Queensland

Parliamentary Debates [Hansard]

Legislative Assembly

TUESDAY, 11 MARCH 1952

Electronic reproduction of original hardcopy

Queensland Parliamentary Debates.

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SECOND SESSION OF THE THIRTY-SECOND PARLIAMENT (Second Period) [VOLUME 3]

TUESDAY, 11 MARCH, 1952. OATH OF ALLEGIANCE TO QUEEN ELIZABETH II. THE PREMIER produced a Commission Under the provisions of the motion for under the public seal of the State empowering Special Adjournment agreed to by the House him, the Hon. John Edmund Duggan, the on 23rd November, 1951, the House met at Hon. Thomas Andrew Folcy and the Hon. ll a.m. J olm Henry M ann, or any one or more of them, to administer to all or any members Mr. SPEAKER (Hon. J. H. Manu, or member of the House the Oath or Affir­ Brisbane) took the chair. mation of Allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II., which commission was then DEATH OF KING GEORGE VI., AND read to the House by the Clerk. ACCESSION OF QUEEN ELIZABETH II.

MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR. MEMBERS SWORN. Hon. V. C. GAIR (South Brisbane­ The Commissioners (the Hon. Vincent Clair Premier) presented the following message Gair, Hon. John Edmund Duggan, Hon. from His Excellency the Governor- Thomas Andrew Foley, and Hon. John Henry '' The Governor acquaints the Legislative Mann), having been themselves previously Assembly, in accordance with the pro­ sworn before His Excellency the Governor, visions of the fourth section of the Con­ then administered the Oath or Affirmation stitution Act of' 1867 that Our Late Beloved of Allegiance to all other members present, Sovereign King George the Sixth of namely- Blessed and Glorious Memory, departed Aikens, Thomas, Esquire this life at Sandringham on the sixth day Allpass, Frederic Jmnes, Esquire of February, one thousand nine hundred and fifty-two, ani! that on the eighth day Bjelke-Petersen, J ohanues, Esquire of }'ebruary, one thousand nine hundred Brosnan, Michael Timothy, Esquire and fifty-two, Her Most Gracious Majesty Brown, Richard Kidston, Esquire Queen Elizabeth the Second was duly and Burrows, .Tames, Esquire lawfully proclaimed as Queen, by the Grace Byrne, Peter, Esquire of God, of Great Britain, Ireland, and the British Dominions beyond the Seas, Defen­ Chalk, Gordon William Wesley, Esquire {]er of the Faith. Clark, James, Esquire '' Tlle Governor further acquaints the Coburn, Artlmr, Esquire Legislative Assembly that, before Members Davis, Edward William, Esquire thereof sit and vote as such, it is necessary Decker, Eric Paul, Esquire that they should take or make the Oath ;r Dowar, Alexander Tattenhall, Esquire Affirmation of Allegiance to Her Most Dittmer, Felix Cyril Sigismund, Esquire, Gracious Majesty, as required h? the Act ltereinbcfore mentioned. B.A., M.B., B.S., B.Sc. ''Government House, Donald, James, Esquire "Brisbane, March 11, 1D5:?.'' Dufficy, John Joseph, Esquire Dunstan, Thomas, Esquire 'l'he Clerk read the message. Evans, Ernest, Esquire Mr. SPEAKER: I have to inform the Ewan, William Manson, Esquire House that on Thursday, 6 March and Mon­ Farrell, David, Esquire dny, 10 March, His Excellency the Governor Gardner, Robert James, Esquire administered the Oath of Allegian0e to all Ministers, and that on Friday, 7 March, Gavcn, Eric John, Esquire His Excellency administered the Oath of Graham, Frederick Dickson, Esquire Allegiance to me. Gunn, William Morrison, Esquire 1952-3G 1660 Death of King George VI. [ASSEMBLY.] Death of Hon. E. M. Hanlon.

Heading, James Alfred, Esquire "2. That His Excellency the Governor Hiley, Thomas Alfred, Esquire be requested to forward the above address to Her Majesty." J esson, Cecil George, Esquire J ones, Vincent Edward, Esquire Motion agreed to, hon. members standing in silence. Kerr, Thomas Caldwell, Esquire Keyatta, George, Esquire ACCESSION OF QUEEN ELIZABETH II. Lloyd, Eric Gayford, Esquire Low, David Alan, Esquire ADDRESS OF CONGRATULATION. Luckins, Louis Wells, Esquire Hon. V. C. GAIR (South Brisbane­ Macdonald, Duncan, Esquire Premier) ( 11.16 a.m.) by leave, without Marsden, I vor, Esquire notice: I move- McCathie, Colin George, Esquire, B.A. '' 1. That the following address of con­ Mcintyre, Malcolm, Esquire gratulation to Her Majesty be adopted:- ' To Her Most Gracious Majesty, Moores, Thomas, Esquire Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of Morris, Kenneth James, Esquire God, of Great Britain, Ireland, and of Muller, Adolf Gustav, Esquire the British Dominions beyond the Seas, Munro, Alan Whiteside, Esquire Queen, Defender of the Faith. Nicholson, David Eric, Esquire 'May it please Your Majesty,- Nicklin, George Francis Reuben, Esquire 'We, the Members of the Legislative Noble, Henry \Vinston, Esquire, M.B., Assembly of Queensland, in Parliament B.S. assembled, respeetfully submit congratu­ lations on Your Majesty's accession to Pizzey, Jack Charles Allan, Esquire, B.A., the Throne and desire to assure Your A.Ed. Majesty of our loyalty and allegiance. Plunkett, Thomas Flood, Esquire 'We pray that under the Divine Guid­ Rasey, Thomas William, Esquire ance Your Majesty may be long spared Riordan, Ernest Joseph, Esquire to rule the British Commonwealth of Roberts, Frank Edward, Esquire Nations and that Your Majesty's reign Roberts, Lloyd Henry Scurfield, Esquire may be distinguished by peace, pros­ perity, and a general advancement in· Smith, Alfred James, Esquire the social and economic conditions of Sparkes, Walter Beresford .Tames Gordon, Your Majesty's subjects.' Esquire '' 2. That His Excellency the Governor Taylor, Harold Bourne, Esquire, D.S.O. be requested to forward the above Address Taylor, John Russel, Esquire to Her Majesty.'' Turner, John Albert, Esquire Motion agreed to. Watson, Robert Hodgson, Esquire Whyte, Patrick J ames, Esquire COMMISSION TO ADMINISTER OATH. Wood, Leslie Arnold, Esquire. Mr. SPEAKER: I have to inform the Wordsworth, Carlisle J<'avell, Esquire House that His Excellency has been pleased to issue a Commission under the Public- Seal of the State empowering me to administer DEATH OF KING GEORGE VI. the oath or affirmation of allegiance to such members as may hereafter present themselves ADDRESS OF CONDOLENCE. to be sworn, which I now direct the Clerk Hon. V. C. GAIR (South Brisbane­ to read to the House. P!emier) ( 11.14 a.m.), by leave, without Commission thereupon read by the Clerk. notice : I move- '' 1. That the following Address of oon­ DEATH OF HON. E. M. HANLON. dolence to Her Majesty be adopted:- lUr. SPEAKER: I have to inform the 'To Her Most Gracious Majesty, House that I have received from the Reg!s­ Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of trar-General a certified copy of the registra­ God, of Great Britain, Ireland, and of tion of the death on .January 15, 1952, of the British Dominions beyond the Seas, the Honourable Edward Michael Hanlon, Queen, Defender of the Faith. lately serving in the Legislative Assembly as member for the Electoral District of 'May it please Your Majesty,- Ithaca. ' We, the Members of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland, on assembling SEA'!' DECLARED VACANT. for the first sitting of the Parliament Hon. V. C. GAIR (South Brl.sbane­ since the lamented death of our late Premier) : I move- beloved Sovereign, King George VI., '' That the seat in this House of Edward: desire to express our profound sympathy Michael Hanlon, Esquire, hath become and: in the great loss which your Majesty, is now vaeant by reason of the death of your Royal Mother and other members the said Edward Michael Hanlon, Esquire.',. of the Royal Family have sustained.' Motion agreed to. Death of Hon. E. M. Hrmlon. [11 MARCH.] Death of Hon. E. 1l1. Hanlon. 1661

MOTION OF CONDOLENCE. enjoyed the fullest support of his ministerial colleagues and the other members of his Hon. V. C. GAIR (South Brisbane­ party, and when peace was restored he had Premier) (11.21 a.m.), by leave, without retained the respect and frequently won the notice: I move- good will of his opponents, who, at length '' 1. That this House desires to place saw the wisdom of the Government's stand at on record its sense of the loss this State that time. has sustained by the death of the Hon. Mr. Hanlon will be remembered also for his Edward Michael Hanlon, member for the great faith in the future of Queensland, par­ electoral district of Ithaca, and Premier ticularly the northern part of the State. of the State of Queensland. Come what may, his name will continue to be '' 2. That Mr. Speaker be requested to associated with major developmental projects, communicate to the family of the deceased the importance of which he so strongly gentleman the above resolution, together advocated in the councils of the nation that with an expression of the sympathy and few people in Australia, or in the Common­ sorrow of the members of the Parliament wealth of Nations, have not heard of them. of Queensland, in the loss they have The late Mr. Hanlon was a kindly man, sustained. ' ' and although he dearly loved a fight he sel­ The late Mr. Hanlon was first elected to dom bore ill-feeling in his heart for any time. the 24th Parliament of Queensland as I think I can truly say that, generous alike member for the electoral ilistriot of Ithaca, to friend or foe, he was one for whom the on 8 May, 1926, and represented that elec­ people of Queensland had a -warm affection; torate continuously until his death on he was one of themselves. J!'rom a humble 15 January, 1952, during the currency home he rose by his own merit to be Premier of the 32nd Parliament of Queensland. of the State, but always he had his roots deep In the Forgan Smith Ministry, he was Home down into the soil from which he sprang. He Secretary from 17 June, 1932, to 5 December, was never so happy as when talking in the 1935, and Secretary for Health anc1 Home homely Australian way among his working­ Affairs from 5 December, 1935, to 16 Decem­ class friends. ber, 1942. He retained that portfolio in Those of us who served under him and the Cooper Ministry from 16 September, knew him well were the better for his leader­ 1942, to 27 April, 1944. He was Treasurer ship, and we sorrow with those who were from 27 April, 1944, to 3 March, 1946. He nearer to him in the great loss they have assumed the office of Premier and Chief suffered. Secretary on 3 March, 1946, and retained that Honourable Members: Hear, hear! position until his death. The late Mr. Hanlon came to this Parlia­ Mr. NICKLIN (Landsborough) (11.28 ment, as I have stated, in 1926 and was first a.m.): I desire to second the motion of sym­ elected to the Ministry or the Government of pathy that has been moved by the Premier this State after the return of the Labour in the deatl1 of the late Premier, Mr. Hanlon. Party at the elections in June, 1932. He In the passing of Mr. Hnnlon, thio State and continued, as his record shows, to hold this Parliament have suffered a great loss. Ministerial rank until ultimately he became The party that he led so ably and so well for Premier and Chief Secretary of Queensland. so long has, too, suffered a great loss. In the first Forgan Smith Government, Mr. The late Mr. Hanlon was a redoubtable llanlon hPld the portfolio of Home Secretary, political opponent, a gentleman who, as the afterwards known as Secretary for Health Premier has just said, dearly loved a political and Home Affairs, an office in which I fight. Immediately the fight :'~'as ?ver, h~w­ believe he distinguished himself by his con­ ever he carried no personal ammos1ty outs1de structive mind and clear vision of the future. this' House. As a result, we of this Parlia­ Our hospital service, whirh today stands as a ment who had been with him here for so pattern for the rest of Australia, owes a long,' felt that we had lost a personal friend g-reat deal to his energy, his broad sympathy when Ned Hanlon passed on. for suffering humanity, and the enthusiastic Mr. Hanlon was one who, as the Premier pursuit of his aim of ·bringing the service to has said rose as the result of his own Bverybody. The other sub-departments under endeavou'rs to the highest position that this his control felt the influence of his driving State offers and became the :first citizen of force and, I believe, benefited greatly from the State. 'It is a great tribute to our it. . democratic system that that can be so. No In 1944, when the late Mr. F. A. Cooper doubt, his 'great rise in the public and politi­ was Premier, Mr. Hanlon was transferred to cal life of this State was the result of the the Treasury. He was Acting Premier in drive and energy that he showed in all his ] 945 when Mr. Cooper was abroad and when political undertakings. The record that he Mr. Cooper resigned in 1946 he was the leaves behind him is due to the vision that he unanimous choice of his party as leader and showed in tackling the problems that came Premier. his way and in laying down a programme Shortly after becoming Premier, Mr. Han­ that he thought would be the best for the lon suffered a severe blow in the loss of his development of this State. He was a man wife on 11 June, 1946, and amid his grief who knew what he wanted and he went after he was confronted with a serious industrial it. He was an indefatigable worker; indeed, upheaval in the meat industry. Two years the fact that he worked so hard and never later there was another State-wide industrial spared himself no doubt contributed to his upheaval. In those clashes Mr. Hanlon untimely end. 1662 Ministerial Statement. [ASSEMBLY.] M~nisterial Statement.

Mr. Hanlon pnt Queensland first at all On the same date, His Excellency times. As the Premier said, he fought hard appointed- for the rights of this State in his com­ The Honourable VINCENT CLAIR GAIR munications with the national Parliament. No doubt he was disappointed at times in to be Premier and Chief Secretary of not being able to bring some of his Queensland; schemes to fruition, nevertheless he tried The Honourable JOHN EDMUND DUGGAN hard to do so. We may have differed with to be Minister for Transport of Queensland; him at times, not so much from the view­ The Honourable THOMAS ANDREW FoLEY point of the benefit or the neetl of the schemes for the State as the way in which to be Secretary for Public Lands and Irriga­ he endeavoured to bring them about. I tion of Queensland; repe:~t that he tried hard to do things for The Honourable HAROLD HENRY COLLINS this State. He matle a great contribution to be Secretary for Agriculture and Stock of to the welfare of the State during his Queensland ; political life, and it will go down in the political history of Queensland to his credit The Honourable .JAMES LARCOMBE and the credit of the party he led. to he Attorney-General of Queensland; The Honourable ARTHUR JONES There is one aspect of the life of the late hon. gentleman to which no reference has to be Secretary for Labour and Industry of so far been made and I should like to refer Queensland; to it. Our late Premier was a Digger and he The HDnourable WILLIAM POWER n_ever forgot his fellow Diggers. Many a time, to he Secretary for Mines and Immigration of times out of number, he went out of his way Que(')nsland. to help a Digger who might not have been in the best financial or economic position. He was The Honourable GEORGE HENRY DEVRIES never too busy to listen to the plea of some to be Secretary for Public Instruction of unfortunate Digger who might have fallen Queensland; by the wayside. The returned soldiers will always remember the late Premier with The Honourable \VILLIAM MATTHEW MOORE gratitude and i~1 their councils they will to be Secretary for Health and Home Affairs always make feelmg and generous references of Queensland; to the way in which he helped them from time The Honourable PAUL JERo"ME REMIGIUS to time. HILTON One would havp expected that a man who to he Secretar;· for Public Works, Housing led such a busy political life would have been aml Local Government of Queensland; compelled therefore to neglect his family The Honourable EDW ARD J OSEPH W ALSH somewhat, but that could never be said of the late Premier. He was a family man and to be Treasurer of Queensland. he always placed his family first. He received I lay upon the 'rable of the House a copy a great deal of comfort and support from of the Queensland Government Gazette them and he was the first to acknowledge Extraordinary containing the relevant noti­ it. fications. In the passing of Mr. I-I'anlon we have suffered a personal loss and the State a great Mr. NICii:LIN (Landsborough-Leader public loss. He made a great contribution to of the Opposition) (11.36 a.m.): I wish to the future of this State while he was its take the opportunity of congratulating the leader and while he occupied his various Premier on his apopintment as Premier of ministerial positions. The best epitaph that this State. For a considerable time he has one could write of the late Premier is the acted as Premier and carried out the duties few words, ''\IV ell done, N ed Hanlon. '' of the office with credit to himself and his party. I wish him well in the occupancy of Honourable !Iembers: Hear, hear! his position; I hope he may not occupy it Motion agreed to, hon. members standing too long. (Laughter). in silence. May I also take the opportunity of con­ gratulating the Minister for 'rransport on his MINISTERIAL STATEMENT. eJcyation to the position of Deputy Leader'? APPOIN'l'MEK'r OF GAIR MINISTRY. Honourable ~!embers: Hear, hear 1 Hon. V. C. GAIR (South Brisbane­ Mr. NICKLIN: He has earned that posi­ Premier) (11.35 a.m.): tion as a result of his inclustry and ability I desire to inform the House that on in carrying out his ministerial office and I 17 January, 1952, His Excellency the think the party have made a wise choice in Governor appointed- selecting him as Deputy Leader. The Honourable VINCENT CLAIR GAIR, JI.Iy congratulations go also to the hon. the to be Vice-President of the Executive Treasurer, on the confirmation of his appoint­ Council of Queensland, and ment. I hope he will be very liberal in administering his office. (Laughter). EDWARD JOSEPH WALSH, Esquire, to be a member of the Executive Council of A Government Jtiember: Very Labour in Queensland. his office. Ministerial Statement. [ll MARCH.] N ash Election Petition. 1663

Mr. NICKLIN: I am sure he will not be T~LEC'riONS TRIBUNAL. that. I believe he will be fair to all parties, irrespective of politics. .JUDGE FOR 1952. May I also congratulate the hon. member Mr. SPEAKER announced the receipt of for Flinders on his elevation to the Ministry W a letter from His Honour the Chief .J nstice, As a result of his long political associations Mr. Justice Macrossan, intimating that His I feel that he will make an excellent Minister. Honour Mr. Justice Mack, would be the May I suggest to the Premier that if he is judge to preside at the sittings of the Elec­ going to appoint any more men of the physi­ tions Tribunal for the year 1952. cal size of the hon. member for Flinders he will have to enlarge the front bench, because N ASH J

elected a Member of the Legislative 24th, 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th, and 29th Par­ Assembly for the Electoral District of liaments. On 17 June, 1932 he became Nash. I further ordered that the Minister for Transport and held that port­ Petitioner pay to the said Thomas folio until he resigned it on 4 August, 1939. Dunstan his costs of the Petition limited He died on 1 January of this year. to the sum of one hundred pounds, and Mr. Dash was known for his serious and that of the sum of two hundred pounds paid selfless devotion to duty. He had a great into Court by the Pe';itioner, the sum capacity for painstaking effort, and in the of one hundred pounds be paid out of inner 0ouncils of the Labour Party, during Court to the Respondent's solicitors, and the three years between 1929 and 1932 in the balance of one hundred pounds plus particular, his wide experience of industrial any interest accrued upon the total sum matters and his balanced judgment were a paid in, be pai

QUESTION. ''The bus proprietor has ready a specia bus, which he can bring into commissior SCHOOL TRAhSPORT, ABERGOWRIE. and run to a more suitable time-table m Mr. JESSON (Hinchinbrook), without soon as the number of the children ir notice, asked the Secretary for Public that area is sufficient to provide a rea Instruction- sonable return.-Ronald G. Hooper, H'eac Teacher, State School, Long Pocket, NorU '' Has his attention been drawn to the Queensland.'' letter in today's issue of the ''Courier· Mail'' regardii1g school transport, written That is my reply to the Leader of the Oppo by Ronald G. Hooper, head teacher, state sition who asked what right I had to accusE school, Long Pocket; if so, has he any the hon. member for Coor_l)aroo of misleading comment to make.'' the people and besmirching the good name of a teacher. After my explanation the hon. Hon. G. H. DEVIUES (Gregory) member should be decent enough to offer ail replied- apology to the teacher for besmirching hi~ good name. ''I have read the article in the ''Courier­ Mail'' of today's date regarding school ORDER IN HOUSE. transport. \Ve all know that recently the hon. member for Coorparoo who holds the 1Ur. AIKENS (Mundingburra), proceed­ high and exaltell office of' Leader of the ing to give notice of question: Do not get Liberal Party of Queensland-and who excited, George. should be a leader of the party and not a mis-leader of it-toured the North of }Ir. SPEAKER: Order! Queensland and that his mission was merely to get what muck he could to throw at the Mr. AIKENS: You cannot fool the North. Government on his return to Brisbane. I am making this statement in defence of a Mr. SPEAKER: Order! I warn the hon teacher in my department in North Queens­ member early in the proceedings of this land. The hon. member for Coorparoo on Parliament that if he continues to disregard his return to Brisbane, deliber~tely my call to order and to misbehave I shall endeavoured to mislead the people of have to deal drastically with him. (tueensland and particularly endeavoured to besmirch the name of a good teacher.'' PERSONAL EXPLANATION. Mr. Nicklin: What right have you to say that~ - Mr. LARCOI\IBE

WORKERS' ACCOMMODATION BILL. also that consideration be given to the necessity for the provision of adequate and INITIATION IN COMMITTEE. suitable accommodation for married men.'' ('l'he Chairman of Committees, Mr. Fan·ell, I would point out-and hon. members Maryborough, in the chair.) r0alise this-that the Act only lays down a Hon. A. JONES (Charters Towers­ minimum standaid of acoommodation. Cer­ Secretary for Laoour and Industry) (12.19 tain employers provide accommodation above p.m.) : I move- the required standard, and see that their workers have decent aocommodation, but there '' That it is desirable that a Bill be intro­ are many-and this applies to the big pas­ duced to oonsolidate and amend the law toral companies-who provide accommodation relating to the provision of accommodation of the coolie standard. When I worked in for workers.'' the shearing industry some 25 to 30 years The title of the Bill indicates something of ago I found that the accommodation in some its nature; it is to consoliuate and amend the places was very poor and in the last five or Wotkers' Accommodation Act. The Act has six years I have visited again some of the been on the Statute Book of the State for properties I knew and have found that very many years anu there are certain anomalies little has been done to improve it. to be rectified; but apart from that, only three or four new principles are being Only a few days ago, 4 March, 1952, an introduced. I shall outline them as I proceed. article appeared in "The Courier-Mail" The Aot provided for the same uistricts as under the name of K. P. Logan, which was those constituted under the Shearers and written from his property at Richmond in Sugar ·workers' Accommodation Acts, 1905 North-West Queensland. Mr. Logan, who is to 1906 which enacted that the distriots fairly well known in pastoral circles, spoke should bo the sheep districts under the Act about inducing migrants to take up work in for the prevention and cure of diseases in rmal districts and said- · sheep. These were defined in the Government ''To revert to the migrant labour sug­ Gazette of 19 February, 1899, and hon. gestion-in England and Europe the farm­ members will thus realise that the Act has hands usually live in the nearby village, in become somewhat outdated. Thev have no a solidly built reasonably comfortable cot­ relation to the distriots served by 'our inspec­ tage with the village pub or inn, dance, tors, at the pt esent time and we have found halls and amusements close handy.'' some difficulty in taking action against ''How long would these people be con-: employers in parts of the State. In one or tent to remain stuck out on a back-track two cases prosecutions wo have launched have farm or selection in the corrugated iron been held invalid by industrial magistrates shanties which pass for workers' accom­ because of these variations in districts and modation in Queensland~'' therefore it is necessary not only to make the Act clear, but to cut out the districts That man has a property of his own at altogether. The Act is of State-wide appli­ Richmond. He knows something about these oation and there is no reason for the con­ things, and what he says is true. stitution of districts. I believe that one of the greatest factors The Act is being tidied up in one in keeping people from taking up work today or two other respects. In the first in our rural industries is the lack of amenities place, thete is some doubt whether an that could easily be provided by employers. employer is legally obliged to provide the Of course, some employers are providing prescribed accommodation for his workers if them. One employer, who is well known-! an order to do so has not been served upon do not want to mention his name-provides him by an inspector. It was held by an indus­ septic tanks and other amenities for the trial magistrate some time ago that because station hands in exactly the same way as an order to do certain work had not been in his owu residence. There is no reason why served upon an employer by the department, all these facilities should not be provided for the prosecution must fail, and it did. We pastoral employees, for if we arc to attract appealed to the Industrial Court and our people to the country we shall have to do appeal was ur·held but we are now removing something better than keep them on coolie rmy ambiguity in that respect. standards. :Itir. Ail>ens: You might as well say that ''The Sunday Mail'' recently conducted a the employee need not be paid the award survey among young fellows of 18 to 22 who IVages. were employed on pastoral properties to dis­ cover their reaetions to the life, and every Jlir. A ••TONES: An industrial magistrate one said that the accommodation provided 'teld as I have indicated. As to workers' was so crude that he intended to leave and 1ccommodation generally, I might say that return to the cities. 'There was a time, of :he rec•ent Royal Commission on Pastoral course-and nobodv knows it better than I­ r_,ands Settlement had this to say in its ·when selectors foui1d it very hard to provide ·eported dated 13 November, 1951: the accommodation set out in the Act, but "\Ve consider that action should be things have changed since then. There is no taken by an amendment of the Workers' reason why, for instance, inspectors of the Accommodation Act, to provide for Department of Labour and Industry last improved accommodation for station ~·car should have had to issue to employers workers, particularly in regard to the ceil­ 583 orders to provide proper accommodation ing of quarters, lighting and water and for their employees. The orders covered such 1668 Workers' Accommodation Bill. [ASSEMBLY.] IV01·kers' Accommodation Bill.

matters as sleeping-room alterations, meat supplied. It will depend to some extent on houses, bathrooms, washhouses, drinking-water the number of employees engaged. For facilities, and lavatory accommodation. I instance, where only two men are employed know that hon. members opposite will they will not engage a cook but will have make all sorts of excuses and say that their meals at the homestead where perhap~ materials have not been available and the wife of the owner of the property 01 consequently it has not been possible to pro­ someone else will cook the meals for them vide the p1·escribed accommodation, but many and for others on the proper-ty. The refriger· of Queensland's big pastoralists today provide ators will be required, for instance, at shear· accommodation for their employees that is ing sheds and on other jobs where there ar€ very little better than it was in the early a considerable number of employees. In the 90s, when the shearers' strike took place. past we have had difficulty in persuading employers to instal~ coolers. I am not s:ug. I refer hon. members to the following com­ gesting that a refngerator shall be supplied ments by the Chief Inspector of Factories and say, to a man baching out on the run. Shops in his report for the year ended 30 J·une, 1950 :- Mr. :ill orris: What are the cond!tiom ''Much is written these days deploring that demand that coolers shall be supplied a1 the drift of population from the country the present time~ to the cities and lack of amenities is one lUr. A. JONES: They are laid down ir of the reasons given for such drift. I the Act and the hon. member can reac suggest that employers of rural labour can them for himself. It is provided tha1 help to an appreciable extent in arresting they ·were to be installe~ at shearin~ the drift by mc1king employment conditions sheds, and in the sugar mdustry to < more attractive, particula.rly for those very large extent. How.ever, a bout 1? month: workers who are required to live on the ago the Government decrded that refngerator: job. The Workers' Accommodation Acts should be provided on all Main Roads _am and industrial awards prescribe the mini­ Forestry jobs and they have been provr~ec mum standards which must b0 provided, ever since. Therefore we are only askll1! but there is no limit on the maximum private industry to do what we a.re alreadJ standards. Youtlls will not leave their homes to work in the country ancl parents are loth doing ourselves. to allow them to do so unless the living The present Act provides that complaint: conditions approximate home conditions. shall be heard by a stipendiary magistrate For many years lack of finance was with the right of appeal to the Full Court o: advanced by some employers as the reason the Supreme Court of Qu~ensland. The Bil for their failure to provide the minimum now provides that complamts under the Ac prescribed accommodation. At the present shall be heard before an industrial magistrate time it is doubtful whether any employer with the right of appeal to the Industria in the agricultural or pastoral industries Court. Similar provisions e;dst ~n the Indus can attribute his workers' accommodation trial Conciliation and Arb1tratwn Act an< shortcomings to financial stringency. '' Factories and Shops Act. It is thought ~~sir able that the right of appeal from decrsw_n And so he goes on. in the lower eourt should be to the Industna I am making the point that, if they so Court rather than to a court with the stand desired, employers could do something about ing of the Full Court of the Supreme Court providing reasonable a.ccommodation. At 'rhat is only a reasonable proposal; workers present the Act makes provision for the supply accommodation is an industrial matter aw of wa.ter coolers. That provision was brought it is logical that complaints under it shoul< down in 1946, and at that time, one after be heard before an industrial magistrate. another, hon. members opposite objected to Those are the imp or tan t provisions of th it as if it were out of all reason. On this Bill, apart from the fact that it is a ~on occasion we a.re making provision that refri­ solidating measure. There ?-re some mm~ gerators shall be supplied in lieu of water important changes, such as 1mproved defi~: coolers. I believe that employers who employ tions in certain circumstances. There wrl a, number of men should provide refrigerators for example, be more ~etailed powe~ fo for them. About 12 months ago I went to inspectors in connecti?n wrth what con~titute the trouble of having a survey taken by our the obstruction of an mspector. The Brll prc industrial inspectors in the south-western part vides for the omission of districts, as I hav of the State, and I found that a, large per­ explained and of course theTe is provisio centage of employers there were already pro­ for the s~pply of refrigerators, perhaps th viding refrigerators for their employees. As most important condition of. alL The dut a matter of fact, I have a list of their names. of providing the accommodatiOn rests on th After all, the provision of refrigerators is owner of the premises as well as on th reasonable and I believe that no decent­ person entitled to immediate possession. ~h minded person would argue that it is not. Bill contains more detailed power relatm Mr. Sparkes: Are you referring now to to the provision of temporary accommodati? married men~ and makes it clear that an employer wr be required to provide the prescribed accon Mr. A. JONES: No, I am referring to modation even though an order has not bee cases where, for example, five or six station­ served upon him by an inspector. The Bi hands and a cook are employed. Where the appears to be a. bulky document but that · Act says that coolers shall be supplied the only because it is a consolidating measur Bill stipulates that refrigerators shall be Procedure has been simplified and general] n·o,.kel's' Accommodation Bill. [11 MARCH.) lrorkcrs' Accommodation Bill. 1669 the Bill is one that I have had in mind to Mr. SPARKES: It has taken the hou. introduce ever since I became associated with gentleman's department well over 40 yeatS the department. Anomalies have occurred in and then it has not given decent quarters. the past, particularly in relation to the dis­ tricts, and as there is no need for districts lir. A. Jones: What do you refer to? there is no reason why they should be con­ Mr. SPARKES: I refer to what the tinued in the Bill and so complicate matters. Chairman will not let me speak of. I have much pleasure in moving the motion. (Laughter.) Mr. SPARKES (Aubigny) (12.35): There Mr. A. Jones: If you senj'l. cattle doyvn is no doubt that the Minister was sincere in the drover is your employee. his introduction of the measure but it was rather amusing to hear him on the subject Mr. SPARKES: I do not have to provide of workers' accommodation. He reminded me the train for him to sit in; the Railway of the man who belted his kids and then Department provides that. I pay for the train went along to the school teacher to see that and the accommodation, which is poor and they were well looked after and were not no better than that affordecl by a hovel. The caned. drover would be more comfortable riding in with the cattle. I suggest that the Minister in charge of the Bill start at home and ask his own Govern­ A Government Memller: You would ment to do some of the jobs that he is make him walk if you could. advocating in this Chamber. I belong to the 1\Ir. SPARKES: He could walk as fast school of thought that believes that if other as the train anyway. (Laughter.) people are required to do certa.in things I should set an example by first doing them I agree with the Minister in regard to the myself. That is what the Government should provision of refrigerators for married men. be doing here. The worst offender in the I think it is good business; I told the House State in regard to workers' accommodation many years ago that I provided a refrigera­ is the Railway Department. tor for the married men in my employ. Meat is the staple diet in the country and most of The CHAIRlUAN: Order! The hon. mem­ it is supplied by the station, and if the men ber is not in order in discussing the Railway have a refrigerator they can keep the meat Act. much longer and there is little waste. Jlir. A. Jones: It does not only apply to ~Ir. SPARKES: I am not discussing the Ra1lway Act. I am only discussing the the married men. employer under this Bill. The Minister said Mr. SPARKES: I am coming to that. that they were only asking us to do something We have introduced some silly provisions in that they did themselves. Let the hon. regard to accommodation. I ask the hon. gentleman come up next week and travel down gentleman, who is an old shearer, 'whether from my a1·ea on a special train with cattle he has not noticed the ga uzc doors all wide and he will sec the deplorable conditi011s open at any shed. under which the ·ctock attendant has to traYel. The accommodation provided is not fit for 1\Ir. A. Jones: That is to let the flies n blackfc!low. out. (Laughter.)

The CHAIRlUAN: Order! 1\Ir. SPARKES: And let the hon. gentleman in. (Laughter.) There is a provi­ iUr. A. Jones: You are talking all round sion in the Act about providing boarded it. mattresses but in our district we find that the men do not like to camp on them. It is Mr. SPARKES: I am dealing with necessary to approach this matter sensibly. nccommodation. If you are going to lay down that two or thTee single men must have a refTigerator you Tlle CHAIR~IAN: Order! will have all sorts of trouble. I agree that Mr. S.PARifES: I bow to your ruling. Of they should be provided for married men. coursP, 1t hmts and the Government do not Mr. A. Jones interjected. like it. Some of the schools are overcrowded and lack proper facilities. Mr. SPARKES: It would be simply childish to lay it clown that you must send a It is all very well for the hon. gentleman refrigerator out to a boundary rider's hut. to suggest these improvements, but will he tell us where we can get the materials with As to different districts, I hold the view which to make the improyements~ His col­ that if Smith lives at Dalbv and Jones at league the Secretary for Agriculture and Rcma, the employees of b;th should have Stock will confirm what I say. Let the hon. similar conditions. gentleman get some more cement which is necessary for the construction of' bathroom :fi'Ir. Jones: Of course, this is a very old floors. I was fortunate-the Minister got Act. me some the other day-hut generally speak­ ing it is almost impossible to get it. :fiir. ,sPARKES: That is so, and I sug­ gest to the Minister that he and his col­ 1\fr. A. Jones: It has taken some of them leagues might well consider amending the 40 years and then they have not got it. Fencing Act; it, too, is very old. 1670 Workers' Accommodation Bill. [ASSEMBLY.] Workers' Accommodation Bill.

We shall 1rait until we see the Bill, but ~Ir. NICKLIN: I am not discussing at this stage we feel that it would be well the Railways Act; I am replying to a ques­ for the Minister to put his own house in tion by the Minister. Surely I can quote order before ordering other people to do all illustrations to make the point I am bringing these things. before the Committee? To put the matter beyond doubt, I move- 'rhere is also the matter of cooking for cliff er ent people and that merely brings me '' Add to the question the words- back to the provision of a refrigerator for ' including the provision that the Act a married man and his family. The wives shall apply to the employees of all of several employees might all do cooking Government departments.' '' and it would be unnecessary to provide six We have no need to go very far to find mfrigerators, for instance, if the men are all examples where it is necessary that t~e pro· wgether. But I leave that point to the visions of this Act should be apphed to hon. member for Roma; I repeat that in all employees of Government departments. In these things we should be guided by sane, the first place let me take the Department of sound principles, and not attempt something Railways, which is a. notable example of a that is not practicable. Again I ask any Government department providing sub· hon. member of this Assembly who has been standard accommodation for its employees. If to shearing ~heels whether he has not seen any private employer provided the standard the gauze doors propped open. I rescne of accommodation that department does for further comment until I see the Bill. many of its employees, he would jolly soon fiml himself in court with an officer ~Ir. NICKLIN (Landsborough-Leader of the Minister's department prosecut· of the Opposition) (12.45 p.m.): We on this ing him for not providing decent side have approved at all times of any pro­ accommodation for his employees. If posal by Ministers to consolidate their legis­ we are to pass legislation in this Chambei lation and bring it up to date. In this requiring private employers t~ provide .2 instance the Minister is taking a wise step certain standard of accommodatiOn for theu i.n connection with workers' accommodation employees, it should be incumbent upon th( legislation because it is undoubtedly out of Government to provide the same standarc date in many respects and requires consoli­ for their employees. In fact, it should noi dation. We have no objection whatsoever be necessarv to do this; the Governmen1 to that, and we agree with the general prin­ should set a~ example to the private employer ciple of providing decent accommodation for Every time the Estimates of the Departmenl workers but we say that the instances quoted of Railways are debated in this Chamber hon by the Minister, in which certain employers members on both sides of the Committee com had not brought their accommodation up to plain about the standard of accommodatior the required standard, are the exception provided for many railway 1vorkers, but th; rather than the rule. The majority of Government have not done anything aboU' employers in this State make an honest that accommodation. It is e~sential tha endeavour to bring the accommodation of whilst amending this Act that we should mak; their employees up to mo

town of any size in Queensland today the union can now summon him for a breach of people have become accustomed to wooden the award. We can get over it in that wav dwellings that are ceiled either wholly or in -if the Government are afraid that b)· part. They have become accustomed to including the amendment the Governmen't electric light and power, they have become will be liable to prosecution. accustomed to reticulated water, and in many places they have become accustomed to In the far west and other areas where sewerage. So that you cannot expect a the temperature is torrid, there are big rail­ worker to go out into the bush and be content way quarters where what are known as with the cowdung floor, the hurricane lamp, foreign men camp every day. By foreign and corned beef and damper. men I mean men from other depots. For instance, n Bundaberg man who works to I do, however, agree with the amendment Maryborough is a foreign man when at Mary­ moved by the Leader of the Opposition. He borough, and the man who works from really beat me to the punch, as I intended to Maryborough to Bundaberg is a foreign man move it. A similar amendment was moved some at Bundaberg. It is a railway term applied years ago either by the former member for to men who are camping in depots other Bowen or the former member for Bulimba than their own. The department provides when a similar measure was going through some very good quarters in which these men the Chamber. 'l'his Bill should apply to all may sleep and eat while resting. Time and Government instrumentaliti€',g 1and Govern­ again the Australian Railways Union has -:::wnt jobs. Because I am an ex-railway man made representations to the Department for I can speak from experienr0 of the deplor­ the instnllation of refrigerators where scores able conditions under which many railway of men are coming and going all day. Recentl~­ employees have to live. The Minister in I made personal representation for rcfrigcrn­ charge of the Bill cannot deny what I say tors in quarters in the Northern Division and on the point nor would the Minister for the Minister told me that there were other Transport, if he were present in the Chamber, important works on hand. liVhen the union contradict my views in any way. Young rail­ has made representations to the Minister for way workers who are sent to outside centres Tmmport and the Government for the pro­ and outside s:ations arc walking off their vision of a decent standard of accommo­ ;jobs simply because of the poor accommoda­ dation for the workers, the old parrot ery tion provided for them and in some instances· is raised, ''There are no men and materials.'' because no accommodation is available at If the Government can use that cry to dodge ;1ll. Young night officers and other traffic their responsibilities they cnnnot blame thr· Prnployees are sent to responsible positions private employer for using the same old cry. in outside Ptations anc1 have to camp on the It is obvious that a law that operntes against veranda of the goods shed or under the goods one section of the community and not against shed, if there happens to be a goocls shed. another is unjust and inequitable. Tlw If there is no goods she cl they are not even Government sho.uld not make laws that wi1! cnpplicd with tents. Fettlers and others are bind a private employer to do something th<" Hnpplicd ~with (an vas tents and the most Government are not prepared to do. primitive cooking utensils. I support the amemlment; it is something I That is why the Railway Department can­ have ahn1ys advocntecl. There should not bt• not attract young men to its service today­ one Jaw for a private employer and nnother because of the deplorable accommodation fnr tllP G0venmtent; ''··e should make one law and in some cases the lack of accommodation for all employers. This is a case where tht• in outside centres. There are many well Act is being amended to provide that -privatc• established camp_s, but there are some employers shall provide c81·t~in nmenities; fettlers' camps m Queensland where the and I see no .-alid reason why the Govern­ accommodation is not even up to the shanty ment Fhould not be made to face up to thei1 class. It is still do,vn in the gunyah class. If own responsibilities. tho J\Iinister \vants a list of the stations \vhere this claPs of accommodation is provided I am lUr. LLOYD ROBERTS (Whitsunclay) happy to inform him that the secretary of ( 2.25 p m.) : After listening to tb c the Queensland branch of the Australian Minister's remarks I perhaps got a wrong Railways Union, which has bee-n fighting for impression-that the Government had see11 ymt1 s for lir·ttcr nccommodation for railway the light ancl were going to do something employees, will be onlv too happy to O'iYe about the problem the Bill seeks to den 1 him a list of the stations and depots wi~ere with. Th~t was emphasised \vhen the the accommodation is definitely sub-stanc1ard. Minister referred to the finding of the So far their representations ha\·e been of little Roval Commis,ion on Postoral Lnmls anil avail hccnu·' c the Government contend that sai'c1 that some of the pastoral companies had they cannot l1e prosecuted for a broach of proy;c1oc1 ;·erv reasonable accommodation ~vhereas other~ provided very poor nccommo­ their own _ln\n . if they fail to provide 1 nccommodabon Within the terms of the Act. clation, somo of which was on y up to the The C" own can do no ~wrong, is their conten­ coolie st:mdard. I wondered whether I hen rcl tion. The Government cnn get over that-and that \YOrc1 conectlv or whether it wes the this might he incorporated in the Bill-bv "con]" standard. 'A few months ago I drew making provi:-ion that the Government shail attention to the condition of the singl• men's accommodation at ·the State-owned n:akc the C~I:unissioner ~or Railways respon­ sible for faihng to pronde this accommoda­ coal-mine~ in Collinsville. tion, and then the union could summon the J'iJr. Po,n•r: There are still vacan! Commissioner for a breach of the Act, as the houses there. ll'orkers' Accommodation Bill. [ll MARCH.] Workers' Accommodation Bill. 1673

.Mr. LLOYD ROBERTS: That is cor­ Mr. ALLPASS (Condamine) (2.32 p.m.): Tect. If you read my speech- you will see I have very great pleasure in supporting the that I said that there were vacant houses but amendment moved by the Leader of the not for single men. Three or four single Opposition. men made application to get a Housing Com­ The Minister asked the Leader of the mission house but the department did not Opposition to quote one instance in which the approve of the proposal. I still have a few Government have not lived up to their obli­ photographs of huts at Collinsville. After I gations. The implication there was that he had delivered my previous speech, and after could not quote such an instance and, that one of those photographs had been published, being so, the Government had nothing to fear. the hut mentioned was demolished and taken If they are living up to their obligation and away within seven clays. But they clicl not doing what they expect the private employer take all the huts and it would be lovely to to do there is no need for worry. see a refrigerator in one of those of which I still have photographs. Mr. Aikens: They should not be afraid of the amendment. Mr. Aikens: Some of those huts are not big enough to hold a refrigerator. Mr. ALLPASS: That is what I mean. There is nothing to worry about and they Mr. LLOYD ROBERTS: J'hat is true. should acc-ept the amendment. I understand that recently the adjoining If the Government accepts this amendment mine, Bowen Consolidated, was taken over the effect upon public opinion will be good, by the Mt. Isa Company. I understand also but if the amendment is rejected the reverse that very shortly that company will erect will be the case. modern quarters in Collinsville for single Employers should provide the best pos­ men, quarters similar to those provided at sible accommodation for their employees. Mt. Isa now, which are an object lesson to any institution. Any employer who does not do so is only a fool. Permanent employees should have the I strongly support the amendment moved best possible accommodation, and it is in the by our leader beDause, apart from anything interests of the employer to provide it, but Blse, it should mean the cleaning up of things there is a difference between what should be at Collinsville and then perhaps there will be provided for a permanent employee and what no such difficulty as shortage of labour. is required by a temporary employee To my mind certain things required for the per­ As to refrigerators, I believe I can remem­ manent employee are unnecessary for the ber an election promise of some years ago of temporary employee. a refrigerator in every home. Since then I have been wondering where a start will be 1\Ir. Jones: Do you not realise that the made. Now I can see the start. There will temporary employee, such as the shearer, is be a refrigerator in every home and it will living in somebody's a0commodation all the be provided by the employers. If the State year round~ Government begin putting a refrigerator in Jlir. ALLPASS: I do. I think that each of their homes also, we shall soon be some of the provisions in relation to accom­ well on the road to fulfilling that promise. modation for shearers are not necessary; some lUr. Jones: As a matter of fact, all of them could be replaced by others that I Government departments, such as Main Roads think are more necessary. Don't ask me to and Forestry, issued instructions two years tell the Minister what they are; it is his job ago that refrigerators must be provided. to know. I have never yet met a shearer who has said that blinds on the veranda of his Mr. LLOl'D ROBERTS: And it is quarters were necessary. Every room has to 11early two years since I delivered my maiden have a 7-ft. veranda and there is a provision speech in this Chamber. At that time I in the award that the employer has to place made an appeal to the Government to sell blinds on that veranda. I have never heard refrigerators through the Railway Depart­ of any more ridiculous a requirement tha_n ment to railway lengthsmen. These men did that in my life and I have not met a shearer not want the refrigerators free; they were who thought these blinds necessary. That prepared to buy them. They should have expense could be avoided and something' else been abl~ to obtain them at a cheap rate done that would be of more benefit to from the department and they were prepared employees. Some say that gauzing is not to pay for them, having so mu0h deducted necessary; it is a matter of opinion. More frGm their pay over two or three years. They often than not you will see the gauze doors might provide refrigerators on Main Roads open. jobs to keep things cool and to preserve Mr. A. Jones: It is the old, old story­ meat- don't give the shearer too much because he abuses it. Mr. Gair: They usually do. Mr. ALLPASS: It is a matter of Mr. LLOYD ROBERTS: I am glad the opinion whether these things should be done Premier has sufficient intelligence to under­ or not. I cannot see any objection to the stand that. We agree that refrigerators Government's being under the same obliga­ should be provided, but the requirement tion to their employees as the private should apply not merely to one section but employer is to his. I am in accord with the to all sections, Government employees in principle that employers shall supply the best particular. possible accommodation. Those who have not 1674 ll'or·kers' Accommodation Bill. [ASSEMBLY.] lf'o1·kers' Accommodation Bill. done this realise that they are fools to them­ ''In this section the expression selves; they are fools to their own interests, 'employees of the Crown' includes employees if they do not look after their employees. If of the Government or of any department an employer has good employees he should of the Government or of any person or look after them because then he will keep corporation employing persons on behalf them, be0ause it is not always a matter of of the Government and without limiting wages that keeps an employee with the the generality of the foregoing includes employer, it is the way the employer treats employees of any of the following corpora­ his employees and the conditions he gives tions, that is to say-'' them. If they are good men they are worth and it enumerates them, including the Com­ looking after. I like the men working for missioner for Railways, the Commissioner for me to consider they are working with me and Road Transport and Tramways, the Com­ to have the same conditions as I would like. missioner for Main Roads, the Metropolitan Mr. Gair: That is a healthy state Meat Industry Board, and so on. of mind. The real principle that is enunciated in that legislation is the one that the Leader Mr. MORRIS (Mt. Coot-tha) (2.36 p.m.): of the Opposition desires to have incorporated I find myse"f utterly at variance with any in this Bill today. After all, why on earth principle that will permit the Govern­ should the Crown not be just as responsible ment's employing their own people under for the provision of amenities and comforts conditions that are very much less satisfac­ for its employees as any private employer'? tory than those that apply to private employ­ ers. The amendment moved by the Leader It is a principle that is recognised in New of the Opposition is a very satisfactory one South \Vales and the quotation that I have from more than one point of view. It is satis­ just read proves that the Government of that factory because it will remove an unfair law State are facing up to their responsibilities. that permits the Government to impose con­ Crown employees in New South Wales enjoy ditions or regulations on employers-small similar conditions to employees of private employers struggling to make ends meet-but enterprise, but in Queensland, because they exempts the Government from the applica'ion are employees of the Government, they are of those 0onditions to their own employees. not entitled to the same amenities. 'fhe present state of affairs is fundamentally Mr. Gair: That is not rigp.t. wrong and I cannot see how any Government can pursue such a principle. llir. lliORRIS: It is a fact, and the Premier knows that this Government have It will be of advantage to consider whether expressly excluded themselves from the pro­ this principle is in operation in other States. Yisions of this legislation. He cannot contra­ For example, let me read Section 6 of the dict that. I could give half a dozen other Industrial Arbitration Act Amendment Act of examples of the exclusion of Crown employees 1951 passed in New South Wales. It will be from the provisions of various Acts. very instructive to the Minister and the mem­ bers of Cabinet to listen to this- Mr. Gair: The Act from which you '' The principal Act is further quoted was opposed by the Liberal and amended- Country Party memberR of the Kew South \Vales Parliament. ( a) By omitting Section 88A, and inserting in lieu thereof the following Mr. lliORRIS: That statement I will section- not accept, because it is made by the Premier and this is the part I should like the without any foundation. He does not know Minister to take notice of because it is very what he is talking about, and he cannot important- prove the statement that he has made. '' 88A. In respec-t of employees of the Mr. Gair: Show me the division list. Crown the Commission or a committee shall not- Mr. MORRIS: The Premier's statement was erroneous, and he knows it as well as ( a) award any conditions less favour­ anybody else. Liberal and Country Party able than those awarded to employees members will never oppose the responsibility (other than employees of the Crown) who of ·the Crown to do at least as. much as pri­ are doing substantially the same class of vate industry for its employees. I say again work, or that New South Wales has given the lead to (b) fix rates of wages or other pay­ Queensland in this matter and I hope that ments at amounts less than the rates of the Minister, realising that Kew South Wales wages or other payments fixed for is considering its employees in the way that employees (other than employees of the this Gm-emment so far hnve not considered Crown) who are doing substantially the them, will incorporate in this legislation the same clnss of work.'' amendment moved by the Leader of the T eomp now io n very important paragraph, Opposition. •1hiclt refers to the obligation of the Crown. Another point to which I should like to lt sa:,-s- refer is the provision of refrigerators. If '' The fnet that the employment is per· it was an obligation on the Govennnent to mnnent or th·lt ndditional privileges are do the same as private employers aTe required nllmYe<1 to employees of the Crown shall to do I should take no exception to the not of itself he regarded as a substantial section of the existing Act that I am about difference in the nature of the work. to read, but it is because the Crown is excluded 11' or leers' Accommodation Bill. [ll MARCH.] 1rorkcrs' Accommodation Bill. 1675 that I want the members of this Committee the Act does not apply. The persons to whom to realise what the legislation they are amend­ it applies are laid down in the Act itself, and ing contains in relation to the provision: of they include meat workers, pastoral workers, water coolers. sawmillers, shearers, sugar workers, and so on. If hon. members opposite had read the This Act was introduced in 1915 to replace Act they would have seen that it does not the Shearers and Sugar Workers' Accom­ apply to town or city areas. modation Acts, 1905 to 1906, and now applies as follows:- Mr. Morris: I read that. 1. In proclaimed districts (but not within Mr. A. JONES: Hon. members opposite any town or city, unless the Governor in talk about worKers' accommodation as if it Council otherwise declares). applied to every part of the State. Had 1 2. To workers who are employed and brought down an amendment of the legisla­ reside on the premises during their employ­ tion extending it to every part of the State, ment. to include town and city areas embracing 3. To premises used in connection with primary producers, farmers and others, hon. construction works, meat works, pastoral members opposite ~would have been up in purposes, sawmills, shearing sheds, sugar arms about it. They only want to make plantations, sugar works, and such works political capital out of something that appears as may be declared by Order in Council. to be quite obvious. I was associated with the The Minister may exempt any employer, working of this legislation as a union official wholly or partly, and for any period. for many years, and I always knew that it The requirements of the Act were extended did not apply to the whole of the State. in 1941 to include a coolei· of a pTescribed The Crown is not seeki11g a concession for type and suitable and sufficient to the satis­ itself and then compelling local authorities faction of the inspector for the storage of and other employers to observe the conditions meat and other foods. There is no limita­ of the Act. There are dozens of jobs that are tion, however, to the effect that if an not covered by the Act, and it is not correct to employer has only one or two employees, he say that it applies to everybody in the State need not provide a cooler. In the same way, except the Government. I know that some the present Bill contains no such limitation bon. members opposite know that. I said by in respect of the provision of a. refrigerator. way of interjection that two years ago There is nothing in the Bill to say that an Cn hinet agreed that refrigerators should be employer shall not be required to provide e\-en made available on all main roads, one employee on his property with a refri­ forestry, and similar jobs. In this respect the Government gave the lead-we gerator when the employee is not living at did not ask private industry to do it first the homestead. Of course, there is the dis­ -and then the Government follow on. 'l'he cretionary power in the hands of the Minister Leader of the Opposition had something to to exclude such a pen;on if he so desires. If say about forestry employees: If he knew it is proposed to fasten onto an employer anything about the award for employees with one employee the obligation to provide engaged on work for local authorities and a refrigerator it is also only right that the main roads, the award for forestry employees Rame responsibility should be accepted by railway construction workers, or water supplJ: the Government in respect to their employees. and sewerage labourers, he would know that We must do this if, to use the words of the the provisions for accommodation are laid Minister, we are to arrest the continual drift down in each award. to the cities. There is a provision in the awards the same The Minister said that at times employers as in the Act. In some there is a clause that gave the excuse that no materials were avail­ the accommodation shall not be less favour­ able to carry out improvements and to pro­ able than that laid down in the Workers' vide amenities. Probably that is true, but Accommodation Act. how often have we heard the Government make the same excuse~ \Vhen hon. members Some hon. members made statements that on this side have during the past 12 months indicated they knew nothinoo about these or so complained about the lack of adequate matters. The ·hon. member fo~ Mt. Coot-tha schooling accommodation, the Government said this was happening in New South Wales. have put forward the excuse by \Yav of That is not true. I know the conditions that defence that no material or man-power" was apply there; they ar~ much in the sam<.' posi­ available to do the work. If the Government tion as we are; a big percentage of employees are justified in blaming the private employers are not covered by any Act. vVh:1t hon. mem­ for failing to provide the amenities when the bers have been saying is all hooey. employers point out thett no material is avail­ The hon. member for Condamine spoke of able to do the job, the Government them­ permanent employees. He was sincere when selves arc not justified in excusing themselves he said that permanent employees should on those grounds. Teceive more consideration than tempornry employees. I have heard that argument used Hon. A. JONES (Charters Towers­ on many occasions. \Vhen I appeared in the Secretary for L:1hour and Industry) (2.48 Industrial Court many years ago it was used p.m.): Hon. members opposite discuss b:v the representative of the employers' orga­ workers' accommodation as if the Act applied lliQation. It was argued that we should not to every part of the State. As a matter of provide first class accommodation for sugar fact, it does not apply to local authorities. workers and shearers because they were only There are thousands of employees to which there for a few weeks in the year and then 1676 Workers' Accommodation Bill. [ASSEMBLY.] Workers' Accommodation Bill.

they moved on. As I pointed out then, you The Leader of the Opposition suggests have to consider the conditions of the calling that this improvement in workers' accom­ of a shearer. I started in January at Winton modation was brought about by union agita­ and finished in New South Wales at Christ­ tion. Of course it was. I remember discuss­ mas time, and during the whole of that ing the accommodation of the forestry period I had been using the accommodation employees with the late C. J. Fallon. As provided by the various stations on which I a result of conferences, we were able to iron worked all the time. It will be seen that if out many things and came to an agreement poor accommodation is provided everywhere that was registered in the court. Many of the worker has to live in it all the time. those conditions are now embodied in the award and they are much better than those Mr. All pass: I did not advocate poor ,:tccommodation. required by the ·workers' Accommodation Act. We must approach this matter fairly. Mr. A. JONES: No. I want to be fair; We must look at it from all angles. If that the hon. member referred only to permanent is clone I am confident it will be agreed that employees. the Crown have done fairly well by their Employers generally have not attempted to employees. do much to encourage employees to remain lUr. WOOD (North Too'Yoomba) (2_.58 with them by providing reasonable accom· p.m.) : It is not my purpose to add to the modation. I know many graziers and vigorous remarks of the Minister except to selectors and I know that the best accom­ answer very briefly some of the things said modation in western Queensland is provided by the hon. member f.or Mt. Coot-tha. In by the small struggling selectors, men with di~cussing the Workers' Accommodation Acts, 25,000 or 30,000-acre blocks on which they the hon. member for Mt. Coot-tha quoted the are running 4,000 or 5,000 sheep. Nine out of Industrial Arbitration Amendment Act intro­ ten of these people endeavour to provide duced into the New South Wales Parliament reasonable accommodation for their one or last year by the McGirr Government. That two employees. Some of the worst offenders covered many things, such as long-service are big pastoral companies. leave, union ballots, sick leave and so on, Mr. Sparkes: A man running 4,000 or and many of its provisions were vigorously .),000 sheep would not have enough money to opposed by the Opposition of that State. ,•mploy two men. The hon. member for Mt. Coot-tha said that the New South Wales Act has laid down what .Mr. A. JONES: I noticed the other day shall be done for Crown employees there. He lhat the profits of one of the pastoral com­ quoted that the Act was amended by omit­ panies were £85,000 and it was annoyed ting Section 88A and inserting in lieu thereof because it was so much below the amount of a provision that- profit made the previous year. I am not unreasonable, this legislation is '' In respect of employees of the Crown, not unreasonable. If hon. members read the the Commission or the Committee shall Act they will find that there is nothing dras­ not award any conditions less favourable tic in it, but it asks people to do reasonable than those awarded to employees other things. It should not be necessary in this than employees of the Crown who are State for the Government or their inspectors doing substantially the same class of to have to issue 100 orders to compel men work,'' to provide decent lavatory accommodation. and so on, giving this Committee the clear Hygiene is a very important matter. Hon. feeling that that legislation dealt with accom­ members can read the report by the Chief modation for Crown employees. This was Inspector of Shops and Factories and find not so, and this Committee should be told in it particulars of the number of orders we when any hon. member quotes an Act in such have had to issue. We have never been too a way as to lead us to believe that it means drastic. Look at the number of cases in which something other than what it says. I have we could have prosecuted! In 500 breaches we prosecute a small percentage. vVe have an explanatory booklet that reviews the legislation mentioned and it discloses quite always taken into consideration the circum­ clearly that the section was included to pro­ stances of each case and the excuses offered. If the employers were unable to obtain the vide that employees of the Crown shall be material-and this applied when the Premier entitled to. receive rates of pay not less than was Secretary for Labour and Industry, I those paid to employees in outside industry saw the files marked "No action "-no who are doing substantially the same class of action was taken. We do give such men a work. fair go. Mr. Morris: And that is what I read to I cannot accept the amendment for the the Committee. Teasons I have stated. I believe that if I did so we should be doing something for which Mr. WOOD: The hon. member told there is no need. The awards I referred to this Committee that the New South Wales contain provisions relating to the types of Act laid it down definitely that the Workers' accommodation that can be provided. Take Accommodation Act applied to the Crown, the Forestry and Main Roads A wards and that in that State the objection he had to you will see many things in them that are the Government's attitude towards the pro­ not laid down in the Act. I am sure the vision of accommodation was entirely removed. conditions laid down in the Forestry A ward Section 88A of that Act has nQthing what­ are better than anything in the Act. ever to do with accommodation. B'orke1·s' Accommodation Bill. [ll MARCH.] Workers' Accommodation Bill. 16'17

It was purely for the purpose' of explain­ conditions and provisions for workers, all of ing to the Committee why that Section 88A which have been approved of by this Parlia­ was included in the New South Vlales legis­ ment from time to time. Over the years those lation that I rose to my feet. conditions and provisions have been improved as the standards of living of our people have Mr. WAT SON (Mulgrave) (3.1 p.m.) ~ I improved. I do not think anyone could do not intend to speak at any length on this grumble "·ith that state of affairs; no pro­ subject, but as I am rather perturbed about gressive person, at least, could :find cause for the sugar industry, I feel that if I mention complaint with that. I feel satis:fied from something now the Minister might clarify my experience that most employers are the position on the second reading. The hon desirous of doing the right thing by their gentleman mentioned that it was desired to employees. widen the powers of inspectors. I hope he is The hon. member for Condamine gave not suggesting that the inspector has not expression to a state of mind that I believe wide enough powers now to enable him to is typical of the average employer. carry out his duties. We have found in the North i hat workers' accommodation inspectors 1\'Ir. Sparkes: It is to the interests of have played a snooping part. The inspector both. should go to the employer and, whenever neces­ lir. GAIR: It is a healthy state to sary inspect barracks in company with him. I exist in any industry and in any place where have found that in many instances in the men employ others. His expression of opinion North where the employer has had the was that he worked with his men rather than duty of prosecuting a worker in respect of haYe them work under him; he believed in a breach of contract the workers' accom­ treating his employees as human beings and modation inspector has turned up with the gi,'ing them the things that they were entitled A.W.U. representative a few days afterwards to and he would like for himself. That is and between them they have brought charges fair, and I said by way of interjection that of breaches of the Workers' Accommodation it was a healthy state of mind. When I was Act against the employer. Secretary for Labour and Industry I was These powers are uncalled for. I say satis:fied that the typical manufacturing frankly that all barrack accommodation is employer-and I was speaking of that time­ not up to date, and I think the Minister will was desirous of doing the right thing by his agree that there are many reasons why it is workers. I introduced a Factories and Shops not. Shortages of materials principally Act Amendment Bill, which is being con­ and during my term in the House I fused in this debate with the ·workers' have been making applications to the Co­ Accommodation Act. I suspended the ordinator-General of Public Works for the proclamation of the Act because we Tclcase of building materials to bring bar­ desired to do the reasonable, and the ntcks up to the required standard. common-sense thing by the employer. We Mr. Gair: They will be in shorter believed that what we provided for in supply now. the proposed Act were desirable when the materials and the things we wanted wece Mr. WATSON: And I am told by the ~n-ailable to the employer. As the rc3pons'hle Co-ordinator-General that n·o Australian Minister at the time I said, '' \Vhat is +.:w material is available but that imported stuff use of proclaiming this Bill wLen the can be had. The Act says that barracks must employer can go before a magistrate and be brought up to a certain standard, but it is say he cannot get wash-hand basins, piping deliberately ''putting the boot in'' to enforce ancl other things that arc required f" We it when one cannot get the necessary material. clelayed the proclamation of the Act. vV o were I should like to say a word about the being pressed by industrial unions for its number of employees required before refrig­ proclamation and I told representatives of erators are installed. In the old clays most industrial unions very definitely and clearly gangs of six or more had a cook and that that it would be just madness to proclaim cook remained in the barracks during the day­ it as it would only hold the legislation up to time and prm·ided the daily food for the tidicule and we could not expect the employer cane-cutters. Circumstances have changed and to do the physically impossible. We have to today most of the gangs cook their own have regard for the employer's position as meals. A refrigerator for two men who are well as the requirements of the worker. out in the field all day would hardly be In reply to the hon. member for Mulgravc, 'varranted. I interpreted tl!B l\finister 's sug­ whos~ speech prompted me to rise, I would gestion to mean that where a cook is say that a perusal of the report of the Chief employed a refrigerator would be necessary. Inspector of Factories and Shops \\'ill reveal Tn that I agree with him but do not put in a lw\\- fcm· prosecutions are launched. refrigerator for the one-man or two-men That will con:firm what I am saying, that gangs. is, notwithstanding that inspectors or union Hon. V. C. GAIR (South Brisbane­ secretaries and organisers may become over­ Premier) (3.5 p.m.): I rise to reply to the enthusiastic about this and thrtt, in the :final remarks of the hon. member who has just analvsis it is the Minister who tiecides whether resumed his seat because it was my privilege a p1~osccution shall b.e instituted, and he _will for a period to administer this Act. I know have due regard to all the facts. In my bme, from my personal experience that the Act "·hen this Act was administerecl reasonably, has always been reasonably and sympa­ as I am sure it is today under my colleague, thetically administered. It lays down certain the present Secretary for Labour and 1678 Workers' Accommodation Bill. [ASSEMBLY.] 11 orLe1·s' Accommodation Bill.

Industry, we found that certain property· in the North by excluding fresh air in humid owners complained of not being able to comply surroundings. Blinds are not required in all with an order from an inspector to do things places and in some it would be better to do that would make the living accommodation of without them in order to have the fresh air. their workers comfortable in the minimum 'l'he A.\V.U. district secretary spoke to me degree, yet they were engaged in building about this matter at the time the order went new homesteads or adding to existing home­ through and it is enforced only where it is steads that were more than adequate for their required to confer some benefit on the workers requirements. There was no shortage of concerned. No-one can complain about the iron or other materials to do things for them­ reasonableness of that. selves, but they offered the shortage of materials as an excuse for not doing the Mr. Hiley: Have all the inspectors minimum for their employees. sufficient experience to understand that~ We must be fair and consistent in these Mr. GAIR: I should say so. They are matters. The decent employer who does the experienced officers and in any case, if an Tight thing, and shows evidence of wanting employer complains he can refer the matter to to do the right thing, is never harassed or the chief inspector and if the chief inspec­ persecuted by the llepartment, and I am sure tor feels that it needs further investigation he will not be, but the fellow who tries to or that it would lead to waste of money, be smart and who wants to evade his respon­ time and material, he can reconsider the ;;ibilities to his employees, and who at the proposal. same time can get iron and other materials I did not want to intrude in the debate to do something for himself that is unneces­ but I had the privilege of e,pntrolling the Rnry, should be proceeded against. department that administered this Act and I wanted to give hon. members some of my The same remarks apply to the Factories experience in that connection. No-one can anll Shops Act. I repeat that the ave~·a.ge say that the law is harshly enforced or that employer wants to provide these amemtles any emplo:·er is harassed or embarrassed. for his employees. Nothing pleased me However, I say emphatically that we believe more when I was carrying out the duties of as a Government that the worke);s are the Minister administering that Act than to entitled to reasonable living conditions. The participate in the official opening of many Minister in charge of the measure explained of these important amenities that were that many of them are away from their homes installed by companies for their employees. living in barracks and they should have However, there were a few who tried to evade reasonable living conditions. The employers their responsibilities and we had to s~and who are prepared to do the right and reason­ over them and insist tha.t they do the nght able thing have nothing to fear but the thing. For example, in one manufacturing employer who wants to evade his obligations ''stablishment in this city the female has everything to fear. The department will ''mployees had to go to the manager's o!fice administer the law in a common-sense way to change from their working clothes mto but the first consideration will be the welfare their street frocks, which meant that he had of the workers. There is no reason why to leave his office.· When we insisted that he they should not have comfortable living con­ should provide a dressing room for them, he ditions and it is only for this purpose that complained that our order was unreasonable. the employers will be required to carry out I put it to hon. membe1·s as reasonable men­ the orders. There is nothing unreasonable in :md we are all reasonable in these things irre­ that attitude. >Yas right to compel a prh-ate Bill J ones or Tom Smith to provide a employer to pro·dcle up-to-date accommoda­ refrigerator, a fire-proof safe or better living tion for his employees, it was equally right conditions. If the Government are sincere that the Government should do the same. In they should be prepared to lead the way and a great many cases, the Premier admitted, it show the private employer how to provide i~ not possible to do it. When the Bill these conditions. becomes ·Jaw inspectors will go into private employers' places an cl say that the accommo· Hon. G. H. DEVRIES (Gregory­ dation does not comply with the Act. They Cecretary for Public Instruction) (3.30 will scour round to see what the private p.m.) : I was surprised to hear the hon. Pmployer is providing but they will sidestep member for Fassifern say that even if the Government departments entirely. This is Government sought to force the employer to another case of ''Do not clo as I do, but do clo these things I knew they would not be as I tell you.'' If the Government expect done. such legislation to be carried out they should Mr. :iliULLER: I rise to a point of be the first to enrleavonr to carry it out. order. I did not mention the Minister at all. Much has been said on many occasions I was referring to the Premier. about the accommodation provided for a Mr. DEVRIES: The hon. member is number of our railway workers. I know that splitting straws. We have moved some clis· it is better than it used to be, and that this tance at least during the last 25 years1 I applies equally to private employment, but remind hon. members that when men on the we know that there is still much to be land in general were in a position to provide desired in the matter of railway accommo· the things the Government now propose oom· dation. pelling them to provide, very little effort was The Minister referred to Forestry workers. made to clo it. Those hon. members who I should like to know what has been clone to represent pastoral areas know that very little j)rovide better conditions for the Main Roads effort was made on station properties in employees, many of whom are living under particular, to ' provide amenities for r1eplorable conditions, and do not even have employees. decent water to drink. Apparently it does Mr. Muller: Nor by the Government. 1680 ll'orl~erB' Accommodation Bill. [ASSEMBLY.] ll'orkers' Accommodation Bill.

llr. DEVRIES: In the .IJ1ajority of employees. I should say if members of the cases, the accommodation provided by the Opposition got into a Main Roads camp or Government is equal to that provided by the a Forestry camp they would not argue that private employer. In the West and North­ living conditions or amenities were terrible. West of Queensland the accommodation pro­ After all, those conditions are reasonable. vided for employees on main roads is at least equal to that provided by the private Mr. Muller: Are there any refrigerators employer. in those camps~ When we speak about the provision of Mr. DEVRIES: All the Government amenities for people in remote areas, we do are proposing to do is to compel the· not lose sight of the fact that they have to employer to provide reasonable accommo-· be paid for, and over the years I have come dation. There are refrigerators in to the conclusion that the grazier in my area Forestry camps; I know by virtue of my is more generous than the grazier in other association with the Australian Workers,. areas. After listening to the hon. member Union of the representations made by that for Roma, I am convinced that the graziers body to the department from time to time .. in his electorate are not as generous as those The Government have as far as possible met of the Far North and the Far West of the requirements of these Forestry employees. Queensland. , The hon. member for Fassifern was trying One thing the trade-union movement is ask­ to widen the debate by talking about provid­ ing of the Government is that they make pro­ ing houses for teachers but I do not propose to purwe that subject because I am sure vision for the installation of refrigerators that you, Mr. Turner, would bring me to on station properties. I can well remember order. The whole argument pu-t up against the time, Mr. Turner, and so can you, when the Government in this matter is, ''Look at the Government brought down legislation to the conditions that obtain in the Department provide that coolers should be supplied to of Railways.'' No-one mm denv-and I am employees engaged on station properties. I can well remember the hostility that came sure the hon. member for Mundingburra would not be foolish enough to suggest other­ from the hon. member for Fassifern and the wise-that in recent years the Government hon. member for West Moreton at that time, or the Commissioner for Railwavs have madr now Senator Mrrher, who raised protests that great progress in the matter ··of accommo­ we were placing :financial responsibilities upon the grazier that would eventually send dation. In some of the remote areas fettlers have more or leos lived in humpies. After him bankrupt. all, when I hear hon. memhers of the Opposi­ Mr. Muller: How many refrigerators tion talking about the drift from the bush ·do the Government provide for their to the cities. I often wonder how we can employeesW stop that drift. Not one member of the Onnosition has given this Government any Mr. DEVRIES: I shall come to that. le~d ns to how to anest the drift frnm the I A a,. • !\C.'l. m cm bcr for Fassifern that hush to the city other than to sav, "ProvidP a number of refrigerators had been provided the amenities · to keep the people in thr by station-owners for the convenience of their western areas.'' employees long before the Government ever contemplated making it compulsory. In my I appenl to the hon. member for Dnrling­ electorD te I was agreeably surprised to :find ton. ,··bo knows something of tl1e isolation of the splendid accommodation provided by the the lmsh, to tell me whnt nmenitiPs he would decent employer on station properties, not sug.q:cst rould be provider] in towns snch as only for station employees but also for Longreach, Bnrralcline, Emernld, and Winton. shearers and shed hands. It would probably Ts it suggested that you could erect a Regent be foolish to put an instrument costing, say, Thentre in a place s11cb as Long-reach~ If £200 in shearers' quarters and leave it lie you erected a :first-class cinema theatre in idle for the best part of a year. The owners Longrcnch, would th:1t arr0st the drift from of station properties generally transfer their the bush to the cities P I believe that the :first own refrigerator" to the shearers' quarters. oosentinl for workers in industry is socurit~­ They h:we not onl:' one but perhaps two or of employment. After all, the Gm·ernment three in th<>ir own houses and one is trrns­ must be given some prnise for givinq elec­ ferred to the shearing shed for the shearing tricity to smnll towns such as Aramac, Mutta­ operation'. There has been much unfair hnrra, and Ilfrncombe, which previously they criticism of the grazier. I agree with the had never known; the only light they had was Premier that the typical employer does trv the kerosene lamp. Graduallv those amenities his heot to provide amenities to satisfy his aTe being provided for the inlnnd towns, bHt employees. will thnt arrest the drift from the bush to the cities~ I say no. When there are big The hnn. member for Fas•ifern would have businesses enticing peoplr from the inland the Com,.,ittee believe that if we made it compulsorv for station-owners to provide :nons to the cities with good wages and good refrigerators we should apply that provision conditions, how can we keep those people to the l,onni!ary rider working miles away down on the farm, as the saying goes ·i Tbo from the sLation homestead. I do not believe big- employer in the cities is pro·.-lding his that is Pontemplnted; but. the Leader of the employees with all these amenities-the Opposition was fearful of it. Premier himself has said that be is doing so -but the big employer in the western ar2as The Onposition have been attacking the of the State is not providing his emplo:y10es Government hecauqe they sav the Govern­ with the amenities that be could and should ment have not provided these things for their provide. Let us take a big ~tation property Workers' Accommodation Bill. [ll MARCH.] 11' or leers' Accommodation Bill. 1681

such as W arcnda in the Boulia area, a shearing industry live in the western areas property of 3,000,000 acres, and examine of the State. When we speak of refrigerators the life of a man living on it. I know that we must realise that in certain parts of the the hon. member for Aubigny supplies his year the owners of them have to go to the married employees with refrigerators, but iceworks for ice to put into their refrigera­ let us take the case of single employees. tors to keep them cool. Mr. Sparkes: It is a good business The Opposition are concerned about the proposition. number of employees who must be engaged before a refrigerator will be provided. They Mr. DEVRIES: That is so, and the hon. are opposed to providing refrigerators on lllCmber for Aubigny is in a position to pro­ station properties but they insist that the dele those things. But let us have a look at Government shall provide refrigerators for the ~maller man. No grazier can charge the employees on Government jobs. When the Department of Labour and Industry of being Main Roads Commission was building a 1mkind or cruel. I ask hon. members to look bridge across the Cooper River it had a camp ·up the number of prosecutions of graziers, there equal to anything that could be found in the State, and to study the annual reports. anywhere. It had all the amenities that 1'housam1s of pounds have been collected could be provided. The Government do pro­ from graziers as arrears of wages due to vide their employees with accommodation and tlwir employees. The argument they always amenities up to a standard equal to that advance is that they were ignorant of the made available by private industry to its terms and conditions of the award but employees. <:eldom do they pay more than the award rate; they always pay less. :illr. EWAN

going to the expense of providing these measure which makes it compulsory to pro­ amenities they are not used? If the Govern­ vide those things. In looking for an analogy, ment are going to set the example by pro­ I think I have an apt one in the Criminal viding refrigerators they will take stock of Code. We should expect hon. members of the position in those areas to which these the Opposition, if they followed the same conditions apply and raise their standard of line of argument or logic, or illogic-it makes accommodation, especially in the Railway one ill to listen to it-to say that there Department. should be no Criminal Code because the majority of people are honest, that there are The Se0retary for Public Instruction said only a few criminals unfortunately in the Government were proud of the conditions society. One would expect the hon. members under which their employees worked. I join of the Opposition to say, "We do not want issue with him and challenge him to compare a Criminal Code because the majority of the conditions on any property that has been members of society are not criminally in existence for the same time as the rail­ minded.'' The honest man has nothing to way line from here to Charleville. If I am fear; he has a lot to thank a Labour Govern­ wrong when I say that the accommodation ment for. Two wrongs will not make a right, provided by the pastoralist is far and away and if somebody does not do the right thing ahead of that provided by the Railway or the decent thing that does not justify Department, I am prepared to contribute another person in doing the wrong thing. £100 to any charitable institution he cares The logic followed by the Opposition no to name. In some instances the accommoda­ doubt accounts for their presence on the tion provided for railway workers on the opposite side of this Chamber. western line is shocking. When introdu0ing the measure, the Minister spoke about reticu­ Mr. Plunkett: Tell us why the Govern­ bted water, and so on. ment will not accept the amendment. 3Ir. A. Jones: Where? lUr. BURROWS: The Sub-Department of Forestry has been mentioned, but we know Mr. EWAN: One of the Govern:ment that it is a young sub-department in com­ speakers did. parison with the majority of departments of government. Unfortunately for Queensland, Mr. A. Jones: I could not say the ,,-ord. particularly for the future generation, that department should have been created some 50 or 60 years ago instead of in the last 20 or Mr. EWAN: One hon. member on the 30. I have with me a copy of the annual Government side spoke about reticulation of report of the Land Administration Board o.n water. Let me show how these men in fettlers' the operations of the Department of Pubhc camps are provided with their water. It is Lands, including the Sub-Denartment of brought out in a tender and shot out into Forestry. I have some forestry employees in open ship's tanks standing at the side of the my electorate, and I have often approache.d milway line. And the Secretary for Public the Minister to find out how the vote for h1s Instruction has the audacity to get up here department is going and to see whether we and say, in good faith, that the Government could not get some more housPs and cottages me setting an example to every employing built for forestry workers. He has assured section of the community by the accommoda­ me that he would build the lot if it was tion they are providing. If the Premier, possible, but that he is limited by loan who was ably supported by the Secretary for allocations, and, apart from that, he does Public Instruction, is sin0ere in the honeyed not want to hog the market for available words he uttered about being anxious to help the employees and is not speaking to gain materials. cheap political kudos because a by-election is J\Ir. Muller: You admit their accommo­ coming off in a few days, he and the members dation is bad? of his Government will accept the amend­ ment of the Leader of the Opposition in the J\Ir. BURROWS: No. I worked for spirit in which it was moved. Let them set Sir Edmund Jowett who at the time was an example to these workers. Let them be reputed to be the biggest sheep-owner in sincere and honest, not political place­ Australia, and we had to camp on the seekers. bindie-i because our bunks were full of fleas and we could not remain in them. I know JUr. BURROWS (Port Curtis) ( 4.2 p.m.) : what these good graziers are like. The Opposition seem to have adopted the theory that no new measure should be intro­ lUr. Aikens: And you paid 7s. 6d. a duced if i t seeks to interfere with the week for your saddle horse~ minority. Their logic always appears to me to be 0ompletely dishonest. They always llir. BURROWS: He did not give us a seem to consider themselves agents for or saddle; we had to supply our O>Vn. I intend <1efenders of the minority who will not to quote from the sub-department's report, a observe the law and who will persist in report that all hon. members get, but only dodging their responsibilities. intelligent members read. It states- We have heard speakers on the opposite '' As during the past few years con­ side say that the majority of graziers and siderable attention was paid to the pro­ employers are decent men who will provide vision of improved accommodation for the the things the Bill prescribes. That is their field workers and this is shown on list set argument against the introduction of this out below. - 1684 Workers' Accommodation Bill. [ASSEMBLY.] Workers' Accommodation Bill.

"The barracks-building programme was reform is introduced, to get up and defend maintained at a steady rate and over 700 the man who is not worthy of consideration employees are now so accommodated. and who will never be an asset to the ''One further ranch was completed and country. others are listed for construction. :fiir. NICHOLSON (l\!Iurrumba) (4.12 "Generally, there was a stepping up of p.m.): I rise to support the amendmeni all works under this heading, while more moved by the Leader of the Opposition for satisfactory progress was made in the one reason, and one reason only. I believt' painting jobs so long delayed. that in all instances the parents ·should set an ''Major items of construction were:- example to the child and the elders should set an example to the younger. As the Government consider themselves the parent8 Under Completed Construe- of this State-the controlling_ body-! believe / 195D-51. tion. that they should set an example to all other __ employers throughout the State. I believl' I that the amendment moved by the Leader Cottages .. 1 3 4 Barracks ., 32 13 of the Opposition is a good one and shoul

.,mployees with buildings constructed of cor­ Furthermore, the amendment is pure Tugated iron and wood it is also good enough propaganda. A similar amendment was moved to insist that the Government do the same in in 1946. After all, as I pointed out, a big connection with Forestry employees and others percentage of hon. members were under the in their service. The Main Roads camp will be impression till a little while ago that the at Beerburrum for perhaps the next 12 months Act applied to the whole of Queensland­ and there is no reason whv it should continue to every town and village. I proved to them as a canvas town. Better provision should that the application of the Act is very be made for all the employees in the camp. limited; outside the sugar industry, the 'rhe Government should not criticise or pastoral industry, and one or two others it condemn the private employer but should be has little application. It does not apply happy to know that he has brought his within town and city areas. standard of accommodation up to that pro­ vided by the Government for their workers. There has been much talk by hon. mem­ bers opposite about the Government's giving Mr. LOW (Cooroora) (4.20 p.m.): I shall a lead. The hon. member for Murrumba not detain the Chamber but I must speak in said, ''The parent should give a lead to the support of the amendment. The Government child,'' referring to- the GoYPrnment and pri­ are the worst employers in the State and I vate enterprise. The Government have given make no apology for that statement. We a lead. 'l'he Workers' Accommodation Act should insist that Government employees be does not apply to awards such as those cover­ given living conditions that will make them ing local authorities, main roads, railway reasonably happy because it is only by construction workers, forestry workers, and making them contented that we can get the water supply and sewerage labourers. If hest work out of them. hon. members look up those awards they will see that the conditions laid down there are The Secretary for Public Instruction said much better than the conditions in the Act. that it was essential that Tefrigerators be That applies generally as far as the Workers' supplied to Forestry camps, Main Roads Accommodation Act is concerned. camps and to pastoral holdings generally. When hon. members referred to railway Although the Minister may be concerned to employees, they referred to the accommoda­ see that refrigerators are supplied to enable tion provided for fettlers, in the main-the western workers and others to keep their food other accommodation would not be covered­ in a proper condition, I suggest that he and as a matter of fact, the accommodation make a survey of teachers' residences of fettlers would not be covered because this throughout the State to ascertain the deplor­ Act does not apply to residences. Nor is « ble and shocking conditions of the stoves. anything laid down as far as residence of 'rhat is a very serious matter. In many a married couple on a station is concerned. houses the stoves are absolutely useless. When You might say that is anomalous. I think they are in operation the kitchen is clouded it is, and we shall probably have to do some­ with smoke, the walls have been blackened, thing about it. Nevertheless, it is a fact and the stain has crept into the dining room. I am replying particularly to the Secretary that the Act does not apply to residences in for Public Instruction, who made an appeal any way. on behalf of certain people about refrigera­ I repeat that hon. members must realise tors, and I suggest that he look after his own that the Government have done their job. teachers and provide them with good stoves. It is all very well for the hon .. member for I contend that the Government are the worst Roma to tell us what private enterprise is offenders in their lack of the provision of doing. As the Premier pointed out this after­ ame~ities for empl_oyees. I support the sug­ gestiOn that refngerators be s-upplied to noon, we are willing to admit that the people so that they will be able to keep their majority of employers do a reasonably good fo?~ in pr?per condition but I also hope the job in providing accommodation but there l\1Imster will see that they are provided with is a minority who must be compelled to do :t good stove in which to cook the food. the decent thing. I support the suggestion that there is room As I said this morning, I know of accom­ :for improvement in railway residences and modation that was built about 40 years ago, police residences and teacher's residences. and in which the only change that has been T have nothing further to add. I support the made was to take down a couple of bunks nmendment. and provide single bunks; the galvanised iron walls are still there. I and other hon. Mr. A. JONES (Charters Towers­ members have had the experience of living Secretary for Labour and Industry) ( 4:24 in such -places. We know what it is to hav11 p.m.): The speech of the hon. member who to spend a week-end or holiday there. We just resumed his seat illustrates how con­ know that it was not -possible to lie down :l'used some hon. members opposite are in and rest in them, that if one wanted to read this matter. The question of housing does one had to take a blanket and lie under a tree. Some employers have seen the justice not come under the Workers' Accommodation of lining and ceiling their accommodation Act, which does not apply to residences at to make it decent, as it is their duty to do. all. The argument of the hon. member is pure .Again, instead of providing candles, they .eye-wash and does not touch the subject should install good lighting. It cannot bfl !)('fore us. contenclecl that these things are in short 1686 WorkerB' Accommodation Bill. [ASSEMBLY.] QueBtionB.

supply or unprocurable. Many of these mat­ ters may seem small, but they mean a great deal and they can be done. The hon. member for Roma knows that on many occasions we have had to serve orders on him compelling him to bring his accommodation up to stan­ daru. I repeat that we have taken a lenient view in these matters, especially since the war, because we have realisfid that materials have been short. The obvious excuse has been shortage of labour and materials, but that does not apply to many things that could be uone. I cannot agree to the amendment moved by the Leader of the Opposition. I believe it is moved purely for propaganda purposes and with the object of discussing such mat­ ters as railways and other things that could not have been referred to had the amend­ ment not been moved. Question-That the words proposed to be added (Mr. Nicklin's amendment) be so a.dded-put; and the Committee divided-

AYES, 29. :VIr. Aikens Mr. Munro All pass Nicholson Bjelke-Petersen Nick !in Cobnrn Dr. Noble De war Mr. Pizzey Evans Plunkeft Gaven Roberts, L. H. S Heading Sparkes Hiley Taylor, H. B .Tones, V. E'. Watson Kerr Wordsworth Low Lurkins Mcintyre Tellers: Morris Deck er Muller Ewan

NoEs, 38. Mr. Brosnan Mr . .Tones, A. Brown Keyatta Burrows Larcombe Byrne Lloyd Clark Marsden Col!ins l\1oore Davls Moo res Devries Power Dr. Dittmer Rasey Mr. Donald Riordan Duffi.cy Roberts, F. E. Duggan Smith D·unstan Taylor, J. R. Foley Turner Gair vYalsh Gardner Whyte Graham Gunn Tellers: Hi! ton McCathie Jesson ·wood HesolYecl in the negative. Motion (Mr. A. Jones) agreecl to. Resolution reported.

FIRST READING. Bill presented and, on motion of Mr. A. J ones, read a first time. The House adjourned at 4.39 p.m.