Queensland

Parliamentary Debates [Hansard]

Legislative Assembly

FRIDAY, 12 OCTOBER 1945

Electronic reproduction of original hardcopy

Supply. [ 12 OC'J~OBER.] Questions. 809

FRIDAY, 12 OCTOBER, 1945.

Mr. SPEAKER (Hon. S. J. Brassington, Fortitude Valley) took the chair at 11 a.m.

AUDITOR-GENERAL'S REPOR'l'.

Jllr. SPEAKER announced the receipt from the Auditor-General of his report on the operations of the various loans Binking funds of the State for the ye.u 1944-Hl45. Ordere<1 to he printed.

QUESTIONS.

LOC.\.L AT.i'l'HORIT!ES AND vVA1"ER CONSERVA';'[ON. Jllr. ED"VYARDS (Nanango) asked the Treasurer- '' 1. What is the usual financial assist­ ance made available to loca] authorities fo·r water conservation schemes~ "2. Do the Commonwealth Govern­ ment provide financial aid in cases where such schemes are used for irrigation pur­ poses? If so, what is the nature of such aid?'' Hon. E. Jli. HANLON (Ithaca) replied- '' 1. Under the State subsidy scheme subsidy towards approved water conserva­ tion and irrigation projects is on the following basis:-(a) Headworks: A cash subsidy of 50 per cent. increased by 75 per cent. of the estimated net annual deficit on operations of the undertaking. (b) J_,ocal weirs and reticulation: A cash ~ubsidy of 25 per cent. increased by 75 per cent. of the estimated net annual deficit as for headwo·rks to a maximum of 50 per cent. So far as town water supply schemes arc concerned, there is a minimum subsidy 810 Papers. [ASSE~IBLY.] Children's Protection, &c.,Bill.

of 20 per cent. of capital cost or of the Order in Council under tht> State annual loan charges increased by 75 per Development and Public Works Organisa­ cent. of the estimated net annual deficit tion Acts, 1938 to 1940 (Octo·ber 4, of the undertaking to a maximum of 33! 1945). per cent. "2. No." MINISTERIAL EXPENSES, 1944-45.

IMPORTATION OF STUD STOCK. RETURN TO ORDER. Mr. SPARKES (Aubigny) asked the Act­ The following paper was laid on the ing Premier- table:- " In view of the decision of the New Return to an Order made by the House on South Wales Government to send a: dele­ 21 August last, on the motion of Mr. gation to Engla11d to import stud stock, Y eates, showing in the usual form the will he give consideration to a simila1· expenses of Ministers for 1944-45. delegation being sent from Queensland~'' Hon. E. M. HANLON (Ithaca) replied- STATE HOUSINIG BILL.

'' The matter referred to in the hon. INITIATION. member's question is being submitted to the Hon. the Secretary for Agriculture and Hon. H. A. BRUCE !The Tableland­ Stock for consideration.'' Secretary for Public Works): I move- D.D.T. INSECTICIDE. '' That the House will, at its present sitting, resolve iwelf into a Committee of Mr. PATERSON (Bowen) asked the the Whole to consider of the desirableness Secretary for Agriculture and Stock- of introducing a Bill to make better pro­ vision for housing and improving the '' 1. Is he aware that advertisements housing requirements and conditions in the ;have been published recently in the Press State of Queensland, to provide for the offering for sale insecticides alleged to constitution of and powers and authorities contain D.D.T. ~ of a State Housing Commission, to provide '' 2. Have any of these insecticides been for advances for housing, and for other analysed, and, if so, with what results~ purposes.'' "3. What steps have been taken to Motion agreed to. prevent the fraudulent use of the name 'D.D. T.' in advertisements or in any other practice designed to induce people to buy HOSPITAL BENEFITS AGREEMENT BILL. such products~'' INITIATION. Hon. T. L. WILLIAMS (Port Curtis) replied- Hon. T. A. FOLEY (Normanby-Secre­ " 1. Yes. tary for Health and Home Affairs): I move- '' 2 and 3. The advertisements referred '' That the House will, at it£ present to by the hon. member apparently relate to sitting resolve itself into a Committee of the sale for domestic use of an insectidde the Whole to consider of the desirableness alleged to contain D.D.T. Therefore, I of introducing a Bill to authorise the execu­ suggest he direct his inquiries to the Hon. tion by the State of Queensland of an the Minister fo'r Health and Home Affairs, agreement between the Commonwealth of who, I understand, has already taken Australia and the State of Queensland certain action in the matter." relating to hospital benefits, and for other incidental purposes.'' Motion agreed to. PAPERS. The following papers were laid on the table and ordered to be printed:- CHILDREN'S PROTECTION ACT AMENDMENT BILL. Report of the Public Service Superannua­ tion Board for the year 1944-1945. , INITIATION. Report of the Commissioner of Taxes on Hon. T. A. FOLEY (Normauby-Secre­ the operation of the Land Tax Act tary for Health and Home Affairs): I of 1915 for the year 1944-1945. move- RepOTt of the Commissioner of Police for '' That the House will at its present the year 1944-1945. sitting resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole to consider of the desirable­ The following papers were laid on the ness of introducing a Bill to amend the table:- Children's Protection Act, 1896, in certain Regulation under the Motor Vehicles particulars.'' Insurance Acts, 1936 to 1943 (October 4, 1945). Motion agreed to. Supply. (12 OCTOBER.] Supply. 811

SUPPLY. months of this financial year and during t.hat time £167,000 has been spent. On that basis COMMI'ITEiF!--FINANCIAL ;ST'A'l"EMENT­ alone, seeing that the tempo of house con­ RESUMPTION OF DEBATE. struction is increasing week by week, and ('I' he C1mirman of Committees, Mr. J\Iann, that more and more mE'n arc becoming avail­ Brisbane, in the chair.) a'ble, it is obvious that over £1,000,000 will be spent this year. If the tempo mcreases Debate resumed from 11 October (see p. as we expect we hope to spend the £2,000,000. 809) on Mr. Hanlon 's motion- However, the target is £2,000,000. '' That there be granted to His MajBsty :ilir. Pie: The target and the demand, too. for the service of the year 1945-46 a sum not exceeding £300 to defray the salary of :ilir. HANLON: The demand would the Aide-de-Camp to His Exeellenc;· the not be satisfied probably by £5,000,000 or Governor.'' £10,000,000, because even when the actual shortage of accommodation has been o>-el'­ Hon. E. JU. HANLON (Ithaca-Treasurer) taken there \Yill still be the task of getting ( 11.1:1 a.m.), in reply: The debate that is rid of much of the sub-st·oted to charges of maladministration and easily make it. neglect by the Federal authorities in matters There has been a great deal of comment on•r which the Government of Queensland on the action of the Government in adopting h~n· 110 control whatsoever. In the great the day-labour system in the construction of majority of cases, however, the Budget, so houses. V{e found that that \Yas necessary, f:t1' ns 1t was dealt with generally, \Yas and I shall have more to say about it later rcceiw<1 very favourably indeed. Of eourse, on. It wns also said that pre-fabricated I suppose it would lw impossible for any steel houses were going to help solve our Treasurer ever to bring before the CommHtee housing problem. Let us hope that thE'y will, a Bndget that did not leave some loophole but I do not think that the information at that enabled hon. members of the Opposition our disposal justifies us in ceasing om present to find some fault with it or charge the svstem of construction. 'rhe pre-farnicatccl Treasurer with some sin of omission or com- ):{onse will br in addition to our existing pro­ 111JSSl011. It would be impossible for hon. gramme. \Ye haw hrlcl experience of pre­ members of the Opposition not to find some fabricated jobs in the South, \Yhere Sir Harold l'Pason for complaint. Many of the matters Cla'pp, under the direction of the Common­ put forward were constructive and worthy of wealth Go\ ernment, set out to carry out the consideration. In many other instances, how­ pre-fabrication of railway workshops in the ever, advantage was taken of the oppor­ form of a T, from which lw woulr1 d0liver tunity offered by the debate merely to all tlH• locomoti.-rs required to meet 1var insinuate evil motives on the part of the traffic, Ko\Y \Ye haw arrived at the stage Uowrnment with respect to various matters that rlll the surplus locomotives we have arc or to read into the Budget things which 20 Ga:rratt engines. Great Britain has had 11 ere not in it at all. the same experience in attempting the pre­ First let me deal with the suggestion made fabrication of homes. by the Leader of the !Opposition that the ~Ir. Pie: They are well under way there allocation of £2,000,000 for housing was too now. much and that the amount could not be spent. Ewn if the charge that it could not be spent ~Ir. HANLON: That may be, but they should prove to be correct, it still would be have been carrying out experiments for just inadvisable to provide an amount that might over a year, and gradually they are beginning not he enough. Since it is the desire of the to understand how to build them. The pre­ Government that every possible mE'ans be fabrication of houses, particulaTly metal pursued to overtake the shortage of housing, houses, is a simpler matter in England. than that every available man with building skill it is hen', because there they lwve engmeer­ shall be engaged on the construction of ing workshops on rl colossal scale and their houses and that all available material shall climatic conditions are such that metal houses be use'd for the erection of houses, it is only are not likclv to affect living conditions. A common sense to make the allocation large sea led pre-fa'bricated steel house YYithout ade­ enough to meet a'ny possible source of woi-k quate lining to keep out the heat \Yould not that may arise. It \Yas suggested during the be desirable in a Stnte like Queenslnnd. debate that we should not be able to spencl ])fr. Pie: It is lined with fibro. £1,000,000, but I remind hon. members that the present campaign began in March of ~Ir. HXN-LON: If it is successful, well this year. It has beE'n operrlting for three :me lawyer, so taxpayers employ it is, that is, if we had been collecting tax the most efficiBnt tax agents-as the hon. on the incomes of the people of Qu•eensland member for Loga'n knows-to prepare their at the pre-war rate of taxation, which was income-tax returns for them. much less than the rate taxpayers are paying The suggestion was made that the State's today. surpluses had been concealed. I want to Mr. Hiley: Would it have been necessary point out that paying monBy into the Post· to levy the same rate~ war Reconstruction and Development Trust Fund does not conceal the surpluses. The Mr. HANLON: It would not have been figures are there, and they show the surplus necessary to levy it. It was not the single of revenue over expenditure for the year. tax that improved the Budget. The increased But what cannot be put down in the tables incomes of thB people of the State would of the Budget is the depreciation of assets have enabled the Government, if they con­ that is due to the fact that labour wau not tinued to be the taxing authority, to greatly and is not available to do maintenance '':•Jrlrs. reduce their tax rates and achieve the same That is to be met by that fund. results as were achieved under the single tax. Exception was taklen by some hon. membel'S Mr. Pie: More people are paying income to the fact that on this occasion we put tax now, too. into the Post-war Reconstruction and Develop­ ment 'rrust Fund only £500,000 of the actual JUr. HANLON: That is so. The whole balance of receipts over expenditure, whereas Commonwealth is being taxed under the in the prc0eding year we paid almost the uniform-tax schemE!. One fact must not be whole of the excess into the fund. We do not Supply. (12 OCTOBER.) Supply. 813· get any advantage for the Government by From 1932 to 1938 budget equilibrium had showing a surplus of £500,000. That is not b€\en established and the. State was showing an advantage to the Government. In fact, a surplus instead of a deficit. If there is it is a disadvantage. Had we put the other one thing the Labour Government has to be £500,000 into the fund it would be available conunended on it is the remarkably efficient for the Government to spend later, but on way in which they facoo up to the work of our survey the depreciation is coming to all restoring tl:ne financial stability of the State end now, and that will not be met by labour, and getting people back to work. Before and it would not be honest to put £1,000,000 the war the State was showing a surplus, into the fund when we estimated that the vastly in contrast with most of the other lag in depreciation would be only £500,000. States. In previous years the lag was almost £1,000,000. Consequently the bulk of the Jtir. Muller: A much exaggerated state­ money 1Yas available to meet depreciation on ment. rolling stock and public buildings. Otn:· Mr. HANLON: Mr. Mann, the hon. mem-· public buildings are in an absolutely terrible ber may not be acquainted with facts but condition. Our schools, our hospitals, our that is a fact-what I have been saying. court-houses, our police stations, and in fact If a fact does not suit him h,e ignores it, practically all our public buildings througl:­ but we must face these facts-it is the out the State will take a tremendous amount duty of members to face facts when they are of money not merely to paint and dec01·ate put before them. them but to repair them-to eliminate the state of rottenness into which they have Jlir. lUuller: You ignore the fact that in fallen because maintenance and repairs could 1!932 the States were all alike. not be done during the war years. It would not be businesslike if the Government, Mr. HANLON: The hon. member is still ignored that depreciation in our physical fighting to d-efend the fatal action taken assets and made no provision to meet it. by the party to which he was allied in 1929-32. No matter how long he talks he Hon. members also commented adversely will never convince anybody but a few old on the industrial unrest that is prevalent diehards like himself that the Government here today. Industrial unrest is prevalent of that period did not fail to look after tht' throughout the whoLe world. You read in this morning and yesterday's papers that in country. Hollywood people have been injured in The hon. member for Logan raised the riots about a strike. '!'his State has a reputa­ question also of the indebtedn.ess of the State tion second to that of no place in the world in the terms of the pound Australian. 'fhe for industrial peace. The hon. memb2r for pound Australian is our currency: we have Hamilton read some very misleading figures, not any other currency. carefully gathered to convey the impression that he wished to create about the. South Mr. Hiley: It is not the basis of the Australian Government but over the years liability. Queensland has a better record for indus­ Mr. HANLON: It is the basis of the trial peace than any other State in the liability because we do not know from day Commonwealth or any other country in the to day what thie Australian pound is going world. How far have you to go back to to be worth. How could we express the find that somebody was injured in a brawl dollar~ What a misleading table it would associated with an industrial dispute~ To have been if we expressed the dollar loan 1912, when the member for Hamilton was a on the basis of the pound sterling in any special constable wielding a baton. That is year since the war began~ Th() rate of the last time-during the Denham adminis­ exchange of the pound and dollar have been tration-when a baton was ever usecl to knock fluctuating from month to month. It would the working man about. Not since the Labour mean that a separate financial return would Party came into office has anybody been have to be tabled every time the. exchanme injm,ed. altered. We do not know how long the The summary of the hon. member for Logan present rate of exchange will last; it may go was fair and logical but he, was wrong in up or down. A while .ago it looked as though stating that budgetary equilibrium was due the pound sterling would collapse and natur­ to the war position and increased income ally the pom1d Australian would be relatively received during the war. Actually the budget of a higher value, in which case the transfer equilibrium had be,-en reached before the war. of the debt to Australia would have been The operations of the financial year before much more to our advantage. During the the war showed a considerable surplus, so last few months the Commonwealth Bank, it was not the war position that established which is one of the world's great financial budget equilibrium and financial stabHity, institutions, decided after studying the situa­ but the hard work of the Trcasm1ers of the tion that apparently the pound sterling was day from 1932 onwards when they lifted this going to maintain ·its position. If it had State from a position in which the first not come to that decision it would not have month Forgan Smith becam, Premier there agreed to transfer the. huge amount of was 11ot the wherewithal to pay the public Australian debt from Lo11don to Australia servants' salaries. That is tl1!9 position­ at the present exchange rate. If there had the Treasury was absolutely penniless ancl been clanger that the pound sterling would was at the mercy of the banker to give us fa 11, instead of the Australian pound, the the money to pay the public seT;-ants' salaries. transfer would not have been made. 814 Supply. [ASSE:YIBLY.] Supply.

Until just before the end of the last finan­ Order. They will certainly demand some eial year the general impression was that the improvement . .likely collapse was in the pound sterling and Recently we had a delegation from the great HOt in the pound Australian and it looked country of India visiting Australia. This was 1·ery much like it. I have to set out a table not a delegation of workers, labourers or com­ for this year for this Parliament but I haye moners but a delegation of millionaire busi­ no more idea than you, Mr. Manu, or any ness operatives. They told us quite candidly other man, what the rate of exchange of the that they of their own accord had a plan, Australian pound sterling will be before the which they call the Bombay plan, to double end of the year. We put the table in our the standard of living of the Indian people own cunency and every member knows that in the first 15 years after the war. 'I' he IYhen we pay a pound interest to London we proposal was to spend £10,000,000·,ooo in lun·c to pay 25s. of Australian money. Surely capital expenditure to double the standard of to goodness that is not too great a task for livin"' of the people of India. I do not care a man with the accountancy qualifications of lww "'thev double the standard of living of tlll' hou. member for Logan to estimate the the people of India but if you double the position at a given time. standard of 400-odd million people you cer­ The hon. member for Stanley gave the tainly will create an immense market. 'The Committee au almost unique lecture on the numbers make an immense market. Budget and like other members opposite 'l'he same thing applies to China. The took ~t most doleful, gloomy view of the coolie~ of China will not put up with the futm·e. You know, Mr. Manu, that at the end conditions they had before the war. The of the war one could be forgiven for being radio is giving them a knowledge of world a little bit over-optimistic but I find it very trends and events. Radio and the moving difficult to excuse the gloomy, doleful outlook picture are educating people who can neither of the hun. member for Stanley with reg:uc1 read nor \Hite. 'l'hese people will not put up to the fntuTe and the prices of primary with the conditions they had in the past. produce. For instance, take wool: I was speaking to a ladv from China a little while ago and she Jir. Pie: He has still got some Scotch said that China >Yould be a wool market_ Two in him. million soldiers had been wearing woollen 3Ir. HXNLON: I think he would be much clothes supplied by Britain and I asked if more optimistic if he had a little more Scotch she thought these men would go back to the in him. (Laughter.) As a matter of fact, old, cumbersome, awkward, padded-cotton :dl indicutions point to the maintenance of dothes they wore in the past. She replied, l1igher prices for primary producb in the ''No, they will want wooL'' Once they make post-war year than iu the pre-war period. lPJ their minds they want a thing noti1ing in \Yur pric~s may not be maintained. \Ve are tl~e world >Yill stop them from getting it. not suggesting that. Once they have a thing they will fight any­ body who tries to take it from them. This lllr. Sparli:es: How do you figure that out? is the factor we are counting on for improved prices for our primary products_ I advise ~Ir. H_l:SLON: In the first place, there the hon. member that he can well afford to be is :m E'\'el·-gTOwing shortage of foodstuffs in at least less pessimistic in outlook than he is. the "·orld. As the populations of the countries Cert~.inly the people of Europe and Asia are on·rseas increase, their capacity to produce not as steeped in conservatism as he is, and food rohttively decreases. Secondly, hon. consequently they will make progress. members opposite in their conservatism never The hon. member for Sandgate burst into make a!lO\\·:mce for the ever-growing urge of political tears about the horrors that will the working people for a better standard of befall Sandgate because of the proposal of 1iYing. Xot wanting a better standard of the Government to bring some of the old Jiying for the working people themselves, they pioneers of this State to Sandgate to live. think a Letter standard of living will not What an outrage on the people of Sandgate, come about. The hon. member for Aubigny that they should have to suffer the view of ne1·er appears to realise that the people of the old people of this State who had to enter Europe will be wanting a little mon:l meat into a GoYernment institution to end their than they have been able to get in the past. days! What a typical piece of realism 'it The hon. member for Stanley should realise was from a member of the Queensland thnt they will want more butter than in the People's Party, in contrast to the lip-service past. When they can afford butter they of that party to the poor and suffering and will not buy margarine. Rising prices will the aged! What a contrast to the lip-service come from the rising incomes of the working gh-en by the hon. member to social security people in the European and Asiatic countries. and the' needs of the old pioneers, and the The Dritons who fought in France and the tributes he and his colleague pay them and men who landed in Normanby, the men who the claims they make about what we owe the fought through North Africa, Burma and in old pioneers of this country! Here are some the Pacific will not go back to a standard of hundreds of old people who slaved their hearts living as low as they had before the war. out in the early days developing this country, , .iUr . .iliacdonald interjected. some of whose widows, too, are at Dunwich, and whom the Government propose to bring Jlir. HANLON: I am pretty sure they will to Sandgate where they may have some ameni-. not. After the end of the war I do not think ties in their declining days. The hon. mem­ peopie \l·ill be deluded about this New World ber for Sandgate gets up and says that this Supply. [12 OCTOBER.] Supply. 81;'}

is not a suitable place for them, that if they a comparison of the old-established railway are at the seaside they might get their feet systems of America, which have a huge popu­ wet. He says we should get them up on a lation to serve, with our railways, the ho11. high hill where nobody will be able to see me-mber wishes to destroy our system. them and whence they will not be able to 'rhis morning the hon. member for Car­ come down-put them away back where they pentaria made a very fair comparison of the­ will get the breeze up on the heights and two railways systems. where the people of Sandgate will not have to look at them, put them where they will There are complaints about the railways, not be taking up 50 or 60 acres of desirable there is 110 doubt that trains a're running late, building allotments that could be cut up and hut the hon. member should be fair in hi8 sold through the house and land agents. That criticism. He realises that the war create<[ iA the attitude of the hon. member-at all difficulties for the Railway Department. Tht• costs, keep them out of Sandgate! locomotiYcs are out of condition, hardly a .:l:ly goes bv U1at a locomotive does not fail on llr. UECKER: I ask for a withdrawal of the rmi. It is not the fault of the men. that statement. I offered to find a spot in The hon. member suggested that the mor Sandgate for the people so that they would deliberately held the trains up so that the~­ not be dumped in an unsuitable spot-. could get overtime. The hon. member says that of men who have excited the admiration lUr. HANLON: The hon. member is too of all the :fighting services for their splen­ funny for words. He pictured a mountain­ did work in war-time. He suggested that they top somewhere and I do not know of any deliberately held the trains up so that the:­ mountain along the beaches of Sandgatc. So could get oYertime. He should apologisl' to far as the Government are concerned, there the raihmymen for that statement. is no place too good for the housing of these people. If a site were available on the heights lUr. SPARKES: Mr. Mann, I rise to a of Hamilton and we thought it was a good point of order. I take no notice of a rornark place to put these people we would put them when it is trne but that is a deliberate lie, up there, irrespective of whose dignity we that I said that the men held up the trains. might hurt. The welfare of these people is I take exception to that. I made no such of primary importance to the Labour move­ statement. ment, nnd consequently that beautiful level ground, with a nice beach, with the ;;ea safe Tile CHAIRMAN: Order! First of all I ask the hon. member to withdraw the term for bathing for old people right at th~i( door, is the ideal spot. l''urthermore, it has trans­ ''deliberate lie.'' port. ~Ir. SPARKES: I ask that the statement The hon. member says it is too near the that I said-- pub. What a terrible thought, to think that some of these old pioneers who slaved their Tile CHAIRMAN: I ask the hon. member souls out building up this State might. be to withdraw the term. able to get a pint of beer occasionally! What ~Ir. SPARKES: withdraw the term. an awful thing it is! How dare these old I I ask that the Acting Premier withdraw the fellows want a drink! They are not wealthy statement that I said that the men deliber­ men; why should they want a drink~ Why ately held up the trains. should they compete ;vith the residents of Sandgate for the available beer of the dis­ The CHAIRMAN: I ask the Treasurer trict~ They are worthy of everything it is to accept the denial of tl1e hon. member for possible to give them. They are worthy of Aubigny. access to the picture shows of Sandgate, to the shops of Sandgate, or any locality such Mr. HANLON: I will with the greatest as that. With a good bus service passing the of plea·sure. I understood the hon. member to door they can go to the town of Sandgate or say that yon could never get the trains to come up to Brisbane if they wish, and their run on time now and that you would never relatives and friends can visit them with get the trai11s to run on time while you paid the greatest of ease whenever they like. vre overtime, and that you would get better ser­ are determined that the best possible site we Yice from the men if you gave them a bo1mR can get to house these people will be made for running tmins on time. I leave it to available. t;he railwaymen to draw their own inference from his remarks. The hon. member has the The hon. member for Aubigny whispered to yery bad habit of exaggerating his statements us here the other day a few complaints he in order to make a case for himself bnt that had to make about the Railway Department. does not do his case any good. Undoubtedly He compared the Queensland railways in speed there are delays in the arrival of trains today. with the great railways of the U.S.A. He For instance, he said that it took 48 hours said that something should be done about it. for a train to rnn from Dalby to Brisbane. Should we not do something about the inferior cattle he has out at Dalby compared with lt[r. Sp.arkes: No, you read the proof of the stud herds of England~ I daresay there my speech. are single bulls in England equal in value to his whole herd. In comparison with the old­ Mr. HANLON: I made a note of his established herds of England the hon. mem­ remarks. I advise him to be more factual ber's stud is a poor one, therefore we should when making sncl1 statements and then he will destroy it! In the same way, when we make not damage his case so much. He rather 816 Supply. [ ASSE:.VIBL Y .] Supply. brinos ridicule on his case when he talks like lllr. HANLON: The assets would be that created by our expenditure and the liabili­ Then the hon. member for ~Windsor made ties would be the debt. If the hon. member the peculiar suggestion about a half-million will take up a pencil and paper we can get pound '' disclo_sed'' Budget, and wanted to him to figme out a balance sheet for him­ know whether It was because some action had self. In the first place, included in the State been brought to bear by the Commonwealth assets is the value of the whole of the Crown (\overmnent or the Commonwealth Bank. lands of the State, 93 per cent. of which are unalienated. \Ve should also include all lUr. Pie: This year as compared with the roads we have constructed, all our rail­ previous ye:us. '' ays nnd rolling- stock, all our buildings, including public and administrative build­ Thir. HAXLON: He went on to ask whether it was because of some force used ings, court houses, schools, hospitals, Parlia­ by the Commonwealth Government or the Com­ ment House, the value of all the ports and monwealth Bank. The hon. gentleman poses everv other asset we have created in this as an authority. ~tafe. lU1'. Pie: Ko. Ml'. Pie: And the 25-year-old railway trucks. Thir. IIANLON: He poses as an authority \Yhen he gets up to make speeches here. He· Ml'. HANLON: That is so, and the value goes to the Constitutiona:j Club. of the railways and everything else. If he took up his pencil and wrote down the figures 1'\Ir. Pie: I never spoke there in my life. represented in those assets we could prepare l\Ir. HANLON: Or to the Colony Club or a statement of assets and liabilities for him. ~he ~Women's Electoral League and poses as He could put down there also the value of an authority. on finance. Before he ean pose the health of the people of Queensland­ mb€r for Cooroora was a Minister in the lusioned. It was suggested that the large Moore Government, when the then Secretary contractors would do all sorts of things. One for Railways, Mr. Godfrey Morgan, wrote man who had a contract in the city made off £28,000,000 from the railway qapital statements of what he would do. That is all indebtedness. Notwithstanding that legisla­ right, but that has not put a roof over any­ tion ;o that effect was passed, the State had body's head. The housing authority wants to pay the same interest and redemption as to lwnr from him. We started off with the formerly. It is trne that it had the effect of idea that if we could give a contmct for writing something off the milway capital large blocks of houses we could get them indebtedness but the debt still remained. The cheaper. We called tenders for 32 houses at only way to write off debt is by paying it Stafford and we got a tender of some off. What hon members opposite must under­ thousands of pounds in excess of the estimate sta.nd is that in public accounts you can of the department. The manager of the State l':nte up or you can write down. There is Advances Corporation recommended that we no law to stop it. should not accept it. vYe called tenders agaii,, A second tender was received from the same liir. Pie·: Morally you cannot. tenderer, a couple of thousand pounds lower, and the manager again advised us that the i)Ir. HANLON: No, but we arrive at the best solution we can. For instance some­ tender was too high and it should not be accepted because he maintained they could be thing like half a million pounds i~ being built at the estimate he had made. We did \'iTitte~ . off the indebtedness of two port not accept that tender and we decided to authon.tws. That fact is reported in this build these houses by day labour; ancl Fmanc1al. Statement, but although that writes promptly along came the contractor and off the mdebtedness of the ports to the offered to build them at our estimate. Why Government the debt is still there. All that could not that honest tender have been sub­ the Government's Act does is to relieve the mitted in the first place if contractors were port a~thoritics in Bowen and Rockhampton honestly endeavouring to co-operate in supply­ of havmg to pay that debt to us. ing houses~ Do you not think it was reason­ \Ve cannot forget our creditors; we still able to have tendered as low as would give have to meet our debts to them. The theory them a reasonable return~ of writing down values does not get us far. The hon. member for Windsor insisted in lUr. Pie: You did not give it to him? spite of our assertion, that we were going to benefit by the Commonwealth contribution to Mr. HANLON: No. our hospital cost. We are not. All the Com­ monwealth Government are going to do is to Mr. Pie: I do not think you should. g-n-e us an amount equivalent to the amount that we collected from patients. on condition !Ir. HANLON: No. That is the condi­ that we do not. C?llect from patients. Bnt tion of things \Ye have to put up with. they are not giVmg us n nything for out­ Recently, thinking we would attract the atten­ patients. They have taken account of the tion of somebody bigger still, we called fo1· amom1t we collect from our in-patients and tenders for 118 houses in one unit and it they are going to give us an amount equiva­ \vould have meant a contract of over £100,000 and we got one tender for five houses. No len~ to ;hat .but nothing for the hnge out­ pattents busmess. We are a State that has big contractor came into it. This story about a hig ou.t-patients' practice; the honorary the big contractors has proved to be purely doctors m the other States have not a delusion. The difficulty is fundamental; it encouraged the out-patient practice. We arc is the shortage of labour and material and to be the losers. Like all the grants from nobody can solve that until more labour and anybody else, there are always conditions material are ready. attached to them that make ··them not so Mr. Pie: We have to get the material attractive when you come to analyse them. first. lUr. Pie: You are going to lose on the Mr. HANLON: That is the fundamental dcaH thing. We are aiming at building up a IIIr. HANLON: They say we are not going supply of logs to the sawmills to improve to lose, I think we shall lose a bit but it will the timber output. Bricks are somewhat of not be much either way. The m~in thing is a worry, because from what I can under­ that the people will gain and that is an stand our brickyards are still in the dark ages advantage to the State and they are an asset. as far as their method of handling clay and so on are concerned. They find it difficult to JUr. Pie: You assess the people of the get men to work with pick and shovel in the State as an asset~ claypits. They will have to modernise their plant if they are going to retain their posi­ liir. HANLON: They are an asset. The tion. In order to get the bricks-and the fi11ancial balance will not be altered. Govemment a're determined to build-if we To come back to the other criticism made cannot get an assured supply of bricks of later on the housing scheme, I point out the quality we want from the existing brick­ that we have not had altogether a good deal ym·ds we shall either have to establish our from people in the building industry. Hon. own brickyard or enter into a contract with members opposite made a song about what somebody who will establish modern brick­ large contractors would do if we left this job yards. ·The others will be cut out. They 818 Supply. [ASSEMBLY.] Supply. must either meet the needs of the people or The iigure quoted on page 6 renreseJlts go out of business. expenditure from Loan Fund, ,d-1ich is reviewed thereon, while the iigurc on pag2 '< The rental of houses is another matter represccnts expendituTe from all funds on about which a number of mis-statements were works and development. If the hon. geJttlc­ made. Either the hon. member for Sandgrtte man had read the Statement he could 110t or the hon. member for J\Iaree, I forget have helped knowing that. So I sa~- th~t he which, stateu that nobody was being assisted >~as either criticising without ha.-in'" rccD

community generally and were not prepared and not only past expenditure but an estilllate to concede it to the Government who were of the expenditure for the coming year, not carrying the burden of the war. based on facts or positive knowledge, but solely on a calculation of what we can do What other State has given anything like in future· years. It looks a colossal sum of that to the Commonwealth Government~ money to spend and only a Government who Under the agreement the other States have takes an optimistic view of the future ean extracted their pound of :flesh, but the Queens­ make such a plan. This Government are land Labour Government, anxious to help in optimistic about the future of this State; we the war-effort, voluntarily gave that concession realise that this State needs development, '\Ye of £1,500,000. Go round the harbours of have been talking about the development of Australia and see how many harbours gave transport, the development of water supply, ?P their harbour dues on ships carry­ sewerage, electricity, sanitation, and so on. mg troops and munitions. In Brisbane, we The development of this State depends on gave up an amount that meant another con­ those major factors-adequate and reasonable cession to the Commonwealth Government of transport, ample electric power, ample water £140,000. We have not collected one shilling supply, the amenities and decencies of life from the Commonwealth Government for such as health services, sewerage, and sanita­ three years on ships using the Brisbane tion for people in all parts of the State. harbour-that is a gift of £140,000. We were These are the things that are necessary to not asked to do it; the Commonwealth did establish industry and encourage people to not ask us for it. The Commonwealth is live in the State. not getting it elsewhere. Then under the Savings Bank Agreement Transport must be looked at as a we have the right to 70 per cent. of the whole. There is not a bit of good in excess of the deposits over withdrawals in thinking that because one owns a Queensland every year. During the war motor-car or motor-truck nothing matters period we imposed a limit on what we would except motor transport. All forms of take under that agreement and we decided transport have a great part to play in to waive our claim to £30,000,000. That the development of the State. Sea transport, meant £30,000,000 more for the war effort air transport, rail transport, and road trans­ that we could have conserved for the future port all have their parts to play. We cannot use of this State. Lt may be said that we neglect any of them. Every proper encourage­ were not wise and that the £30,000,000 may ment has to be given to each, but we must be wanted in the future. However, I should look at the picture as a whole, not merely like "to point out that for quite a long time at one form, as each has a part to play. The during the war W€' were not sure this country Government are planning to develop this had a future and that every effort that could State by these means. The Minister for be made to aid the Commonwealth Govern­ Transport has the whole matter of transport ment ought to be made. in this State now under review. We realise that we have reached another stage in the Again, we help the Commonwealth Govern­ development of this State and we have to ment in looking after servicemen when they adopt new methods because the safety of come back. Every possible assistance is the Commonwealth depends on the develop­ given in this connection. We have just passed ment of its northern half. We know that legislation to amend the Agricultural Bank the railways must lose a lot of fast passenger Act to give vast concessions to returned traffic and perishable goods traffic to other servicemen and again we have amended the means of transport, but we do not take the law in connection with gift duties. In view that we will hold up development in addition, every man discharged from the order to protect railway revenue. We regard services gets a free railway pass over the the railways in the same class as we regard whole of the State, station to station, while schools and hospitals, from the standpoint of he is on leave, amounting sometimes to two the service they render to the people. The and three, months. That is a gift from the shortest way to reduce railway liabilities is people of Queensland, and it is of great to increase our population. The best way to value to the servicemen. We estimate this reduce our public debt is by increasing our year that will cost £200,000. population; if we double our population we Again, recreation leave has been preserved shall greatly reduce our public debt. That for Crown employees while on service. Crown is what the Government aims at doing. employees now being discharged from the services can come along and ask for their }fr. Edwards: I hope that the Govern­ accumulated leave for two, three, or four or ment are aiming at doing it. five years, which they would have enjoyed had they continued in tl:te service of the Crown. Mr. HANLON: We are. We see ahead That is costing a good deal of money, too. of us a period of remarkable development. That is something to help those fellows who Therefore we have the whole transport system have been fighting for this country. And we under review. We have a Ports and Harbours are glad to do it. For any hon. member to Commission which is going to every part of get up and suggest that we have not been the State planning for the future. Ports are helping the Commonwealth and the troops in just as essential as any other form of trans­ the war effort is purely ridiculous. port. We have a water survey of the State .Just consider for a moment what the future in motion. Two sections of the report have offers in this State. The Financial State­ been published, but the survey will be con­ ment sets out our actual financial position tinued until the whole State has been covered Supply. [12 OCTOBER.] Supply. 821 and planned. We have the electricity organi­ Not merely a school to teach young men sation scheme under way. Hon. members lessons, but a vast area of experimental know the progress made in the rationalisation research farm plots, from the low swam[) of electric power. We have, in conjunction country on the coast to 4,000 ft. above sea with the Commonwealth Government and level on Bartle Frere. No better sitEl could Western Australia, created a committee bEl found. You can experiment in all sorts for the purpose of taking steps to develop of things. It is not merely putting a college the northern half of the Commonwealth. We into a building, it is spreading a college over would be failing in our duty to the nation a vast area of North Queensland. That is if we did not come in on such a committee, what we are planning to do, with the co-opera­ as the progress and prosperity of the nation tion of the Commonwealth Government. We is dependent on it. We have to realise too shall be able to get sufficient money to put that at the start of the war Queensland was into that task to enable us to engage the the only State where the rmal population most skilled scientists the world can offer. had shown an increase. 'l'he reverse was the Already we have done a remarkable job in case in all othe1· States. Notwithstanding the development of sugar. The planning and that fact a tremendous amount of work the testing that have gone on have resulted remained to be done in developing onr rural in the sugar industry's being the1 most efficient potentialities and increa"ing our rural popu­ sugar industry in the world. The same thing lation. With this end in view tropical rcsearc 11 and investigation work must be conducted to can be done with all other forms of produc­ determine what crops are most suitable to tion. grow in that area. I have heard statements Our Royal Commission on Meatworks and from time to time that this and that cannot Abattoirs is nearing the completion of its be grown in North Queensland. I heard when work, and the members of the commission I was a boy the same things said about have, informed me that WEl should have no southern Queensland. 'l'ill recently it was difficulty, if we develop the, fattening areas the common belief that onions would not properly, of not only tripling beef production grow in North QueE"nsland. \Ve sent some but keeping the export market up all the onion seed to that part of the State and the year round inste;ad of getting a limited people, not knowing of the belief that onions period of marketing that you can hold and would not grow there, put the seed into the lose on your good will in the off period and ground and obtained a good crop. Even having to re-establish it when the meat is rice has been grown by the natives of Palm coming on again. By developing the fatten­ Island, under the guidance of the Redemp­ ing areas of the Diama.ntina. and Cooper in tile far inland we should be able to take off tionist Fathers, and thus it has been demon­ 800,000 to 1,000,000 fat cattlE~ a year at a strate'd that it can be grown in North Queens­ period when the fattening coastal country is land. Onion-growing in North Queensland is not producing. Th,ere is a picture of wealth developing and will be a major fact in the and development that is inspiring. wealth of that area. The onion crop there is harvested about the same time as the Knowing the huge mineral resources of Victorian crop. It will thus save both ti·ans­ Queensland and how little they have been port and man-power in obviating the imports developed we are optimistic in regard to their development. This is a huge State of onions from Vietoria. It will be for the which has built thousands of miles of roads Government departments to plan ahead to and railways, it has more railway than any grow various things in those parts. There other country per head of population. This are huge areas in the wet belt in North State has great areas, great potentialities and Queensland that it is said will not grow any­ great industries, and today is like a young thing as the1y are useless because they are giant stretching and tensing his muscles. swampy and wet ground. Investigations will Hundreds and thousands of our people will probably show that a drainage scheme will be glad to come out and establish home's and open up for agriculture in that district some rear families as far away as they can get from of the richest land in the State. the mad dogs of MiddlE~ Europe. We know they are offering and if we neglect this oppor­ As I mentioned, wo are planning troph:al tunity to build up and develop this State, research and investigation in conjunction build up the, water, electricity and transport with developmental schemes for North services and open up this country for the Queensland. No good can be accomplished settlement of European people, we deserve with a half-baked or half-trained staff. The the fate that is inevitable. Private enter­ staff must be one of the best. Consequently prise will not save any country unless a the State is co-operating with the Common­ satisfactory dividend is to be made in the sav­ wealth in the development of the northern ing. It is the sound knowledge and courage half of Australia. The Commonwealth and ability of the people that are going to Government arc responsible< for the develop­ develop the State. I and the Government look ment of tropical agriculture and products. forward to a decade of development that will put in the shade anything that ever happened The Commonwealth Government also have in the past in this country. the responsibility for the development of Nmv Guinea, New Britain and the Solomons. Item (Aide-de-Camp to His Excellenc:v They are definitely bound to establish tropical the Governor) agreed to. research and investigation. VVhat better place could it bo done than in North Queensland g Progress reported. TV ar Service Land [ASSEMBLY.] Settlement Acquisition Bill.

WAH SJm\'ICE LAND SETTLE:i\'IENT sections o'f the Press. vVe do not want to ACQDISITl02~ BILL. be plac~cl in the position of doing something fol' whiCh we shall be sorry later. INITIATION IN COMMITTEE. (The Chairm.an of Committees, Mr. Mann, In the report of the Rural I1econstructlon Bnsbane, in the Chair.) Committee reference is made to Mr. ;fnstice Pike's report, which points out that Hon. A. JONES (Charters Towers­ 111 .1929 the amount of £23,000,000 had been Secretary for Public Lands) (12.37 p.m.): wrrtten off returned-soldier settlements and I move- b~- 1943 that figure had increased to '' That it is desirable that a Bill be intro­ £4;~,ooo,ooo, a loss of £6 5s. a head of popu­ duced to make provision for the acquisition lation for the whole of Australia. This means of land for the purpose o·f war-service land that already an average of £1,200 per settler settlement.'' has ]Jeen written off in the various States. In nearly eYory instance in ::111 States soldier ~s its title implies, the Bill is brought down settlement after the last wn.r was a complete for ~h_e. purpose of making provision for the and dismal failure. acqt~lSlhon of land for the purpose of war­ servlC.e land settlement. As a matter of fact, . I'Ve haYe carried ant preliminary investiga­ that 1s the only phase o'f soldier settlement hons in many parts of the State. As 1 told affected by the proposed Bill. Hon. members the I.,eader of t.he Opposition in reply to a are aware that the general question of soldier quest10n some time ago, we have submitted settleme:1t is contained in an agreement to the Commonwealth Government for their entered mto between the States and the Com­ approval a schedule of land in the lane! monwealtl: of Australia. In October, 1944, agents' districts of Dalby, 'l'aroom, Rock­ the Prenners of the States met at Canberra hampton and 'l'heodorc. A schedule for Too­ a?-d d~cided on certain principles in connec­ '"-oomba, now prepared, will go forward at tion w1th the settlement of discharged soldiers an early date. The total area. involved in on the land after the war. That agreement those fiw districts is between 3,500,000 and will come before Parliament in the very near 4,000,000 acres. Im-estigations have been futme and will be the seeond Bill brought ~arried out, information received and pre­ down on returned soldiers' settlement. A pnration of schedules started for the land third Bill will be brought down later and a.p·cnts' districts of Brisbane, Gym pie, deals mainly with the qualifications of the N anango, Ipswich, Gladstone, Mackay and soldiers, terms of settlement, and other relative Bowen. Some information has been received matters. You see, Mr. Mann that the only and further information has been lHepared principle contained in this Bill is the matter by district offices in the land agents' districts of the acquisition of land. ot Maryborough, Bundaberg, Gayndah, Monto, 'l'ownsville, Ingham, Innisfail, Cairns, Her­ Immediately after the agreement had been berton, Cooktown, Stantlwrpc and Juglewood; discussed by the Commonwealth and the States, hy the Prime Minister and the Premiers, we lUr. Aikens: Does the Townsville dis­ in Queensland proceeded to cany out pre­ trict include the LoYver Burdckin? Iiminary investigations in respect of suitable lands for soldier settlement. Much discussion JUr. JO:YES: Yes, the land agent's dis­ and Press controversy have revolved rolmd trict of Towns·dlle. Hon. members yvill see this matter and I assure the Committee that from this that preliminary imestigations arc the Government are desirous of obtaining taking place from the N CW South vVales ancl making available the very best land that border to Cooktown. Much detailed work is is possible. We do not want a repetition of entailed in the preparation of this infonna­ what occmred after the last war. The tion, and wl1ile I do not >~·ish to make excuses, failure of returned soldier settlements after I think hon. members will appreciate that the the last war was largely brought about by Department of Public Lands has been "1vork­ the poor type of land made available and thB ing under great difficulty in this matter. unsuitability of settlers in some instances. Approximately 44 per cent. of the staff have been awav on war service and onlv a verY }fl'. E(lwards: And the small size. few have· returned. Our greatest "clifficul(r is in connection with key personnel such as sm·vev01·s, land commissioners and rangers. JUr. JO~ES: And the small areas, in other 1vords areas that were not sound Jiving­ .:lir. 1Yanstall: What is the farthest areas. \Ve do not want to repeat thosr point inland where investigations haYe been mistakes. tl13(1e? I appreciate very much the attitude adopted hy papers such as ''Country Life'' lUr. JONES: I should say possibly Dalby. and the ''Graziers' .Journal,'' sections of the At the moment I should sav within 250 miles Press that are not favourably disposed towards of the coast. The Coinmonwealth-States the Government; I must admit they have agreement up to date envisages only the adopted a very fair and helpful attitude on settlement of soldiers in farming areas. The this question. They have approached it in Gowrnment haw already put forward their a practical way. I appreciate that because polie.- with regard to the pastoral areas of associated mth their papers they have men the State. who know something of lancl problems, and 1\'e are do;ng· thP best we can under the in this rc;orect the~- arc unlike some other eircmnstances, ;ncl :1t the moment have field War Service Land [12 OCTOBER.] Settlement Acquisition Bill. 823 officers \Yorl:ing in the Dnlby area. VVe ha ,.c As I said a moment ago, as the Act reached the point when it ''ill he necessary stands at present, we can acquire Crown to take action shortly in connection 1\·ith tho leaseholds 12 months after the final deter­ resumption of both· freehold and leaschohl mination of compensation. Obviously, if we land. In order to do that it \\ill be neces­ intend to take the land after three or four sary to bring do·wn legislation so that \Ye can months, as the case may be, it is only proper act more expeditiously than \YC are able to that we slwuld compensate the landowner for do at present. At tl1e moment the Pul,lic the eaTlier acquisition of his land. Consequently Works Land Resumption Act, which lays the Bill will make provision to meet that down the purposes for which lanrl may be situation. In order to explain it, it may be acquired, doe~ not inclncle among those pur­ necessary for me to refer to the section of poses the settlement of returned soldiers. the Land Act that applies to such a trans­ There is no legislation that enables the Cro\Yn action. It read- to acquire freehold land for thE' purpose of '' Provided that, when any r~?smnption is returned-soldier settlement. Consequen tlv, it ma.de under this division of or from any will be necessary to take pmYcrs under the such holding the lease whereof is granted Public vVorks Ijand Resumption Act for tlJl' after the commencement of this Act, the pmpose of acquh-ing freehold land for soldier total amount which may be awarded by settlements. the court or Land Appeal Court, as the case may be, OT become payable in Tespect Mr. Wan stall: Is that provided for in of compensation, exclusive of the amount this Bill or are you going to bring in anothe1· payable foT impTovements, shall not, under Bill? any circumstances or on any account, Jlir. JONES: This Bill deals with that. exceed a sum equal of sixpence per sheep or four shillings per hea(l of cattle on the The Bill also makes provision for the carrying capacity of the holding estimated acquisition of Crown lanr1s, that is, pastun:l by the eomt or the Land Appeal Comt, as leases, including ]JTefcrential p~;storal hold­ the case may be, a11d multiplied by the ings and pastOTal dc.-elopa:ent kases, an·l number of years comprised in the remainder grazing Eelections. ProYision is made nnd• r of the term, but in no case exceeding ten section 154 of the Land Aet for the acquisi­ years.'' tion of those lands and it is intended to take 'l'hat is how the Act stands at present. The land under that section. Pro.-i•.iuu is mnck proposed Bill makes provision f?r c~mpen­ in that section whercbv the htnd can Le sating the landowner for the earher disturb­ acquired. It comc'1 into the hands of the ance of his rights and it makes· it mandatory Crown 12 months after the final detenninu­ on the court to add an additional 12 months tion of compensation, so that it will be seen to the period the lease has to run. For the minimum period under which \Ye coulcl instance, upon resumption, if the lease had acquire Crown leaseholds under the present thrBe years to run, the court would fix com­ Act would be approximately 18 months, and pensation on the basis that the period it had if the landowner decided to take the ease to run was four years. to the Appeal Court it might easily perhaps If a property has 10 years to run-that is be two or two and a-half years before IYC the maximum period under the acquired the land. 'rl1erefore, it is necessary section-t~e compensation will be assessed on t_he basis to take power to acquire those lands much of its having 11 years to run. Tnc extra sooner or earlier than that. 12 months is allowed to compensate for the Mr. Aikens: Could you not acquire those earlier disturbance consequ~nt upon the lands the moment you gave notice of resump­ acquisition of the la10d within a rnnch earlier tion, the same as you do now~ period than that laid down m the Act at present. Under the present Act, in no case Mr. JONES: No. That is under the would the basis of compensation that I have Public Works Land Resumption Act. These described apply beyond 10 yea!s. That _is the Crown leaseholds arB dealt with in section maximum. 'l'hat has been lmd down 111 the 154 of the Land Act, which lays down the Lands Act since 1910 and it is now proposed conditions under whicl1 you can acquiTe those in the Bill to empower the Land Court to lands. It will be necessary in this Bill to take into consideration an additional 12 make provision whereby we can aequiTe those months. That should be· equitable and fair lands much earlier. The Bill will makB pro­ to the landowner. vision, as a matter of fact, that both free­ Mr. MacdonaJd: That is for the hold land and CTown leasehold land may be unreasonable disturbance. acquired after gi.-ing 30 clear days' notice of the intention to resume. In practice, that Mr. JONES: That is for taking earlier means that it may bB from two to three possession than the period stipulated in the months. It is necessary that we should haYe Act at present. Provision is also made that those pmYers, but it does not follow that in all land so dealt with will become Crown eYeTy instance the land will be resumed in land and dealt with accordingly. Briefly the two months or even thTee months or peThaps Bill has only one object and that is to enable six months. At the same time, it is necessaTy land to be acquired for the, purpose of war that we should have that power. We shall service land settlement. have a general power in regard to freehold To implement war service land settlment and Crown leasehold which will enable us three measures will be necessary. As to free­ to acquire the land on giving 30 cleaT days' hold land the present power to take com­ notice. pulsorily is confened by the Public \Vorks [ASSE:\IBLY.J Settlement Acquisition Bill.

Land ILsL!mption Acts. Such power is given be available for alienation for war-service in respect of defined purposes, which do not land settlement exactly as any other Crown include settlement on the land of returned land. soldiers. In other words there is no power I ha•·e already mentioned the basis of com­ under the Public Works Land Resumption peusa tion. The provisions of the Land Acts Acts to acquire land for war-service land aTe applied to compensation payable for settlement. As to Crown leaseholds, the resumed Crown leaseholds, with but one modi­ Governor in Council can resume the whole or fication. With a view to making an allowance any part of any Crown leasehold. The diffi­ to lessees of pastoral leases and graz~ng culty from the point of view of expeditious selections for the fact that they are bemg war-service land settlement is that any such dispossessed of their holdings earlier than resumption does not take effect until 12 they would if resumption was made under the months after th,e final determination of the Land Acts, provision has been made that com­ compensation payable. The Bill overcomes that pensation for the loss of lease may be and other difficulties relative to the expedi­ determined on the basis of the balance of the tious resumption of land, both freehold and term of the lease, plus an ad~itional ye~u, Crown leasehold. this being :::pproximately the penod of earller possession by the Crown. Mr. Aikens: Does the Bill merely pro­ vide for the acquisition of the land or will Power is also given to the Minister to treat it provide also for the allocation of the land with the land-owner and arrange for the to the returned soldier? amount of compensation without any reference to the Land Court. That is as it should be. Itlr. JO.NES: No. There are only two For the purpose of resuming land, v~lu~s principles in the Bill-the acquisition of free­ are pegged as at February 1942. That 1s m hold and leasBhold land and the question of accordance with the agreement reached at the compensation, so far as it applies to Crown Premiers' Conference held at Canberra last leases. year and is included in the agreement ratified by the Federal Parliament That llir. Wanstall: How do you incorporate r~cen~ly. the provision with regard to the acquisition principle will appear in all leg1slabon affect­ of freehold? ing soldier settlement in all. S~ates of t~e Commonwealth. Another prmc1ple that 1s IIIr.• TONES: That is laid down in the contained in some of the other Acts is that Public Works Land Resumption Acts and it if costs of Land Court proceedings are is incorporated in the Bill. The Bill makes awarded they are to be awarded to the party tlte Secretary for Public Lands the resuming whose amount is the nearer to the Land authority for freehold and Crown leasehold Court's determination. '['hat is better for lands required for war-service land settle­ all co'ncerned. ment. Subject to important modifications as I believe I have aiven the Committee a set out hereunder, it applies the machinery rough outline of the "main provisions of the of the Public Works Land Resumption Acts Bill. It is only a Yery short one. T~e to the resumption. The procedure for taking principles I have enunciated are t~e ;mam land set out in the Public ·works Land ones and I should say the only pnnc1ples. Resumption Acts is modified to provide that It is necessary that we should proceed the Minister can take the land after not less expeditiously to acquire thi~ land .. In order than 30 days' preliminary notice to all persons to do that, and push on w1th soldrer settle­ entitled to claim. The time for claiming ment, which is very necessary, we must t~ke compensation is limited to six months after action almost straight away. yve are l~vpmg notic,e to the claimant. Under the Public that next year we shall be able to. be gm the vVorks Land Resumption Acts it is three settlement of soldiers on th-e land m Queens­ years. The Minister is allowed to discontinue land and we are making every endeavour !-o the resumption after the preliminary notice be ready. We are attempting to make certam but before the land is actually taken. on this occasion that only the very b~s~. of land is obtained. I know that the acqurs1tl?n This will be a safeguard to owners who of some of the land for soldier settlement wrll may be able to show good reason why the land not be popular. I am doing nothing .else but should not be resumed. There may be cases meeting deputations from p~rsons hkely to in which the owners may be able to show be affected. We have no desue to hurt an;y­ some good and sufficient reason why we should boily. There has been much loo~e talk m not proceed. The other day a young airman connection with this scheme. It 1s not ~he met me and said that prior to the war he intention of the Government to inte_rfere w1th was dairying on a fair-sized property, which any person who intend~ to farm huns~lf. the I should ~ay was a grazing proposition. He lands we intend to acqmre. We have provrdecl said he was just ahout to be released from that where ;ve take, say, an 8,000-acre the Air Force but he had some infection of property for sul>division for dairying, that the the hand which would prevent him from owner may retain perhaps the homestead _block milking Ol' working amongst stock. This he and an a;·ea surrounding it to enable _Jum to said would make it impossible for him to continue the activity for which we tlnnk the take ovel' his dairy again but he desired to laniJ is suitable. continue on the land, doing a bit of grazing. If we had tak,en action h1 this matter >Ye Mr. :XICKLlN (Murrumba-Leader of should have required power to cancel resump­ of the Opposition) (2.15 p.m.) : We . arc tion. This provision is actually one for the gradual!;' building up in this Sta~e leg1~~a­ protection of the bud-owner. The land will tion that is necessary to deal effectively >nth TV ar Service Land [12 OcTOBER.] Settlement Acquisition Bill. 825 soldier settlement. Last week we dealt with reasonable chance of success and that the the needs of those soldiers who are back a11el land selected for them and resumed by the h_ave :;t little capital a~d want to buy proper­ Government for them under the provisions of he~, n~proved or ummproved, and in this this Bill will be land that will be reasonably le_g:slatwn we are taking the second step­ considered to hold out for them some hope g1vmg power to the Government to acquire of permanent settlement. the lands necessary for soldier settlement. The Bill, and specially the Minister's As the Mi:1ist~r said~ it is necessary, "·hen remarks at the introductory stage, remove we are conSidenng this problem of soldier what I considered to be a genuine case for settlement, to endeavour to avoid the mistakes dissatisfaction among local bodies in my area. of the past. vV e have many examples before Some time ago organisations in the Lower us. I am sure the experience gained after Burdekin district submitted plans for 1,000 the last ;var should enable us to avoid many 50-acre farms in the Lower Burdekin area of the m1stakes that were made at that time. alone. They had nothing concrete in reply I should like to stress again the point to their representations and naturally assumed I made on the previous legislation-that jt when they heard that the Government had is a pity the Commonwealth Government have decided to resume certain lands in the Dalby, not expedited their plans for soldier settle­ 'Taroom, Rockhampton and Theodore areas ment, because the steps we are taking now that these areas represented all the land should have been taken 12 months or more that the Govemment intended to resume in a_go so tha! we could have the scheme in opera­ this State for the purpose of soldier settle­ t~on now mstead of having to wait possibly ment. It was that fear that prompted me s1x or 12 months before we have effective to ask questions in the House of the Secre­ soldier settlement. I do not blame the tary for Public Lands earlier in this session. Minister or the State Government for that 'l'he answers clarified the issue somewhat, but because I know it is not their fault; they today, on the introductory stage of the Bill, have been held up by the fa'ct that the Com­ the hon. gentleman has gone even further monwealth Government did not seem to be than that and has taken the Committee, and able to make up their minds. by that means taken the people of Queens­ In regard to this Bill, we all agree it is land into his confidence, and given us some necessary that we should get the best lands idea of the tremendous ramifications and possible for our intending soldier settlers. scope of this Bill. As Queenslanders and as When we remember that in this State not a legislators in this Assembly, we should be great area of Crown lands is immediately concerned first and foremost with the interests available for settlement we have to look to of our district, and, in addition to that, with other means of obtaining the lands we need the general advancement and prosperity of and that means acquiring lands that at th~ Queensland as a whole. I am particularly present time are occupied. 'rhis Bill deals pleased to know that. these intensive investi­ with the matter of acquiring this land, both gations are being made, not only in certain freehold and Cro>Yn leasehold. The Minister areas to which it was feared some time ago gaYe details of the provisions of the Bill and they would be confined, but over the whole the methods to be adopted in acquiring such of the State, and that land can be resumed land. I think the provisions of the Bill are for soldiers in the quickest possible time and such that they can be more adequately dealt the soldiers can be settled on that land quickly with on the second reading and perhaps later and have more than a sporting chance of in the Committee stage. At present I reserve becoming successful farmers. further comments till the second reading. I In this great State tremendous tracts of commend the introduction of the Bill which fertile land are held simply under grazing will give to the GoYernment the n~cessarv leases, land tha't could be converted from power to acquire land for soldier settlement. grazing properties to splendid agricultural properties, and big-production farm nnits. I lUr. AIKENS (Mundingburra) (2.20 belieye the Minister and the Government are p.m.) : I too wish to commend the Govern­ sincere in their desire to go from one end ment for bringing down this Bill. I also of Queensland to the other, selecting the land believe that legislation of this kind should that will be available for soldier settlement have been introduced much earlier, neYI.'rthe­ ancl resuming that land irrespective of the less no good purpose would be sen·ed by tenure under which that land is held at indulging in carping criticism of the Gowrn­ present-- ment for what might be considered hy some to be procrastination. It is far better to do 3!r. Jones: That is what we are doing. a job late than never to do it at all. The introduction of this Bill is well advised llr. AIKENS: Thank you-and abso­ in view as the Minister said of the terribl~ lutely irrespective of what individual company tragedies that occurred after the last war or firm holds that land. Irrespective of how because soldiers were rushed on to any type weaHhy or influential, politically or socially, of land before they themselves were in many a man may be, if he holcls land under a respects in a fit position either scientifically pastoral tenure or any other form of tenure, or financially to grapple with the problems and it is considered by the Government and that particular land presented to them their advisers tlmt that land could be more and to the State. It is far wiser to wait, profitably and economically used for the even if we have to wait a few months, before purpose of soldier settlement and closer we put the men on the land in order to agricultural development of this State, I ensure that they will go on the land with a believe the Government should unhesitatingly 826 War SMvice Land [ASSEl\IBL Y.] Settlement Acquisition Bill. seize that man's land under the provisions of r·onsideration will be given to those returned this Bill. servicemen who gain control of certain parcels I am pleased to receive the Minister's assm­ of that country. I hope that they will not ance that that will be done irrespective of .i nst be given the land and told, "There is persons or their social or political position. the land; produce from it,'' but that the If we propose to settle the soldier on the land Government will go further and give the and to give him more than a sporting chance maximum amount of support and guidance of success, all other considerations must be to those men to ensure that their venture wi]] ?rushed aside other than that of seeing to be a success and t1wt they will thus be able It that he gets the best land available. to make their contribution towards the State's i1nancial stability. I believe it is the intention ~If'· DEVR~ES .(Gregory). (2.25 p.m.): I of the Government to do that. As the hon. the tlnn,, the mam tlung concermng the Govern­ :VIinister mentioned, the payment of compen­ ment at the moment is the 1Yelfare and rehabi­ ~ation to those people whose lands will be litation of our returned servicemen and in ,·esumed will be dealt with yery cai·efully this connection I think I could not ho better and I do not think there is anything to fear than quote the following words from the from the provisions contained in the Bill. Treasurer's Financial Statement:- [ believe we slwuld welcome it because we all know that good tracts of eountry are . '' 'rhe Goyernment is fully conscious of lying idle. They have never been brought Its debt to those both in the Sen-ices and to full productive rapacity. I believe that civil life who served the Commom ·ealth 1 by resuming these lands we shall be doing and S~ate. ~~ \Yell_ and accepted hardships something for those men who fought for it and disab1htres "'Jthout demur during the because by right it belongs, to them. cr~tical P.e~·iod, and will attempt to ;:epa;· tins hab1hty by a concentration of Its energies on a policy of advancement whieh JUr. DECKER (Sandgate) (2.32 p.m.): should be of ultimate benefit to an:'' IV:e are very pleased to have this Bill intro­ rhteed and we hope that in quick succession 0J_1Cl' again, I say, that what La hour pro­ the other Bills mentioned by the Minister \Till mises Labour dor,_ This Bill is eYidencc of reach this Chamber because we aTe eager to the Gove1~nment's s.incerity in canying out get on with the job of soldier settlement. the promises con tamed in the Treasurer's The hon. the Minister is in a very fortunate Financial. Statement. It is designed specifi­ position in introducing this Bill because I cally to give the Government power to acquire can assure him on behalf of those in tl1is the best land-I emphasise that-on whieh part of the Chamber that we are going to to settle returned men. This Bill will be the give him the greatest assistance possible. basis of a scheme that will make for success­ Any criticism offered will be for the advance­ ful fanning and grazing. At the moment ment of the Bill because we will help the there is no opposition to it but I believ~ Government in every way to help returned that ultimately the Govemm~nt IYill receive soldiers to go on the land. protests from those people whose lands arc to be acquired. Mr. COLLINS, (Cook) (2.33): I think Mr. Jones: We are getting them already. this Bill is very well founded. Returned soldiers are now with us and the time is lUr. DEVRIES: We say that the best oppmtune to make speedy arrangements, to laud must be acquired and we have not to have land readv for them to settle on. Row­ search far in finding that best land. In ever, I would inention that there is one prin­ his articl~s . on irrigation, Mr. Kemp says ciple that we must not forget and I know that the nr1gabk lands are those that are the Minister has it in mind. We must see tlw most fertile, tho'c situated on the coast. that the soldiers are placed not only on the I find it hard to believe that the hon. member best land, but on \Yell watered land and, if for Mundingburra was serious when he ven­ possible, land possessed of facilities suitable tured tl~e opinion that there are lm·ge tracts for irrigation purposes. of grazmg l:md thnt could be converted to prospnous agricultural farms. I hope that VI' e all kno•r there is first-class land from 11·heu they do acquire land the Government one end of Queensland to the other. I do not \\'ill select the best and exercise the oTeatest say it is all good land because there is much care in doing so. " poor land associated with it, but there are many large tracts of land that could profit­ Before that land ran be acquhcd it will ablv be reduced in size if water facilities be necessary for the ::\1:inister to consider wei:'e made available on them. I contend the use to ~~,hich the present o11·ner is putting that the owner of n block can get a better it. It IYOu!d be unwise to disturb the man retmn from an infinitely smaller area if who has developed his property to full pro­ water facilities are made available on the duction. Re, is an asset and should receive property than from a badly watered large some consideration, although I have always area. At present the owners of the large argued that no man should be allowed 'to tracts of country of which I speak have to possess more than is requir,ed to meet his contend with fluctuating seasons and if irri­ needs. A man who has a fair acreage of gation could he made a reality there it would country and who has made the fullest pos­ convert them from uncertainties into cer­ sible use of it should be given every con- tainties. I think the application of water sideration. · to the land is the only answer to the inter­ This Bill is the basis for acquiring the mittent dry spells experienced in this State. l:n~d in the first place and I hope that further If that is kept in mind-and I feel sure the War Se1·vice Land [12 OCTOBER.] Settlement Acquisition Bill. 827

Minister has it in mind-many of those large locality, but it is· difficult to contemplate the areas of land can be considerably reduced. production of more sugar in Queensland If you do that you will ensure complete unless the existing areas are to be reassigned, success on the land. The soldier settler not so that holders of poor assigned land will get only requires good land but needs to have the better assigned areas and allotments of sugar farm in such working order that it is pos­ land will be made to soldier settlers. There sible for him to make the best use of it. is probably no better dairying land in Aus­ That is why the GoYernment haYe already tralia than that in the Daintree River area, passed legislation to l)rovide that a reason­ but here again there is a difficulty on account able amount of money shall be advanced to of its isolation and the small number of him for that purpose. Of course, we must settlers there, which tends to make their ovm­ see that the prospective soldier settlers are head costs particularly high and reducing the land-minded and that if they have not ah·eady return for their butter by about 2d. a lb. th; neeessar~ experience in agricultural pui­ below that obtained from the factory in the smts they will haYe the guidance of capable more settled dairying areas of the State. men who will see that they get the best out What is the rainfall in of the land and that they avoid the pitfalls llir. Edwards: that were common in soldier settlement after that m·ea ~ the last war. Mr. COLLINS: The rainfall is about 130 It will be remembered that after the last inches and it is well spread over the year. war a :t;tumber of soldier settlers spent not Most of it falls in the wet season, but there only then- own money on the development of is a reasonably good rainfall in what are the land but also the money adYanced by usually regarded as the dry months. the Crown and became so involved financially Increased settlement in that area is reason­ tliat their outlook was hopeless. However, ably possible and land-holders who are unable we have that experience to guide us, now, to make use of their land would be glad to and I am sme that we can find enough good get rid of it at a reasonable price. The lm;d in Queensland with access by road and resumption of that land would not only make rail.":a;Ys, not too far from townships mid it possible for new settlers to make an facihbes, such as sugar mills butter fac­ assured living but would also ~elp those ~ow tories and meatworks, where th~ products of engaged in dairying :::nd mixed f_armmg, tllCl land can be marketed to eater for the which is a big consideratiOn. In fact, It would requirements of a number 'of soldier settlers. help in solidifying their position. I feel sure that a big area of unalienated llir. iUaher: The winter produc~ion from Cro_wn land is suitable for certain phases of dairying there is practically equivalent to agn~~lture, phases that do not require high the summer production. ferbhty. Such land is suitable for the pro­ ~luction of a number of crops. So long as llir. COLLINS: That is so.. Not only It has the necessary requirements for the is there a good winter productiOn but the production of certain crops, it can be of great dry-season production is almost equal to that value_. For instance, land required for fruit­ of the wet season. growmg need n?t be of high fertility, not Jir. Maher: That land has many advan­ tl1at I a;n argumg that fruit-growing is a tages over other lands. good a.gncultural pursuit for returned-soldier settlers, especially in view of the experience Mr. COLLINS: There is a splendid oppor­ o~ the yast_ wh~n such settlers found great tunity for settlers there. The land would rhfficulhes m ~Imes of gluts in obtaining need road access, as well as access over a markets for therr products, but unless we can pretty large river .. The Co_mmissioner of find a mm·ket for the crops to be grown Main Roads has decided to giVe the settlers the settlements will not be a success. And a punt service', which while not _the_ best form so it must be kept in mind-I am sure the of access is appreciated until It can be Minister will not overlook the fact when land replaced by a bridge. The settlers_ must have is being resumed-that the land is required good access roads, not only to then land but to produce a certain crop and a market shon](] to the social centres of th0 settlement. he available for it. An unlimited area of land up there is I have in mind a large tract of J and in suitable not only for soldier settlement but North Queensland that is especially suited for tobacco-growing. Tobacco is a crop that for the production of tobacco, land ·that has has to a great extent been the Cinderel_la of not hitherto been regarded as of very much agriculture since the industry was remtro­ value for grazing or any other purpose. In duced in 1931-1932. A great number of the hinterland beyond Cooktown there is an people embarked in that industry during unlimited area of good land suitable for the those depression years. There were :'1any production of possibly the best tobacco leaf failures and great losses were sustam:d; in the Commonwealth, but of course other nm·ertheless, given the necessary protectwn, facilities will haYe to be provided such as this industry can be mad~ one ?f th_e most water, roads and buildings. flourishing agricultural mdustnes m the State because we have a market locally for Mr. ~Iaher: Are there not also some splendid areas wit'hin the vicinity of the the product. To-day we produce_ only about Daintree Rived one-quartrr of the tobacco reqmrements of the Commonwealth. During the war we got llir. COLLINS: There is some splendid used to our own tobacco and have grown to dairying land and sugar land in that like it. We have land up there that is not 828 State Housing Bill. [ASSEMBLY.] State Housing Bill. only good tobacco land but produces a class ments and conditions in the State of Queens­ of tobacco that smokes well and ranks land, to provide for the constitution of and amongst the' best tobacco in the Common· powers and authorities of a State Housing wealth. Commission, to provide for advances for This land would be suitable for both housing, and for other purposes.'' soldier and civilian settlement. It would be It is proposed to set up a commission and an advantage if the two classes of settlement 'hat commission will be a corporation sole­ were blended. If possible, we ' do not want a commission of one, like the Main Roads to put only one class of people on the land !commission, of which Mr. Kemp is the because they may be inclined to make Commissioner. We think it better to have mistakes, which might be avoided if settlers 11ne man responsible, to whom can ue attached with knowledge, experience and money gravi· "raise or blame and to whom one can go tated to the are,a. They would be able to ':irect to find out the facts if there are any help the soldier settlers in making a much hortcomings, instead of having to go to greater success of their task than if only perhaps two or three people, each one perhaps one form of settlement was there. ;1assing you to another. Those are two proposals to which the Mr. Pie: That is getting the custom Minister and the Land and Water Resources J:ow. Board can give consideration. If privately· owned land has to be resumed the interests Mr. BR.UCE: The hon. member need of the owner must be taken into considera· not worry about that. The Commission to be tion. It would be of no value to the State set up under this Bill w'ill take over the whole if we took one man off the land and merely of the State Advances Corporation, with its put another in his place. W-e must not assets and liabilities. We have incorporated resume the land unless by the resumption a in the Bill many of the sections of the State greater number of people can make a living Advances Corporation and brought them into on an area -that has been held perhaps by ,·.onformity with the principl~s of the Bill. only one person. That is something I am To some extent we are extendmg our powers sure that the Minister, with his knowledge as regards land, on a similar principle to of lands and land settlement, has in mind the Bill that has just been before the when land resumptions will take place. In Committee in regard to the acquisition of the partly-dry areas the utmost consideration land. We believe that if we are to lower must be given to water facilities so that the cost of houses we shall need power to the settlers can irrigate at least pa;t of their acquire land and pay a reas~nable price or land, whether for dairying, lamb-raising, or something like a resonable pnce. There a~e for cattle-fattening. It is essential that they clauses in the Bill similar to the clauses In have some area where they can grow reserves the Bill just presented by the Secretary for of fodder for use in periods of drought, so Public Lands. The hon. member for Munding­ that they will not have to shift their cattle burra asked the other day whether we perhaps hundreds of miles to relief country, intended to carry on by regulation or by an sell them at a complete sacrifice, or allmv Act. Many of the things we have done up them to die, and so lose all the money they to date have been done by regulation, but the have put into the land, which may cause them passage of this Bill will ~ive us direct autho­ to beeome disappointed and disillusioned rity to carry on and validate the work that settlers. The utmost consideration and has been done in the past. We were fa:ed guidance have to be given to the soldiers with an urgent si'tuation so far as housmg who go on the land to see that they make was concerned, and we had to make a start the best use of the. land and of the money somewhere. As a matter of fact, a great they have and the money the Crown has deal of work has been done. From t-ime to invested, to say nothing of their energy, which time I have given information to the Press is probably the biggest expenditure of all. but a great deal of other work has been done that has not been publicised. I am sure· the Minister has all these things in mind. Recently Mr. Kemp and Mr. Young went Motion (Mr. J ones) agreed to. South and made certain negotiations for the clarification of the materials position. We FIRST READING. have made arrangements with the people who handle a number of the things required in Bill presented and, on motion of Mr. J on€11, read a first time. housing, more on the m~tal side, to grant priorities, when they rec~1ve stocks, to those contractors and home-biDlders to whom we STATE HOUSING BILL. issue certificates. lUr. Pie: Is the State going to buy any INITIATION IN COMMITTEE. stocks~ (The Chairman of Committees, Mr. Manu, Brisbane, in the chair.) Mr. BRUCE: No. We do not propose to interfere with the merchants. Under the Hon. H. A. BRUCE (The Tableland­ Bill we make provision to grant contractors Secretary for Public Works) (2.51 p.m.): I who are contracting with us certificates that move- will enable them to receive priority from the '' That it is desirable that a Bill be merchant for any materials available. We introduced to make better provision for do not interfere with the merchant's ordinary housing and improving the housing require- customers but we do grant certificates that State Housing Bill. [12 OcTOBER.] State Housing Bill. 829 give our men a priority for the materials mier say that we may not be :1 ble to expend the merchant happens to have in stock. it all, but it would be much better to have Controls may have been successful in some more than sufficient money available rather m1ys during war-time, but in peace-time I than not have enough. That is one of the believe that the fewer the controls we have reasons why such a large provision is made the better it. wm be. It is better to allow for housing in tlw Budget, because we hope people who have been handling various lines thi;1gs will improve. Personally, I think for mrcnufacturers over a number of years that if the Federal Government get to work to continue in that way and for us to issue quickly on the demobilisation programme and certificates for the purcliase of those materials. Jet many of the men get back to their jobs, conditions probably will ease up in 12 months iUr. Plunkett: Will the Commission take or so. The problem is a difficult one at <•rcr the erection of public-works buildings present, but the initial trouble is lack of other than houses~ man-power. Why they should keep men in camps when they c·ould be released and 1\Ir. BRUCE: No. This does not inter­ allowed to go back to their jobs I do not fere in any way with public works; it is understand, but I am hoping that demobilisa­ pmely a home-building Bill. tion will be spE'eded up. As the men g't hack JUr. lliaher: How many Commissioners into their jobs we should not have so much will there be~ difficulty in obtaining materials as we do now. lUr. )Ialler: How do these powers given 1\Ir. BRUCE: One. to the Commissioner stand against those 1\Ir. Hiley: That Commission will handle that are given to the Department of War all home finance as well as home construc­ Organisation of Industry~ tion~ ::llr. BRUCE: I know the powers con­ tained in this Bill. We are doing something Mr. BRUCE: It will handle its own finance. Of course, the Commission will have in this Bill. The W.O.I. was originally capable men on the financial side and techni­ a war orga'nisation of industry and cal experts to help it, as Mr. Kemp has his I imagine its activities should be to organisation. We think it is better to have organise industries to provicle materials not only one Commissioner. If there are two only fOT the cm1struction of hous.es but for o1· ·three men on a Commission they can various other activities throughout Australia. always pass the buck from one to the other Personally, I have not found it very helpful. should any trouble arise. When one tries to nir. Hiley: And that is praising it. trace who is responsible for certain things on some of these Federal Commissions one is Jir. BRUCE: This Bill is being placed lost in a very short time. vVith a sole Commis­ before hon. members and the State Govern­ sioner this is avoided. nwnt are going to go ahead anyhow. 1\Ir. Jliaher: What can the Commissioner ~Ir. Pie: That is what we like to hear. do more than the State Advances Corporation 1Ir. 1\iaher: Is there likely to be any was able to do"? conflict hebyeen tlle Federal ancl State powers ll'Ir. BRUCE: The Commissioner will in respect of housing~ have a much bigger organisation than the }fr. BRUCE: The point is that later on State Advances Corporation. Many of our at a Premiers' Conference an agreement will men from th€ State Advances Corporation be reached bebYeen the States and the Com­ were away. 'l'he hon. member was here monwealth in regard to certain activities. yesterday when I read a table tha't Hon. members lmYe been present in the sho,Yed one house was built during one Chamber and know th,e matter was discussed. year of the war. The Commissioner They will remember the talk about agree· will have much wider powers than the mcnts to remain in operation five years after State Advances Corporation and consider· the war. Actually, today I am bringing this n bly more- personnel. This Bill will deal with the Bill forward and I have not got the time to houses of the State Advm1ee" Corporation as consider whether the W.O.I. or any other Com­ 1rell as the other war service homes that are monwealth organisation will come in conflict being ereded at present. He will have a with it. I want to do th,, job allotted to me much bigger job than the State Advances a'nd I want to get ahead with it. \ 'orpon:JJion hail at any time. T]le figures I quotecl s[wwed that the greatest number of JUr. Pie: Who is going to be the Com­ houses ]milt in any one year by the State missioner? Ac1Yanees Corporation totalled 600-odd and it 1\Ir. BRUCE: The Government will ',n•JJt down to as low as one. It was peace­ select the hest man. There will be no lack time when those 600 houses were built. o£ applicants for the job. The 11osition is different today. Costs are Mr. Pie: Hav.e you a ;:;ood strong man hghcJ' and more finance is involved. When in mind~ the Budget was brought forward hon. mem­ hel'S drew particular attention to the amount Mr. BRUCE: Naturally when the Govern­ vf money available. W:ell, it is my job to ment introduce a Bill like this they have a tr;· to get all the houses built we possibly fair idea of who will be appointed to the can up to the amount of money that is made position. If ever the hon. member for Wind· urailable. I think I heard the Acting Pre- sor shoulc1 become a Minister of the Crown 830 State Housing Bill. [ASSEMBLY.] State Housing Bill.

he will know that the' main thing is to have lUr. BRUCE: I gave hon. members a good staff. If you have a good staff, it almost all the information I had concermng does not matter if the Minister is getting a permits when I spoke on the Budget. I bit old and grey. He will be able to do asked the Acting Premier if I could use the the job. Incidentally I resent that remark. information. The matter of permits is not I have been white for five years, and my one for my department, but the Acting electors lmow it. Premier gave me the liberty to make a state­ ment on them. A permit will be issued to The CHAIRltiAN: Order! I ask the ev·ery person who doe·s not possess a home Minister to confine his remarks to the subject and w.ho desires one. before the Committee. :rtlr. Pie: You will only get a permit to ::!Ir. HRUCE: It was mentioned in this come under this scheme, not to build? Chamber, it is already in the speech of the hon. member. \Ve will appoint a first-class Mr. BRUCE: The permit does not enable man. one to come under this scheme. The permit system was first instituted by the Department Mr. Decker: Is there any provision in of War Organisation of Industry, and in the the Rill relati-ng to permits for priyate first place was in charge of Mr. Colin Clark. builders~ Later, as the State required his services, he retired from the War Organisation of Industry Jir. BR.UCE: I have already explained and took up duty with the State once mo1:e. that. I 1mve explained that any person build­ At that time there was a good deal of dis­ ing a home will have e·very facility to obtain satisfaction with permits, because some were the necessary materials but that does not refused to genuine applicants while other apply to a person who wishes to builrl people built flats withont permits. Later the a, home when he already has a home F·ederal Government announced that any :md only wishes to spend some of the money person could build a house costing up to that he was fortunate. in getting c1ming the £1,200 without a permit. The issue of permits war. The Bill is designed to apply to those was handed over to the State Governments people who ordinarily apply for homes unclcr by the Commonwealth at the recent Premiers' the Workers' Dwelling Branch. Toda~· I Conference. It was then understood that had a deputation from the Legacy Club, permits would be granted only to those people which pointed out that many widows and who have no homes. The idea of this Bill many returned men are in need of homes. and the Government is to meet the require­ Naturally they will enjoy the preferenc", ments of the homeless, those thousands of that is to say, any contractor engaged in people who naturally wish to have a decent building homes for them and similar people roof over their head. will be able to get certificates from the Commission to obtain the necessary materials. Mr. Kerr: The Bill will require a fair amount of policing. Mr. Morris: So long as the Commission npproves of the person requiring the home Mr. RRUCE: Permit~ will not be issued the builder will get priority~ to any person to get materials for purposes other than under this scheme. Mr. RRUCE: That is the position. The Bill actually lays down the classes of JUr. lien: It just cannot be done. people who will get priority for materials and it includes those who alrcadv haYe Mr. RRUCE: We can police it and no homes of their own or " people it will still he necessary to get a per­ living in tents or in unsnita'ble fb ts mit to build. We l1ave a Police Force or in s!rb-stDndard honses. They will get to detect crime; as a result, a lot of people preference. Of course we have no po11·er to are in gaol, but nevertheless there are a <·ontrol people who wish to build any type number of wrong-doers at large. Although of house except that we will not provide we purpose setting up our own organisation, them with any special facilities to do so. \Ve I do not contend that it will be perfect, and can hardly object to a person's wanting to that it will in all eases stop people not build a house costing £2,000 if he is -pre­ npprovecl under the scheme from building ;1 pared to pay for it, hut 11·e will not help him home if they desire to do so. to get any men or m:1terial. They will be What about homes badly require<] for the building of the homes em·is­ JUr. Edwards: in need of repair~ aged in the Bill. There is slight eontrol over man-power todny hut Wl'~' shortly I :lUr. RRVCE: They can be tak2n o• e~, 2nc1 belicYe that all snch controls >Yill he abol­ improved in order to make them m0re lw;lltln­ ished. Facilities for the obtaining of men :md habitable. and material will be given only to those contractors whO' desire to build homes for li'Ir. ltiorris: Will a permit be required for that world the classes of people mentioned in the Bill. lUr. Kerr: Quite a lot of people mav still l'IIr. BRUCE: We shall be doing that get material. · work. :rtir. RRUCE: Quite a number of them l'I'Ir. l'I'Iorris: Will a permit be required will get it. under this Bill to do that work~ ::tir. JUaher: If a person has the material, l'IIr. BRUCE: We shall be doing that can he build without a permit~ \YOrk. If a person is the owner of a house State Housing Bill. [12 OCTOBER.] State Housing Bill. 831 that is sub-standard or is situated in an Mr. NICKLIN (Murrumba-Leader of the unhealthy locality, it can be renovated or Opposition) (3.19 p.m.): At this stage of removed. Building activities in the early the Bill it is usual for the Minister intro­ days were rather haphazard. I have evidence ducing it to give some idea of its contents, that people live in houses, which, while not but after listening very closely-- sub-standard, are situated in unhealthy localities. It will be conceded that healthy 3Ir. Bruce: You always start a personal children cannot be raised in a house built attack. in an unhealthy situation. If the individual had an asset in his home we should be able ~Ir. NICKLIN: Wait tili I finish. I have to help. a veTy sketchy idea of what is in the Bill. I am not blaming the MinisteT; I am blaming l\Il'. Pie: For roofing? myself for not picking up what he was telling us. The Bill, judging by what appears on l\Ir. BRITCE: Yes, and for building up a the business sheet, is to make better pTo­ sub-standard house.. If the remainder of the \'ision fOT housing and improve housing of material was in good order and the house the people in the State of Queensland, to con­ could reasonably be brought up to standard, stitute a special housing commission, and it could be done. provide for advan0es for housing. l\[r. Pie: The primary object is to build All hon. members will agree with those new homes? purposes. I hope T shall find when I have l'flr. BRUCE: Yes, the primary object is the opportunity of Teading the Bill that it to build new homes. provides for this very clesirablc objective. Hon. members must admit that housing is a Jlir. Maher: What about the costs? How serious problem and necessitates the utmost :ue you going to tackle costs i attention on the part of not only the Govern­ ment but. all hon. members in an endeavour Jlir. BRUCE: Was the hon. member in to do something to meet the serious shortage the Chamber when I was speaking the other of homes with which people of this State are -day? faced. I think it boils down to organisation, lllr. Jiaher: I do not think I was. man-power and material and I take it that this Bill will set up an organisation that will JUr. BRUCE: I do not wish to cast any help to provide houses for the people of reflection on the hon. member. Queensland. Man-power and materials will improve as time goes on and of course I l'tir. l\Iaher: There is no more constant agree with the Minister that judging from attendant than I am. what has occurred up to the present a little bit of organisation on the part of the Federal Mr. BRUCE: I admit costs are much authorities would have improved both the above what they should be, but that applies man-power and materials position in this to other costs as well as housing costs. At State. I hope there will be a closer liaison vresent the contractor goes on to a job and between the Commonwealth authorities and tw does not know whether he can get the the Com;mission to be set up in this State to material and he has to leave a margin to cover overcome man-power and materials bottle­ tha't. necks that undoubtedly are holding up the eTection of houses in this State. An Opposition l\Iember: He llas to pay ·mtges in the meantime. Bound up '"ith man~power ancl materials and organisation to build houses is the Mr. BRUCE: Yes, if he is held up for a matter of costs, as the hon. member for West clay or two he has to pay wages all the time. Moreton pointed out. There is no doubt that houses being built at present are much too ~Ur. Pie: Erectional costs would be about costly. Their cost is greater than a man on £700 or £750? the basic wage or the lower wage levels ca_n possibly afford to pay and conscq:wntly It 3Ir. BRL'CE: vVe have one fabricated house of 700 square feet, the contract price. of is ncc.essary for the Government to mtroduce "·hich is £700, and then we have contracts a system of rent subsidisation and other for brick houses at £991. methods to enable people to live in the hol;ses being erected at the moment. The orgamsa­ ::IIr. HHey: The same area? tion when set up must tackle the problem of costs with a view to bringing them down. 3Ir. BRUCE: No, the brick ones are If we cannot produce cheaper houses than bigger. those being erected at present we shall never me.et the housing requirements of the people 1Ur. Kerr: How much a hundred square of the State. feet! JUr. lllaher: The next generation will be lUr. BRUCE: £135. Down in Sydney it living in tents. nms into £175 a 100 square feet. I got that square-foot calculation ready because I knew lUr. NICKLIN: It will take a couple of the hon. member would bring it up. generations to meet the cost of the house, (Laughter.) with prices as they are at the present. I do not think there is anything fmther However, the objectives set out in the I can say. motion initiating the Bill are desirable and 832 State Housing Bill. [ASSEMBLY.] State Housing Bill.

I hope that this Commission when established Another important factor is the man-power will be able to deal adequately with the pro­ that will be needed for the building of these dsion of houses now badly required by the homes. I agree with what many hon. members people of Queensland. I reserve further com­ have said about the foolish policy of the ment until I have had an opportunity of Defence Department or the Commonwealth studying the provisions of the Bill. Government under which releases of building artisans are very slow. Perhaps the brass Hon. V. C. GAIR (South Brisbane-Secre­ hats are responsible for this, as was suggested tary for Labour and Employment) (3.24 by one hon. member the other day. p.m.): There will be no member in this I believe that many men in the armed Chamber who will not very readily congratu­ forces today who are qualified carpenters, late the Secretary for Public Works on sub­ plumbers and painters could be released with­ mitting this motion to introduce a Bill that out much delay and this would give an impetus has for its primary objective the building of to home-building and the carrying out of homes for the people of this State. That is the various repair and maintenance works that. the major principle, as the Minister stated requiTe to be done in this State. But even definitely, that and the setting up of an assuming that all the available carpentel's, organisation to give effect to that proposal. plumbers and painters in the armed forces Listening to the Minister explaining the Bill were released I venture the opinion that we it is very evident to me that they are the should not have sufficient men to meet the two main principles but we find the Leader demand for houses, even if the materials were of the Opposition stating that he failed to available. It would then become a question understand from the remarks of the Minister of training men and even if they were not the purpose or intention of the Bill. to be fully trained they should be sufficiently trained. Mr. Nicklin: I said what is in the Bill. Mr. Kerr: Dilutees. Mr. GAIR: That is what is in the Bill­ the setting up of an organisation for the Mr. GAIR: Yes, it becomes a matter of supply of more homes for the people of dilutees. There would have to be partially­ Queensland. The Ministe!' said that very trained men who could take their places in clearly, and that is supported by the hon. the building trade to help in home-building. member for Windsor, who said by way There is no-one, I am sure, who is not of interjection that the object of the conscious of the urgency of the matter and Bill was the supply of mor~ homes for there is no-one who would not recognise the the people. At least the hon. member difficulties associated with such an important for Windsor was able to gather from the matter. However, I feel sure no fair-minded Minister's remarks that that was the main person could charge this Government with purpose of the Bill. That is the clear and responsibility for the housing shortage that definite purpose of this proposed measure exists in this State at present. and I know it will meet with the approbati01; Mr. Muller: What do you propose to of all hon. members and the public. We have do to increase the supply of materials~ suffered in Queensland from a housing short­ age, which has not been peculiar to this :iUr. GAIR: We know very well that fol' State or even the Commonwealth; it has been many years to come there will be a maximum world-wide, although that fact is no consola­ demand for timber in this State and we, as tion to us who suffer from it. We cannot a Government, and the building authorities rest at that. \Ve as a Government aim at shall have to look for substitute building improving the position as soon as possible. mateTials in this State. The Acting Premier The housing of our people is vital. Unles's indicated today that it may be necessary for people, children in particular, are housed in the Government to set up an organisation to sanitary, congenial homes, the influence on manufacture bricks. It may he necessary to their characters must be adverse. Unfortu­ encourage the manufacture of conerete bricks nately, the extraordinary circumstances under or something of that kind if we are not able which we are living have forced many people to get sufficient timber to meet the require­ to live under conditions entirely unsuitable ments of home-building generally. for rearing a family. The hon. member for \Vest Moreton Tefel'l'er1 These conditions are due partly to the war to costs. That is an important factor anc1 and partly to shortage of materials and it is something in which the hon. members labour. By setting up this organisation we of the Opposition should be closely inter- hope to alleviate the position quickly. We ested because the Hon. the for cannot hope to meet all applications for homes Public Works on previous occasions in this immediately. As the Minister stated very Chamber has disclosed the fact that a ring clearly, they will be built in order of priority. of timber merchants exists. If any hon. Persons who are most in need of homes will member saw tenders received from timber receive :first consideration, and as far as merchants for the supply of timber today he it is possible to do so we propose controlling would not find much variation in the prices the distribution of material for home-building quoted by those firms. so that those people who have families and who are living under adverse conditions will Mr. Pie: Do not forget you are restrict­ receive the priority that will enable them to ing the output of the mills. have a decent home in the shortest possible Mr. Nicklin: The price of timber has time. not gone up 5 per cent. since 1939. State Housing Bill. [12 OCTOBER.] State Housing Bill. 833

Mr. GAIR: Yes. On the other hand I shop. His wifE7 was about to have another recognise that labour costs are higher. We baby. 'l'hey were cooking thE7 food on a have a shortage of labour in the building primus and the odour from it went right trade and tradesmen have been offered as through the place. All the children had much as £2 a day for their services by certain stomach trouble. I said, ' 1 You cannot live builders. While that position obtains, of und,er these conditions. No man, woman or course, the cost of homes will be high, but child can live under those conditions, and no until there is levelling-down and we have Government can afford to allow them to do sufficient tradesmen and enough materials to so.'' He said, 1 'What am I to do~'' I replied 1 meet the demand, we shall not have an equit­ ' Y on are not going to live here. How 1 able price for dwellings. There are many much money have you?'' He said, ' I have problems that have to be tackled sooner or no money." I said, "You work at the later, but we cannot rush into those things. munition works.'' He was a returned soldier Other speakers have referred to the delays working at the munition works. He said, 1 that have taken place and one hon. member ' Look at my doctor's bills.'' His position this afternoon even said it was better to have was brought about by the condition under a Bill brought forward late than never. Many which the children lived and the fact that of those matters take a good deal of considera­ his wife was to have another baby. I said tion and investigation. to him, "Here is a couple of pounds. You If we were to procood as expeditiously all won't live under these conditions.'' I then some people would have us do, we might be asked, ' 'Where are your peoplB living,' ' and 1 subjected to a great deal more, criticism than he said ' Bundaberg.'' I inquired, ' 'Has your we are now because errors and mistakes mother a decent home~" and he said "Yes." 1 would be made by rushing in instead of I said, ' You are going back to Bundaberg. '' examining a proposal thoroughly before intro­ He said, "I cmmot get a release," and I ducing the Bill. Housing is one of the most replied, "vVe will get you the. release. You important matters any Government in Aus­ are not going to live under conditions like­ tralia, or for that matter any Government these. It will lead to the destruction not in the world, can tackle. It is the sincere only of your own life but that of your wife desire of the Quoonsland Government to and three children.'' We got in touch with measure up to their responsibilities, to do his people in Bundaberg and got him everything humanly possible to give relief released. The Secretary for Labour and from the present shortage by providing facili­ Employment made available free transport ties for the building of as many homes as for this man to Bundaberg, and today he is possible for the most deserving members of happy because he is living in decent sur­ the community as quickly as possible. roundings. If we allow people to live under conditions like these, without making any Mr. PIE (Windsor) (3.37 p.m.): I agree effort to improve them, this nation must with the Leader of the Opposition that we deteriorate in morale and in health. were not given a clear conception of the Bill. However, the Secretary for Labour and The Secretary for Health and Home Affairs Employment has clarified the position a little. knows of the conditions of another family living at Breakfast Creek that I brought Itir. Devries: The Treasurer gave you under his notice. He too knows that they a very good resume of it the other day. should not be allowe{l to live under such Mr. PIE: Are we to be content with a conditions. resume of a Bill in a Budget Speech, or are While I am a member of Parliament I will we entitled to have a proper explanation of it always support any measure that the Minister when it is introduced~ I want an explana­ may bring forward which like this Bill tends tion of every Bill, and especially this one to improve the living conditions of the people. because it is one of the most important ever introduced into Parliament to meet the needs Mr. Theodor.e: Wbat rent was that man of the people. Today the people of Queens­ living in the shop paying~ land and Australia are seething with unrest because they have not the necessary facili­ Mr. PIE: Thirty shillings a week. ties for home-building and for the bringing Mr. Devrie·s: Who was the landlord? up of their families. No nation can be strong unless the pe,ople have a happy home Mr. PIE: I do not know and I do not life. Within the past six months I have care. My only concern was to help the man, seen 12 million people wandering homeless who could not get a ho·me anywhere else. As across Europe, pushing their prams laden he said, he either had to live there or get with clothing, a scene that I never want to out in the street. That is a position that see in this country. neither the Government no'r the Opposition can allow to continue. The Secretary for Labour and Employment knows that I mentioned a distressing case to I apologise to the Minister for having him. One day when I was opening a fete described him as a grey-haired man. I should in my electorate a man came to me and said, have said a white-haired man. I feel that 1 ' I do not vote for you, but will you have the job of housing is the largest that we have a look at the conditions under which I in this State. The Budget provides for an live~ I am a returned soldier." I said, "All expenditure of £2,000,000 during the next right,'' and I went. He lived in a little shop 12 months. That being so, an assistant opposite the Albion Hotel. His two little Minister should be appointed to assist the children slept above the cement floor in that Minister in charge of this Bill. 1945-2D 834 State Housing Bill. [ASSEMBLY.] State Housing Bill.

Mr. Hanlon: He only needs the assist­ and fathers of the yotmger people have reared ance of a few more carpenters. th·eir families, as you and I have, Mr. Manu, and they will not put up with squealing kids lUr. PIE: The assistant would need to again in their own houses. go out and see these places and consult with the Minister. Under this Bill the obligation 1\'Ir. D:e:vrie·s: What about out on the o_f the Minister is being shifted to a Commis­ station~ swn of one. Imagine his responsibility! It Mr. PIE: On the station too. You can­ is a shifting of responsibility from the Minis­ not compare the free and open life of the ter to a Commission of one because as the station with a little tenement in Breakfast Minister said in his introductory speech ''We Creek. If I were the Government I would will now have one person to blame, not a not let the people live under such conditions. lot.'' The "Minister has said this Commission will lUr. Bnwe: Blame or give credit to. take over the assets· and liabilities of the State Advances Corporation. I hope at the Mr. PIE: I give credit where credit is second-reading stage we shall get some idea due. The Bill's intention to improve housing of what the assets and liabilities of the State conditions in this State by making provision A(hances Corporation are. for a housing authority makes it one of the most important Bills introduced in this A Government Member: Why not read Chamber. Go where we will, we see people the Auditor-General's Report~ seething with unrest because of co11ditions Mr. PIE: I will when I get it, but I under which they live. It cannot continue. have not got it yet; and as I do not expect 'l'he Minister knows that a number of young it till after the Estimates are passed, I hope girls married during the war. A number of the Minister will give us an idea of what the these young girls with babies are living with assets and liabilities are. their families. No married people can live contentedly with their parents or in-laws. If In regard to the certificates for purchase something is not done in the matter of hous­ of materials I take it it will not be neoos­ ing we shall have not o'nly unrest but the sary to get a certificate to build every house. breaking up of homes in the initial stages of If one can make an arrangement with people married life. to build a house and get materials one will not have to get a certificate. Mr. Devries: Do you say that in general terms~ Mr. Walsh: Over £1,200? JUr. PIE: I do. The hon. member does 1\'Ir. Pie: Up to £1,200. From what I not know the city as we know it. Conditions ga thererl from the Minister this certificate are grand out in the bush. will enable purchasers to obtain some priority in materials. 1\'Ir. Devries: They are not too grand out there either. 1\'Ir. Bruce: A certificate will be issued 1,,. the Commission giving the owner priority The CHAIRlUAN: Order! if it is for a person >Yho has not a home. Mr. PIE: Consideration must be given Mr. PIE: We have to get down to the to getting people out of the town, instead of fundamental principle of making material congregating them in little oue-area blocks. available to the people. We want bricks, tim­ You, l\Ir. Manu, know the conditions in your ber, tiles, glass, stoves, electric light, and 20 or own electorate. I do not know why people 30 other things that are essential in a ho·use. live under such conditions when a few miles Here in Queensland, if the manufacturing out of town we have acres and acres of land people are called together and the Govern­ on which they can grow their ow11 vegetables, ment have sufficient vision to say, ''We want produce their own fowls, and live under good 20,000 stoves and 30,000 so and so,'' and give conditions. That is what we want. a guaranteed order to these people industries will be built to give the Government the In conjunction with this Bill, we must materials required. If they are running only provide good and pro·per transport to enable one shift the Government have to use pressure people to live in those areas. I know what to get more labour, which is the first essential. it means myself. I live on 50 acres of land Before you can build a house you have to 8 miles from town and I will never return to have materials, and before you can get live in town again. There is no comparison materials you have to have man-power. in the living conditions between the two places. There is any amount of land in the Mr. Hanlon: Before you have man­ vicinity of my home that can be bought for power you must whaH £40 or £50 an acre. That is what we want­ to get people out of the city and not encourage lUr. PIE: Before we have man-power them to build within it and to provide services we must make it clear to the Commonwealth to keep them there. Then we shall have a Government that they must release men from healthy community. My only consideration is the army to make those raw materials avail­ to see the people happily and healthily housed. able. It is no use the Minister's planning This is a very important and far-reaching these things unless we have the first essential. Bill because men returning from the war will It is the first essential that the Government not put up indefinitely with living with their must concentrate on. mothers-in-law or their own mothers while When we do see the Bill I hope it will they have children coming on. The mothers give us some definite confidence that this State Housing Bill. [12 OCTOBER.] State Housing Bill. 835

Government at last intend to do something. tioned the fact that he gave those unfortunate We are very hopeful of that. people a couple of pounds. That was rather a mean attitude for the hon. member-to ~Ir. KERR: (Oxley) (3.51 p.m.): I claim kudos-for if the hon. member \Vas am delighted that the Government have at charitable he should not boast about it. long last brought down a measure of this kind. I think everybody in the State will The Bill introduced this afternoon is throw up their hats when the Department of very important and I clearly understood War Organisation of Industry ceases to what the Minister in charge of it funcHon in regard to permits for building sa'id. He explained that the major prin­ houses. ciples were for setting up of a .Rous­ ing Commission and for establishing the I am particularly pleased to see that the necessary machinery for the erection of homes construction of houses is going to be placed urgently needed by the people of Queensland. in the hands of a commissioner. There is a Provision will be made not only for people Police Commissioner, a Commissioner for who want to own homes, but for those who Railways, and a Commissioner of Main Roads. want to rent them. The Commission to be Therefore, why not a Housing Commissioner~ set up is to take over the assets and liabilities I fully approve of that. That is the right of the State Advances Corporation and power thing to do. The Commissioner must be an is given to enable the Housing Commission active man who will devote his time to his to resume land for the purpose of erecting job and it certainly will be a full-blooded homes on it. job for the next two or three years. Another important provisiOn that the There are a number of things necessary for Minister explained to the Committee-and I the housing of the people, and the main one do not expect him or any other Minister to is materials. Not later than last session a make a second-reading speech at this stage­ question was asked, I think by the hon. mem­ was that the Commissioner will be empowered ber for Fassifern, about increasing saw-mill to make advances for remodelling or recon­ licences and the reply of the Government was ditioning old homes. The main purpose of to the effect that there were sufficient saw­ the Bill, however, is the erection of new milling plants in the State and they were homes for the people of the State. At this working up to only about 50 per ce;nt. of stage I do not propose to stress the necessity their output. I honestly believe that to be for more homes for the people. That is so, but a much greater quantity of timber obvious to everyone. I congratulate the will be required as timber is the main com­ Minister on bringing down the measure and ponent of Queensland residences. If we can­ upon the way in which he explained its pro­ not help the timber industry in regard to visions. staff to work its plants to the maximum, the other alternative which must be fully con­ Mr. L. J. BARNES (Cairns) (3.57 p.m.): sidered is the increasing of saw-mill licences. As one who has been boarding for three I do not say that should be done until the years, I certainly give this measure my position is thoroughly investigated. blessing. I suggest, howeve:, th_at the h:":r:dest task of all will be to police Its proVIsiOns. ~Ir. Devries: Why not get away from Within the last three years I have had tenders wooden houses altogether~ from at least four carpenters but on e~ch occasion the price was beyond the capacity :Mr. KERR: That is quite a good idea, of my pocket. However, now that the war but in Queensland our homes are constructed is over I am looking forward to getting a mostly of wood and when it is all boiled home in the very near future. down, they are good jobs, if the cost of the raw material is right. I do not suggest that I know that the hon. member for Windsor saw-mill licences should be increased at this means well but he just does not study facts. present juncture, but only if the existing mills He suggested that workers should be housed work to full capacity. A close watch should in suburbs 6 or 8 miles out from the city. be kept on that aspect of the matter. That is all right for the hon. member for Windsor, who has a car, but the worker During the speech of the Secretary for would have to spend three-quarters of an Labour and Employment I interjected that hour going to work and three-quarters of an we should have dilutees brought into the hour coming home. In addition he would have building trade. I adhere to that principle, to pay from 5s. to 6s. a week in tram fares. provided the unions are consulted. The In other words, his working day is increased number should be sufficient only to fill the by one and a-half hours and his weekly wage gap between the present and the time' when reduced by 5s. or 6s. If the Government most of our citiwns are housed. I would introduced an award to increase the hours stress the matter of dilutees. This should be by H each day and to reduce the weekly considered well by the Government and I wage by 5s. or 6s. he would be the first think it would meet with a fair response if to condemn it. I agree that many workers the unions were consulted. do build homes 6 or 8 miles out from the :Mr. POWER (Baroona) (3.53 p.m.) : I city, but that is caused through. eco.nomic regret that the hon. member for Windsor circumstances. Land nearer the city IS too should have mentioned in this Chambe·r that dear and the worker is only too pleased to on one occasion he discovered some people get a block in the suburbs for £50 or £60. living under conditions not conducive to good If the hon. member for Windsor had health. AfteT having told the Committee advocated building homes on rural land with exactly where those people resided he men- an acre to each home there would be SNt'<:J 836 State Housing Bill. [ASSEMBLY.] State Housing Bill.

logic in it. The working man then would Mr. L. J. BARNES: I do not wane __ not have to spend It hours each day in either, but I say it would be very nice to travelling. He could put that time in on have six acres and get a few pounds a week the acre of land. off that farm to make added provision for the family. I am not advocating any low standard Mr. Walsh: He would not make a living of living, so do not get me wrong there. I out of that, surely~ also believe that if my permit system was instituted it would result in better towns and llir. L. J. BARNES: I do not suggest that we should get the man-power. It would have he would, but this Government have been to be policed properly. talking about decentralisation and creating industries in rural areas. We read in the Press, reports that people who already have homes want to build at the It is a long-felt want and I make bold seaside. I can understand anyone's wanting to say that in five years' time we shall be to build at the seaside if he has not got a wishing we had done something in regard to home. decentralisation a long time ago. I believe the growth of cities should be controlled. As I think that the Returned Soldiers' League, I have stated previously, 100,000 should be or some organisation like that, should form the limit for the population of any city. Once little co-operative groups to construct houses. the population of a city gets beyond 100,000 That system has been adopted in other places. it has outgrown itself. All they need is one tradesman to act as supervisor. It has been well-established that Mr. Walsh: You would have to control half-a-dozen ordinary labourers, so long as private enterprise, then. they have the assistance of one qualified carpenter, can build quite a few houses. From Mr. L. J. BARNES: As a matter of fact, six to 10 persons could form themselves into there is no harm in controlling private enter­ a co-operative group to build the houses for prise. I have already suggested in this themselves. When they had finished building Chamber that three areas should be declared. J oe 's house, they could go on building Jack's. There should be one area where you could not That practice is being adopted in certain get a permit to start a secondary industry, parts of the world at preesnt, and I make another where you could get a permit to build that suggestion to the Returned Soldiers' a secondary industry, and another area where League or some such organisation, or even you did not need permits at all. In other to the Government, through the A.L.Ps, to 1Yords, in towns like Beaudesert, Gympie and form co-operative groups to construct such such places, there would be no need to get a houses. In an area like Coorparoo, for permit to start a secondary industry. You instance, a dozen returned soldiers may want would have one area in the city where it to build a home. Thev could do so if was absolutely prohibited and another where they had one experienced man as overseer. a permit would be necessary. I£ t11ey had only one good builder to do At the present time the discussion of the overseeing it would be easy for 12 people housing seems to be centred round Brisbane to build a home in, say, four or :five week­ only, but if my electorate of Cairns was ends or even quicker. considered on a pro-rata basis, I venture to suggest that many more people there would Mr. Devries: That would be jerry­ be entitled to houses than there are in the building. city of Brisbane. As a matter of fact, they Mr. L. J. BARNES: It does not matter haye been in the war zone, and for that what you call it; they would have a home reason they should get a greater number of quicker than they could get one today. There houses than Brisbane, pro rata, because a would be co-operation and there would be no number of houses there have been virtually sweating of labour. destroyed by the services. Half of them practically have been burnt by fire. I say Mr. Devries: It might be a waste of the Government should adopt a long-sighted good money. policy and get out into the rural areas with their housing scheme. The housing position Mr. L. J. BARNES:. Everything would be is nearly as bad in all the provincial towns well so long as the man at the head knew his throughout the State as it is in Brisbane. job-and he would be just as good as plenty of other carpenters-and so long as he worked In the provincial towns there is the added co-operatively without any idea of getting attraction that the people can have an acre any profit out of it for himself. Usually that of land or even a little more particularly is the type of man who is qualified to do a when we go further out in the rural areas really good job. At this stage I give the Bill where water and electrification schemes are my blessing. to be started. I suggest that with six acres of land those people might even have Mr. AIKENS (Mundingburra) ( 4.7 p.m.) : an income of £2 or £3 a week. The Jews Many hon. members in opposition in thiG in Palestine have settlements consisting of Chamber, especially the hon. member for 6~-acre blocks, and they maintain families of Windsor have said from time to time, ''If seven and eight on them. It may not be a I were 'Premier I would do so and so.'' really good standard of living. That reminds me of the song I used to sing in the days when I was a vocalist, ''If I Mr. Walsh: We do not want that system were king.'' It opened up a vista of tremen­ in Australia. Let the Jews keep it. dous impossibilities. These hon. members State Housing Bill. [12 OCTOBER.) State Housing Bill. 837 always remind me of that song. They then rooms, knick-knack shops, shops that pro· say that what the Government propose to do vided only delicacies, and various things not is not quite enough. Perhaps it is not enough needed by the people, and for reconditioning but is that any reason why we should refrain shops that were not vitally necessary dur­ from given the Government all the support we ing a time of war. At t.he same time genuine possibly can in taking at least some positive home-builders were refused permits to extend step forward to find a solution of a problem their homes. There is a classic example in that is uppermost in the minds of almost Townsville, which I take it this Bill will every public man in Australia today. obviate, of a woman who owned four fiats on the ground floor. She applied through It is true that the housing conditions in the ·war Organisation of Industry for per­ this State are absolutely deplorable. The mission to put these fom· fiats on 10 feet circumstances related by the hon. member for concrete pillars and to build four modern Windsor today are not peculiar to Brisbane, fiats underneath, thus making accommo­ but are common to all parts of the State dation for four more families. I have in and the people who know it are the representa­ my possession the form she got back from the tives of the people, who are in closest touch War Organisation of Industry granting her with them, the aldermen and the councillors permission to put her ground-floor fiats up of the various shires. They know the deplor­ on 10 feet concrete pillars but definitely able conditions under which our people have refusing her permission to build anything been compelled to live for some years. In underneath. I hope this Bill will go a long Townsville alone I know as a member of the way to stop that sort of thing. Health Committee of the city council that we have closed our eyes for years to the I know, and I think every hon. member housing conditions that obtain there simply has had similar experience, that the depart­ because we hesitated to put the by-laws of ment has denied the right to genuine workers the council into effect, knowing that if we and genuine home-builders to erect homes for did so, we should be turning unfortunate themselves and families while all this sort of men, women and children out into the streets thing was going on not o·nly in Townsville without any possible chance of their getting but, I have every right to assume, in every any other habitation. What the Government other city as well. As a worldly man I know propose to do in the Bill is at least something that irrespective of all the regulations we towards the solution of the housing problem. bring farth, irrespective of all the regula­ tions we promulgate under tihs Bill and They intend to set up a commission of one. irrespective of any legislation that we might I believe that if you really want something bring down, when there is a shortage of done the best committee you can form to building materials and while there is a short­ have it done is a committee of three, with age of man-power people who desire to build two permanently staying away from meetings are willing to pay an extra price for or two dead. During the war we have the right to do so' and that consequently had various organisations and various black-marketing will occur. Nothing that we departments dealing with the housing and can do will entirely stop it. This Bill will building programme. And what a tragedy it ge a long way to prevent it and that is one was l What a foul blot on the administrative reason why I support it. Whether I support set-up of any State of any country in the its individual clauses will depend on my world! We had the Department of War opinion when I actually read the Bill. Organisation of Industry issuing permits governing building during the war and the I hope, as is suggested, that this Bill issue of permits for the remodelling and provides alsO' for the resumption and for the refurnishing of premises. It was not so much acquisition of land on which homes can be the fact that people were unable to get built. I know that in many cities active permits to build their homes that was causing plans and preparations are in hand to set all the dissension; it was the fact that while them up on sound town-planning lines. Too genuine applications for permission to build long have we had towns that originated at the homes or enlarge residences were being cross roads or near a railway sta tio:n and refused, permits were being granted for then sprawled in all directions with worJ::ers' buildings that could not with the greatest homes alongside business centres and busmess stretch of the imagination be considered as centres jammed up against residential areas. being in the interests of the war, the country I do hope that the Bill will provide that or in the interests of the people. Quite when land has been acquired on which homes recently in Townsville we had the spectacle are to be built every consideration will be of the Department of War Organisation of given to the need for the Government to· Industry granting us permission to buy all work in with authorities that honestly are the machinery necessary for the expansion of trying to establish their cities on sound town· our municipal ice works and then withholding planning lines. permission to· get the timber and material to expand the building to house the extra Those are things to be grappled with. If machinery it had permitted us to buy. we are going to build all the homes that the people require, and require urgently, we shall At the very time that was going on iu have to look further afield than wo·od or Flinders street alone thousands of pounds corrugated iron as materials with which tc had been spent either with the consent of build them. There is not by any means the War Organisation Department or in sufficient material t5 meet one-tenth of the defia'nce of it-which was worse-in building homes required. to say nothing of the require­ brothels, Chinese dens, S.P. joints, billiard ments of industry, whether primary or 838 State Housing Bill. [ASSEMBLY.] State Housing Bill. secondary. I know that in the Narth there is you have, you can build only to the extent of a . prejudice amongst some people against the materials available. 'The creation of a bnck and concrete. I can remember the time Commission is merely putting the work of the when there was prejudice against upholstered State Advances Corporation under a new furniture in the North. name. We have a manager there at the present time, and he is doing more or less When I was sacked by the Moore Govern­ exactly the same work that the Commission ment in 1931, not having a trade--because will do. engine-drivers and iiremen have not a trade outside the railway fence-I Where we make a big mistake is in not opened up as an upholsterer a'nd furni­ realising that the biggest iilip we can give ture-repairer. My part of the business to building is to do away with control. ·when was to carry out the work of door­ the Commonwealth Government took away to-door salesman and try to get orders and from the Department of War Organisation convince the people that upholstered furni­ of Industry control of houses up to £1,200, turne was suitable for North Queensland. At what did we see all over Brisbane~ Since that time I doubt if there was one uphol­ the beginning of the war we have not seen stered suite in every 500 homes. They said, such a building activity over the whole area "It is too· hot; it is unsuitable for the as now exists under private enterprise. If climate; we cannot possibly install it.'' All you go down in my area you will see houses my persuasive powers YC shall build houses in supply, it does not matter what organisation Queensland. State Housing Bill. (12 OCTOBER.) State Housing Bill. 839

1Ur. Bruce: That is a deliberate mis­ Mr. Power: All sub-divisions must be statement. We will improve the position. of 24-perch allotments now.

Mr. UECKER: The position will not be Mr. J. F. BARNES: What frontage? improved with the Minister's explanation of the Bill. I disagree with the view that the lUr. Power: About 50 feet. setting-up of a Commission will improve the position. Of course, I know it would be very lUr .•J. l<'. BARNES: There should be a handy, if I were Minister, to have a Com­ regulation to prohibit the building of a missioner to lean on. It is immaterial house any closer to the fence than 15 feet, whether the organisation is under a Com­ which would mean that there would be a missioner or under the Minister, a number distance of 30 feet between the neighbour­ of people will be dissatisfied at not being ing houses. able to get homes because houses cannot possibly be erected until the material is avail­ The price of housing today is shocking. able. The improvement in the supply of During the last war we sold a good hippE'd­ homes is governed by the extent to which roof house at Gympie for £200. If that building materials are available. Nothing house were in Ascot toda,y it would bring can get away from that. Therefore, why £2,500. The allotment on which the house not get down to the solid basis of this IYas situated in Gympie had a road on three sides. At the same time we sold a hotel in matter~ We must give the greatest encour­ agement to those who haYe the initiative to Gympie for removal for £250. The house undertake their own building. ~Why not give we sold would be 1vorth about £1,200 in Gympie today. If we allow the price of them the greatest assistance~ Why give the houses to continue to rise in this way, not State priority~ That creates a clashing of interests and we do not want that. It will only the wo'rker but also the middleman will be found that if the private individual is be unable to buy a home in 50 years' time. given more scope he will build a cheaper house. He will build to his own specifica­ We must get down to the cause of these tions and not to the outrageous specifications increased prices, and that cause is taxation. required by the State Advances Corporation 'rhe building contractor pays 6s. in the £ or the Commonwealth building scheme. by way of taxation on his profits, and wln•n tendering a price for a house he must make We must realise that if we are to accom­ allowance for that. The result is that a modate some people in rented houses the house that cost £800 before the war would rental will have to cover the cost of the cost £1,200 today. building and land and if the land is bought at vVe must give consideration to furnishing a high price and a building of high price the house also. The sales tax on £475 worth is erected on it that will be no use to the of furniture is £40. The man who makes working man, inasmuch as he, will be penal­ the furniture pays sales tax on his machinery ised by having to pay an excessive rental. and tools, and he must pass this on to the If you give a man an opportunitv to do some­ public. Actually, the sales tax on £475 worth thing sane, something within the limits of of furniture would be from £65 to £70. That his income or his cash, and an opportunity is one reason why houses are beyond the reach of trying to do something on his own initia­ of the worker today. Then we have the sales tive and help him, a greater number of tax on such essentials as refrigerators. The houses and better houses will be constructed rate of sales tax on this article alone is shock· than will be erected by expending large ing, and it is up to this Government to request sums on fine homes to onerous specifications. the Federal Government to eliminate sales If we can cut down on these specifications tax on all housing materials and all essentials we shall reduce the cost of the building and connected with a home, including furniture. create a greater incentive to people to build on their own. The building of houses is in If we do that we shall help to bring the a btmgle and any Bill passing through this prices of houses down. If we flog the issue Parliament will ease the situation only if and cut out company taxation on the building we can produce a greater number of houses. o'f houses, costs will be reduced considerably again, because the contractor in tendering JUr. J. F. BARNES (Bundaberg) (4.25 does not merely add on, say, 6s. in the £ for p.m.): At the outset I should like to ask if taxation, but JOs. in the £. Do we want the the Government have made any arrangements, workers paying £2,000 for houses~ Do we through their agents, about the building of want retumecl. soldiers with £1,000 or £1,500· houses in close proximity to one another. In deferred pay paying out that £1,500 for a the olden days the size of a building block house only to receive about £600 worth of was 16 perches, with a 33-foot frontage, the house, or do we want our people to be placed result being that houses' were jammed one in the position where they can buy and own agamst the other. That was both unhealthv a house although they are only on the basic and unsightly. The reason for that was tha"t wage? Do we want anyone else but the rich in those days we had the old earth-closet to have houses~ I ask the Government to system and it was necessary to have deep think seriously and approach those who an, allotments to keep the closet away at the responsible-the Federal Government-and bottom end of the property. Most of these ask for the removal of that rotten method has been done away with and in the near of taxation, because 75 per cent. of the people future will be completely replaced by sewer­ are workers and it is they who have to }Jay age. the taxatio'n, and they pay fhrough the nose. 840 State Housing Bill. [ASSEMBLY.] State Housing Bill.

Mr. HILEY (Logan) ( 4.31 p.m.): In houses, quickly and that instead of the some Eastern countries it is the practice for promises that seem to have characterised peop!e who may have failed to discharge their administration over the pas-t couple of years :pubhc offices to commit h:;tri·kari. Apparently the people will get premises and not promises. m Queensland the practice is for some one This Bill will not in itself solve the problem. who makes a failure in the administration The cure for our housing ills is essentially o"f l1is public office to bring in a new Bill administrative, not legislative, but after all and hand over responsibility to a commission. what does the Bill do~ If I understand its principles, it changes the responsible autho­ The tragedy of housing during the war has rity for housing in this State, takes it from been growing and the problem is of such a one existing authority that has power, the magnitude today as to overshadow every other State Advances Corporation, and passes it problem confronting this CO'mmunity. It is over to another, a Commission. The fact tlmt quite true that a number of reasons have the Commission is to be a Commission of one contributed to its development. First and I applaud in itself, but do not let us imagine foremost we have the splendid example of the that this is giving us something we never had mischief that divided control can do. I know before. This State has had a housing ?f nothing more dangerous when you are try­ authority. mg to tackle a problem than to have divided control of the type that hampered a positive Then we are told that it will have power approach to the question of housing during the to acquire land. There is nothing momentous war. We have had war difficulties of every in that. We have had the workers' homes type. Not only has the war interfered with scheme operating in this State for many all our normal machinery for the erection of years, under which iland is acquired by the hous~s and the supply of material for houses, Crown. It may be that it did not have powers but 1t concentrated workers in places where of compulsory acquisition and had to do it previously they were not so dense. Numbers by negotiation but there is nothing moment­ of people came into Queensland from the ous in the power of the Crown to acquire South and overseas. It created a demand for land for this purpose. housing that altogether exceeded our previous normal expectations. But notwithstanding all There is the introduction of priorities but this and whatever excuses can be adduced, we have had priorities for three years. The it seems to me there has been a lack of priorities, far from giving this community imagination and courage such as was neces­ more homes, as far as I can see only suc­ sary to find a solution to such a serious ceeded in giving it fewer homes. This Bill problem. in itself ie not calculated to ensure a cure for the serious housing ill in this State. The We have heard references to the excuse of cure is to be found not in legislation but in the difficulties of finding man-power and infinitely better administration, administra­ materials. What would have happened so tion with the quality of courage and imagina­ far as munitions were concerned if we had a tion that is in utter contrast with what has similar poor record to show~ In 1939 we been the fact in this State for the past had no munitions industry, in 1939 we had not couple of years, and which has helped to even the nucleus of a munitions industry, produce the cumulative problem that faces but realising our dire need for munitions, the community today. in a few short months we had: a very real munitions industry in this country, although One of the difficulties we are labouring it meant the exercise of some imagination in under arises from the sudden decision of the organising our labour and permitting the use Commonwealth to fly from the restrictive of dilutees and other forms of industrial and onerous control through the Department dilution that normally we would never have of War Organisation of Industry to a state accepted. We as a nation were faced with of almost complBte lack of control up to the the problem of providing munitions for this limit of cost provided under the present Com­ country and I say that over the war years monwealth regulations. I venture to say Australia, after a complete summary of the that the administration of the War Organisa­ position is made, can say that, faced with that tion of Industry was open to serious criticism terrific need it really is able to show an because of the great amount of dissatisfac­ impressive record. tion created by its handling of the regulations in that it took the bulk of the applications Mr. Bruoo: There was' unlimited that came up for their consideration, applica­ expenditure. The sky was the limit. tions to the limit of the value that would cover the cases of most working people and Mr. HILEY: If you have a, need as great then just dropped them like a hot brick. as the housing need today, then I say­ Then they decided that there was to be no although it should be possible to overcome control whatever and with what result~ The that need without doing anything fantastic person who already had a house could build il:. the way of expenditure or costs-if it is another. He could build a spare-time house necessary to run that hazard in order to supply whether it was regularly occupied or not. that need of housing high costs should not A man who already had a house in the city determine the question. could build another at the seaside to occupy Examining Australia's performance on the for a few short weeks in the year. Of all side of munitions during the war, we find the brainless things that the Commonwealth that this community plainly is entitled to administration has done in the handling of expect courageous and energetic administra­ housing that cowardly dropping of the permit tion that can produce 'houses, and lots of question was I think the very worst. State Housing Bill. (12 OCTOBER,) State Housing Bill. 841

\Ve must have a cure for this problem of in the morning he does not send his team housing and improved administration. The away but keeps them on in the hope that it legislative background to-day is not sufficiently will arrive in the afternoon. That is the different from the means we already have to greatest contributory cause of rising costs suggest that this new legislation in itself of housing at the present time, and why they is going to provide the cure. The Acting have mounted to the very frightening level: Premier this morning said it was repre­ they have reached to-day. hensible for people to saY we must have houses and something must ·be done about it. This is where I answer the challenge that I can only say that those are the things the members of the Opposition should make a average man on the street is saying. It is positive suggestion. My positive suggestion not the duty of the average man on the is that it is useless for us trying to build street to do something about it, but it is the more houses by first putting on more building plain duty of wise Governments so to labour. organise and direct the forces of this com­ Let this Government say very plainly to munity as to see that we do have houses and the Commonwealth Government that they must that quickly. ' release all possible labour that will give any Stress has already been laid on the fact aid to the flood of production of materials. that one. of the cures to this problem lies in Let them release the· men who will fell the the ensuring of great supplies of raw logs in the forests and scrubs; let them material. I will give some indication of the release the men who will snig the logs to effect of the shortage of raw material, not the mills; let them free the men who will only on the number of houses being built work in the sawmills of the State; let but upon their cost. Let me tell you that them free the men for the fibrolite com­ in a wooden dwelling of a type constructed panies, the masonite companies, and the· other round Brisbane, the sort of house having a processing companies that produce building value not exceeding £1,000, which was materials; let them free men to go to the commonly favoured at the outbreak of war, tile works and the brickworks of this State. the labour costs would be approximately 35 When an industry in this State finds that per cent. on the finished cost, and the material on the productivity of materials it is up to cost would be 65 per cent. on the finished its maximum then and only then will you cost. get really effective use made of what build­ ing labour is available. Then and only then Under to-day's conditions we find that might we find houses being produced in tendency has completely varied. To-day greater quantity with accelerated speed. labour costs approximately 55 per cent. and material costs are down to 45 per cent. A A part from anything else, do not let us study of the industrial awards suggests that regard the 1939 ltwels of employment as on the increase in housing costs is in no way due the par of the building industry and build­ to increased wages to the people engaged in ing-supply industry. Let the Government the industry. It is true that there have have courage to go to the. unions and survey been small increases but they are not dis­ this problem and show them the magnitude proportionate to the increases incurred in of it; and just as they succeeded in the costs of materials. It is not correct to say case of the munitions industry in a colossal that the change in the proportion is due to expansion of its employment, because it was the fact that the wages of people in the build­ necessary, let the Government expand the ing industries have been increased dispro­ works in each of the fields of industry con­ portionately. That is not so. cerned. It may be existing standards of training and admission may be forgotten for Neither is it wholly true to suggest that a few years in order that the suffering public what might be termed the lowered produc­ may receive with greater speed the houses tivity of labour is occasioned by any chance they need. selection of the workers engaged in the industry. It is true that some of those That is the concrete suggestion I make. workers have through their experience with Whilst I will admit that there are some the Allied Works Council and C.C.C. had a things of tiny moment contained in the pre·­ disturbance that has resulted in a changed sent Bill, I repeat that the Bill itself con­ outlook, which is inherent in every vast tains little calculated to cure this housing change of that type that occurs. It difficulty. I repeat my statement to the happened with the soldiers after the last war Government that the cure lies ancl can only an_d it is happening and will happen after lie in courageous, energetic and forceful th1s war. You get such a change in itself administration. That is where the cure to that it exhausts itself in time. We find to-day that problem lies. that a dwelling ordinarily erected by a team of men in a matter of six or eight weeks Mr. MORRIS (Enoggera) (4.48 p.m.): takes many more weeks to complete. According to the business sheet the Bill is a Bill to make better provision for housing and !Ir. Collins: What is the reason? improving the housing requirements of the people. The question that presents itself to lUr. HILEY: The reason is that the me and to other members of this Committee materials come to the job in such a dis­ is whether the Bill will in fact solve those organised and scattered manner that a good problems. That remains to be seeR. We deal of waste time occurs. Naturally a cannot deliver judgment on the Bill until we builder desires to keep his team of men have seen it. Practically all approaches to together and if the material does not arrive the housing shortage made recently have 842 State Housing Bill. [ASSEMBLY.] State Housing Bill.

virtually attributed it wholly to the war. To wanted to have additional monYs, to the boring and morticing machines, the joinery machinery, where all the joinery work and various fancy cuts in wood could be made. The wood would go in one end as 12 inches by 12 inches timber and come out the other end a complete ho'nse except for the nails and bolts. I seriously suggest to the Minister that if he has any man in view for appointment as Commissioner under this Bill, now is the time for him to get the Commis­ sioner on the job.

Hon. H. A. BRUCE (The Tableland­ Secretary for Public Works) (5 p.m.): The suggestion 111ade by the hon. member for Mundingburra definitely will receive con­ sideration. I was well aware that we had a