. We will tell them to select one The Hon, L. A. Logan. We have to do of the cards and pass it to the boss." that. If it were left to you we would not These native voters have to give their get anything at all. names, because that is laid down in the Act, but most of them could not give their The Hon. H. C. STRICKLAND: -to names. -find that the poorer sections of the com- munity are not being helped at all by the None of the natives were refused ballot Budget proposals. papers. They took the Papers, and cast The Hon. E. C. House: The Government their votes at the ballot box. I was at gets the super subsidy back in taxation. the count, and I saw there were 53 in- formal votes. Some of the cards had The Hion. H. C. STRICKLAND: But the pictures of alligators, others of birds, and farmer is always howling about taxation, yet others of snakes. They did not have too. Why does the fanner need to be sub- the slightest idea of the way to mark the sidised? He gets his cut. The Country ballot -paper. As a matter of fact, they Party looks after the farmers: and, as I did not understand English, but only, a said, the name should be changed to the form of pidgin English. self-help party. I will change the subject and refer to The Hon. A. F. Griffith: if they did not the way aborigines vote. There has been give their names how did the presiding a good deal of publicity and disputation officer know in respect of which name he and comment about the voting in the should issue a ballot paper? Kimberley electorate in the recent State The Hon. H. C. STRICKLAND: The elections, which were held in March of this presiding officer was the manager of the year. leprosarium, and he knew everyone by I1 was a scrutineer at Gogo Station on name. He said to me, "I will give them election day. My curiosity took me out each a ballot paper, and see how they there, because I wanted to observe how vote." the natives voted. The year before they voted so well that there was not one in- The Hon. A. F. Griffith: He would have formal vote. Prior to that I did have some to cross their names off the roll. experience with the way the natives voted. The Hon. H. C. STRICKLAND I could At the last Federal election I went to the have persuaded the whole lot of them to leprosarium to see why they voted so well. vote Labor if I wanted to, as the Liberals A great majority of the natives were bush persuaded them to vote their way on the natives. Three years previously I think first occasion when the contest was be- about 112 voted, but there was not one tween Browne and Collard. I could have informal vote. That was the occasion done the same thing, but I did not. That when Mr. Collard had been returned in shows conclusively that these people the previous Federal election. There were should not be placed on the roll. two elections in between, and I think one At Gogo Station there was a different was a Senate election. Anyway, these set-up. The ballot was as well conducted natives had voted three times previously. as a ballot conducted anywhere else. The On the day before the last Federal elec- native voters came in, got their ballot tion I went to the lenrosarium. and the papers, marked them, and nut them into manager asked me what I wanted to do. the box. That part of the proceedings I said that I would just sit in to see how was quite good. I could not find any the natives voted. and why they were so complaint, in my capacity as scrutineer. 366 366[COUNCiL.]

The Hon. J. Heitman: Did they give Another native woman came along to their names? vote. She was also from Cherrabun The Hon. H. C. STRICKLAND: The Station. I said to the teacher, "I cannot assistant poll clerk did not ask the first understand what name she is giving. Can two who came along, because they were You?" He said he could not understand fairly well educated and were known to either; so a native "school girl of 12 or 13 that officer. I said to him, "The Act pro- years of age was called in. She was asked vides that a voter shall state his name. I to talk to this woman who wanted to want you to call out the number when a vote, in order to ascertain her name and voter gives his name." I could not under- whether she was on the roll. This school stand some of the names, and I needed the girl spoke both languages, but she could numbers in order to mark the names off not find out the woman's name; so this my roll. That worked quite well. Each one woman could not vote. had a Liberal "How-to-Vote" card with When I had finished my business there his name printed on the back. There is 22 persons had voted. I checked with the nothing wrong with that. There was per- poll clerk, and said that 22 persons had haps something wrong in that some were voted and I understood no more would mumbling their names. It was funny to come in to vote. I said that the rest of see their reactions when they were asked the natives were 40 or 50 miles out on the their names. run, and would not get in, so there would the school not be any more votes at Gogo Station. The poll clerk was the wife of There were only six or seven eligible voters teacher, and the teacher was the presid- left, ing officer. When they were asked for and they included the overseer and their names, they mumbled something, and his wife. The officers at the booth agreed replied, "What is white fella's name'?" with me, and then I left. Seven more votes It was absolutely ridiculous. Eventually were east after I left. they would put their cards down. These people have no idea of how to vote. I would say that only four of them I1looked at the cards, and in one instance understood what they were doing. I re- I challenged the voter. I said that he had marked to the presiding officer before I not given his name and I objected. I left, "There is no doubt that they know pointed out that if a voter did not give how to vote. I cannot tell how they his name he could use somebody else's voted, because they had their backs to me. card. As a matter of fact that proved to I cannot say how they were able to dis- be the case. I had a ring around this tinguish anything, but they are well name. in this instance he was on the trained. I suppose you had something roll in the name of George Widdjce. He to do with it." He replied, "Yes, I taught had no idea at all. Only two male native them." I then inquired how he had taught voters and two female native voters had them, and he told me that he started by any idea of the procedure and could give teaching them to put a stroke against their names. the picture of an orange or a banana, and The Liberal organisation did a marvel- he would teach them to vote by putting lous job by printing the names on the a stroke opposite the picture they wanted. back of the "How-to-Vote"l cards. That I then said, "I suppose the ballot would was done not only with the natives at go 50-50 each way?" I asked him whether Glogo Station, but also with other natives he had familiarised them with the ballot who could not read or did not know what paper, and he said, "Yes." Of course the they were doing. There was the one case at natives were schooled so well that a very Gogo Station where one native voter im- great majority of the votes were cast for personated another. He would not do that Mr. Ridge. without prior knowledge. Some Liberal The Hon. A. F. Griffith: Are you suggest- organiser might have said. "That fellow is ing that he schooled them well in one not here. Give this person his card." The direction only? native entitled to the vote might have been The Hon. H. C. STRICKLAND: I out in the bush and had no hope of getting would think so. I was informed that this in. That actually took place, and it is a person's wife is a relative of the Minister fact. for Native Welfare. He would not do any- How many others got through in the thing that I would not have done. same way I do not know. I challenged The Hon. A. F. Griffith: I would not only one male native voter, and one native care to pass any comment on that state- woman who had come in from Cherrabnn ment. Station. Some natives from an adjoining The Hon. H. C. STRICKLAND: The station were over at Gogo Station to see Minister need not worry about that. their relatives. The manager told me The Hon. A. F. Griffith: To my mind they were from Cherrabun Station, and might be on the roll. One of them was; that does not sound too good. and she knew what she wanted. She The Hon. H. C. STRICKLAND: I Shall gave her name as Patty Yungabun and refer to this later on. I say this type on the roll her name appeared with of person should not be on the roll at all. these particulars, "Cherrabun Station, via It is a matter of who controls them; and Derby, domestic F." that is the way their votes are cast. [Wednesday, 14 August, 1968.136 367

The Hon. A. F. Griffith: The fact re- At Gage they have never voted any way mnains the law says they must be on the except against Labor, but we are not com- roll. plaining about that to any great extent. I would not know about the situation at The Hon- H. C. STRICKLAND: The law Mowanjum and La Grange because I was does niot provide they must be on the roll. in the bush. I did not interest myself in If they have sufficient intelligence they the matter, but I did hear tales and read can volunteer to be on the roll. bits about it. However, most of the black- The Hon. A. P, Griffith: Wlho wanted fellows at Mowanjum would be influenced themn to be put on the roll? -not all of them, but quite a few-by the Liberal Party because that party did or- The Hon. N, C, STRICKLAND: At Fit,-- ganise things very well there. ray Crossing the situation was a little dif- I have here a statement from tihe assist- ferent; but here again is an illustration of ant presiding officer at Mowanjum, the those in control being able to induce the Rev. John Francis Gordon Watts. Al- uninformed, the unintelligent, air! the though the voting was certainly not car- mentally incapable natives to vote the way ried out according to the book, it was those in control want them to vote. carried out. For instance, in his statement Three years before Mr. Rhatigan bad a the Rev. Watts said- handsome majority at Fitzroy Crossing and When a voter came to my table, I thore is no denying the fact that this Wasl would recognize that person, announce becau se, there was n pastoralist in the their name, wxhich they acknowledged. area who was friendly disposed towards Of course, that presiding officer could say him. Last year that station property any name-Tom Smith, for instance-and changed hands and at the recent election hand him a ballot paper. If our scrutin- the pastoralist who had bought the. other eers had been awake to the situation, they one out was friendly disposed toxiards the could have said, "You cannot do that. You Liberal Party. It took some time, but hep ask the voter his name." But they were anaged to induce those natives to change not awake to that. over from Mr. Rhatigan, whom they knew. There knew Mr. Rhatigan very wvell because was also a crippled felIlow in a They chair inside the polling booth advising he was born in the Kimberleys. Neverthe- those who required assistance. He wvas an less, the natives were induced to change aboriginal who could speak the language. over because they were ignorant. I do not know whether we can do very What those concerned did was this' much about that sort of thing. These They said to the natives. "Ycu know bW natives are just not capable of exercising fella boss, Mir, Brand?" Mi'., Brand had their right to vote. been up there. "You know big fella, boss9' From Mowanjumn the Liberal Party sent "Oh, yes!" "Well, big fella boss, he wants an educated native to Broome to organise young man. Him. don't want old fell any the natives there; and I have certainly more; him want young man." So they heard some tales from down there. They voted for the young man. were pretty right, of course, but the situla- They have no idea of political parties or tion is most unfair. I understand that some toy what they are voting; but they avre of the natives were promised a motorcar, a able to be influenced-and they were. house. and all that sort of thing if the They all came in and those who could say, old fellow-Mr. Rhatigan-retired and the their names did so, and those who couild young- fellow took over. of course, most of not, Put d6wn a car -d. O~ne of the police the natives were living behind a sheet of constables was the presiding officer and iron in the saudhills, almost in the centre a school teacher his assistant, and we had n-f Broomne: and, naturally, these nat- ives%were induced to vote the way the a, scrutineer sitting alongside them. The Liberal Party natives all came in and did the one thing- desired. the first 30 did, anyway. They were asked if only the natives knew how much some their names and some were able to reply; of the Liberals despised them, they would those who could not, put a card down on .n-ver vote for them. This applies to most the table. They were given a ballot paper of the leadJing Liberals and one, in Par- and were told to mark down the person ticular, in Broome. The native question is they wanted, They would reply. "No. boss:. one which concerns eveiryone. and it con- you put him in." Each one would be asked cerned many of the business people iii or Ridge and some of the north-west towns, until the whether be wanted Rhatigan natives were supplied with a few bob. Up to he would reply, "Ridge, Ridge, Ridge." the payment of pensions and child en dow- Mr. Rhatigan received one vote out of meat to natives, there was a great howl the first 30. The reason we know this is and demand that they be cleared out of because the scrutineer was sitting along- the towvns and away from the business sec- side the officer to see that the officer voted tion. it was suggested they should camp according to the wishes of the natives. away from the saudhills, and so on. How- That is what occurred and it explains ever, since they have had a little cash, again how the vote can swing one way or there has been no hurry at all to get rid the other. of them. 368 368[COUNCIL.]

I was at a function last year which Chief Electoral Officer certain powers. The was also attended by several Liberals-and section reads as follows:- Prominent ones. As a matter of fact, I got 51A. W here the Chief Electoral of - into a little strife with them because I ficer is satisfied, that in consequence could not help but overhear what they of physical incapacity, mental illness were saying-one was sitting next to me or mental disorder an elector is in- and the other apposite me. They were dis- capable of complying with the pro- cussing the native question and their solu- visions of this Act relating to com- tion was that we should castrate them. I pulsory voting, the Chief Electoral pointed out that Hitler wanted to exter- Officer may remove the name of that ,minate all, the Jews, and that their sug- elector from the roll. gestion was shocking. As a matter of fact. The Minister will remember that when he Mr. Ridge drove me from that function introduced the to the hotel. Bill with that provision in it I suggested to him that he might con- This sort of thing does happen, but the. sider including "mental incapacity" as well natives do not have enough intelligence to as "mental illness." He said he would take understand the situation. Some of them a look at it, and a week later-no doubt have, but not the uneducated natives who after he had discussed the matter with are on the roll. The Rev. Watts made the other Ministers-I approached him and Lquite a striking point in connection with asked him whether he had made any de- the natives. He wound up his statement cision about the proposal. He said, "Yes, by almost saying they should not be on I have. We would not touch it." I would the roll, anyway. He said- think the Minister woujld have been in- In the native language there is a fluenced by the reaction from do-gooders term known as "RUMBID" which is concerned with taking away the vote from the equivalent of "relative" in the the aborigines. I would think that was the European language only it covers a motive. wider range of relatives, including "in- The Hon. A. F. Griffith: You can think laws." People connected by "RUM- what you like, but you know that was not BID" amongst the natives, are not the case. That section was put there for a permitted to face each other at any specific reason. time. A "RUMBID" is always male The Hon. H. C. STRICKLAND: But the and female. Minister recalls my request to him? Therefore such people will avoid The Hon. A;, F. Griffith: Outside the each other and must do it according ambit of the Chamber, yes. to their tribal law. In this way natives can be seen to go out of their The Hon. H. C. STRICKLAND: To have way to by-pass each other as they a look at it? are connected by 'RUMBID." Even in The Hon. A. F. Griffith: Yes. a family group, through "RTJMBID" The Hon. H. C. STRICKLAND: I am connections, the members of that family affected, would not look at not saying anything bad. each other. The Hon. A. F. Griffith: I did not wait a week; I gave you an answer the same In a formal situation, if strangers, day. particularly white strangers are pre- sent, the native is apt to be reserved The Hon. H. C. STRICKLAND: Oh, no! and keep their eyes averted from other I remember, because I was a bit keen about people. Also this is brought about by it. The type of thing to which I have been the "RUMBID" situation. referring should not occur. I have here the f acts concerning an instance A "RUMBID" is also not permitted which occurred at Gogo. When I sat down to mention the name of another at the table and the poll began, along "RtJMB"ID." came one chap who was not on the roll. The present strength of the native He was a very old man and was mumbling voting,' is contained amongst these somewhat. The presiding officer remarked natives of the age groups who still to the effect that he was "round the adhere to tribal laws and social cus- bend." He did not use those exact words, toms. Younger natives have Yet to but that is what he meant. He was senile. attain the voting age, in my opinion, On the table was a pile of enrolment these younger natives will be more cards, and the presiding officer said. independent of tribal customs. "You come back later on, Charlie," -or That is a fair summing up of the position. whatever his name was-"and I will fill it It is a fact that these people have no idea in for you." I said to him, "He Is not on and no understanding at all- the roll?" The presiding officer said, -no idea "No, he is not on the roll. He is on the with regard to voting. Federal roll." I said, "You have a Pile of Let it be remembered that last year in cards. Are you going to enrol him?" He Parliament a new section-S IA-was in- said, "Yes." I said, "Do you know it is serted in the Electoral Act to give the voluntary for a native to be enrolled, but [Wednesday, 14 August, 1968.1 369

compulsory that he vote once he is en- The lion. L. A. Logan: I asked a ques-\ rolled? It is cruelty to dumb animals to tion. do that! You have told me he is a bit gone in the head, but you will put him on The Hon. R. Thompson: Read out all the the roll!" I have had a look at the roll names. since to see if he was enrolled, but could The Hon. M. C. STRICKLAND' The not find his name. Liberal Party could tell the Miniister. Not many pastoralists will put these because it printed a card for each one. natives on the roll. There was only Gogo The Mon. F. R. H. Lavery: Goad organis- and the adjoining stations. A number have ig! been removed from the roll because they The Hon. H. C. STRICKLAND: I could not answer the correspondence as to why they had not voted. Only a few have cannot tell the Minister, because I would enrolled around Fitzroy Crossing, Brook- not know. However I do know it shows ing Springs, and Jubilee Station. That, that there were approximately 170 votes as members know, belongs to the which represented the Unintelligent vote, McLarty family which does, of course, the uninformed vote, and the vote that take an interest in voting. However, the could be swayed. If both the Labor Party great majority of stations do not enrol and the Liberal Party broke even and re- the natives because they say it is abso- ceived half each then, of course, Mr. lutely wrong and they should not have a Rhatigan would still be the member for vote.Kimberley. Members can work those Very wisely, in my opinion, the stations fiueotfrthmlvs are not putting the- natives on the roll The Hon. L. A. Logan: What did Mr. unless they come and volunteer. If a man Rhatigan win by in 1965? volunteers, he will be educated, and that is The Hon. M. C. STRICKLAND: BY 500- quite all right; because he will know what odd votes. the word "volunteer" means. However, should enrolments continue in the present The Hon. L. A. Logan: Do not forget way, it is quite obvious the Labor Party that. will have to get to work and do some The Eon. H. C. STRICKLAND: What organising in the form of unions. If the difference does that make? The Liberals Liberal Party is going to organise such maeagatipsio;nvrhls People who do not know right from wrong, mae aol gre imesion;t neerthenneless or one Party from another, then the indus- gethe woult aelotbtfoeh.niti trial movement will have to take steps to gn oe protect itself. I am hoping the Liberal The Hon. A. F. Griffith: You are making Organisation will not be so foolish as to put a snide suggestion. them on the roll. I have many good friends The Hon. H. C. STRICKLAND: I do not in the Kimberley area who do not support like being dragged into this kind of argu- me at election time. They are very decent mient. We were told in Derby that Mr. People and I would certainly not like to Rhatigan would go down by 150 votes. Mr. see them run up against any problems Ridge and the Liberal Organisation fully with their employment situation. How- expected to win by something like that ever a dangerous Position Is arising. Mem- number of votes, and the Labor Party were bers can see what is happening only a prpedtamithtcudbtecs. few miles away over the border in the prpedtamithtcudbteCs. Northern Territory. Whether a border will As a matter of fact, in reality, Mr. keep out this Practice, I would not know Rbatigan won by six votes in Derby. but I offer the thoughts for what they Toetig apn are worth. By way of a question I asked for the In my opinion the Liberal Organisation Gogo and La Orange figures. I did not can thank the unintelligent vote for the get what I wanted. The answer given to election of the new member for Kimberley; me contained the information that these because only by means of that vote was two boxes were mixed together. However, the Liberal Organisation successful. the Leader of the Opposition in another place (Mr. Tonkin) asked the Minister The Hon. L. A. Logan: What is the per- representing the Minister for Justice- centge o naivesonhe rll?(1) Who authorised the returning The Hon. H. C. STRICKLAND: I do not officer for Kimberley at the recent know the percentage. State general election to count to- The Hon. L. A. Logan: It makes a lot of gether the votes from the polling difference to the statement you just made, places of Gogo Station and La The Hon. H. C. STRICKLAND: I ask Grange Mission? the Minister to be patient for a moment. (2) For what reason was this count- The PRESIDENT: Order! ing together done? The Hon. A. F. Griffith: That sort of and Mr. Court replied- snide suggestion does not become the mem- (1) and (2) The returning officer de- ber for the North Province. cided to count together the votes 370 370[COUNCIL.]

at the two Polling Places men- The Hon. H. C. STRICKLAND: One, tioned and has stated the reason cannot be certain of any assessment in this. for so doing as follows:- game, I know. The Liberal Party expected When conducting the count, I to win by 150 votes in the Derby box, yet- considered that the votes re- it lost by six. corded at any polling place, In 1950, which was many years later,. having under 30 votes recorded Mr. Butcher opposed Mr. Wise In the Gas- thereat, should be amalga- coyne electorate during the first year of mated with another Polling activity of the Liberal and Country League, Place. This would then bal- as it was known. The Liberal and Country ance out the votes of any small League formed a branch in Carnarvon. section of the community. and Mr. Butcher was elected Presi- dent. There were over 200 financial I would not know what the Minister meant members in the association. On polling by the words, "balance out the votes of any day 170-odd members voted at Carnarvon small section of the community." and Mr. Butcher received 136 votes. The Hon. F. R. H. Lavery: A pretty good The Hon. F. D. Willmott: Somebody idea, though! must have influenced them. The Hon. G. C. MacKinnon: This is The Hon. H. C. STRICKLAND: I am done all over the State; it is not only done just making the point that there is no in the Kimberley. purpose in presiding officers mixing the The Hon. H. votes together-no use at all, whether it. C. STRICKLAND: Because be 30 or 300 votes. Some people in the a thing is done once, It does not mean that area are still persecuted if their political it must be done that way always. Pro- leanings are known, particularly by some bably it is done for a reason, but I do not of the private banks. know what that reason is. These boxes were counted after the main count, when The Hon' A. F. Griffith: Rather than Mr. Ridge thought he was defeated. The deal in innuendoes, you should make your boxes were counted on the Sunday. accusations straightout. The Hon. H. C. STRICKLAND: I ask The Hon. F. D. Willmott: It is done to the Minister to listen to me. preserve secrecy. The Hon. A. F. Griffith: I have been The Hon. G. C. MacKinnon: It is fre- listening for the past three-quarters of quently done to preserve secrecy. an hour. The Hon. H. C. STRICKLAND: Of The Hon. H. C. STRICKLAND: That course, we know the Minister would only reason does not change the result. It would think one way. He would not be allowed not matter if there were 30 or 300 votes to think another way, otherwise he would in the box, and I will prove it to the not be a Minister. Minister; it would not make a bit of differ- ence. The H-on. A. F. Griffith: You are think- Ing both ways. In 1924 there were five candidates for the The Hon. H. C. STRICKLAND: I arn Kimberley seat to which Mr. Coverley saying it is a fallacy to try to protect was elected. One candidate was named people who really are cheats. Captain Gregory. He was known in Broome and was a master pearler, a very When Mr. Norton was elected to repre- intelligent man, and a very fluent speaker. sent the Gascoyne electorate in 1953, the Dr. Hislop remembers Captain Gregory. Shark Bay ballot box was counted in the courthouse at midday on the following Over 200 people in Broome signed a Sunday, and Mr. Norton had such a lead Petition for him to be elected to the seat over Mr. Butcher that the latter needed when Mr. Durack retired and the seat be- every vote in Shark Bay, if everyone had came vacant. Captain Gregory took a lot of voted, to retain the seat. I was present at Persuading because he did not want to the count and said to Mr. Butcher, "What stand for election. The petition was taken do you think of it. Noel?" He said, "I give to Derby and another 60 or 70 signatures it away, because I do not have a hope." were added to it there. Finally, he was persuaded to stand. There were over 200 The two Liberal candidates were Mr. Signatures on the petition, but the result Iles and Mr. Ralph Illingsworth. They of the Poll was that Captain Gregory re- were sitting rather dejectedly on stools in ceived 148 votes from Broome, and at the courthouse, because they had lost their Derby he did not receive one vote. At the deposits. I said to Mr. les, "flow many declaration of the poll Captain Gregory votes do you think You might get out of said, "There are a lot of hypocrites in this box?" He replied. "Well. I went to Broome, and I am not too sure who they school with so-and-so; someone else prom- are. There are quite a number in Derby, ised me a vote; and I paid a scrutineer to act for me'." I said, "I suppose You will too, and I know every B- one of them." receive about half a dozen." I asked Mr. The Hon. A. F. Griffith: That probably Ilngsworth how many he expected and gives you the answer to the question you he said he did not expect any, because he asked a minute ago. had not been in the area before. [Wednesday, 14 August1 1968.137 371

In fact, neither man received a vote. would like to congratulate the new mem- A cheque had been sent to the scrutineer. bers on their election to this Parliament but Mr. les had it stopped. Of course, and I hope their term of office will be a he had it stopped. The man had accepted very fruitful one for the provinces they money and said he was going to support represent and for the State in general. Mr. les who subsequently found that he I would like to take this opportunity to did not have one vote in the ballot box. speak for a few minutes on the noxious Those are the facts. What is the use weed known as Cape tulip. I believe this of a presiding officer trying to shield was introduced into Australia in about someone? Why should they not be ex- 1850, and into Western Australia probably posed? at a later date. It was first introduced as The Hon. F. D. Willmnott: This has a garden plant. This is evidenced by the happened plenty of times before. fact that it was first found around old The Hon. V. J. Ferry: Anyone can deserted homesteads and farming areas in change his mind. the great southern, York, Beverley, Nor- tham, and Williams areas. The Hon. H. C. STRICKLAND: I do not Today this weed has spread from Albany think it is fair and right; in fact it is to Oeraldton; and it has gone as far east not fair at all to shield them. as Southern Cross. At one time the ex- I conclude by saying that large num- perts from the Department of Agriculture bers of aborigines are enrolled on both advocated Cultivation and grubbing as a the Commonwealth and State rolls. In means of eradicating this weed. In later fact, many more are enrolled on the years they advocated spraying Cape Commonwealth rolls than the State rolls, tulip with power kerosene. With the in- because the Commonwealth sends men troduction of hormone sprays, the depart- around enrolling the aborigines. .That is ment advocated the use of Ester 2. 4-D. wrong and in my opinion the Common- At that time, however, a great deal was wealth is making a mistake. These people still not known of the life cycle of the should never be on the roll, because they Cape tulip. Only recently has it been dis- come under the other category I men- covered that it is essential to burn the tioned. trash and the grass on the ground before There is one other section of the Act the rains fall in autuman and thle early which I would like to read. In fact, I winter months, as this ensures a high asked the presiding officer who was going germination of Cape tulip. Accordingly, to enrol natives at Qogo Station to read much of the effort and material used pre- it; I refer to section 184. It reads as fol- viously for the eradication of Cape tulip lows:- was wasted, because in some seasons the Without limiting the effect of the winter rains are late in breaking, and if general words in the preceding section, the ground temperature has fallen below a '.undue influence" includes every inter- certain level there is very poor germina- ference or attempted interference with tion. Accordingly the spraying of this the free exercise of the franchise of weed only affects the corms that have ger- any voter or with the free exercise by minated. a native of his choice whether or not All through the years Cape tulip has to enrol as an elector. continued to spread through our farming I am perfectly sure that the natives who areas; sometimes it has been spread by are enrolled, and certainly the great maj- stock, sometimes by hay and chaff which ority of natives who work on the stations, has been cut or mown in the infected have been rounded up and placed on the areas, and very often it has been spread roll. They have never attempted to exer- by the graders and machinery used by the cise their opinion, because they do not shire councils for grading and construct- know what "enrol" means. They would ing roads. The task and expense of eradi- not have the slightest idea and, in my cating Cape tulip from some of our farms opinion many of the natives would come is beyond the financial resources of the within the ambit of that class. I support farmers involved. the motion. Those of us who are fortunate enough Sitting suspended from 6 to 7.30 p.m. not to have Cape tulip on our properties should share in the expense of eradicating THE HON. T. 0. PERRY (Lower Cen- this noxious weed. Some shire councils-- tral) [7.30 pm.]: Mr. Deputy President, certainly the Williams Shire Council- when the President cut me off as I was over the years advocated that a third of about to speak before the tea suspension the cost of eradication should be borne by I fear he may have thought the frown on the Agriculture Protection Board, a third my face was caused by some ruling he had by the local shire council, and a third by given in this Chamber which had the landholder. caused me displeasure. Let me assure If we take a long-range view of this you. Sir, it was a frown of concentration. suggestion we will see it Is a very fair I had intended to congratulate the Presi- manner in which to approach the prob- dent on his re-election, but as he is not in lem. Those of us who have properties en- the Chair I cannot do so. However, I tirely free of Cape tulip may think we 372 372ECOlNCIL.l should not share in this expense; but our it must concentrate more on the children.. neighbour's problem today may become The handouts that are given to the adult our Problem tomorrow, and the suggestion natives today are largely wasted. I refer that has been made seems a fair way of Particularly to child endowment which sharing the cost of eradication. was originally introduced to help feed, I would now like to speak for a few clothe, and educate the children. When moments of the financial Plight in which we realise, however, that a greater por- many farmers in Western Australia find tion of the child endowment which is themselves today. Mr. McNeill spoke of given to the natives finds its way into the the Plight of the dairy farmer, particu- wine saloons and hotels, it surely defeats larly those engaged in cream production. the object for which it was introduced. Mr. Strickland referred to the Country Those who employed natives 30 and 40 Party as a self-help party. I was very years ago found them to be far more re- pleased to hear him speak in this manner, liable than they are today. I have never because if the Country Party does not employed natives, but about 14 years ago help the farmer, I just do not know who I was appointed by the Shire of West Ar- does. The honourable member, however, thur to sit in the court with the magistrate spoke of the Prosperity of the farmer as when natives applied for citizenship rights. though he were a wealthy member of the During that time about 20 natives applied community. for citizenship rights. I never opposed one I would like to refer to an editorial which application during the years I sat in that appeared in The West Australian of Mon- court. I felt that the police and the native day, the 22nd July, 1968, which was beaded, welfare officers came in contact with these "Farmers in Trouble." The article goes on people more frequently than I did, and to speak of the trouble into which the they were in a far better position to judge farmer has run as a result of rising costs whether they should be given their citizen- and falling prices for his commodity. ship rights or not and, as a result, I always While the Federal Government's tariff accepted their recommendations. Policy may be justified in certain directions, I was interested, however, as to what it certainly exaggerates the problem of the happened to these natives once they had farmer today, particularly when large gained their citizenship rights. In almost industries like the motor industry and every case they went downhill because they others can appeal for tariff protection. had a more ready access to liquor. When This, of course, may be justified, but on the sitting with the magistrate one finds that other hand we have the arbitration all the police charge sheets and records are system-and God forbid that we should placed before one. Very few of these ever destroy the arbitration system, be- natives had convictions for drunkenness or cause I do not know of a fairer way of disorderly behaviour prior to their being fixing wages; I would hate to see them granted citizenship rights, but within a fewz fixed by Act of Parliament-and when the years of receiving these rights they seemed industrial unions appeal to the Industrial to be continually in trouble with the law. Commision for margins above the basic I often wondered whether these people wage I imagine that the judge of the In- really benefited from being granted citizen- dustrial Commission would consider the ship rights. ability of industry to pay. I feel the whole atmosphere of our While many of our large secondary in- native reserves is not good for native dustries were enjoying a certain degree of children. Last Year it was my duty to Prosperity, the Industrial Commission present the trophies at the Williams inter- would, I suppose, feel that the workers school sports. I was most intrigued with were entitled to share in the prosperity the native children from the Wandering enjoyed by industry. mission. They seemed to have a very high The farmer is, of course, sandwiched standard of hygiene, they were well be- between the two; he has no means of haved, well spoken, and they entered into Passing on his costs. If we have a- policy the sport with all the energy and enthusi- of Protection for certain sections of the asm in the world: much the same as our community, and leave one section out in own white children would. When they the cold, it must suffer. That Is what is were Presented with their trophies they happening to the farmer today. showed even greater pleasure than our own I would appeal to the Ministers and say children did. that when they discuss taxing measures I wondered what happened to these chil- in Cabinet they should appreciate the fact dren when they finished at the mission. that the farming community has borne so a week ago yesterday I called at the about all it can stand. I refer particularly Wandering mission, and the father in to those engaged in the dairying industry, charge told me this was one of their the fruit industry, the meat industry, and greatest problems. Upon leaving school the wool industry; I do not know much these children were very often not ac- about the wheat industry, because I am cepted by the white community. They had not a wheatgrower. received the benefit of education; they de- I would now like to turn to our native sired a better life than was offered them; problem. I feel that if our Native Welfare and they had little option but to return Department is to achieve anything at all to the native mission. [Wednesday, 14 August. 1968.] 373

rather Tiernan spoke to me about the surveyed, but it did not release the blocks way the old men tried to break the spirit for selection because there were a number of many of the young girls who washed of other blocks in the town still not taken their own clothes and washed themselves up. in an endeavour to keep themselves clean. Many of our older residents who had The older men of the tribe referred to these sons and daughters living in the area girls as trying to live as a white person. They would say, 'You think you wvhite wanted to retire to Darkan but they could not obtain suitable building blocks. There- lady; You white girl now." They would try fore the Lands Department was asked to to drag these girls down to the level of release these blocks on the old common. life as lived on the native reserve. The department released half a dozen Even if we have to use compulsion- blocks in a low-lying area in the new sub- and this is an ugly word-we must try to division. These blocks were auctioned in keep these young people away from the the Collie courthouse-40 miles away-anid influence of the native reserve until they because they were so low-lying and so wet are 17 or 18 years of age. I think at 18 in the winter months, not one bid was years of age they would be more settled. received for them. Since then, one block If they could do some form of manual or has been taken up; and the other day a technical training they would be able to local carrier, who was carting sand or take their Place in the community and be gravel for the building was bogged for 3J accepted. hours. Somebody became interested in one I was dissatisfied with the blocks that child who lived at the native reserve at were thrown open, so last year I applied Darkan and made arrangements for him for one that was no released. My applica- to be admitted to the boarding hostel tion was acknowledged by the Lands De- at Hunbury. He passed his Junior partment which wrote to me a month later examination at the Bunbury High School. stating the department was endeavouring While at this school he was seen by one to ascertain whether Arthur Street, which of the scouts of a city football team who this block fronts, was constructed to a noted his Prowess as a footballer. Although suitable standard. To my knowledge the teachers at the Hunbury High School buildings were erected in Arthur Street 40 considered that this boy would have passed years ago and I wrote to the department the Leaving examination, the boy. decided advising it there were five residences, two to come to Perth and is now employed as State Housing Commission homes, and a a cadet journalist with W.A. Newspapers Catholic church fronting Arthur Street, Ltd. and is playing in the thirds team of and that was the only access. one of the football clubs in Perth. This The department contacted me later and boy has had an opportunity to make a told me it had written to the Shire of success of his life, but what is the position West Arthur to obtain further informa- in regard to his brothers, sisters, or tion. A month later I rang and asked the cousins? Nobody is interested in themi, so department if it had this information they go back to the reserve. What are and was told the shire clerk had not re- their future prospects in life? plied to the letter written to the shire. I informed the Lands Department that al- 1 think if the Government and the Na- ready this year it had released six blocks tive Welfare Department placed more em- in Arthur Street, and a person in the de- phasis on helping the children instead of partment told me the department already the old natives who are quite content to had the information it required. So the live on a reserve-they have no desire to department wrote to the Shire of West live in any other way-we would achieve Arthur to obtain information it already far greater success. had! I said, "I suppose I will get a reply I have a personal problem and am de- to my request in a couple of weeks," and lighted to know the Lands Department was told the matter would be referred to has appointed a liaison officer to whom the divisional surveyor at Bunbury, and we can take our problems. I have not it could take a couple of months- yet had time to meet this gentleman (Mr. It was necessary for me to phone from Charman). I feel that some Government time to time, but I am now fortunate in departments need a shake-up. I have that my file has been marked "Urgent." a plan of the township of flarkan which I However, I applied for a block in 1967: think was surveyed after the turn of Ithe 1968 is nearly gone, and still I have not century. A common was surveyed just received an answer. south of the town. This was done so the then road board could fence it and any- My son now owns the farm I had, which body desiring to do so could pasture horsess is three miles out, and should he desire or cattle on the common. me to move on, I have nowhere to go. But Five or six years ago, as a shie coun- I am fortunate in that my file is now cillor, I discussed with the Shire of West marked "Urgent." How the poor unfor- Arthur the question of getting the com- tunate individual whose file is not marked mon surveyed for the purpose of providing "Urgent" will get on I do not know. I hope building blocks. We approached the Lands something is done in this respect, and that Department which had the common Mr. Charman will iron out these anomalies. [COUNCIL. I

It is fair enough that the Lands Depart- Chamber. This to me was a very sad ment should want to make inquiries, but thing. I think I can conscientiously claim these matters should not drag on year to have known Mr. Heenan for something after year. like 40 Years; and I also claim-as would In 1966 a man in Darkanl applied for a every other member in this House-that block in order to build a shed in which no man had a higher standard of ethics. to keep tools and other things. He lives I am sure that in every debate recorded on a farm but he ran into financial diffi- in Hansard, in which Mr. Heenan took culties and it was necessary for him to part, it will be found that his remarks become a part-time builder in order to were always on a high level; whether he augment his income. 'He has received no was in favour of the proposition being put answer. I understand the reasonable- forward or not, he always treated his op- ness of the Lands Department making an ponents with respect. investigation before throwing land open I went on a canvassing tour with Mr. for selection but it should not take one. Heenan just prior to the last election and, two, and three years for a person to obtain in view of the remarks wade by Mr. Strick- an answer. I support the motion. land, now is a good time for me to mention this. With Mr. Heenan I travelled to Kal- THE, [HON. F. R. H. LAVERY (South goorlie, Menzies, Leonora, Laverton, across Metropolitan) [7.55 p.m.!: In addressing to Sandstone, and back to Wiluna, Meeka- myself to this motion I wish to join with tharra, down to Cue, and then down to other members and congratulate you, Sir. Mt.' Magnet. While canvassing on behalf I did this privately, so you know my feel- of Mr. Heenan we had with us, in the ings. I would also w.ish both yourself and car, some very intelligent people including Mrs. Diver many more years of good health. a well-known man (Mr. Spencer Compton), I also join other members in welcoming one of our early geologists and a man with our new members to the House. Mr. Mad- a. great accumulation of knowledge of this calf is not present tonight, .80 he can read State. I found that wherever we went in that I wish him well. I was almost as the mining areas there would be only about lucky as he when I was first selected to 20 or 25 citizens in the town; and it was stand for the seat of West Province. necessary to move out into the station Twenty two minutes before closing time country. there was not a nominee in opposition, but Mr. Heen an had friends at Quite a num- during that last 22 minutes along came Mr. ber of the stations at which we called. 0Of Solomon. a solicitor in Fremantle, and course, we all have personal friends in our there had to be an election. I congratulate electorates who do not vote for us, and Mr. Medcalf in being fortunapte enough to we met people who had probably never enter this Chamber without the cost. voted for Mr. Heenan before and did not troubles, and worries of an election: and vote for him at the last election. I feel he will be a worthy successor to Sir But what so privately. did strike me was the type of propaganda Keith Watson-and I told him which had been organised by the sup- Mr. Claughton is one of the younger porters of Mr. Berry. men to join the House-I am on my way Mr. Berry. as I have just said, is well out and he is on his way in-and I hope known to me and I am positive that he the next 16 years are as happy for him as had nothing to do with this propaganda. the last 1.6 years have been for me. I am However, as you will remember, Mr. putting in a good word for the next elec- President, when Mr. Heenan first became tion. Mr. Berry, another new member, re- a member of Parliament the boundaries presents a district that is partially agri- of his electorate extended from the cultural, and is also a worn-out mining Esperance area up to Kalgoorlie, and out area. Mr. Berry was well known to me in along the trans.-line. As is also known, the early days as a member of the Fre- almost without exception every five or six mantle road board, which is now the Shire years when a member's term has been of Cockburn. When Mr. Berry was a board completed and he goes before the people member it was a problem whether one again, new boundaries have been set. At could obtain $50 in order to do something, the last election Mr. Heenan's boundaries and niot $25,000, as Is the case now. In were so changed that he moved right out those days the members of roads boards of Kalgoorlie altogether and his boundary were men of great courage who set out line commenced at a point a little south to try to do something for their districts of Menzies. and I am sure Mr. Berry is recognised- Because of that, those people who were as we say in Spearwood-as one who knows working on behalf of the Liberal candi- his onions. date were able to use a situation which This brings me to the matter of retiring suited them. They said that Mr. Heenan members. In the first place, I would refer was someone from Esperance who had just to Mr. Robinson. As has been said before, moved to the district, whereas he had elections come and elections go. and so do actually represented this area for at least some members of Parliament. In a per- six years. When it came to the Carnarvon sonal way I am very concerned that it was area, where Mr. Heenan was reasonably necessary for Mr. Heenan to leave this well known as he had represented it for at [Wednesday. 14 August, 1968.] 375

least six years, the propaganda was much propaganda against Mr. Heenan was con- the same. The Liberal organisers told the cerned. This was because of the pro- people they did not want someone from paganda being used-that a man from Esperance telling them how to grow Esperance would represent the area if Mr. bananas. This, of course, was a very nice Heenan were elected. piece of propaganda. Although it was In the area of Exmouth which was new claimed that Mr. Heenan came to both candidates Mr. Esperance, he had not represented fromthat Heenan and Mr. area for some 15-odd years. So it would Berry both polled very well. I say again, seem that we of the Labor Party are publicly-from my place in this Chamber slipping behind because we win our seats -that I am not connecting Mr. Berry ethically, or we do not win them at all. with this situation because I know he has a high standard of ethics. Mr. Heenan would be very hurt if he knew I was speaking in his defence tonight. I have several matters to which I wish I am speaking behind his back because he to refer, but I will cut them as short as I is not even in Australia at the moment. can. I am very concerned with some of Another point about the election which the things that have happened in my struck me was that a candidate is lucky electorate, and I think the Address-in- if he is in a district when the Agent- Reply debate is the time to mention them. General is vislting the State, and when the It will be remembered that not many Agent-General is taken through that dis- months ago an inquiry was held through- trict. The Agent-General (The Hon. G. P. out Australia into waterside work. As a Wild) attended meetings and social gath- consequence, a new scheme has been in- erings arranged on his behalf at Leonora, troduced and to all intents and purposes, Laverton, and other places. The meetings so far as the authority at Fremantle is were, in fact, nothing more nor less than concerned, this scheme Is working fairly political meetings. I say this with all well. I do not know that it is working so sincerity, because people from the district, well for some of the companies who are who had no Political thoughts at all, were now employing waterside workers. quite open and told me that Mr. Heenan I refer to the containerisation system. should have visited the area while Mr. Wild T think some companies have m-en stand- was there, because all the people from the ing idle doing nothing, whereas the ships stations came in at that time. working under the Fremantle Harbour That is all very well, but I want to draw Trust-or under the Fremantle Port attention to the fact that Mr. Berry was Authority-are short of labour. There is a a bit lucky in that his opponent was pro- good relationiship in Western Australia be- bably one of the most ethical men one could tween waterside workers and the em- ever meet. Somewhere along the line they ployers generally. However, T am perturbed had to dig up a D.L.P. candidate to help about some dissension on the waterfront Mr. Berry. I know that D.L.P. candidates because the Fremantle Port Authority has are very useful to the Liberal Party. not provided depreciation funds for re- I felt I could not allow the Address-in- placement of the plant used on the wharf. Reply to Pass without saying something on Only a few weeks ago there was some behalf of Mr. Heenan, who is no longer in dissension on the wharf because of the this Chamber. use of obsolete Plant. While I pay full The Hon. L. A. Logan: According to tribute to the Fremantle Port Authority the paper, if the Prime Minister decides to for the advance it has made in the lay- have a Federal election between now and out of the harbour, and its administra- Christmas, the D.L.P. will be useful to the tion of the harbour-and on the amount Labor Party. of money spent, south of Fremantle, in Cockburn Sound-we must remember that The Hon. F. R. H. LAVERY: I think some bread-and-butter machinery has to that as far as the D.L.P. is concerned, the be used. That machinery has to be kept Minister would know that everything I in reasonable order. have said is true. The move was not suc- cessful when they tried to use it in the I am referring to the towing vehicles electorate where Mr. Dolan stood as a used for transferring goods from the ships candidate. to the sheds, and from the sheds to other transport. These vehicles are in very poor The Hon. A. F. Griffith: What do you mechanical condition, and I refer particu- mean, "They" tried to use It?" larly to a small group of vehicles. The The Hon. F. R. H. LAVERY: I will leave drivers were forced to stop work because it at that. the vehicles were becoming unusable and because drivers who refused to use them The Hon. A. F. Griffith: You had better. were being intimidated or penalised by The Hon. F. R. H. LAVERY: Having foremen, and many men were sacked. made that complaint I would point out Many of these machines were built from that for 53 years I have been working on ex-Army carriers at the end of World War behalf of candidates and this was the only fl, and have had 18 Years' continuous time in all those years that I Could see service. Most of that service has been the writing on the wall in so far as Liberal on tbree shlfts-24 hours a day. 376 376COUNOIL.]

It is felt that if the port authority had is Barrow Island. However, that ship will followed normal depreciation practice It leave here 1,000 tons short of her full would have more than enough money to load and 1,000 tons of cement will be replace these machines. I think It can be loaded onto a BP ship which is now at said that a farmer or a transport corn- Kwinana. Here we have a situation where pany-or anybody using motor vehicles- a State ship is loading a straight cargo makes provision for a depreciation account. but it is to be loaded 1,000 tons short and If replacement is not necessary before 15 that tonnage will be carried by the ship or 18 years, I am sure those people would of a private company, one that~ has noth- be very pleased. Apparently no money has ing to do with our State. This means that been diverted for this purpose by the port the State ship will be deprived of a certairr authority and I am drawing attention to profit that it could have made had it been the fact. Now that we are not a claimant fully loaded, and it is the sort of thing State a heavier load will fall on the Treas- that is going on all the time. I checked urer than in the past few years in the this matter myself and what I have just allocation of funds to obtain the best pos- said sible results. is correct. Why should a State ship be denied 1,000 Of course, we cannot raise taxes every tons of cargo-and it is the same sort of five minutes as we used to do and then. cargo which it will have on board, and blame the Grants Commission, because it will commence loading tomorrow-and now we have to stand on our own two- that cargo be given to a company ship-a feet. I feel my asking for funds for the ship owned by BP. Purpose I have mentioned is something The Hon. A. F. Griffith: What Is the Mr. Rudderham, the general manager, would appreciate as much as anybody. cargo? There is another problem attached to The Hon. F. R. H. LAVERY: It is ce- these machines and I have been wonder- ment. I know what I am saying to be ing how some authorities can get away correct and I am prepared to repeat it with this kind of thing when we are sup- outside the Chamber. Posed to be so enlightened. The Hon. A. F. Griffith: I take it the BP ship would be going to Barrow Island These machines are licensed by the to load crude oil. traffic authorities but they are obviously exempt from the provisions of the Traffic The Hon. F. R. H. LAVERY: I assume Act. The machines have no lights, defec- that is so, but the Don gar also is going to tive brakes, defective steering, and the Barrow Island. engines discharge very strong fumes. It is The Hon. A. F. Griffith: But not to load felt by the men concerned that if the crude oil. machinery came under the Inspection of Machinery Act, and if an inspector of The Hon. F. R.. H. LAVERY: No, it is a machinery exercised jurisdiction over State ship. Having made a comment in them, this would be of benefit to the men regard to those two items,, before I go on who use the vehicles, and of great benefit with the major part of my speech I would to the Fremantle Port Authority. If the like to refer to a matter which Mr. Clive vehicles did come under the -Inspection of Griffiths mentioned last night; namely, Machinery Act an inspector could exer- high density housing. cise his jurisdiction over them and the The Hon. C. E. Griffiths: You agree with maintenance would be of a higher order. me. The authority has been starved for funds in recent times so that a new jetty and a The Hon. F. R. H. LAVERY: I do. As new wharf could be built at Swinana, Mr, Ron Thompson will confirm, the Cock- and some of the road Paving on the wharf burn Shire asked both of us to discuss a is so bad that many of the machines are proposition with its officers and, as a result, dangerous to drive there. that shire has decided that high density housing is something that it does not want While speaking of Fremantle and the built in its district. This is a shire that harbour, there is another matter to which is pleased to have any type of business or I wish to refer. .There is a great deal housing built in its area. of disquiet on the waterfront at the The Hon. R.. Thompson: It is a very pro- moment because of rumours-and I do not gressive shire. think they are witihout some substance- that the Government intends to sell the The Hon. F. R. H. LAVERY: It is a shire State ships. In this regard I want, to issue that makes every effort to keep in tune a warning to the Government to look very with the people in its district. The staff, carefully into the matter, because the peo- including the outside workmen, are all ple who earn their living loading and living in the district. unloading, and working on these ships, are The Hon. C. E. Griffiths: I am very concerned that a number of them will be pleased indeed to hear that you agree with displaced. my point of view. Just as a matter of interest, tomorrow The lion. F. R. H. LAVERY: I urn the Don gara will commence loading ce(- pleased to agree with the honourable mem- nient for a north-west port-I believe it ber and I will tell him why. Last year Mrs. [Wednesday. 14 August, 1968.] 377 Hutchison and I-that is, my wife and I- The Hon. A. P. Griffith: Wandana? travelled through Ireland, Scotland, and Germany, and we saw many high density The Hon. F. R. H. LAVERY: Yes. housing projects. While overseas we were The Hon. A. F. Griffith: My word! told by a doctor we met when visiting the Ulster Parliament that if we intended to The Hon. F. Rt. H. LAVERY: Arrange- build high density housing in a place like ments were made to fly the previous Min- Australia we should ensure that it did not ister for Health, in the McLarty-Watts exceed four storeys--that was the very Government (Dame Florence Cardell- most. He also said that we should pro- Oliver), to Canberra in an effort to stop vide sufficient Playgrounds for the children. money being provided to enable the Labor Minister for Housing (Mr. Graham) to This doctor told us that the authorities build those flats, because it was thought in Belfast were building 35-storied build- Labor people would be accommodated ings on an area of land that would probably there and they would vote out the then suit a Public office. He said, "All we are member for Subiaco. doing is increasing the possibilities of women becoming neurotic." Some of the The Hon. A. F. Griffith: That was not buildings were 25 storeys high, and others te reason. went as high as 35 storeys. If a family were The Hon. P. R.. H. LAVERY: I do not living near the top of one of these buildings suppose there are two Labor voters in the the mother would look down and probably whole building now. see little Willie Playing on a quarter of an acre of grass with about 200 other The Hon. A. F. Griffith: That's too bad, children. If anything happened to little but that was not the reason and you know Willie, and he was knocked off his bicycle, it. by the time the mother was able to take The Hon. F. ft. H. LAVERY: I will tell the lift and get to the ground floor 11 or the Minister something else. Because of 12 minutes would have elapsed and little disloyalty to the then Minister for Hous- Willie would be in hospital. ing (Mr. Graham), a piece of land on the While talking with this doctor about the south side of Coomoora Road, in Mount Problem he said that children reared in Pleasant, on which he intended to build these high density projects did not have 1,200 flats, was made available for indivi- sufficient Playing areas. Because they were dual houses. locked up in flats, some of which might be The Hon. C. E. Griffiths: Hear, hear! on the 35th floor, the children were ready to tear the place apart, but when they did The Hon. F. Rt. H. LAVERY: When in- go outside, the Playgrounds were too formation about the project was obtained small to enable the children to have a through the State Housing Commission the free rein. Flats of this type might be all then Minister said, "All right. If you right for a husband and wife who live want to have rats in my office then you alone, but where there is a family with can have them. I will make the land children they are totally inadequate. This available for individual houses": which doctor told us that if we had any say in he did. I want to tell the Minister for the matter we should db everything pos- Mines that I, too, know a little about what sible to prevent blocks of flats being higher goes on in the Housing Commission-I than four storeys. After seeing what hap- know, just as the Minister knows. pened at Medina- The Hon. R. Thompson: Probably more. The Hon. C. E. Griffiths: They are only The Hon. F. R. H. L.AVERY: I probably two storeys there. would, too. The Hon. F. R. H. LAVERY: I do not The Hon. A. F. Griffith: Maybe now, but think the Housing Commission is very you would not at that time. satisfied with them. If its officers are, then they do not show it. The Hon. F. R. HI. LAVERY: At that time, yes. The Hon. A. F. Griffith: How high is the Bentley flats project going to be? While speaking on the subject of hous- ing, let me say how concerned I am about The Hon. F. R. H. LAVERY: I would the new residential area near the Kwinana not know exactly. townaite. Medina was the first suburb to The Hon C. E, Griffiths: It will be 13 be built, and then followed Calista. and storeys high. now there is to be another one known as Orelia. As regards the development of The Hon. F. R. H. LAVERY: I know a Orelia I am concerned about what is to number of the blocks will be quite high. happen to the blocks of land in the area. I would like to tell the Minister that I do I am not objecting to the private enter- not need to be reminded that I do not prise development that occurred at Calista, know everything. There are many things but I was wondering whether a certain I do not know; however, I do know that number of blocks would be made available he and his friends fought every inch of the for purchase by individual citizens, either -way to stop Mr. Graham from building a at auction, by Private treaty, or by wa.y block of flats in Subiaco. of application, with the other blocks being 378 378[COUNCIL)] developed by private enterprise, as hap- The H-on. A. F. Grifflth7' That is not pened at Calista, and sold to people who quite correct. It was not the only area, could afford the higher costs involved in but it was the mast Practical and the most the purchase of houses of that type. economical way to treat the sewage. I do not think there is anything wrong The Hon. F. R. H. LAVERY: I accept with that but at the moment I cannot find what the Minister has just said. I intend out what is going to happen at Oreli- to speak at length on this matter. I am whether the whale of the area will be given. puzzled as to how the Government found to private enterprise to develop, or whether it convenient to build a sewerage plant on we are going to have something similar to the eastern side of Medina, and also found what the Minister In charge of the House it very convenient to build one on the is proud to refer to-that is, in addition western side of one of the few recrea- to the private enterprise development, such tional areas that is left in the industrial as I have mentioned, Individual people complex at Rockingham. will be able to buy their own blocks of land and build the type of house they want I have some documents before me from on those blocks. which I wish to quote. Firstly, I refer to the 1958 report of the National Fitness The Hon. A. P. Griffith: I tried that by Council, which was the first year of its making each alternative block available for operation. The reports from 1958 to 1966 private sale, but I could not get any takers. show the advance that has been made in The Hion. F. R. H. LAVERY: I agree that the Point Peron area for recreational pur- was so at the time the Minister was Min- poses. Then out of the blue it was de- ister for Housing, because there was very cided that this area would be used for little money about then. A man who is industrial purposes, and plans were made on $50 or $55 a week, and who has a to join Garden Island to the mainland by family to keep, can afford a house that a roadway. The Purpose of that is to en- will cost him no more than $8,000 or able B.H.P. to obtain limesand by road in- $10,000. However, there are many people stead of by lighter. There was quite aLStir who would like to buy a block of land in when that was proposed in December or the area about which I am speaking and January last; but subsequently the Gov- who would be able to afford $15,000 or ernnment seemed to quieten the proposals. $16,000 to build a home. They are people I will not let the matter rest, in view who are getting more than $50 a week of the fact that this area of land 'was and I believe they should be able to pur- banded over to the National Fitness Coun- chase their own blocks and build the type cil for use by all the organisations in Wes- of house they want. tern Australia which are mentioned in its I have visited this new area of Orelia objectives. when the Government pro- and instead of having septic systems, such posed to install a sewerage plant on the as were provided at Medina, workmen have eastern side of this very fine educational already started to install the sewerage. set-up, which cost in the vicinity of Having seen that, I asked some questions £350,000, it was time people looked into in the House a couple of days ago and the matter. At the time I approached the from the answers I received I find that aL National Fitness Council and was fortu- sewerage system is to be built in the area nate enough to obtain all of its reports, along MoLaughian Road, between Hope with the exception of those for two years. Valley Road, and Thomas Road, eastwards Firstly I refer to the 1958 report, In of Medina. approximately some two miles. order to illustrate the original set-up of The proposed sewerage plant will take this council. On page 8 the following ap- the sewage from Orelia. The answers to pears:- my questions indicated that the area In- GREATER PERON valved was approximately 90 acres, and DEVELOPMENT OOMMITT'EE that the sludge from the new towns in the Ewinana area would be treated. That This new Committee of the Council would mean almost any quantity, because which faces one of the biggest Jobs there are four new suburbs which have which any Sub-committee has yet had been planned by Miss Feilman, the town to tackle has made considerable pro- Planner, to cater for 25,000 people. We are gress since its formation in the very lucky that we have a planner such as middle of the year when it took over Miss Feilinan in Western Australia. the early developmental plans pre- viously handled by a Sub-committee of I am not concerned with the installation the Camps and Hostels. of the sewerage plant at this locality to handle the sewage from the new suburbs. Its object in seeing to the early de- but I am concerned with the sewage from velopment of this well si tuated 395 the whole area. In answer to another acres of valuable beach land for the query in respect of sewerage in this area purpose of Community recreation we were told that it was possibl&- to use covers a sufficiently wide field of only Point Peron; it was said that was organisation to ensure a participation the only economic area, and the only pos- in these privileges by a wide Com- sible place from an engineering point of munity cross section. it caters for view to establish a sewerage plant. Youth groups affiliated with the [Wednesday, 14 August, 1968.] 379

National Fitness Council; for Sport- but has been well worthwhile in the ing bodies associated with the Coun- savings it has meant for the groups. cil through the A.S.C.; and for adult 142 of these buildings have been aulo- groups-incorporated bodies and asso- cated at a very small cost and over ciations whose aim in seeking tenancy half of them have been given to the envisaged family and child welfare, lessees on the Point Peron area. Particularly in the field of Health and Other groups who have benefited are recreation and more particularly for Mission Schools, Scouts, Guides and those family units in the lower income Parents and Citizens' Associations. brackets. At the moment the work of the Both the overall lease of the land Committee is firmly based and its and the detailed conditions under policy well defined although it is re- which the Sub-lessees are given luctant and unable to do much mare tenancy have been carefully examined until certain matters have been clari- by the State Crown Law Department. fled with the Cabinet. The Govern- The membership of the Greater ment has seen fit to suggest certain Peron Development Committee con- regulations and restrictions in the sists of the following:- Developmental plan and the Commit- tee is awaiting a further meeting with 5 members of the National Fit- the Minister before the Cabinet can ness Council. re-consider the matter and develop- 3 representatives of the sub - ment continues on mutually accept- lessees. able lines. 1 representative of the Rocking- Throughout the whole existence of ham Road Board, and this Committee and indeed for some 1 representative of the Public years before it, the Town Planning Health Department. Board provided basic information The Town Planning Hoard and, of advice and assistance which made the course, Crown Law have ex-officio huge task Possible. The Committee's Places, and since formation one re- indebtedness to this Board is publicly Presentative from the Forestry De- acknowledged. partment, one from the Tree Lovers' The 1958 report pointed out that a plan Society and another member of the was being prepared; and in the report of Rockingham Road Board have been 1960, which I have before me, the actual co-opted. plan is shown. The following appears 12 leases have already been granted in the 1960 report in regard to the usage and the Committee is not approving of this area:- any further leases until the Town Civil Service Association; Police Planning Board's new master plan of Union; Federation of W.A. Police and the area is available. Citizens' Youth Clubs; Nature strip; Building regulations for the sub- recreation area-two ovals proposed: lessees have been formulated in co- Car Parks; Caravans; Young Christian operation with the Town Planning Workers; Church of England Boys' Board, the Rockingham Road Board Society and Perth Rotary; Education and the Public Health Department to Department; National Fitness Council; fit in with the new scheme. Camping areas: Car Park; Camping Conditions have been laid down for area; Hostel; Methodist Young six classes of development- People's Department; Association of (1) Self contained holiday Apex Clubs; Postal Institute; L. & S. homes. Recreation C en tr e; Waterside Workers' Federation; Seamen's Union; (2) Chalets and community Car Park; Recreation-proposed 9 buildings. hole golf course; Land suggested for (3) Dormitories and community further sub-leases. buildings. Even before 1958 this area had been (4) Hostels. Planned for use by the public for recrea- (5) Formal Caravan Parks. tional purposes. On page 8 of the 1960 (6) Informal Caravan and camp- report the following appears:- ing areas. One factor which has been of great GREATER PERON DEVELOPMENT assistance to many of the groups COMMITTEE which have been granted leases has During 1959, its second year of been the decision of the State Hous- working, this committee has shown its ing Commission to hand over the allo- capacity by the efficient mannier in cation of liutments and cottages no which it has brought to realisation a longer used at Allawah Grove, Wood- project of such magnitude. It is in- man's Point and Wembley to the debted to the sympathetic support of Council Committee. This has meant the Government and several com- a great deal of extra work for the munity groups whose help overcame Camps' Officer, Mr, W, K. O'Dwyer, many obstacles. 380 380COUNCIL.3

In its administration of 395 acres All the organisations developing the of valuable beach land it has ensured area are doing so in the manner an equitable distribution on lease, to agreed to by the Development Com- youth, adult, sporting, and allied mittee so that the buildings, facilities, groups concerned with community and improvements on their areas are recreation and family and child wel- the properties of the organisations and fare, and channelled each individual no individuals have either ownership group's development and usage so that or prior rights of use or tenancy. By a uniform system designed to give the this means the Committee is assured most good to the most people operates. that full benefits are available to as The rule of no individual ownership many children, youths and families of or proprietary rights make certain the organisations concerned by the that the scheme is a fully co-operative rostering of use among their many and community one. members. The committee has been enlarged National Fitness Council field officers to include representatives of the sub- estimate that during 1963 a number in lessees who together with National excess of 13,000 enjoyed a recreational Fitness Councillors, Rockingham holiday on the leased land (this figure Road Board, the Town Planning Com- does not include the youth campers at mission, Public Health Department, the Council's National Fitness Camp at Forestry Department and allied instru- Point Peron). mentalities, share the responsibilities An authoritative survey has shown of this ambitious project. that the 22 groups holding leases have already expended £255,000 on their Altogether up to that point of time a total areas. The huge amount expended in of £28,000 had been spent in developing voluntiary labour is of course unassess- the area. able. These 22 groups have shown In 1963 a change of policy took place. as anticipated and indicated future I quote from the report of that year. On spending a total of E195,000. Page 7 the following appears:- That again indicates that this area was at When the lease of the Point Peron that time regarded as a recreational area area was granted to the National Fit- for the use of the people. It is interesting ness Council of W.A. in June, 1958, to note that in 1964 the Commonwealth the development of the area under the Government, which then actually owned terms of the National Fitness Act was this land, was in the process of negotiating entrusted to the Camps and Hostels with the State Government for the hand- Committee of the Council, but with ing over of the land wholly and solely for the growth of the scheme the Greater community purposes. The transfer was Peron Development Committee was set commenced in 1964. up to carry out the project under the direction and control of the Council. In 1965 some correspondence took place This new Committee consists of Coun- between the State and the Federal Oov- cil members, Government Department ernents. The Federal Government was representatives in Lands, Health, and making this land available at almost a Forestry, Town Planning Department peppercorn price provided it remained for members, Rockingham Shire Council the use of the people as a recreational delegates and elected representatives area. of the sub-leasing organisations. The bombshell fell in 1966. 1 have here a plan of the area and it indicates the At first it was felt desirable to have part which was up to that time available the various youth groups establish sea- for recreational purposes. A report was side camps on the peninsula and sub- published in 1966 and this showed the area leases were offered to all church young which would be required for roadways to people's departments and youth organ- Garden Island and for the Department of isations. However, It was soon realised Industrial that the meagre finances of the groups Development, the Water Supply to whom sub-leases were offered would Department, and so on. The organisations not permit any worthwhile develop- using this ground at the time were- ment of this holiday campsite. Anglican Church-On behalf of C.E.B.S. Accordingly it was decided to offer Catholic Church-For Y.C.W. Youth sub-leases to any incorporated organ- Movement. isations whose aims and objects quali- Methodist Mission. fied them under the National Fitness Methodist Young People's Department. Act for the benefit of child, Youth and Baptist Onion. family welfare. Churches of Christ. Since this change of policy was Apostolic Church. agreed to by the Council 22 organisa- Apex-For Civilian Widows and tions have been granted sub-leases of Families. areas of various sizes and a further Postal Institute-Workers. six applications are under considera- Seamen's Union of Australia. tion. Waterside Workers' Federation. [Wednesday, 14 August, 1968.] 381

Swan Brewery Employees. Peron Peninsula, and we have asked Police Union. you to receive this deputation in order Royal Perth Hospital Engineers. that we may put before you, as the Boans Sporting & Social Club. head of the Government. a number of Lands & Survey Recreation Centre. Australian Broadcasting Commission facts and the opinions of the Council Social Club. and the Committee which arise from East Perth Football Social Club. these facts. You are already aware East Fremantle Football Social Club. that other Government Departments Federation of Police & Citizens' Youth. are involved and in consequence you Clubs. have been asked to receive the deputa- * War-Blinded Ex-Servicemen. tion and may we express our thanks Sister Kate's Home for Natives. to you for assenting to receive it. Caledonian Pipe Band. * Guild of Undergraduates. You will remember receiving in Point Peron Aquatic Youth & Family April and June last- Association. That was in 1967. To continue- Air Force Association. Architectural Students' Association. -two letters from the representatives of the council authorised to sign them In addition, of course, there was the in reference to the uncertainty which Crippled Children's Society, which has prevailed because of the lack of fac- been there for some considerable time. tual information with regard to any Overnight the Town Planning Depart- proposals which were comatemplated ment approved the plan I have here. It was by the Government. On behalf of the overnight as far as the public was con- National Fitness Council, all of us wish cerned, but negotiations had been under to remind you that in these letters we consideration for some considerable time; reiterated that the Council does not and it was discovered that 200-odd acres object to use being made of portion of were to be taken from the 355 acres to the Pt. Peron reserve for purposes that build roadways, etc. AUi the camps must could be regarded as essential to the go. In addition a sewerage plant is to be established alongside the Education State's development. These views Department's big endowment centre which, were based on a plan which was pre- *as I have said, was built at a cost of pared by the Town Planning Depart- $600,000. Out of the blue, on the 5th ment under date 12th December, December. 1967, this information became 1966- public news, and I have here a series of newspaper cuttings, two at least of which I That was the Plan I just showed to mem- wish to read. I have also a copy of a cutting bers. Continuing- from the Daily News of the 13th December. -and which was understood to dis- and this concerns the transfer of the area -close the requirements, or possible from the Federal Government to the State requirements of the Government in Government. respect of the suggested work at Gar- Many people are concerned about this den Island. A copy of that plan is matter. A number of them who do not now handed to you from which you belong to my political faith approached will see a very substantial Portion of me and asked me what I could do to give the Pt. Peron reserve was to be re- some Publicity to the matter. Actually tained unchanged for the purposes of this area is just outside my province, it the National Fitness Council as is being in the district of Mr. Rushton, clearly set out on the plan itself. M.L.A. In the course of our inquiries, we found More recently however, we have been that in fact the Premier had received informed through the Hon. the Minis- a deputation from the National Fitness ter for Education, that there are pro- Council and its committees and sub-com- posals for the use of a substantial mittees in regard to what was happening portion of the remaining areas shown at Point Peron, and portion of the report on the plan for the purposes of a sew- of this deputation I shall read. Three erage treatment plant and the outfall letters are involved and I shall read the therefrom. It is mainly in objection portions of them which cover what I am to this proposal that we now submit trying to convey. The following is the pro- our case to you. You are, of course. posal placed before the Premier (Mr. aware that a very considerable reduc- Brand) when the deputation met him:- tion was made by the Commonwealth when it sold the land to the State in The National Fitness Council and in 1903 or 1964. That reduction amount- particular its sub-committee, the ed to approximately $200,00. In Greater Peron Development Com- order that you may be aware of the mittee, has been extremely concerned understandings which the National in recent times with rumoured pro- Fitness Council had of that transac- posals as to the future of the Point tion we would refer you to a letter 382 382[COUNCIL.)

from the Prime Minister's Department Fitness Council in accordance with to yourself dated 9th January, 1964, an overall Plan already prepared reading in part as follows:- by the council. Prime Minister, On the following day, 9th October, CANBERRA, 1963, the Hon. the Minister for Lands 9th January, 1964. wrote to you stating inter aia:- Dear Mr. Brand, The Proposal is for the transfer On 26th June, 1963, Mr. Nalder, to the State for recreation as of as acting Premier, wrote to the "A" Class for recreation. Acting Prime Minister offering a In that letter the Minister repeated price of $30,460 for an area of the reference to the expenditure by land consisting of approximiately the National Fitness Council. 400 acres at Pt. Peron which has On the 31st October, the Hon. the become surplus to Commonwealth Minister for Lands wrote again to you requirements. on the subject referring, it appears, to MY colleague, the Minister for a proposal by the Rockingham Shire the Interior, has now approved of Council- the property being transferred to I think the following is the nigger in the the State of Western Australia- woodpile:- I ask members to remember the next few -that some of the land should be used words, which read- for sub-division. We quote from that -sbetto the existing leases letter:- and subject also to the future use The position here is that if the of the area being restricted to "a State's proposals are approved by reserve for recreation and/or park the Commonwealth it would not land', in consideration of a cash be possible to permit any of the payment of £30,400 by the State. subject land to be made available If the State is prepared to accept as requested by the Shire of Rock- the property on this basis, the de- ingham, viz, sub-division of any tails could be finalised between Part of the area. The land will be the Chief Property Officer in Perth "A" Class for recreation and as and your Under Secretary for such the price paid by the State. Lands. of course, is relatively low. Yours sincerely. I say full marks to the Minister for Lands. (Signed) J. 0. Gorton To continue- for Prime Minister. We desire to stress two points from It win be clear to you from a perusal these letters:- of this letter that the land was sold (1) That the land will be an "A" as a reserve for recreation and/or park Class reserve. land and for thnt reason a reduction (2) That the land is to continue in price took place. to be used by the National Prior to that letter coming from the Fitness Council in accordance Prime Minister considerable negotia- with overall plan already pre- tions had, of course, taken place, and Pared by that council. on the 8th October, 1963 the Under In very recent times only, has the Secretary for Lands wrote to his Hon. council discovered that the land has Minister as follows:- not been made an "A" Class reserve The proposal submitted to the but is understood to be a reserve of Commonwealth Government is Class "C", the purpose of which can that the State acquire the whole be changed at any time by depart- of the Pt. Peron area available mental action. for transfer to the State for re- I ask members: Where do we go from creationm as of "A" Class for 'Re- there? The Commonwealth Government, creation and the price offered by over the signature of Mr. Gorton, made the the State. viz. £26.800 for the land, land available as "A"-class: the Minister was fixed accordingly. In addi- for Lands (Mr. Bovell) pointed out to the tion the State has offered to ac- Premier that it must be "A"-class; yet we quire certain buildings valued at find when the land was finally taken over £3,680 making a total considera- by the State that it was marked "C"- tion of £30,460. class. I continue- The letter goes on to say- May we with great respect submit to the National Fitness Council has you that this is regarded by the Na- spent large sums on its Greater tional Fitness Council as such a de- Peron Development Scheme and if parture from the clear terms of the the area is acquired by the State Minister for Lands' communication there is no doubt that it will con- and the intention of the Common- tinue to be used by the National wealth in regard thereto, that we are [Wednesday. 14 August, 1908.] 3835

amazed not only that it has been done, activities in relation to its develop- but also that the council received no ment of Ft. Peron than a continua- official information on the subject. tion of Commonwealth ownership could be. Unfortunately that does not Again with great respect we would appear to have been the position, for point out to you that when it was had the land been left in Common- understood from the correspondence in wealth ownership the National Fit- question, that it was to be an "A" ness Council would have security- of Class reserve, it was clear to the re- tenure until 1993. Our reason for sponsible officers of the National Fit- this last statement is that in 1960 ness Council that there could be no negotiations had been completed 'with change of purposes without the assent the Commonwealth for an extension of Parliament. As a "C" Class reserve of the 1972 lease for 21 years in order that is entirely unnecessary. to give security of tenure for groups We would like again to refer to who had spent so much in the com- the communication to you from the munity recreation scheme and to en- Prime Minister of the 9th January, courage more capital expenditure for 1964, from which you will see that better buildings and facilities. the sale was made to the State in The Chief Property Officer of the accordance with that letter, subject to Commonwealth was requested to pre- the existing leases and subject also to pare the necessary documents for such the future use of the land being re- a lease and the council is therefore stricted to a "reserve for recreation of the opinion that It can claim a and/or Park land," and stated that if moral right to the benefit of that the State is prepared to accept the arrangement especially as the property on this basis the details were numerous sub-lease holders were in- to be finalised by the Common- formed at that time of the prospec- wealth's Chief Property Officer in tive extension of the lease to 1993. Perth. In order that you may have some Subsequently, after much negotia- clearer idea of the development that tion is was proposed that a new lease has taken place at Pt. Peron, under the of the land should be granted by the control of the National Fitness Coun- State to the Minister for Education cil and its sub-committee, we would in whom, of course, the original lease like to leave with you from the Commonwealth is vested. (a) a number of photographs This new lease was prepared and sub- showing the type of buildings mitted to the Minister and the Coun- that have been erected there cl. On account of the extraordinary by the numerous sub-lessees restrictive conditions which it con- and tained it was never executed by the (b) a statistical list showing the Minister. voluntary work that has teen done and the expenditure of Mr. Lewis, too, must have seen a nigger capital in relation to these In the woodpile. To continue-- premises and also showing In consequence at the present time the vast number of persons the Ron. the Minister for Education that in the course of a year continues to hold the land under the make use of the premises and original lease from the Commonwealth the advantages to be derived which expires in October, 1072. This Is from the beaches and other confirmed by a, communication dated delightful amenities which the 30th November, 1966, (a very long exist on the Pt. Peron area. time after the proposed lease had It will be noted that among the list been rejected) from the Minister f or of those who have been granted sub- Lands to the Minister for Education leases by the National Fitness Council, in which the former stated:- there appear such names as, Swan "In the circumstances no doubt Brewery, East Fremantle Football you still agree that as the various Social Club and Royal Perth Hospital organisations have security of Engineers. We would ask you, Mr. tenure under existing Common- Premnier, niot to imagine that it is only wealth leases until 1072 it would for the benefit of these particular be preferable to allow,' the bodies which you might consider not arrangements to continue as they deserving such consideration as we are.", ask, but for the benefit of their numerous employees and the hundreds The idea of the purchase of the land of children belonging to their families by the State can, we think, be truth- and that the sub-leases granted to the fully said to have originated from the bodies concerned were only for the National Fitness Council, in the belief purposes of ensuring that there was that control by the State would be of some legal entity to which the council much greater advantage to the might have recourse if necessary. It National Fitness Council and its is only for the benefit of these families 384 384I[COUNCIL.)

and youngsters that the National Fit- consideration to substantial compensa- ness Council is concerned in these tion which in the absence of a readily matters at all. When you take the accessible and suitable alternative area opportunity of studying the statistics would be a very substantial sum. and realising the thousands of persons Quite apart from this, the Minister who derive benefit from the Pt. Peron for Education has indicated to us as area during each year, this deputation his opinion, the consent of the Com- is sure that you will realise why it asks monwealth would have to be obtained. you to give the most careful considera- The council has never had the oppor- tion to the requests that it will make tunity of seeing any actual contract of at the end of this deputation. sale between the Commonwealth and We do want you to realise the very the State, and is not able to suggest great concern that is felt by these whetherf the consent of the Common- organisations. on behalf of their fami- wealth would entail any financial ex- lies and young people generally at the penditure due to the purpose of the suggestion that this area should be de- area being changed contrary to the voted to some purposes which would intention of the Commonwealth when make it hardly suitable for any con- it made the sale at so low a figure. tinuance of the activities mentioned. In addition to the amounts ment- Nor is there, as far as the council can tioned as being expended by sub- ascertain, any suitable area in any lessees, the Government itself, has ex- way resembling Pt. Peron to be foundl panded funds of between one quarter at any reasonable reach of the City and one half million dollars through of Perth. Therefore unless the Dro- the Education Department and the posals as we now understand them National Fitness Council resulting in are reconsidered the whole of the pro- an Education Department Camp ject aind the benefits which have been School and a youth camp which are derived by so many thousands of regarded as outstanding examples of people therefrom will not only be lost their kind. Looked at overall there is but will become the subject of much no doubt that the project is on the bitter public resentment. way to being an outstanding success We are quite unable to believe that and unique in Australia. Members of the use of any greater portion of the State Governments, the Common- Pt. Peron area than that shown in wealth Director General of Health and the plan of December 12th, 1966 is other Federal officers who have in- necessary for the development of spected the scheme concur not only in whatever activities can be contem- regard to the Education Department's plated in the area in the vicinity own premises but in regard to the of Garden Island. overall scheme. I interpolate at this point to say that the Having explained to you as shortly people who placed the matter which has as possible circumstances which have been outlined here before the Premier given rise to this deputation and the were not objecting to plans for the roads facts which the council and Its sub- to be joined, or whatever else the Depart- committee believe are deserving of mnent of Industrial Development required very careful consideration, it is now in the area; they were fighting particularly necessary to submit our requests:- against the installation of a sewerage (1) That the area be gazetted as system in the area and against the future "All Class reserve in accord- possibility of having to shift out com- ance with the arrangements pletely, as I will show through reading clearly set out in the corres- another letter shortly. To continu-- pondence Quoted earlier in We reiterate that so far as the pro- this submission. posals contained in that plan are con- (2) That the area of the Penin- cerned we would have offered no sula shown on the plan given objection. But if the sub-lessees (at of 12/12/66 and not shaded the termination of the existing lease pale green be vested in the in 1972 or at any other time in the Minister for Education under near future) are to be placed in the two headings:- position where they will have to A. The area of the Educa- vacate this area the statistics pre- Department Camp sented to you a moment ago must tion provide a strong argument for further School on behalf of the consideration of any contemplated Education Department. proposals for they disclose the ex- B. The balance of the penditure of half to three quarters of area on behalf of the a million dollars in cash to which National Fitness Coun- must be added the value of the very cil of which the Hon. great voluntary labour also shown in Minister for Education the statistics. Surely the State in the is not only Minister but event of evacuation will have to give Statutory Chairman. [Wednesday, 14 August, 1968.133 385

(3) That steps be taken to can- but I was told last year it is the Kwinana cel the "freezing" order which townsite; there is, in fact, no Medina it is maintained has been townsite. placed on all the area by the If it is possible to install a sewerage Metropolitan Region Plan- station in the proposed area--that. is, at ning Authority. In explana- least 3U miles from the coast-why did tion of his request it is under- the Premier have to tell the people that stood that using powers under the Point Peron area was the only place the Town and Regional where a plant could be economically in- Planning legislation the stalled? I do give the Premier credit for Metropolitan Region Plan- the fact that he was not biased by con- nling Authority has taken siderations made by the senior officers in action which "freezes" any the Water Supply Department. I must re- further development in the peat his own words, as reported by the area. If this state of affairs newspaper, which were- were to continue in the light The deputation said there was no of our previous request being other suitable area comparable to agreed to, then the Minister Point and the council would be pre- Peron within reasonable reach vented from any further of Perth. development on the restricted The people will have a sewerage station area which would thus be built right alongside a very valuable vested in the Minister. Education Department building. Almost $1,000,000 has been spent in the area. The There is quite a lot more from the deputa- Rockingham Shire believes there is not tion but I wish principally to refer to the enough gardening work going on there. final paragraph which reads as follows:- However, I believe it is only saying that The deputation is of opinion that it now, because it is bitter over not being able cannot much longer refrain from tell- to acquire a subdivision for private sale. ing the representatives of these sub- The Premier, in company with members lessees all the circumstances which of the district, made a visit to the area have given rise to this deputation. We about four years ago. At that time he are stating this fact so that you will visited the beach areas and finally decided understand that within a week or two that the Government would leave the it will be necessary for representatives portion of the beach where the Kwinana of the sub-comnmittee to meet these wreck is situated for the purposes of people and inform them, at least to recreation, and that industries would he some extent, of the subject matter of established south of there. this deputation. It looks essential that Point Peron Mr. President, in one respect I am sorry should be saved. I go further and say this to have taken the time of the House in matter was discussed between Mr. Tonkin reading this document; in another respect, and myself. Mr. Tonkin made a public I am not sorry, because It Is necessary to statement, which I checked with him last point out the answers which were given to evening, to the effect that if Labor was the deputation and which were published in in Power at the momnent it would not build The West Australian on the 5th Decem- a sewerage works in the area, ber, 1967. The Premier said, and his own It is a question of piping. Plenty of land words are included in the following news- is available behind the Mandurab Road, paper extract:- and right through to Armadale for that At the government's request, the matter. Any of that land could be de- Metropolitan Water Board had re- veloped, and it is simply a question of appraised the sewerage-works pro- Piping out to sea what we are told is posal, but had reaffirmed its favourable absolutely clear water. recommendation of the Point Peron I hope I have done my duty to the site. People who asked rae to bring the matter "All our advice is that the govern- forward. I refer again to the fact that ment could not justify another site the People were told, early in the pro- because the cost would be much ceedings, that this area had to be an "A"- greater and the works would not be class reserve only. as efficient." The Federal Government sold those 400 Later on the article reads- acres of land to the State Government for The deputation said there was no $28,000. In doing so the Federal Govern- other suitable area comparable to ment took into consideration that the land Point Peron within reasonable reach of was to be used for the benefit of the People Perth. of Western Australia; and I do not think the present State Administration has any On top of that, I refer to the question I right to use the area for sewage treat- asked yesterday. The Government now ment works, The National Fitness Council intends to install a sewerage plant and is, in effect, a semni-governmental instru- station less than two miles east of Medina. mentality and Is Probably unique in the I think of it as the "Medina townsite," field of national fitness throughout the 386 388I COUNCIL.

Commonwealth. It has had the distlinetioni building. In this Kwinana accident the for many years of looking after the in- gases fell from a height of 200 feet and terests and the welfare of the youth of drifted to the ground 440 yards away, at our community, and if it is to continue which point some workers were affected. with its activities it will, in the next 30 On the other hand, workers who were em- years, need a large tract of land. There- ployed on either side of the stream of fore, this problem must be given further escaping gas felt no effects whatsoever. serious consideration. Three days after the accident Dr. Letham In addition, I would draw the attention stated he was extremely delighted with of members to the fact that the Minister the system adopted by E.H.P. for the pre- for Industrial Development, in referring to vention of accidents in this area. one of the letters that was Published in I understand that one of the young men the Press, said that industry and ordinary who rendered assistance at the time of this residents could not Jive side by side. in its accident deserved great praise. I am not wisdom the National Fitness Council has sure of his name, but be was the officer agreed with the proposals of the State in charge of the safety on the site, and Government that access must be made Dr. Letharn said that this officer, for get- available to Garden Island for Govern- ting to the two men in the building the ment purposes in order to carry out future way he did, deserved great credit. Dr. planning. The council has no objection to Letham also paid a compliment to B.H.P. that move, but it does object to its eviction for the efficient system that has been in- from its present site. stalled for handling this fall-out of carbon On the 13th December, 1967, a meeting monoxide gas, because, as I have said, a was called by Mr. Hamilton, a field officer, similar accident has never been known to in the National Fitness Council rooms. occur before. This was regarded as a closed executive On the morning of the accident at meeting, but during that afternoon a tele- Kwinana there was a low bank of air phone call came through to the National caused by fog, and we were told that at Fitness Council office to the effect that 6 p.m. these gases were still rolling around the people attending the meeting had to the ground, but that is not true. be told that the National Fitness Council must vacate the site it occupies. I would Following this accident I received a also point out that the National Fitness paper from Australian Iron and Steel at Council does not have any comparable site Kwinana. titled, "Raw Materials in the to which it can transfer its offices and manufacture of 'Pig Iron'." I understand where it can carry out its existing ac- that Mr. Dolan is a member of a com- tivities. mittee which inquires into the Problem of air pollution at various centres, and the I agree that the site at present occupied reason I mention this is that an extract by the council is an ideal one, but the In- from this paper reads as follows: dustrial development that will take place in the very near future will be tremendous A blast furnace producing 1,500 tons and we will find that If the present trend per day (similar to Kwinana) requires continues, people will be pushed further approximately 2,600 tons of iron ore, and further out from the metropolitan 1,200 tons of coke and approximately area. If one visits Wollongong and other 350 tons of limestone. industrial centres in New South Wales, one Smelting produces 1,500 tons of Pig can easily visualise how the People in those Iron, 150 tons of dust and approxi- areas have gradually been pushed further mately 4.000 tons of blast furnace gas, and further out to the perimeter of those which is used to heat the stoves in centres. With such a prospect occurring order to preheat the air blast supply in this State further consideration should to the blast furnace it is also used be given to this problem. as a boiler fuel at the Power Station. I now Wish to refer to two other mat- Huge stockyards served by overhead ters. I am concerned about the safety cranes or reclaimers are a prominent set-up that there will be in the Kwinana feature, area. on the 27th May, 1968, a serious I am concerned with the 150 tons of dust accident occurred at Ewinana which produced. I have seen workmen employed affected 26 workers. During that after- in this area for only an hour wearing hel- noon I was in touch with Dr. Lethamn and mets and protective clothing and within he gave me a report which indicated that that period they have become completely Dr. McNulty had visited the area and covered with white dust. blood tests had been taken of the workers I might be barking up the wrong tree in concerned four hours after the accident speaking to this question, because it is had occurred. These blood tests showed quite possible the company already has that all the workers were normal except some means of handling the dust, but I one, but within six hours he was also de- point out that all the trees in the Sur- clared to be fit. rounding area are being covered with The S.HIP. company has never known white dust from the alumina works, des- such an accident to occur before, despite pite the fact that the company is employ- the fact that gases have been known to ing all the devices it possibly can to treat escape and flow down the side of the the escaping smoke and particles of dust, [Wednesday, 14 August. 1968.133 387 because it cannot afford to waste alumina something should be done before long to in the air. I know that Mr. Ron Thompson clear the traffic in Perth streets at peak has discussed this question with executives periods. The next question I wish to raise of the company, and I was wondering relates to the light standards which are whether the Minister would be able to erected on the left-hand side of the car- obtain more information about the 150 riageways on the Kwinana. Freeway. tons of dust daily that is escaping from Already 100) light standards have been the chimney stacks of the now Australian knocked down, and many vehicles have Iron and Steel Co. been severely damaged which, in my view. is caused to a great degree, by the position I now wish to refer to another small of the light standards on the freeway. matter which to me is rather important. It relates to traffic being banked up at I understand that of all the freeways in peak periods at the intersections of Murray the world Italy has the best and was the and Barrack Streets, Hay and Barrack first country to use this method. In that Streets, William and Hay Streets, and country the light standards on the free- William and Murray Streets, because of ways are Positioned on the central median the traffic lights turning to red before strip. The length Of the anus which carry vehicles can cross the intersections. Whilst the lights is not as was explained by I was in London I noticed that the traffic the Minister for Electricity in another there works on a system of diagonal lines place when answering a question in rela- painted at each intersection, and I am sug- tion to the number of light standards gesting that a, similar system should be that had to be replaced on the Swinani, adopted to handle the Perth traffic at the Freeway as a result of their being knocked intersections I have mentioned, and at others, if necessary. down by vehicles. As I have stated, at the London inter- The Minister for Electricity stated thai sections, yellow diagonal strips about 10 the light standards had to be on the neat inches wide are painted on the roadway. side of the vehicle when travelling alonge The system is followed by a driver who, carriageway-that is, on the left-hant say, is travelling south along Barrack kerb of the roadway-but, I repeat, on th( Street and who wishes to turn right into roads in Italy and France, and on the "M"1- Hay Street, of veering slightly to the left ways in England and Scotland, the lighi at the intersection so that he is nearly in standards are positioned on the median line with the traffic that is about to move strip. I would further point out that in along flay Street when the lights turn certain areas in Holland a motorist can, green, at which time he would immediately travel at 80 miles an hour along the free- move off into his correct lane in flay ways, and also on some of the "M"-ways Street. This system has proved to be very in England. effective in handling London's traffic The Hon. A. F. Griffith: Did you travel which, of course, is extremely heavy. along the road that stretches from north The Hon. A. F. Griffith: f-low wide are to south in England? If you did, I am sure the London streets in comparison with the You will agree that the cost of resumption streets of Perth, such as Barrack Street? in order to build that road must have been very great. The Hon. F. R. H. LAVERY: The streets in London carry five lanes of traffic. The Hon. F. R. H. LAVERLY: I am not worrying about the cost of each light stan- The Hon. A. F. Griffith: Barrack Street dard; I am concerned about the fact that is not Capable of that. the Minister for Electricity has stated that The Hon. F. R. H. LAVERY: Barrack light standards must be erected on eiher Street carries five lanes of traffic. There side of the carriageways along the Kwinania is one parking lane, with two lanes going Freeway. I maintain that, after my ex- one way and two in the opposite direction. perience of travelling along the freeways I am speaking of that time of the day in ItalY, it is much better to have the light when Barrack Street is a clearway; that standards erected in the centre of the is, when parking is not permitted at peak median strip, and I am sure if this were done it would tend to prevent accidents periods. I feel certain that before long occurring Barrack Street will have to be declared a as a result of vehicles colliding clearway right through the city. with light standards. I think that most of such accidents occur through motorists The Hon. A. F. Griffith: At peak periods veering sharply to the left. there are no right-hand turns. A motorist cannot turn out of a two-way street into I think a, mistake was made when the a one-way street. light standards were erected along the fringes of the Kwinana F'reeway, and if The Non. F. R. H. LAVERY: A driver is any new light standards are erected in the permited to turn right out of Hay Street future they should be Positioned in the into William Street, and right out of Mur- central median strip. To shift the light ray Street into Barrack Street. I raise this standards that are already erected and question because I consider it is vital that Place the electric mains -ndergrount 388 388IIASSEMB3LY. I would cost a great deal of money. I have (3) If the answer to (2) is "No," Will made a close study of the road lighting he immediately make another systems in other countries and I hope the kindergarten site available to the suggestion I have made will be adopted. Carnarvon kindergarten as it is I support the motion. grossly overcrowded and has to refuse many children;, if not, why Debate adjourned, on motion by The not? Hon. N. E. Baxter. Mr. BOVELL replied; House adjourned at 9.30 p.m. (1) No. However the Medical Depart- ment has requested the Lands Department to assist in providing another site for the Camnarvon kindergarten to enable the hos- pital authorities to acquire Re- serve No. 10921 for future require- Wednesday, the 14th August, 1968 ments. (2) Reserve No. 24801 has been sug- gested as an alternate site tot The SPEAKER (Mr. Guthrie) took the the kindergarten and infant health centre and this is currently Chair at 4.30 p.m., and read prayers. under consideration by the Shire of Carnarvon in conjunction with QUESTIONS (45): ON NOTICE their town planning scheme for EMERGENT ACCOMMODATION the area. (3) Will depend on the outcome of Provision (2). 1.Mr. TONKIN asked the Minister for Housing: MAIN ROADS GRANT (1) How many emergent cases were Northern .Shires: Allocations provided with accommodation by 3. Mr. NORTON asked the Minister for the State Housing Commission Works: during the months of May, June, and July this year respectively? What amount was made available by way of Main Roads rants for (2) What is the anticipated number of developmental and important sec- emergent cases which will be pro- ondary roads for the years 1965-66 vided with accommodation during the present month? to the following shires:- (a) Shark Bay: Mr. O'NEIL replied: (b) Carnarvon; (1) Referring to metropolitan area (c) Upper Gascoyne; only- May, 1968-36. (d) Murchison; June, 196"-0. (e) Exmouth? July, 1968-32. Mr. COURT (for Mr. Ross Hutchin- (2) In the metropolitan area over the son) replied:' last financial year an average of Details of Main Roads grants for 37 emergent cases per month was developmental and important sec- offered accommodation. An aver- ondary roads for the year 1965-66 age of 32 per month accepted the in the shires of Shark Bay, Car- offer made. It is anticipated that narvon, Upper Gascoyne, Murchi- the experience during this month son, and Exmnouth are given on the will be closely related to the ex- following statement:- perience of the past. 1965-66 Allocations for Developmental CARNARVON KINTDERGARTEN and Important Secondary Roads Resumption of Reserve Shaires Shark flay 2. Mr. NORTON asked the Minister for Developmental roads 15,000 Lands: Developmental roads (1) Is he aware that the Public (Central Road Tust Health Department has given Fund) ...... 896 notice to the Carnarvon Kinder- Important secondary garten Committee that it intends roads ...... 45,000 to resume Reserve No. 10921? (2) As Reserve No. 24807 is being used $60,896 only as a storage area for electric light poles, will he change Its Carnarvon $ ikurpose from "Recreation" to Developmental roads .. 89,300 'Kindergarten Site" ? Developmental roads