Queensland
Parliamentary Debates [Hansard]
Legislative Assembly
TUESDAY, 30 AUGUST 1955
Electronic reproduction of original hardcopy
146 Questions. [ASSEMBLY.] Questions.
TUESDAY, 30 AUGUST, 1955. '' 3. The question of responsibility for paymPnt is entirely a matter for legal opinion in the light of the particular circumstances of any such case.'' Mr. SPEAKER (Hon. .J. H. Manu, Brisbane) took the chair at 11 a.m. CoNCESSION FARES FOR COUN'l'RY WOMEN QUESTIONS. A~D CHILDREN.
ELECTRIC LIGHT POLES ON FOOTPATHS, )fr. FORDE (Flinders) asked the .Minister for Transport- Tow~sVILLE. ' ' 1. '\Vhen were the concession fares for lUr. AIKENS (Mundingburra) asked women and children first issued in Queens the Secretary for Mines and Immigration- land, by what Government, and by what '' 1. Has the Townsville Regional Elec· Minister~ tricity Board any statutory or any other "2. '\Vhat number of (a) women, (b) authority to erect and/or maintain electric children, have taken advantage of this con light poles on footpaths~ cession from H nghenclen, Richmond, J nliu '' 2. If it has such authority, does he Creek, during the intervening periud ~ not consider that this practice is dangerous '' 3. What is the total value of fares and the authority should be revoked? paid, and what is the amount of reduction '' 3. \Nhere such poles have been erected on ordinary fares, under each heading~ on footpaths, and are found to be a danger and/or an unwananted obstruction to '' 4. \Vill he furnish similar information business premises, has the Townsville for the State of Queensland for towns Hegional Electricity Board any authority Emerald and west in Central Queensbnd, to compel the owner of such obstructed Dalby und west in South-western Qtreens property to pay for the removal of such lancl, and Charters Towers and ~west on the pole or poles to a more sensible and suit· Great Northern Railwuy, or in any other able site where they would bo neither a convenient form, which will show what the danger nor an obstruction~'' concession has been worth to the women and children of '\V estern Queensland~'' Hon. C. G. JicCATHIE (I-Iaughton) replied- Hon. J. E. nuGGAN (Toowoomba) '' 1. Yes-under conditions prescribed by replied- the Electric Light and Power Acts, 1896 '' 1. 29 1\Iarch, 1923. Labour Govern to 1946. ment. Honourable J. Larcombe. '' 2. Not if the poles are erected in com "2. and 3. For period 1 July, 1949, to pliaHce with the Acts and Regulations. 30 June, 1955-
Amount of Reduction on Women. Children. fares paid. ordinary fares. £ s. d. £ s. d. Hughenden 747 340 1,628 14 8 2,494 7 6 Richmond 330 167 879 14 7 1,343 2 7 Julia Creek 216 102 762 8 9 1,239 8 8"
"4. For the whole of the respective divisions-period' 1 .July, 1949, to 30 June, 1955-
Division. Amount of Reduction on Women. Children. fares paid. ordinary fares. -- I £ s. d. £ s. d. South-Western ...... 34,317 12,397 72.224 15 1 118,049 11 9 Central ...... 8,379 3,925 17,861 3 10 28,001 19 1 Northern ...... 4,909 2,520 16,877 13 7 28,518 0 1
Information is not available prior to July, '' 2. How many Local Authority Areas 194!1, and, in respC'ct to Question 4, can have been valued more than once?'' only be given as for ~whole divisions.'' Hon. P. J. R. HILTON (Carnarvon) VALUER-GENERAL'S VALUATIONS. replied- Th'lr. lUULLER (Fassifern), for l)[r. '' 1. City of Ipswich; Town of South PijUNII:ETT (Darlington). asked the Coast; Shires of Albert, Allora, Beau Secretary for Public Works and Housing- desert, Biggenden, Burrum, Douglas, Glen '' 1. In Y;hich Lo0al Authority Areas gallan, Kolan, N oosa, Peak Downs, and have the Valuer-General's valuations under Redland. the Valuation of Land Acts been completed during the past 12 months? '' 2. Twenty-two (22).'' Address in Reply. [30 AUGUST.] Address in Reply. 147
STOCK DISE."'"SES COMPENSA'l'ION FUND. Valley, the mover of the motion, and the hon. member for Mulgrave, the seconder, on Jir. l'IIULLER (Fassifern) asked the their excellent contributions to the debate. Secretary for Agriculture and Stock- I have read with great interest the Opening " What was the credit balance of the Speech by His Excellency and there is no Stock Diseases (T.B.) Compensation Fund doubt that it shows very clearly that the at 30 June, 1955~ policy and administration of this Government Hon. H. H. COLLI~S (Tablelands) have proved very satisfactory. And there replied- ho uo doubt, too, that the majorit;· of the people of Queensland appreciate the good '' £72,029 2s. 3c1.'' work and that at the next general election JUr. UL'LLER (Fassifern) asked the they will show their faith in the Govern Secretary for Agriculture and Stock- ment's ability to legislate for the continued " Yvhat are the following details of the progress of the State. Stock Diseases Compensation :B'unll for I \Yas vcr;· disnppointcd >vith, in fact amazed 1954-19G5, viz.-(a) assessments; (b) nt, the speech of the Leader o£ tiJC Opposi endowment; (c) total receipts; (d) com tion. The civic syllabus for primary schools pensation; (e) testing fees; a nu (f) total makes it desirable that children of the expenditure;"!'' seventh and eighth grades should visit Parlia ment to gain a :first-hand knowledge of Hon. H. H. COLLINS (Tablelands) Parliamentary proceedings. When the Leader repliell- of the Opposition was speaking there were " (a) £69,914 ls. 6d.; (b) £34,972 4s. 6c1.; over 100 girls and boys of a very impression (c) £104,88() 6s.; (d) £14,61D 2s. 6c1.; able at;e in the public gallery. ·what impres (c) £71,520 10s.; (f) £97,983 His. 6d." sion, I ask hon. members, did those young people gain from the remarks of the Leader HIDE AND LEATHER I='TDUSTRIES of the Opposition, a gentleman who aspires ACT REPEAL BILL. to become Premier of this State~ All that he spoke about while the children were in INITIATION. attendance concerned the domestic worries of the Labour Party. Surely those children Hon. A. JO:NES (Charters Towers expected to hear some constructive ideas or Secretary for Labour and Industry): I suggestions that would !eau them to hope move- for a desirable future at least comparable '' That the House will, at its next sit· with that of which they are assured if ting, resolve itself into a Committee of the this Government continue to govern. Whole to consider of the desirableness of There is the old saying that if you introducing a Bill to repeal the Hide and cannot :find fault with what a man does a Leather Industries Act of 1948.'' sure way to defame him is to throw mud at him personally. I can only conclude that Motion agrecu to. when the Leader of the Opposition could not conscientiously offer any destructive PETROLEUM ACTS AMEND~iE?\T BILL. criticism about what this Government have clone he decided to talk about the Party's INITIATION. domestic worries. I do not know what those worries have to do with him. Down through Hon. C. G. JicCATHIE (Haughton Secretary for Mines and Immigration): I the ages every political party that has con tinued to gro,,· and attract to its ranks men move- and women from an ever widening circle '' That the House will, at its next sit of the community has had its troubles. We ting, resolve itself into a Committee of the on this side of the House feel quite confident Whole to consider of the desirableness of that the great Australian Labour Party will introducing a Bill to amend the Petroleum be able to surmount its troubles and emerge Acts, 1923 to 1950, in certain particulars.'' better and stronger because of the experience. Motion agreed to. During my term in this House I have wondered why virtually every measure ADDRESS IN REPLY. brought forward by the Government has been bitterly opposed by members of the Opposi RESUMPTION OF DEBA'l'E-]'OURTII ALLOTTED tion. I know that at times that their DAY. criticism has not been sincere. The hon. Debate resumed from 25 August (see member for Toowong satisfied my wondering p. 145) on Mr. Brosnan 's motion for the in this direction when he said that the duty adoption of the Address in Reply. of the Opposition was to oppose, expose and depose the Government. No-one will deny 1Ur. DIPLOCK (Condamine) (11.10 that the Opposition has fulfilled the :first a.m.): I desire to take the opportunity of part of its self-decided duty for on every associating myself with the motion which occasion its attitude has been, like Paddy, reaffirms our loyalty to Her Majesty the whether good or bad, "I am agin the Govern Queen and the Throne of England and I ment.'' The value of such a policy is doubt congratulate the hon. member for Fortitude ful and the public haYe shown at the ballot 148 Address in Reply. [ASSEMBLY.] Address in Reply. box in years past that it is not appreciated. The following article, written by Harold The Opposition has certainly failed to Cox in his ''Canberra Comment'' in ''The practice its second and third self-decided Sunday Mail" of 16 July last, must have duties. been very difficult reading for members of the Opposition- There is no doubt that hon. members " Cost of living increases announced this opposite are making a determined effort to week are probably not so high as the more depose the Government. The statements of pessimistic feared when it was made clear those who are trying to gull the public that the margins granted to the metal through the Press, and by those who have trades workers would be shared by the com travelled away from their own electorates to munity generally. other parts of the State, show very clearly that the Opposition intend to rely on "But they demonstrate all too clearly grandiose promises to win votes rather than that the inflationary forces against which on a sincere and soundly based policy. The Sir Arthur Fadden launched a warning a Opposition are attempting to attribute as fortnight ago are truly at work. we~knesses in the ~overnment 's record, those ''There is a single bright angle to the ac~10ns around winch they can develop catch picture which must place a feather in the cnes easy to comprehend, appealing to the eap of Queensland's Premier, Mr. Gair. emotions of the people-red meat for Queensland appears to be resisting the pres propagandists. sures of inflation much better than any part of the Commonwealth. That is the reason for the unwarranted criticism of our education programme. How ''Not only is the cost of living in Bris ever, I feel confident that the Government bane much lower than in any other Aus tralian capital, but it is rising much less have only to point to their record of achieve quickly than elsewhere. ment to counter any criticism by the Opposition. "What Mr. Gair 's formula is nobody knows. Cities in which the population is From time to time Opposition members both larger and smaller and in which indus and I expect them to squeal at this-have trialisation is both more intense and less made the point that the 40-hour week has intense than in Brisbane, are showing much been responsible for the costs spiral over the clearer evidences of inflation. past few years. But let me remind them "While Mr. Gair is holding his State's that the costs spiral in Queensland has not cost level amazingly stable, Perth and reached the same dizzy heights as it has Hobart, which not so long ago were the in other States. The hon. member for cheapest places in the Commonwealth in Mt. Coot-tha tried to disown this hot potato, which to live are now the dearest. but a reference to "Hansard" proves that ''As it is the Queensland pound goes such an argument has been advanced frequently much further than any other." by hon. members opposite during the past few I feel sure no-one will claim that Mr. Cox years. It was rather unfortunate for the poli was inspired to write along such lines tical leader of the Liberal Party that whilst he because of any sympathy for this Govern was trying to orphan this unwanted child ment. of a longer working week, Mr. Leon Trout, its As the result of this Govemment 's land chairman, was trying to tell the people of policy, the development that has taken place Queensland what a wonderful child it would in my electorate has to be seen to be turn out to be if it were adopted. appreciated. New settlers have not spared themselves to bring their areas into full pro )}!r. Walsh: That was on the same day. duction as quickly as possible, and many of ~Ir. DIPLOCK: It was on the same day. the older settlers have done the same. Conse quently, the production of grain, dairy pro No doubt the matter will be dropped now duce, fat lambs, wool, and beef, has been for the remainder of the session. I do not stepped up to an extent that would have been expect the Opposition to go before the public thought impossible a short time ago. Such of Queensland and advocate a return to the rapid development has obviously made heavy 44-hour week. They would not have the moral demands on the Government to meet the courage to do so. changed requirements of an increased popula tion, and to provide suitable facilities for In opposing price control, members of the the transport of stock, produce and goods Opposition have said that large concerns were to and from the various markets. I have to by-passing this State because of price con commend the Ministers and officers of trol and industrial trouble in this State. the departments concerned for the way in which this challenge has been met. However, the prices offered by two southern In all of the areas concerned, educational firms, and that paid by one of them, for a requirements have received favourable con business in this city, and the number of indus sideration and a high priority in order of trial undertakings that have been and are to fulfilment. The Main Roads Department has be established here, give the lie direct kept its constructing sections fully employed to that statement. and the different centres have progressively Address in Reply. [30 AUGUST.) Address in Reply. 149 been linked with one another, with the mar the better of the two because it reflects more keting centres and with the capital, by a adequately the various acreages in terms of lengthening line of bitumen. local value per acre, but I think that both Even those most bitterly opposed to the methods result in too many anomalies to be Government must agree that the Railway really effective and they should be qualified Department is also doing a very fine in some way. job and that the timetables in use I offer these suggestions in order that two years ago would not compare with those in anomalies may be rectified if the sugges use today. Faster and more comfortable rail tions are thought to be worthwhile. motors are being used on the branch line~. The transport of stock and produce, which Firstly, I suggest that a living area, whether at times presents a problem because of the taken on the basis of area or value, should shortage of rolling-stock, is meeting with also be subject to the additional qualification general satisfaction. I admit that at times of income. I suggest that an average there is just cause for complaint. i1:come should be taken over a period of five Whilst I agree that the prosperity of an years. In a large portion of my electorate area depends to a great extent on an efficient the living area is regarded as being approxi railway service, and, irt consequence the mately 640 acres; but, as the country changes Railway Department should reasonably ~xpect rapidly in different districts, incomes from loyalty from the settlers in the area benefited them vary greatly. If an area, with a I suggest that if the department is unabl~ definite limit-I realise that you can go from to supply rolling-stock when required and the sublime to the ridiculous-over a period after reasonable notice has been given, permits of five years, fails to produce an average for road transport should be issued. This yearly income equal to the basic wage, which applies particularly to stock for sales where would, of course, ignore interest on capital, it the amount paid to producers depends to should come under the definition of a living a large extent on their reaching the central area. I think this would remove the anomaly market on a given date. I am of the opinion, of people living on poor or light country being too, that where an overland route entails taxed on what is perhaps a :fictitious value, much. less travelling and ~uch less handling, that is, on the basis of sale price less improve and 1s much faster, consideration should be :rr.·ents. given to the issue of road-transport permits. Whilst I am in no way criticising officers I know that increased revenue will be collected of the Valuer-General's Department because if a more sympathetic attitude is adopted of the valuations, I feel that the value of the towards the issue of road permits. land for selling purposes under existing The police are unable to check on transport conditions is not its real worth but drivers because of the greatly increased staff merely the residue of the purchase price after that would be required. At the present time, as low a valuation as possible has been placed the Railway Department is not collecting the on depreciable items. The vendor wishes to freight. Stock, goods and produce are being sell on this basis because he avoids excessive shifted at all hours of the day and all through taxation, and the purchaser does not mind the night without road permits. The transport because he knows that he is buying a operators do not desire to dodge a fair tax tractor worth £800 and fencing worth £2,000 but they are unable to pay it because the that appear on the sales schedule at a depreci authorities are not prepared to issue permits. ated value of £400 for the tractor and £500 I think I should voice the appreciation of for the fencing. In .other words, the purchaser people in my area of the statement by the knows that he is not actually paying the Minister for Transport that no rise in fares price for his land that is stated in the sale and freights is contemplated. A rise in agreement. I realise that the present high passenger fares has been decided upon in values are due largely to this method of sell at least two other States. In New South ing property, but it does react adversely on Wales the fares have gone up by 121 per cent. those people who remain on the land, and and some freight rates are to be increased. they are in the majority in my electorate. It is a great credit to our Railway Depart Holdings have been the property of families mPnt that the senice is being improved and for many years. They do not wish to sell that the country people are not being at any price. It is not because they think penalised by a corresponding rise in freights the land is worth more than the price off·ered, and fares. I specify country people because to them the holding is their home, and I such increases affect the man in the country respect their feelings. much more than the city dweller. In addition, an income qualification would Land tax is causing some landholders con help to remov·e a tendency to margin for error cern in my electorate. At the outset, I ask a!'ainst the taxpayers. It would be difficult, hon. members to bear in mind that land tax for instance, in quick sales, but I feel that is a tax on the unimproved value of freehold the difficulties could easily be overcome. land. The consensus among primary producers is that a living area should be exempt. How Secondly, if this suggestion were accepted ever, to my mind this is no different from the some amendment should be made to meet the valuation ex·emption at present in the Act. case where a person's land has fulfilled all If anything, the present exemption is perhaps the qualifications of a living area for a period 150 Address in Reply. [ASSEMBLY.] Address in Reply. of years and then, because of his own indus State. Before doing so I should like to make try and application of capital, exceeds the a few comments on the speech of the hon. income limit. Under the present system it member for Isis. comes within the Act at the new valuation. To my mind this would obviously be a case The Press report of his speech calls for of unjust taxation, contrary to the original comment. He desires to outshine the hon. purpose of the tax and contrary to the member for Mt. Coot-tha as an authority on principles of this Government's land policy. education. I consider that he certainly In order to avoid taxing this person for his knows a lot more about it, but I am dissap .. own industry and efficiency, perhaps something pointetl with his contribution on this occasion. like this could be done. The taxpayer could Certainly he hit the headline with ''New elect to have his property declared a family Outlook needed on Education' '-a good catch unit for land tax purposes and, in this case, cry designet1, as I said before, to appeal to say of a husband and wife, the property the emotions of the people, but at what a of each would be half the property holding cost! His general statement that, apart of both, as in the case of income and property from a few modifications and embellishments, qualifications for pension purposes. This, I the Queensland education system virtually agree, would also present difficulties, but I do had not changed in the last 80 yenrs, is not doubt that these could be ironed out. In certainly not in accordance with fnct, an!l submitting suggestions in connection with the hon. member for Isis knows that. Such transport and land tax, Mr. Speaker, I have a statement is too ridiculous to warrant only one motive, and that is to ensure that contradictory comment. It is a poor compli this Government retain the right it has earned ment to tlepartmental officers and to the over the years, to claim sincerely that they teachers who have been responsible for the legislated for the welfare of all, for the many clwnges, and a poor compliment to primar!- producers as well as for those these teaehers 1vho trnin ancl study so as to engaged in other industries. pnsure that the children of our State an• educnted to meet the demands of a moclelll It was not my intention to touch on educa world. The number of teachers in training, tion during this debate, but I am prompted to the steps taken by the Gonrnment to induerc 'lo so bec:mse of tlw repeated public criticism youug people to enter the service, comparecl by the hon. member for Mt. Coot-tha who, 1vith the steps taken by other Governments according to ''The Tel<:>graph'' of a few days to overcome a teacher shortage, contradict the ago, is to be the Secretary for Public Instruc hon. member's statement that this Govern tion if the majority of the people of Queens ment have clone less than the Government lnnd ever make the mistake of entrusting the of any other State. future of this State to the Opposition. They will regret it as they did the previous ono 30 The hon. member should know and he does years ago. Since being appointed Leader of lmmY that, ll'hi!e it is highly desit able to the Liberal Party the hon. member has cer raise the school leaving age, it is tainly had a good Press. He is interviewed impracticable ;just now. It is unfair to sug to such nu extent that one can only conclude gest it at the present time, until the teacher that the papers reganl him as being a more shortage has been overcome, unless lYe arc important person than the Leader of the fmther to burden the willing horsP,'-that hantl of hard-working teachers 1vho work Opposition. I am not suggesting that the Leader of the Opposition should become sufficiently hard at the present time. jealous of his deputy. vVe know there is no Stntistics prove that the vast majority of chance of a split in the Opposition in Queens d1ilrlren in the woTld toclay receive no higher land. One developed in Victoria and in the education that that provided in the primary Fcdeml sphere, but there is no chance of a schools, and in many countries the standar n reduction of 10 per cent. in rent allowances effort to defeat him at an election, but on for teachers and I cannot remember any that occasion Mr. Pilbeam got a large sympathetic action on the part of the Govern majority. ment when the teachers appealed for higher The hon. member for Port Curtis referrec1 salaries. I do, however, remember the reduction in the salaries of teachers during that golden to Port Alma as a Stygian creek. Most of us era. know that the word '' Stygian'' comes from '' Styx' ', which was the name given to a river Mr. V. E. JONES (Callide) (11.44 a.m.): of filthy, muddy water, through which the Under the Standing Orders hon. members dead passed to Hell. The people of Rock have an opportunity to debate any subject hampton are not at all happy about the on the Address in Reply. The Opening Speech implication by the hon. member for Port by Hill Exeellency gives us this right. He Curtis that Rockhampton is the city of Hell. disclosed a thorough knowledge of the primary He was doing his best to discredit Rockhamp industries of this State, a knowledge that has ton when he called it the city of sin, sweat, been acquired from his many tours in which sorrow and ftoods, and the place where even hl: has come into direct contact with most bookmakers go on strike. That, of course, of his people. enlightens us as to the hon. member's main sphere of activities. The speech on Tuesday last by the hon. He tried to bolster Gladstone at the expense member for Port Curtis did nothing at all of Rockhampton. Following the development towards developing any part of the State. In in Central Queensland in recent years, and fact, it would tend to do exactly the opposite. because of the potentialities, we of Rock He took advantage of the protection afforded hampton believe that there is room for b3 parliamentary privilege to indulge in muck further development both at Rockhampton n,king and to uUer hurtful remarks. and Gladstone. Therefore we believe that Mr. SPEAI\:ER: Order! both ports, Gladstone and Rockhampton, should be developed. We want to offer con Mr. V. E. JONES: He showed an atti gratulations to the citizens responsible for tude of disrespect to Parliament by his filthy the progressive development of the port of and irresponsible statements. Gladstone, but I do not include in the group the hon. member for Port Curtis. Speaking Mr. SPEAKER: Order! from experience, I know that all he has ever done could be written on the back of a l\Ir. V. E. JONES: They were in the postage stamp. worst possible taste and were a reflection on I can remember when Mr. George Pearce, the people of Rockhampton. the hon. member for Capricornia, was working vigorously fo,· the development of ~Ir. SPEARER: Order! I point out to the Callide coalfield. On that occasion he the hon. member for Callide that the hon. made several trips South to have the industry member for Port Curtis broke none of the established. He was responsible for the Standing Rules and Orders of this Assembly. negotiations between the Victorian Govern I ask him not to reflect on the hon. member ment and the coal-owners and for influencing for Port Curtis in that way. the Commonwealth Government to purchasr> ships to transport the coal. At that time, Mr. V. E. JONES: I appreciate your at the request of the Gladstone Harbour ruling, Mr. Speaker, but I feel that in some Board the Commonwealth Government bought of his statements the hon. member for Port two ships and had them specially fitted to Curtis took advant_age of this Chamber. carry coal to Victoria. The Gladstone Harbour Board pointed out to Mr. Pearce Irrespective of what the hon. member for that repairs had to be effected to the wharf Port Curtis or any other person may think, before river-class ships could be loaded there. the present Mayor of Rockhampton has been returned to that office on three occasions. Mr. Burrows: That is a confounded lie. That is no mean effort when one considers the calibre of those who opposed him. ~Ir. V. E. JONES: On a point of order, At the last election he secured a greater Mr. Speaker, is the hon. member for P~rt majority than any member in this Chamber Curtis right in saying that my statement is can claim he has ever enjoyed. On that a downright lie~ occasion the Mayor of Rockhampton received 14,930 votes, whilst the Labour candidate, Mr. SPEAKER: I ask the hon. member who is a reputable man and well liked in for Port Curtis to withdraw that remark. sporting circles, got only 4,129 votes. Another candidate, also a reputable man and well known ~Ir. Burrows: I withdraw it, but I for his activities in public work in and around should like to alter it and say it is definitely the Rockhampton district, got only 2,829 not the truth. votes. And then we can refer to previous ~Ir. SPEAKER: Order! elections. Many of us, and particularly members of the Government, know Harold Mr. V. E. JONES: On one occasion the Gardiner very well. We all regard him as a Commonwealth Government searched the thorough gentleman. It would be no mean world for two suitable vessels. Finally they Address in Reply. [30 AUGUST.] Address in Reply. 153 bought the '' Carracoola'' and the '' Cooli I should like to read this telegram that bah,'' which were fitted out at a cost to I received. It is signed by Mr. J. Curtin, the Commonwealth Government of just over Secretary of the Waterside \Vorkers' Federa £800,000. The Gladstone Harbour Board tion in Central Queensland. It reads- carried out repairs to the wharf to enable '' This branch strongly condemns out river-class ships to load coal and they are burst by member for Port Curtis on the now being used. It is interesting to note Port Alma road and conditions suggest he that all the ships used for the transport of looks after his own business and let Rock Callide coal today are owned by the Com hampton people look after their interests.'' monwealth Government. Furthermore, the Having read that, I should like now to first order of 600,000 tons of coal was sub read a statement from the Rockhampton sidised by the Commonwealth Government ''Morning Bulletin'' of Thursday, 25 to the extent of £1.000,000. vVe can remem August, headed ''Central members reply to ber that Mr. George Pearce played a part Mr. Burrows.'' It reads as follows:- in securing money from the Commonwealth "In reply to a speech by Mr. J. Government for the construction and widen Burrows (Labour, Port Curtis) in Parlia ing of the Callide coalfield road. At that met on Tuesday criticising the Port Alma time a sum of £234,000 was spent. While road proposal and Port Alma, Messrs. J. that was going on, the hon. member for l'ort Larcombe, J. Clark, and V. E. Cooper, Curtis continued to play politics over the M.L.A 's, yesterday issued the following project and to do everything possiJ:le t~ joint statement- jeopardise its development. Irrespective of Mr. Burrows' attack on the proposed his actions, Callide coal was exported in huge Bajool-Port Alma road is reckless and quantities. It was never used in competiti~n absurd. It will not influence the attitude with any other coal. It was never burnt m of Cabinet on the matter. In his attack the same powerhouse as that from other on Port Alma, Mr. Burrows makes fielc1s or used to the disadYantage of coal grossly incorrect statements. Port A lma from other fields, but it was used by people has been proved a ycry fine port and gravely in need of it. The hon. member biased, irresponsible statements will. not for Port Curtis accused the Commonwealth prove otherwise. Cabinet appreCiates Government of importing coal to compete the importance and value of Port Alma against the Callide coal but that was only in the economy of Central Queensland. another of his misleading statements. That The whole of Mr. Burrows' criticism is coal had been ordered before the Callide narrow minded and unworthy of a parlia coal was available. At that important time mentarian. He attempts to bolster the hon. member would have been doing a Gladstone at the expense of Port Alma, much better service to the people of Glad but his remaJ'\ks are more likely to stone if he had put his shoulder to the wheel damage Gladstone than Port Alma.'' and helped in the development of the Callide coalfield. The outburst of the hon. member An Opposition :i}Iember: Who said that? for Port Curtis in this House is greatly to be ::lir. V. E. JONES: His own colleag;ues, regretted by all the citizens of Rockhampton. Messrs. Larcombe, Clark, and Cooper, and on It was regretted by the people ~vho der~ve this occasion I want to say that I agree with th<>ir livelihood from work assocmted vnth them about Port Alma. Their statements Port Alma a11d the river ports generally. My nrc true. Now, Mr. Speaker, I wonder whether remarks are borne out by this report in tJJC hon. member for Port Curtis is more yesterday's Rockhampton ''Morning Bulle· freely despised by the Opposition or disti:usted tin''- by his own colleagues. As I said ear her, I '' Rockhampton waterside workers at a believe that the port of Gladstone should be meeting on Friday morning deplored the developed with that of Port Alma. As the outburst by the member for Port Curtis. hon. member for Port Curtis saw fit to draw Members said that Mr. Burrows's remarks a parallel between Gladstone and Port Alma "were 'not only inaccurate but completely I shall not digress from that point either. unjustified.' In support of this statement The hon. member referred to Port Alma as a stinking mud pool. This chart that I have memb~rs said it would be remembered that before me may be of interest to the hon. on numerous occasions ships had called member because it is over the signature of at Port Alma and off-loaded cargo to Philip G. Gibson, a yery reputable n;an who, lighten them sufficiently to enable them today, is a harbour master. Th1s c~art to enter other ports. They had then to prepared by Mr. Gibson shows the soundings return to Port Alma, reload the off-loaded and a swinging basin of 1,000 feet. It also goods, and then load cargo from Rock discloses that at low tide 5 feet from the hampton for the export trade.'' wharf there is up to 38 feet of water and 50 feet from the wharf there is 40 feet of As these men are associated with the work, water and 100 feet from the wharf is 42 feet, I think they should know the facts. We 4H feet, 40 feet, 4H feet and so on. The feel ashamed that the hon. member in his hon. member for Port Curtis referred to outburst saw fit to try and deprive the men Port Alma as being an area of mud. associated with this work, their wives and Mr. Gibson shows that two-thirds of the families, of their bread and butter. foundation of Port Alma is sand. I have 154 Address in Reply. [ASSEMBLY.] Address in Reply. given the depth of water at Port Alma, and to use the port, difficulty was being now I refer to Gladstone. The depth of experienced in allotting berths. The Board water at Gladstone is from 23 to 26 feet. was doing all in its power to please the The following interesting statement appears coal, meat, grain, and oil interests.'' in the report of the Queensland Ports and That is the position despite the fact that Harbours:- in 1953 and 1954 the following tonnages " No dredging is necessary, and a mini were exported from Gladstone and Rock mum depth of 30 feet at low water could hampton- be obtained if required. - ''Dolphins at the northern and southern Gladstone. Rockhampton. ends of the wharf provide additional moor - ing facilities. 1953. 1954. 1953. 1954. ------"Rise of tides is 10 feet 6 inches neaps Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. to 15 feet 6 inches springs. Frozen Cargo 3,420 8,338 17,402 18,288 General Cargo : : 2,672 4,812 I 15,978 8,815 ''Ships up to 550 feet in length and I gross tonnage of 14,000 trade regularly to Port Alma. No difficulty is experienced Those were the exports through those two in berthing and departing without the aid ports of frozen meat am1 meatworks products. of a tug, as ample swinging room is avail· Despite those figures, the hon. member for able. The run of flood tide is 2 to 2! Port Curtis will not support any further knots.'' t1evelopment of Port Alma, although with The hon. member for Port Curtis said the small tonnage today exported through that the only cargo loaded at Port Alma was Gladstone difficulty is being experienced in a little meat, when we had it. For the year berthing vessels. 1954-1955, the report of the Rockhampton I am not unmindful of the coal that is District Saleyards Board discloses that 61,369 exported through Gladstone, nor am I head of cattle were yarded. This is a big unmindful of the difficulty of loading coal figure. I give the figures of exports over and meat into ships side by side. Port Alma from the mea tworks alone. For the year 1953, frozen meat 17,402 tons, 1954 it To prove my point regarding exports amounted to 18,288 tons, the general cargo through Rockhampton I quote export tonnages from the meatworks, including canned pro for the 12 months, 1 July, 1954, to ducts, hides, etc., 15,978 tons in 1953 and 30 June, 1955. They are- 8,815 tons in 1954. To support my arguments Tons. about the number of cattle around Rock Frozen meat 21,262 hampton, I mention that the Lakes Creek Preserved meat 6,855 Meatworks at present employ a 21· Canned pineapple 2,151 butcher gang killing 987 head of cattle daily. At Gladstone there ~s a 9-butcher gang Hides 937 killing 423 head. Tallow 846 There is a challenge in this morning's Snndry animal products (hooves, issue of ''The Rockhampton Bulletin'' by hor;;s, etc.) 122 the hon. member for Port Curtis. This is General other items (including his challenge: ''Prepared to go to Rock scrap battery lead, etc.) 644 hampton to discuss Port Alma publicly with Wool 155 any one of its champions.'' Unfortunately the hon. members for Fitzroy, Rockhampton, 32,976 and Keppel will not have the opportunity of accepting it, because I am pleased to announce In the month of July, 4,611 tons were exported that :\1r. Tom Griffiths, the endorsed Liberal and if that rate was caTTied on over the 12 Country Party for Keppel has accepted it. months it would give over 55,000 tons. ·whilst The conditions of acceptance of the 4,611 tons were exported from Port Alma, the challenge by Mr. Tom Griffiths are Gladstone Harbour Board for the same period that the debate takes place in the exported only 1,541 tons. I should like to School of Arts, Rockhampton, in the near remind hon. members also that the '' Austra future, at a time to suit the hon. member lia Star" sailed from Port Alma on 25 July for Port Curtis. Tom Griffiths is anxious to last year with 1,377 tons of frozen meat and see the construction of the Port Alma road. 982 tons of general cargo. The ''Melbourne He is very conversant with the activities of Star'' sailed on 20 August with 1,638 tons that port. of frozen meat, 1,004 tons of general cargo, In support of my claim on behalf of the and 171 bales of wool. Those :figures give Rockhampton people that both ports should some idea of the meat and general products be developed, I read this paragraph from the exported from Port Alma. We are not asking l\fonthly Report of the Gladstone Harbour for anything new for Port Alma. We are Board- simply pointing out what is going on and ' 'Members of the G ladstone Harbour asking that the road be built to enable facili Board were advised by the Secretary (Mr. ties to be given to deserving workers. A. D. Hopper) at the monthly meeting The hon. member for Port Curtis made that owing to the number of ships wanting another bad statement last week in trying to Address in Reply. [30 AUGUST.] Address in Reply. 155 decry Port Alma when he said that piles were In 1951 there was a loan of £15,000 for in 50 feet of mud. I have checked this the dredge '' Fitzroy,'' and in 1952 there matter and his statement is not correct. The was another loan of £10,000. Look at what piles at the whaT£ are driven to depths vary happened over the years. The following ing from 30 feet to 35 feet. We all know figures show the expenditure by the Rock that when a pile is driven the operation ceases hampton Harbour Board on running main as soon as a satisfactory base has been tenance and repairs and annual overhaul found. On no occasion were piles driven to respectively from 1950 to 1955- a grea tor depth than 35 feet. I should also Running point out that Port Alma is the last loading maintenance Annual port because it has 28 feet of water at one and repairs. overhaul. end and 29 feet at the other. With the use £ £ of dolphins at each end there is 1,000 feet 6,904 of wharf to accommodate two ships. Fre 1050 229 quently vessels load at Port Alma, proceed 1951 1,00G 23,240 to Glad: and joined with me in attacking the Govern that the North had been neglected, and ment relentlessly and consistently for their inferentially in a previous article in the neglect of North Queensland. This attitude '' Townsville Daily Bulletin'' he issued a has had so great an effect on the Government similar bombastic challenge to the editor of that in the last couple of years we have that paper. He is much too downy a bird had a veritable spate of ministerial visits to issue the challenge to me so I issue one to North Queensland. Unfortunately I will to him instead. I will challenge the Premier not have time to deal with the Federal of this State to a debate on any public plat Government during this debate-I wish I form in North Queensland at any time or had-but in addition to Federal Ministers, place and I will arrange with him, if he cares we have had more State Ministers visiting to, to bear half the cost of a North-Queens ~ orth Queensland in the last two years than, laud-wide radio hook-up. Then we can both I think, in the whole of the preYious history debate whether North Queensland has been of the North. neglected by his Government and we will leave the decision to the people of North Mr. Pizzey: They must be very Queensland. They can decide whether I have perturbed. told the truth or whether the Premier has. ~Ir. AIKENS: They are perturbed and There is my challenge, and I dare the they are at last beginning to do some things Premier to accept it. He can accept it at for North Queensland. Indeed, at times they his convenience and in any town in North become a little testy. We had a couple of Queensland. Surely that is big enough for visits from the Premier recently. On one him. occasion, at a function at the Queens Hotel :n-r. lUnller: I will referee the bout. tendered to him by the Townsville City Council, he said that any man who claimed Jir. AIKENS: I think the hon. member that the North was neglected was a whinger for Fassifern would be an unbiased chairman and a squealer. Then we had the hon. of the debate. member, genuine A.L.P. member for Let me take the Premier on right now and Haughton-and "A.L.P. ", as hon. members let me take the hon. member for Haughton know, stands for ''absentee Labour poli and all these other members of the Govern tician' '-who opened the Townsville Show ment Party on right here and now. They this year and who offered a gratuitous insult claim that the Government do not neglect to all genuine North Queenslanders. He the North. Their argument that they have will not deny it though he was doubtless not neglected the North is based on the fact carried away by the kudos of the position that they are spending a few pounds in he now occupies by a most remarkable seriCli! North Queensland. They are spending it of circumstances. ''There are a few people very reluctantly and very carefully, and they in Northern Queensland,'' he sneered, ''who are spending it only because of the consistent claim that the North has been neglected, but agitation of the majority of the people of they are merely a few irresponsibles.'' Let North Queensland. me assure this transient northerner, who blew into the North some years ago and amassed Statistics show that from 1933, when the for himself a considerable competence by Labour Government were re-elected, to 1954 methods and circumstances that I have dealt the population of Brisbane has increased by with very fully on the public platform in 202,000 while the population of North Queens the North, and who all the time had itchy land has increased by only 49,000. There is feet, or rather an itchy seat, to get back a very strong argument in favour of our to Brisbane into a nice job as quickly as charge that this Gov!'rnment have neglected possible-let me assure the hon. member for North Queensland. Haughton, and anyone else who might be Now let me pass to the next matter. At interested, that the so-called irresponsibles present the Government are reluctantly build who claim that the North has been neglected ing the Burdekin high-level, dual-purpose and is being neglected by this Government bridge at Carstairs. It took them a long are not a few. They are a large and noble time to start, and members who have been band of men and women from all walks in this House a long time will remember of life and of all shades of political opinion that they would never have started the bridge and creed. but for the virtual no-confidence motion that I Dr. Noble: They are clamouring for a moved. In effect, it forced the then Acting new State, too. Premier to send two engineers from the Department of Irrigation and Water :Mr. AIKENS: I will deal with that later Supply, Mr. Sharp and Mr. Nimmo, if I have the time. Unlike the hon. member overseas. Then, with a great fanfare for Callide, I am not going to send for a of trumpets, they turned the first sod backstop or a sidekick. The Premier has of the Burdekin Bridge just prior to become so upset at the constant attacks on the 1947 election. They intended to let his Government for their neglect of the that go on nice and quietly, to let it dawdle North that he has become quite bombastic and dribble along, so that they would have and truculent. Recently in the columns of something to talk about for many, many the '' Townsvil!e Daily Bulletin'' he issued elections to come. It was not until the a challenge to Mr. Ulrich Ellis, organiser northern people began to agitate, it was not of the "New States" movement, to prove until the northern people began to fight, it Address in Reply. [30 AUGUST.] Address in Reply. 157 was not until the northern people started to may be erected for the help of those who point the finger of accusation against the make the trip. Yet the hon. member for Government that the Government finally, and Haughton sneers that we are irresponsible very reluctantly, decided to accelerate the con when we claim that North Queensland has struction of the Burdekin Bridge. This Gov been neglected. It may be suggested that ernment can take no credit whatever for now I am rather biased in regard to the pushing ahead with the construction of the horror stretches on the North Queensland Burdekin Bridge in the last six months or roads, so I propose to quote from so, because if left to their own devices they one of the most unbiased journals called would never have hastened the construction "The Road Ahead" issued by the R.A.C.Q. of it. The agitation of the people of the Under the heading ''Chassis Rattles'' in the North compelled them to hasten. issue of July, 1955, it says:- That was their attitude in regard to the ''A member wrote recently with a justi Burdekin Bridge. What happened here when fiable query, why people were going over they decided to build a bridge over the Bris spas to see the beauties of. England and the bane River at Indooroopilly~ The contract Continent while the glories of their own for the Burdekin Bridge was let to the State remained undiscovered. How truer various suppliers of steel. No time limit was Having recently covered a sizeable portion placed on the construction of the Burdekin of Queensland by road from Cairns to Bridge, no penalty clauses were inserted in Mackay, its vastness, its ever-changing the contracts and nothing was done by the attractions and its potential are felt as Government to ensure that the Burdekin well as seen. Bridge would be built in the quickest pos ''Also felt on such a trip are the pot sible time. But when they decided to build holes and the corrugations. While there the bridge over the Brisbane River at are many miles of good surface, there is Indooroopilly, the contract was given to an still a tremendous amount of work to be Italian firm because, as they said, the Italian done on the Bruce Highway and it will cost firm was the only firm prepared to accept a lot of money, but can we justify not pro the penalty clauses in the contract which viding one first class continuous road to the providci! that the bridge should be built North~ It is a national calamity both from within two years. What a difference between the viewpoint of defence and tourism, that their treatment of Brisbane and their treat we are not developing the North, and good ment of North Queensland! The Burdekin roaus should be the first consideration.'' Bridge was to be built on the Kathleen So that, in the opinion of the hon. member Mavourneen system and the Indooroopilly for Haughton is a statement by another one Bridge as a matter of great urgency. of those irresponsibles who claim that North Now I come to northern roads. The Bruce Queensland has been neglected. There is Highway from Brisbane to Cairns is approxi another little beauty here that I may as well mately 1,200 miles long; 800 miles is in very read. It says- good eondition. '' As one garage proprietor put it, when Those 800 miles start right here from asked if there was anything he might need Brisbane. It is only when you get to North in his R.A.C.Q. representation, 'Well, there Queensland that you discover the 400 miles is one thing. Would you mind calling on of various horror stretehes. Is that not so~ the Main Roads Department and ask them to send np a main road.' '' Opposition 1\'Iembers: Yes. In the Minister's opinion that would be Mr. AII{ENS: The northern members, another manifestation of northern irrespon even members of the Opposition, know what sibility. I have referred to the paltry the hon. member for Haughton apparently attitude towards a first-class highway in the uoes not know. When we come to the worst north which is so necessary for defence horror stretches on the whole of the Bruce and for tourist and developmental purposes. I Highway we find them in the electorate of the shall now compare that attitude with the sneering hon. member for Haughton-just on solicitude of the Government for roads in the the other side of the Haughton River. I came South. Recently a photograph appeared in a down with hundreds of Townsville people Brisbane paper showing a few potholes in the about six or eight weeks after last wet season W allangarra Road used not so mueh by to see a football match between Ayr and Queenslanders as, in the main, by inter-State Townsville. All the way on this horror hauliers. Immediately the photograph stretch we tra velleil over what was a succes appeared the Minister for Transport, no doubt sion of swamps and ruts, and there keyed up by the Seeretary for Mines were cars pulled up, drying out their and Immigration, bolted for Wallangarra distributors or doing what they have to nncl made a public statement that the do when a car stalls because of the "-ater repair of that roail was to have a on the road. During the wet season North No. 1 priority. What about the horror Queensland considers that this horror stretch stretches in the North~ What sort of of road in the electorate of the hon. member a priority are they getting~ Almost every fm Haughton should be placed under the week we can pick up a newspaper and read control of the Treasurer under the Harbours statements by the Minister for Transport, and Marine Department so that buoys, backed up no doubt by the Seeretary for beacons and other maritime paraphernalia Mines and Immigration, of how solicitous 158 Address in Reply. [ASSEMBLY.] Address in Reply. the Government are for the welfare of those irresponsible because you tell the truth about who drive down to the Gold Coast. Already railway neglect in the north''? Let me give they have made provision for a second road some facts about the position in the North. to the Gold Coast, and only the other day I ask hon members to compare the situation I read that the Minister for Transport was there IYith the position here in Brisbane. One going to issue some statement or other, telling day the week before last there were no less the people ho1v they could get to the Gold than 6,000 tons of western loading in the Coast dry shod in even the worst possible goods yarcl at South 'fownsville, and nine weather. In the limited time that I have trains were cancelled because of lack of loco been able to devote to that particular aspect motives. \Vhen I say that western loading 1. think I have proved to the hilt that as far of 6,000 tons was in the goods yards, that as road construction and road maintenance cloes not take into consideration the arc concerned the North is grievously hundreds and hundreds of tons of neglected comprnecl with the South. Because 110rtheru and southern loading in the you throw a few crumbs to a person, you same yard. Nine trains were cancelled cannot say that you are not neglecting him. in one day bec:mse of the lack of locomotives, Por instanc'~, if you have two children in your and that is ju;;t a typical clay in North family ancl you favour one at the expense Queensland. And yet not this year, last year, of the other, despite the fact that you are or any other year was one suburban passenger giving the other a bit of attention, you are train cancelled because of the shortage of still neglecting that child by giving the first locomotives, despite the fact, as we all know, better treatment. Is not that right? that most of them run ronnel half empty. The suburban passenger trains are hauled Mr. Evans: Yes. in the main by the lntcst, most modern and most powerful locomoti,·es in the railway ~rr. Ann;Ns: That is quite right, as the hon member for Mirani says. So it is with scrvice-B 1St anr1 llD 18±-but in North Governmental neglect. \Ve do have Quccnsl:mcl they ra11not find an old C 17 or some money spent in the North, but C 16 in serviccablo condition to clear the what we get there is merely crumbs accumulation of loading in the Townsville from the well-laden Brisbane table. yard. And what is the case in Townsville Since we put the gale up the Government, is also the case at Mackay and Cairns. it is tnw that the scraps luwc a little more lUr. Evans: Our mills had even to stop meat and bt ou them. Now ancl then we crushing. get a little gravy, but what 1ve want in North Queensland is the same rich fare that :i[r. AlKII~S: I shall deal with that is ladled out to the city of Brisbane. right now. Not only did the sugar mills stop crushing but the Townsville meatworks The people of North Queensland get a par stopped killing and watersiders were sent ticularly good deal from the Department home from the wharves because wagons could of l'ublic Instruction, bemuse it happens to not be supplied to take goods to the ship's have a fair-miniled Minister who has the side because no locomotives were in the interests of the country people ut heart, Yarcl '· The 1vhole of the industrial life of but I should not mina betting that at times Korth Queensland hns been paralysed time he acts in defianc0 of the southern influence and again this year because of the shortage in the Cabinet. of locomotives. JUr. nevries: I gave you a flagpole for :iir. Cob urn: Murison said it's a wonder nothing. the Northern railways run at all. iUr. AIKEN S: They say I won the elec l\Ir. AlKEN S: That is so. Men com tion on that flagpole. That is a tribute to petent to speak say that it is marvellous the the personality of the Minister, not to the department is able to continue at all in North policy of the Government. Queensland. I challenge the Secretary for Let me ileal with the Railway Department. Mines and Immigration who brands me as The annual report of the Commissioner for irresponsible when I mention these things, Railways last year showed that the Northern to cite one case where a Brisbane suburban railway system made a handsome profit and passenger train has been cancelled because the Central railway system a smaller profit, of the lack of locomotives. No. 1 priority nevertheless a profit, while the raihvay system has been given to the suburban passenger in the Southern division showed a big loss, train service which loses more money than and the metropolitan nrea of Brisbane showed the rest of the railway lines in Queensland the biggest loss of all. Would the Secretary put together. We hear talk of the Dajarra for Mines and Immigration say that we were Camooweal line and electrification of the irresponsible in pointing out that facH Brisbane suburban railway system. The Min '\Vould he say, for instance, that Messrs. ister has expressed himself in this House as Laurence and Young, of the Townsville being quite satisfied with the policy of the Chamber of Commerce who made a very fine Government in giving high priority to the and comprehensive report on the delapidated electrification of the Brisbane suburban rail state of the railway service in North Queens way system. I ask those who really have the land last year were just another couple of interests of the country at heart and believe northern irresponsibles ~ Does he point the in the national development of this country, finger at all those men and say, "You are what is more important to the future of Address in Reply. [30 AUGUST.] Address in Reply. 159 Queensland and what is more important to turn J'\orth Queenslanrl into the primary the development of Queensland, the electri wood·and·water joey fo;· the inc1ustriRl :tl"C-1 :fication of the Brisbane suburban railway of Brisbane; I have been a long time co:Lit· system or the construction of the Dajarra ing my facts to prove that contention up to Camooweal line~ The Queensland Labour the hilt, and I can do it today. Government have by-passed the building of the Dajarra-Camooweal railway and have Every move to establish secondary indus passed the buck onto the Commonwealth try in North Queensland has been either Government, but they are pushing ahead with frustrated or strangled by the Government. all speed and :finding all the money necessary They talk about guaranteeing the overdraft to rush ahead with the electri:fication of the of the Stuart Cement Company. Everyone Brisbane suburban railway system, knowing in North Queensland laughs when he hears full well that when the system is completely that. Fancy this Government guaranteeing electri:fied it will lose more money than it is :\H. Isa Mines Ltd., the Adelaide Steamship doing at the present time. Company, or the Darra Cement Company who own the Stuart cement works with a paltry The hon. member for Haughton says that £200,000 overdraft! Any one of these com he is happy about this because when the panies could guarantee the GoYernment 's Brisbane suburban railway system is electri cle1icit for a year! Fancy expect fied some of the Brisbane locomotives can be ing intelligent North Queenslanders to fall sent to country areas. That sums up the for that blarney! Through a chance question policy of the Government-the best for Bris that was asked by the hon. member for bane and what Brisbane does not want the Clnyfield, we discovered that the Government country can have. have thrown all their resources and most of The hon. member for Flinders has now their top-ranking officers into a committee become a great advocate for the development known as the Hamilton Lands Committee, of ::'\orth Queensland, but when he went to >rhich has been designed deliberately to estab face the election he got on the wrong train. lish in the area controlled by it all the He uid not know what train to take at Towns ,,_ ~ondary industry that can possibly be got vil!e to get to Hughenuen. I am pleased, !"or this State. hmrcvrr, to see that with his tongue at least ilir. F. E. Roberts: It is a very good he is becoming an advocate for the develop area. ment of North Queensland. Jir. AIKENS: It is all right for the Quite recently, as the result of a Press hon. member to push the parish pump, but controversy that the Premier had with the I am not a parish-pumper; I am looking at editor of the '' Townsville Daily Bulletin'' ihe matter from the broader viewpoint of it is somewhat strange to fi~d the editor Queensland's development and defence. and myself in the same corner, but this is about the only thing we can agree on and ·while members of the Government are it is that the Government have been neglect spending thousands of pounds of public ful of North Queensland-the Premier made money in developing the Hamilton lands and a most damning admission in an attempt to giving secondary industries all the concessions justify the Government's policy by stating in the world to go there, they come to the that from all Government sources this X orth and say, "We can't corn pel people to BrislJane Government or this Queen Street come to the North and establish industries. Government spent £13,000,000 last year in ' f they do not want to come up here, what Brisballe alone and only £11,000,000 in the (·an we do about iH" However, if anyone whole of )rorth Queensland. In other words, has the guts to try to establish a secondary the Premier admitted by his own words anrl imlustry in North Queensland, the Govern figurcs that his Government had spent ment immediately set out to drive him out of £2,000,000 more in this little metropolitan lnJSiness and send him to the metropolitan area of 385 square miles than in the whole :tr~a. They do that by their system of pref of North Queensland, which includes Mackay. erential rail freights, something that I vvish What more damning proof could one get of c·ould deal with more fully at this time. the Government's neglect of the North~ Whilst Government members tell us that And then we have the Government's they can do nothing about developing sPcond longue-in-tho·cheek attitude towards the ary industry in the North, how do they ('~tahlishment of secondary industries in instify the articles that appear in the Press ?\ orth Queensland. The other night I he~nc1 from time to time~ As I say, they come to :t Labour speaker over 4KQ saying that his the K orth and tell us that they cannot do c;overnmcnt believed in decentTalisation. I 'n;vthing about encouraging secondary inuus· 'vo11der if that dill knows what he is talking try to establish itself there. They say, "If n hout? The Italian Consul-General saic1 ove: the secondary industry people want to come the air last night that something will have t0 the North, well and good. But we cannot to be clone about finding employment in the tell them where to go and we cannot help it slack season in North Queensland to keep the if they do not go to North Queensland.'' present Italian migrants there. One of the Hmv-ever, we pick up "The Sunday Mail" greatest bugbears in the North is slacJ.~ of 5 September, 1954, and read that the season unemployment. 'l'ime and time again Government are planning a £100,000,000 I have accused the Government of trying to policy and their retention of free hospitalisa by His Excellency the Governor since taking tion in the face of Liberal Party opposition, over his high office. He has carried out his they would fully justify their existence. duties admirably in dealing with all classes The Brisbane General Hospital is a monu of people. His predecessor, Sir Leslie Wilson, lll<'llt to successive Labour Governments nud. was very popular as Governor of the State as a supporter of this Government, it is with and Sir J·ohn has proved himself to be an pride that I can claim that no person in excellent successor, highly regarded by Brisbane needing hospital treatment ktH every body. gone without it. Certainly there has been I have listen ell to many speeches in this some overcrowding at the General Hospital House, probably too many, but I have never in recent years, but the Minister and his before listened to one like that which was adYisers at the hospital have acted wisely in put into the hands of His Excellency by his allowing it. The question to be :msiYeretl advisers. It was a speech of self-adulation >q1s what was better f.or the patient. Was ancl consisted mainly of window-dressing. I it better that he should be forced to remain am sure whoever was responsible for its at home without receiving urgently needed prepamtion will never go short of a job hospital treatment, which unfortunately is so because there will always be one open for him in every other State, or that he should be as a window-dresser at Finney 's. I shall not nrlmitted to the Brisbane General Hospital. waste time on that because I have more admittedly at the cost of some overcro,Hling. important things to talk about. but where the best medical and nursing The subject of my speech to-clay is country attention is available and where health can looked upon as waste land. In Queensland be restored~ about 19,000,000 acres is so classed. When the Thanks to the Government, overcrowd'ng Department of Public Lands ancl Irrigation in the General Hospital will soon be a thi11g throws open lands for balloting, thousands of of the past. In his Opening Speech Ilis people have to go without, yet we have r·: cellency said- millions of acres of land on the verge of '' The new General Hospital at South being brought into full fertility. flrisbane will have 756 beds. December I was so much stimulated by reports of has teen set for the completion of a porti n the A.M.P. Society's project on the 90-mile of the building to accommodate 300 desert iu South Australia that I visited the patients as a first stage of the occupancy.·' area during the last Christmas holidays with This new hospital at South Brisbane will serve: the idea of seeing if something similar could the elecorates in the South Brisbane area be clone in Queensland. I feel sure that what m;,] it will be greatly appreciated by the I saw there will be of interest to hon. people. members ancl to landless people in Queens As a matter of interest, the average cost land who want to make a living from the .of each patient in the Brisbane General land. I spent two clays at a small town Hospital is approximately £2 10s. a clay, t'> in South Australia called Keith. At first "-hich the Commonwealth Government, despite l thought I was on one of our South Coast the millions they take in social servi<·es beach88 because the country looked like pure taxation, contribute a niggarilly 8s. a da~'· white sand. No doubt that is the result of One could deal with so many of the social bleaching for centuries in the sun. The services provided by this Govenrment that 1 developmental scheme embraces 500,000 acres feel incapable of doing justice to the subject. of land, in four separate areas, Tintinara, Ho,l-ever, when we see the dental servi·ces Keith, Bordertown, ancl Kaniva. I was mu1 the services given to the ageil in the astounded at what I sa"-· Six years ago Ew•nticle Homes at Brisbane, Rockhampton this little town of Keith had a population nnd Charters Towers, it is obvious that the of 600 people. Since the A.M.P. started to Opposition can find very little real fault with develop the area five or six years ago, the the Government. The Government have clone, population has increased to 3,000 people. In anl1 still are doing, a good job. I have no Victoria the A.M.P. Society are developing doubt that when finance permits they will another 250,000 acres under similar develop go ahead with more hospitalisation schemes mental conditions, and equally gool1 progresH and homes for the aged, providing even better is being made therE'. treatment and more comfort f.or the age,1 As I saw much of the country on the and sick of this State. I have sought to 90-mile desert is heath countrv ancl broom show the good work being clone for the great countl-y. They also have stunted mallee ancl mass of people ancl, as one who moves about some stunted stringy bark, ancl the country amongst the people continually, I say that appears somewhat similar to the country near they are very satisfied with this Govemment Coolum. I think at Coolum it is more and that this Government will uncloubtclllY heavily wooded than it is on the 90-mile have the honour to prepare the Speech with desert. "·hich his Excellency will open the Twenty fourth Parliament. The initial developmental process is "log ging.'' Powerful tractors (up to 135 draw lUr. KERR (Sherwood) (2.36 p.m.) : I bar horsepower), working in pairs on parallel should like to take this opportunity of tracks 100 yards apart, hauling up to 800 joining with other hon. members in expressing feet of ship's anchor chain, cover approxi appreciation of the the excellent work clone mately 100 acres an hour. That seemed 164 Address in Reply. [ASSEMBLY.] Address in Reply. rather extraordinary and I tried to get con Society's security being by way of mortgage firmation of it. I was told that it was pos on the land, coupled with the character and sible. The breaking down of wooded coun the ability of the man. try at 100 acres an hour is something of which we have probably never heard before. They have time to judge as to their Working individually, they haul either one character and ability. I was told that seven or two logs through the standing scrub. The or eight years ago it was bought for 3s. 6cl. weight and action of the logs and chains an acre. If you saw the land you would not effectively flattens the natural growth. Gum give 1s. an acre for it. Now, after clearing trees are, as far as possible, left standing and developing it they are getting £30 to and so preserved as stock shelter. Firing at £35 an acre. I travelled from Adelaide selected times in the burning season prepares through the Murray Valley and I spoke to a the land for ploughing. couple of men on the bus, one a farmer. He told me he had 600 acres and carried 800 The ploughing is done with the Majestic sheep and that his gross income for the year plough, with 28-inch or 30-inch discs. A was £7,000. I tried to work out how he got suitable seed bed is provided by a subsequent a £7,000 gross income from 800 sheep. IIe working vrith an implement called a leveller. 'olrl me that he had a 100 per cent. lambing This is of heavy steel construction and it aud he sold the fat lambs in Adelaide ut does a threefold job-root removal, soil con £1 15s. each, in addition to the wool. I solidation, and levelling. Yisited this area to which I have referretl Then comes the seeding of the newly-pre and I saw the men working on the A.M.P. pared land. The superphosphate dressing, Fojerts and I saw the private landholtlcrs. which contains the necessary 7 lb. of zinc '~Yerybody was perfectly happy, particulnrl,1· sulphate and 7 lb. of copper sulphate to the the men working on the A.M.P. schemes. acre, is applied at a cost of roughly 25s. an 'l'hey were full of optimism and hud no acre. The cost of the zinc sulphate and fears about acquiring a block of land after the copper sulphate is a very minor item. they had completed their period of work on They mix it all up, plough it in, and they the project. I was astonished at what l then have the land virtually ready for plant ;;nv:; you could see much better pastures ing. here. The Secretary for Agriculture awl Stock went up to Ooolum with the Leader I saw all these plants growing there, and of the Oppostion and the hon. member for apparently the most suitable were phalaris, Oooroora some time ago and showed us through tuberosa, lucerne, subterranean clover, a the experimental station. We were surprised ; South African grass called Perennial Veldt what we saw was an eye-opener. I have here grass, and Evening Primrose. two samples of sand: one is 90 mile desert I saw this country in the heat of summer sand a11d the other is Ooolum sand. There is and after the rainy season, and it was really a good deal more organic matter and humus at its worst. I saw the sheep and cattle in the 90 mile desert sand berause that area grazing on both the A.M.P. properties and is 300 to 400 miles from the coast whereas some of the privately-owned land. I have the other sample was obtained practically never seen better polled red shorthorns than right on the heach at Coolum. Glancing I saw on some of the private properties. at them there is not much difference They were in such good condition that I am between them, but I believe that it sure they would have rolled if they had been would cost more to bring the Ooolum. pushed over. They are fortunate in having sand to a state of fertility than the 90 mile an abundant supply of sub-artesian water desert sand. I shall now refer to a few :five or six feet below the surface, but it is notes that I have collected over the last three of no use for irrigation. What I saw there or fonr years. It has always been my aim te> is not comparable in any way with the be constructive, not destructive, and in pur irrigated area of the Lockyer, but the lucerne suance of that aim I endeavour to bring to does grow, and it has been proved that this notice anything that in my opinion may soil, which previously was regarded as infer assist to develop the State. Being a ln,· tile and waste land, can be brought into pro person I depend on the advice of experts. duction. There are 200 or 300 recruits I have questioned experts on this matter. working on these projects for wages. They I think the Government should realise, and work a minimum of :five years, the approxi the Secretary for Agriculture and Stocl' mate time required to develop an area of should realise too what can be done with land from the virgin stage until it is ready these millions of acres of waste land. M~· for allotment. The Society will, however, suggestion is that the land be leased to some reserve the right in the case of the younger l1ig organisation such as the A.M.P. so that or less experienced men to delay allotting a research work can be carried out. The rentnl block beyond the normal period of :five years. could be a peppercorn one. If the results Having proved the character and ability of being achieved by the A.M.P. Society in South the man, he is given priority to a developed Australia could be seen by potential settlers, farm with pastures soundly established and there would be plenty of applicants for this with water supplies underground (sub land. Technical officers should be sent to artesian) and fencing, a house and a shed South Australia to investigate the scheme. and, where necessary, the A.M.P. assist the The development of this waste land in purchaser of a property with :finance-the Queensland would mean that land would be Address in Reply. [30 AUGUST.] Address in Reply. 165 ~~vailable for all those who want it and there The mineral deficiency at Coolum has to a are thousands of such men in Queensland big extent been corrected. If it had not, today. we should not have seen the production we ll'Ir. A. Jones: Are you speaking of the saw when we visited that area. A.M.P. Society, the big insurance society? The article continues- llfr. KERR: Yes. '' Copper, zinc, molybdenum and cobalt are some of the elements most commonly Mr. A. Jones: I thought you mentioned deficient but it is also being shown that the A.L.P. the long-established results from super Mr. KERR: The South Australian pro phosphate are often due to the correction ject shows what big organisations are pre of deficiencies of sulphur and calcium as pared to do. If the A.M.P. Society can sec well as phosphorus,'' he said. daylight in such a scheme, surely the Govern "It is probably a gross under-estimate ment could make a start with the waste to say that this new knowledge will allow land in Queensland. I am not suggesting us to double our stock numbers. that the Government should do it. I am "In Queensland a beast to 10 acres, :l editions of the three handbooks sold out experimental stations and elsewhere. The quickly aiHl the second edition on pests and department is represented on the advisory diseases is now available, and new editions board which co-ordinates the activities of of the other two are in the course of farmers and various public authorities dealing prcpara tion. "-ith erosion control on catchment areas. The division of dairying directed its efforts No doubt we are all aware that the land towarus the improvement anu quality of dairy is a vital and most important asset. It is products in order to increase dairy production the keystone of our economy, and preservation in Queensland. The staff has been greatly ( f our top soil, which is the living surface strengthened in recent years. An efficient of the soil, must be ensured. I have found service has been given to the dairying in my experience that soil erosion occurs industry. Senior officers are stationed at 1luough many factors. Overstocking of appropriate centres in the chief dairying grazing properties and indiscriminate ring districts anu under their supervision are Larking are no doubt the cause of a lot of dairy advisers and dairy officers. Emphasis desolation on many properties today. is no>v placed on advisory services rather than Graziers and farmers, however, are becoming routine inspection. Due to increased mechan more soil conservation-minded anu many are isation of operations of dairy farming prac doing excellent work. tices in recent years, an adviser has been attached to the division to afford special Another matter in which the Government, service to farmers on dairy machinery. particularly the Departments of Agriculture and Stock and Public Lands and Irrigation The research and educational "-ork done have been interested for some time is the bv the bureau have contributed much tmvanls method of getting rid of brigalow. There placing the Queensland sugar industry so are 16,000,000 acres of good soil with an near the top in the world's scale in efficiency annual rainfall of between 20 inches and of sugar production. 'l'he ratio of tons of 30 inches that lie partly developed in the cane per ton of sugar manufactured is the brigalo11- country of Queensland. Millions best in the world. Strict methods of disease of acres of brigalow country have been cleared control have resulted in the eradication of and are producing wool, grain, beef and most of the important diseases. The cane mutton and many other agricultural products, grub which previously cnused losses of cane but many more millions of acres still await mined at almost £100,000 a ypar is com intensive· development. 'fhc development of pletely under control, as are virtually all this country is not easy bccauEe although other cane pests. Twenty thousand to 30,000 the yearlv rainfall is between 20 and 30 new varieties of cane are bred annually, and inchds mo~t of it is in the summer and spring half the crop now comprises varieties bred -autumn and winter are normally dry. ll' introduced by the Bureau. Farmers are Winter rainfall is erratic, particularly in '~iven an effiicent farm advisory service, and the more northerly regions. Droughts occur i1is is backed up by free laboratory services. ancl although the:y are no so frequent or The mill technology section has been greatly severe as in the more arid parts, they do f•xpanded in the post-war period, and it is make marginal for agriculture much of the playing a very important part in the mill brigalow country which is still not cleared. expansion programme involving an expendi Underground 'vater is not plentiful and people ture of some millions of pounds. who have sunlc bore:s have had to go to Soil conservation is another very important great depths to get water. What is more, matter and one which has not been bypassed the quality of the water is poor. The rain lJy the Government. A soil conservation fall in the catchment areas is not sufficient. •·<'ction of the department was established 'l'he brigalow country subsoil has good after the war so that the attack on soil holding qualities but in this black-soil Nosion in Queensland could be expanded ancl country it is difficult to get a sufficient intensified. The problem was most urgent, catchment to allow for a run off with one particularly on the Darling Downs, the South or two inches of rain. Despite the Burnett and Atherton 'l'ableland districts. disabilities most of the soil carrying brigalow Particular attention has been devoted to these is goocl soil. Brigalow is associated with good areas in the intervening years. Specially country as a rule and it is to be found trained soil conservation officers are stationed generally on black soil. This soil is capable at strategic centres to demonstrate anu give of greatly increased production if the land advice and guidance to fanners on the pre can be cleared, fenced, and watered, but one vention and control of soil erosion and correct of the major tasks is the clearing of the land useage. The present centres are Bris timber. Brigalow is a species of the acacia bane, Toowoomba, Pittsworth, Warwick, family. It is native to the belt of clay and !\:ingaroy and Atherton. Soil conservation ulack soils that stretch some 600 miles from demonstrations have been undertaken on the uoundary of ~ ew South Wales to the farms in various parts of the State and Burdekin i~iver in North Queensland. recommended conservation practices are Brigalow is usually found in dense scrub; shown to farmers on field days. To date the height and density of the scrub varies over 2,000 farmers have sought advice and from place to place according to soil and assistance in respect of about 500,000 acres situation. It might range from stunted of land. Research on soil conservation widely-spaced trees on the hard and shallow methods is being carried out on regional soils to tall evenly spaced trees on deep Address in Reply. [30 AuausT.] Address in Reply. 169 melon-holey soil. Other trees found growing scrub and suckers. The preliminary experi in association with brigalow are belah and ments were so promising that comparatively wilga. It is very noticeable in the more large-scale tests are now in progress. The southern parts of this State round Goondi tests are designed to determine the best windi. The brigalow tree itself has horizontal chemical, and the most effective rates and roots which branch extensively just under times of application. In addition, several neath the surface of the soil and this appears aircraft firms have been spraying brigalow to be the main reason why this timber is on a commercial scale, using the chemicals so difficult to eradicate. These roots take that appeared to be the best during the pre up much moisture and nutriment from the liminary trials. soil, leaving very little for grass to grow. In the dense scrub there is very little feed to In the original tests the chemicals used be found because of the amount of timber \Yere mixtures, 2, 4-D and 2, 4, 5-T, applied and the carrying capacity of this country at the rate of 1 lb., 2 lb., alHl 3 lb., emulsified is very low, but when cleared it will carry in water, at 3 gals. per acre. This proved a sheep to two acres. In the past the trees effective at 2 lb. aml 3 lb. Since then, further were killed mainly by ringbarking, but in \York has indicated that 2, 4-D in the mixture 1·ecent years machinery has been used to contributes little or nothing to the killing push them over, and at present the aerial effect and that J lb. of 2, 4, 5-T alone has the spraying of hormone poisons promises to same eiieet as 2 lb. of the mixed chemicals. provide a powerful new weapon in opening Iu the present series of experiments these up further country. These new methods, chemicals are used at different mtes applied of course, are much faster than ringbarking. both in oil and in water. After the trees have been ringbarked, they Commercial operators are using 1 lb. of die very slowly and the roots remain alive 2, 4, 5-T dissolwd in oil at about 3 gals. per for many years. After n patch of brigalow scrub has been ringbarked, grasses and weeds acre. By using oil instead of water it is pos grow in such profusion that the ground sible to make use of cheaper, unformulated quickly becomes a tangled mass, often so chemicals that are not soluble in water. The dense that the country is difficult to stock. oil solutions also appear to give better It then becomes necessarY to burn so that penetration in thick scrub than water-base(} the country can be m;naged effectively. sprays. Further, if employing ground equip However, burning too early causes wholesale ment oil would be uneconomical as a carrier suckering from the surface roots, and the and emulsified chemicals mixed with water mass of suckers is frequently thicker and "·ould be needed. It is still too early to know harder to clear than the original growth. which is the correct formula to use but To avoid this, it is usual to wait for four present indications arc that 2, 4, 5-T applied or five years, or even longer, before burning. at the proper strength is just as effective as In some districts Rhodes grass is sown ringbarkiug in killing virgin scrub nntl directly on the new burn, and in recent years suckers. 'l'he treated trees lose their leaves buffcl grass and green panic grass have also and grass grows amongst them. On areas of been used. Some places that arc favoured very dense suckers, there is often a patchy by rainfall or proximity to market are put flffeet due to shielding of one bush by another under the plough and sow~n for grain or and it is still not known what percentage of fodder crops, or cotton. In the Chinchilla these partially-damaged trees will survive. and Brigalow districts, large areas of briga However, the important fact is that grass has low country are growing wheat successfully, grown through these areas where there was but in much of the brigalow country the no grass before. 'l'hough the roots are not natural grasses have been allowed to grow yet dead, suckering generally has been less undisturbed. They provide good grazing than on similar areas treated with the axe. for cattle and sheep. Whilst aerial spraying is not the only way to As I mentioned previously, since the war clear brigalow, it has put into the hands of heavy machinery has been used to the landholc1er a powerful new weapon in the pull over or push down brigalow scrub. fight against brigalow suckers, which have This method is quicker than ring proved so troublesome to control by other barking and calls for less manpower. methods. It could be the means of opening However, it remains to be seen whether it large areas of new land quickly and with a is really successful. In some instances it is minimum of effort on the part of the possible to use sheep to control the growth individual landholder. of brigalow by grazing them on the suckers. Recently, in my electorate I was shown an When brigalow suckers first appear they are area of 1,500 acres that \vas sprayed with a almost white or a very pale green and not mixture of 2, 4, 5-T three years ago. The unlike feed in its early stages. Sheep will eat and destroy them at that stage. brigalow was in all stages of growth, the largest trees being about 4 inches in diameter. In 1951 the Department of Agriculture In the sprayed area there was not one green and Stock, in co-operation with graziers, tree. All were dE'ad. Small trees up to the started to experiment with another method of thickness of one's arm could be pushed over. destroying brigalow, that is, by spraying Before spraying, there was absolutely no feed chemicals from the air. Experiments are in that country. I knew the area well when I being carried out in destroying both virgin was an officer in the Department of Public 170 Address in Reply. [ASSEMBLY.] Address in Reply. Lands and Irrigation. At the time of my very high standard so that the people of those inspection there was an abundance of feed areas can receive equally as good medical throughout the area. attention as the people on the coast areas. With brigalow, sucker growth is a problem. I was rather impressed with the speech The owner, Mr. McLennan, told me that delivered by the hon. member for Sherwood; suckering had occurred on three occasions and and I compliment the hon. member. He at a height of about a foot to 18 inches the told the House that he had been to South suckers became hormone-affected. A second Australia and visited various parts. We growth of suckers became hormone-affected must agree that he gained some knowledge and died. At the time of my inspection the while he was on that visit. I often think sucker infestation could be described as that members of the Opposition generally isolated secrllings throughout, and these were are not conversant with many of our prob definite]·; ail hormone affected. The leaves lems. There is not one hon. member opposite were ab.out three times the normal size and who knows much about the industry that many were dead half-way back. Hormone the hon. member for Sherwood was speaking poisoning has that effect on the leaves, and about, or about the wool or beef industries, the leaves keep dying back. It does appear with the exception of the hon. member for that the hormone has been effective, ani! I Aubigny. I doubt if there is an hon. mem feel sure that the Department of Agriculture ber opposite who could mouth a sheep, yet · and Stock is continuing its fight to rid this some hon. members opposite attempt to tell country of the brigalow. Mr. Everist, their us about our primary industries. I doubt botanist, has also played a very important if there are many hon. members opposite part. lie lws paid regular visits to the who could tell us on which jaw the sheep sprayed area and is certain that the hormone has its teeth, the top or the lower. On this 2, 4, 5-T. is effective, although there is still occasion the hon. member did know some much to learn about vvhcn it should be thing about his subject. I agree with much sprayed. that he said. I think there are areas in Queensland that would be suitable for similar llir. J. R. TAYLOR (Balonne) (3.42 development to the land referred to in South p.m.): I think it is generally agreed that Australia. It is true that the development legislation implemented by Labour Govern down there is extensive. I have not seen it, ments over the years has been carefully con but I have read a good deal about it and sidereil and has been passed in the interests I have discussed it with people from Queens of the people of Queensland. land who have taken up land there. The high production has been brought about by I think this Government can be justly the use of trace elements. Although I am proud of having implemented the hospitalisa not an authority on the matter I have read tion system. It is a system that is sought by much on the subject. I believe if some offer every other country in the world. was made to the Queensland Government land could be found here that would lend I wish to refer briefly to the position that itself to development along the lines of that has developed in New South Wales and to undertaken in South Australia. We must compare it with the progress that has been have greater production in this State. There made in hospitalisation in Queensland. \Xle is only one way to do it--by developing read quite recently in the paper that hospital our land. I expressed the opinion recently fees in New South Wales had been increased that it may be a good idea to have a look from eight guineas to 12 guineas, from 12 at some of our land with a view to finding guineas to 18 guineas, and in the private out whether it would be practical to divide rooms from 18 guineas to £25 4s. When one them into smaller areas than we are doing at compares the Queensland system, under which the present time. Today, with the conveni a person entering a public hospital in a public ences that are available in the way of waril gets free medical treatment and machinery and the assistance rendered by hospitalisation, with the system in New South the Department of Agriculture and Stock, Wales, it will be seen that we are far ahcall the tendency is to grow more fodder, and of that State and any other State in the to improve pastures. That in turn increases Commonwealth. People entering hospital in the carrying capacity of the land. The state New South \Vales do not get free treatment ment is often made that the man on the land by doctors; in Queensland they do. I am sure is not making the effort he should, and that the people of Queensland generally appreciate brings me to another point-excessive taxa that and that alone will return this Govern tion. It is all very well to say that land ment at the next election. I have travelled should be used to its full capacity. I believe extensively and discussed these questions. that, if a man does not use his land to its The people are very thankful that the full capacity, it should be taken from him Labour Government in Queensland held out and given to somebody who will make the when the pressure was brought to bear on most of it, but today men are not putting them and retained free hospitalisation here. their land to its best advantage because of We have splendid hospitals in Queensland; high taxation. A man will not run risks as one goes from town to town and district and work tremendously hard when he knows to district one can observe what is being done that at the end of 12 months he will be in that direction. Even in the inland areas of called upon to meet a huge taxation assess the State our hospitals are brought up to a ment. Primary production is the backbone Address in Reply. [30 AUGUST.) Address in Reply. 171 of our economy. If it is destroyed, I do not people out there know what I am doing. I know how the country will survive. I dis should like briefly to refer to the project cussed this matter with graziers as recently Pina ·carried out by the Department of as yesterday. One man at St. George said Irrigation and Water Supply in the St. to me, ''When I meet you in 10 years' time, George district. Yes, I refer to the . J a~k I will be worse off than I am today if the Taylor Weir. It is one of the best wens m present rate of taxation is still levied." I ~ucensland, and I feel honoured and proud told him that in my opinion he would not ,, hen I see the name ''Jack Taylor'' written be on the land if taxation was still levied up. It is a monument to good government. at the same rate, that he would be bank lUr. H. n. Taylor: Look out that it does rupt, and he agreed. 1;ot go like the Arthur Jones weir. Mr. H. B. Taylor: Show us how that comes about. lUr. J. R. TAYLOR: It will not. This \Yeir will serve some 37 farms. The land iUr. J. R. TAYLOR: I am not going to ::bout it is good and there is no need for the take up the time of this House in explain uRc of trace elements. This fertile land will ing things that should be known to hon. iJe irrigated in perhaps two or three years members opposite. :md there will be happy and contented people Jiying on the irrigated farms. They will 3Ir. H. B. Taylor: You are making make a good living and so add to the welfare extravagant statements. I am asking you to explain them. of the State and the nation. lUr. H. B. Taylor: Will they charge £5 .Mr. J. R. TAYI,Olt: Another man an acre foot f.or the wated recently showed me his bank statement. His current account showed a credit balance of Mr. J. R. TAYLOR: From memory, I do £17,000. His taxation assessment was 'ot know the charges to be made, Lut the £71,000. He told me he would have to sell ltun. member can rest assured that they will £70,000 or £80,000 worth of bullocks to pay .e in keeping with the usual generosity of his taxation, and next year he will have to 1he Government. It will be an economic pay tax on part of that £70,000. That is , barge. I cannot tell the hon. member what one instance. I could mention many others. it will be, because it has not yet been 1rorked out, but it will be generous and one Dr. Noble: They all seem very happy. :tcceptable to the people who will be lucky 1Ur. J. R. TAYLOR: But they will not ·nough to win land ballots. be happy in years to come. As my friend Another thing that will have to be tackled the hon. member for Warrego has appropri Yery soon is the menace of Koogoora burr. Of ately remarked to me, they are happy now course, most hon. members on the other side because they are well represented. of the Chamber do not know what I am Under the present system of taxation there talking about when I speak of the Noogoora is no way in the world they can survive. burr. The hon. member for Yeronga does not go :!Ir. ne war: There is a fair bit of it in beyond the boundaries of his own little my electorate on land owned b-y the Depart electorate. I invite him to come out into ment of Public Instruction. the country with me and discuss the problems of the people living in those areas. It is Mr. ,J. R. TAYLOR: There may be some a subject that is agitating the minds of in the metropolitan area, but virtually none those people. I am not putting up a case at all in comparison with the inland areas for the graziers alone. My remarks cover of the State. And it is progressively getting workers as well, because the people out there worse. I said at Dirranbandi the other day depend upon a primary industry for a living. that if steps were not taken soon to control The worker, the grazier and the storekeeper it, it would not be many years before it are connected with this industry and depend took control of the country. on it for their livelihood. As sure as there It is estimated at the present time that is rice in China, they will not survive the the annual loss to the wool industry from system of taxation in force today. Noogoora burr is between £2,000,000 and I think that much can be done along the £3,000,000. That loss will continue to increase lines suggested by the hon. member for because the burr is spreading very quickly. Sherwood. The Government are quite happy In times of flood the seeds are carried down and pleased to assist anybody who woulu stream and they soon germinate after the like to make an effort such as is being made waters recede. Each successive flood makes in South Australia and Victoria. the position worse. If something is not That brings me to the thought that we haYe done about it very soon, the wool industry in recent years made very rapid strides in will go out in many parts of Queensland. this State in relation to irrigation. I know Some of our best sheep lands are on river that there are those who would like to con frontages, and that is where the Noogoora would not have to worry about the fee. We find levied against one small section of the people. today that in that office there are approxi It is a tax imposed upon the 7 per cent. of mately 100 officers and personnel. It is costing the people who own land. the taxpayers over £141,000 a year to keep this department going and, at the same time, the The then Minister for Public Instruction, Mr. Hardacre, said that it would be a means taxpayers in local authority areas have to of forcing people to improve their land. So pay a heavy penalty for the valuations far as my area in the South Coast is con carried out. The first charge made against cerned I do not think the people could the area that I represent, the town of the improve it any more rapidly than they are South Coast, in 1950 when the valuation was doing now. I feel that it was never intended carried out was £1,000 a year for five years. that people in built-up areas, such as 1 In othPr words it meant £5,000 for the five represent, people with small holdings, should year period for the valuation carried out by have to pa;y lanc1 tax. The Minister at the Valuer-General in 1950. In 1955 back the time also said that it would have the again he came to do a re-valuation of the effect of breaking up large estates. I want area. According to the Minister who intro to know where are the large estates in the duced the Bill the charge on the second South-eastern portion of this State. There is occasion was to be a nominal one-merely none in my electorate. The only people who the writing up of the rate book and the mm land have building allotments or small straightening out of any sales in the interim. dairy or agricultural farms of about 100, On the second occasion, in 1955, the local 200,· or 300 acres. authority got a terrific shock. We found that this valuation cost us £1,700 a year for five On the reasons given for the introduction years. So in the course of perhaps 10 years of land tax, I cannot for the life of me we in that area will be called upon to find ~Pe whv it ~houlf1 he lPYiecl in my area, or in nny other h<'m·ily lJUilt-uJl area in the State. the . best part of £13,000 or £14,000. Is that sort of thing to go on indefinitely~ Mr. Hardacre concluded by saying that The local authority and the people concerned when that Parliament ceased to exist, the cannot stand up to it. I can see only one memory of the legislation would shine in reason ·why the Valuer-General has concen history like a brilliant star. It certainly trated on the South-east portion of Queens shines like a brilliant star for many people land and that is to outain land tax. So far who own allotments in my area. It has as the local authority is concerned it would made many of them see stars. Until he as well off in reverting to the old method recently many of them had never heard of of calling tenders for revaluation of the area land tax but today they are paying it, and every five years. Before I g·et onto the sub paying through the nose. ject of land tax it is necess:uy to let hon. members know the history of it-when it was It is very refreshing to know that in 1953 brought in, by whom it was introduced and the Federal Government, which up till then for what purpose. On Hl -"' ovelllbrr, 1 !115, had also levied land tax, stepped completely a Queensland J_,abour Government introduced out of that field. They collected approxi land tax. In the first year of its introduction mately £6,500,000 a year from land tax, but the late Mr. Theodore, then Trensurer in the because it is my party's policy not to levy Ryan Government nimed at collecting land tax, the Federal Government stepped £165,000. The object IYas to get more revenue. completely out of the field. Immediately they did that, however, Labour Governments He felt that the GovernnlC'nt IHtcl to have tried to capitalise on the position. more revenue and the best way to get it was to levy a tax on freehold land. I might I have already said that in the early days mention that in that year, Hl15, this State of land tax the exemption in respect of urban was in the grip of perhaps one of the ~t properties was £300. In 1951 it was serious droughts it has ever known but tax increased to £500 and in 1953 to £700, but collected was still £165,000. The exemption even with the increased exemption the originally was £300. As a war-time measure, receipts from land tax in this State rose to a super land tax was introduced in 1917. £1,079,624, compared with less than £400,000 That tax was retained until the Moore Gov a few years ago. :rnment took ofiice in 1930, although it was mtroc1uced as a temporary measure. In the The whole of the State originally was to be valued in seven years, but not half the following year the Moore Government abol local authority areas have yet been valued ished the super land tax but it was re-intro once while some have been valued twice. duced in 1932 by a Labour Government. It is 11 years since the legislation was intro Du,-ing the passage of the Land Tax Bill duced and, far from straightening out in the Legislative Council, Mr. Hamilton, anomalies, it has increased them and made the then Leader of the Government for greater inequities than ever. The whole in that Chamber, said that the measure State is bristling with inequities and anoma was a prominent plank in the Labour lies in the valuation of land. I say deliber policy and one of the fairest and ately that there are now more anomalies and soundest means of raising money. I cannot greater disparities between the various shires, agree with him. It is the most sectional tax cities, and towns of Queensland than there ever introduced by a Government, It is a tax were before the Valuer-General's Department Address in Reply. [30 AUGUST.] Address in Reply. 175 was established. Many people are suffering £6,452,385, 1,914 are in the £700-and-over greater hardship, and many areas have not bracket-which is the minimum exemption been valued at all. for land tax in an urban area.' '' That statement is correct. He went on to JUr. Hilum: What about the speech you made a couple of years ago in which you say- praised the Valuer-General~ You will have '' 'However, the bulk of these _1914 to eat your words. properties are leasehold land, and not hable to land tax.' :l[r. GA VEN: When the Minister brought ''That completely explodes the bogey this matter before my notice in 1951, I raised about the imposition of land tax pointed out to him-and I am prepared on owners of South Coast properties.'' to stand up to what I said then that the Valuer-General would have He then held up this propaganda that he to get the best men for the job of valuing had and said- the whole of Queensland. I agreed with the '' I have suspected all along that a large work that he had done up till 1951. I do percentage of properties in the South Coast not agree, however, with what he is doing area are leasehold and do not attract land now. He has not attempted to finish his tax.~' job. He has valued 22 areas for the second occasion. Mr. Hilton: That is correct. Mr. Hilt on: He has to do that in accord J.Ur. GA VEN: He continued- ance with the Act. '' 'L'he statement is very significant JUr. GA VEN: What he has done has not despite all the noise that the hon. member been in accordance with the Act. Let us have for Southport made about me.'' a look at the Act. Since 1944 it has been I wnnt to make it clear that at no time amended six times-in 1946, 1947, 1949, did I mention the 'L'reasurer 's name in con 1950, 1951 and 1953. I think any fair nection with lanfl tax or valuations on the minded member of this Chamber will agree South Coast. The Secretary for Public Works that there must have been something radically and Housing and I had a little brush fn the wrong with it in the first place when it had Pre,'-'s over it but the Treasurer's name was to be amended six times. As far as I am never mentioned. The Treasurer continued- concerned, it need not be amended for a '' His own statements are quoted here. seventh time. Unless the principle envisaged Obviously he did not go into the figures. by it is to be made effective, the people Practically no land tax will come from of this State will be far better off if it is that area according to the figures given repealed. It would result at least in the by Mr. Serisier.'' saving of the £141,000 annually that it costs to keep the department functioning. The real I want to make it perfectly clear that Ml'. principle of the Act has never been given Serisier is a very able officer and I should effect to, and today there are more anomalies say that 99 times out of 100 his figures would than ever before. Unless the Valuer-Gen· be accurate. Ho1.-ever, when the Treasurer eral's Department gets on with the job made this statement I made it my business instead of going back over the same people to go to the local authority and get the true and pin-pricking them and creating anomalies picture. I found that 1,914 of the 12,000-odd and hardships, the Act will be no good at properties on the South Coast had been all. Further than that, if the Act is to be valued at over £700. Although the Treasurer the means of driving working men and said the bulk of them were leasehold and women, old-age and invalid pensioners, out did not a ttmct land tax, I found that of the of their homes, something is wrong with it 1 914 above £700 onlv 201 were leasehold and it should be altered. l~nd. I am su;prised at the Treasurer's The Treasurer challenged me to produce disclosing that without making absolutely cases of age and invalid pensioners who had certain that he was on safe ground. The Secretary for Public Works and Housing been brought into land tax by this Act and I now accept his challenge. Replying to the inter,jected that it was correct. hon. member for Coorparoo the Treasurer lUr. Hilton: He is referring to the whole held up a whole handful of propaganda and of the area, not just the £700 bracket. Press cuttings and he told the hon. member that he could have obtained the information ~Ir. GA VEN: I have just tried to clear that was publisherl in the Press by the up the little misrepresentation about the Town Clerk of the Town of South Coast, leasehold land. 201 out of 1,914 arc leasehold. Mr. Serisier. He said- The Treasurer said the bulk of the 1,914 " This statement attributed to Mr. were leasehold. Serisier appeared in 'The South Coast News'- )lr. Hilton: In what group} ' A statement produced by the Chief Jir. GA VEN: On the South Coast. Administrator (Mr. W. F. Serisier) shows that of the 12,672 properties on the South Jlfr. Hilton: He was referring to the Coast now valued at an aggregate of whole of the group. 176 Address in Reply. [ASSElVIBLY.] Address in Reply. ~Ir. GA VEN: I cannot be side-tracked )fr. GAVEN: Yes, it is all here. The that 'vay. I have read the ~tatement. I will next .one, another age pensioner, had an old read it again for the benefit of the Minister. .-a),Jation of £400; the new valuation is Here it is- £1,415. He is now up to £70 15s. a year for '' .... of the 12,672 properties on the rates. He has land tax of £5 4s. 3d. to pay, South Coast ... 1,914 are in the £700 and and water and garbage services, approxi over bracket-which is the minimum mately £10, or a total liability of £86 to live exemption for land tax in an urban area.'' in his own home. :ur. Hilton: What area of land? lUr. HUton: £820 is the effective exemption, as you know. J[r. GA VEN: The area of land here is two allotments . .iUr. GA VEN: I will clear that up in a moment. However, the bulk of these 1,914 Mr. Hilton: Was the first case you properties is made up of leasehold land. You quoted two allotments also~ cannot have it any clearer than that. That is )Ir. GA YEN: The first is 32 perches. the statement made by the Treasurer which I have proved to be an incorrect one. Mr. Aikens: You do not call that two allotments. Thirty-two perches is just a To bear out the facts and prove beyond decent allotment. any shadow of doubt that many of these age pensioners have been brought into land tax, ")Ir. GA VE.N: In the next case the old I am prepared again to hand to the valuation was £540 and the new valuation Treasurer a statement which proves it very £1,255. His new rate is £57 10s. a year, his clearly. I do not want to appear in the land tax is £4 ls. a year, and to that must role of a Smart Alick or score off be added cost of the water and garbage. His the Treasurer. I am doing this to total liability is £71 10s. a year. He has lived prove that what I said is correct, and I 40 years in "the same house. The next one is am counting on him, as a responsible member another age pensioner. The old valuation was of this Government, to do something to assist £300 and the new valuation is £1,190. The the'e people and help them out of their rates are £65, and the land tax £3 12s., a dilelllma. I do not intend to bandv the names total of £68 J Os. The next one, again an age of these people around this House; I do not pensioner, goes from an old Yalua tion of £265 think it is fair; but the names of the people, to a new valuation of £1,380. His old rates the properties, the streets they live in and Ycere £25 and his new rates £63, plus £10 for everything else are here and I am prepared to water aml garbage, making £73, plus £5 for hand the statement to him if he is prepared land tax, or a total of £78. to assist them. ltir. Hilton: The local authority will Mr. Hilton: How many of them are have to do something about it. (Opposition there1 laughter.) It is the local authority that is doing it. (Opposition interjections.) 1\Ir. GA VEN: The first one is an age pensioner living in Southport. His new I\'Ir. SPEAKER: Order! valuation is £1,225. His valuation was raised ltir. GA VEN: Now I come to the old from £48:3. He is up to £70 a year and pays Australian industrial unionists-the good old land tax of £3 16s. 7d. a year. His full ,,-orkers-in my opinion the best people in t!Je liability, after paying rates of £56, is £70 c-ountry. That is why I try to assist them. a year-to live in his own home. This is the case of a Council employee who Mr. Hilton: The local authority can give is living on the basic wage. His old valua him a concession in rates. tion was £340. In 1943 he bought the house and land and everything for £750, and his ltfr. GA VEN: I want to be fair; I shall valuation has now risen to £1,680. His old Mr. GA YEN: No, but the Government are reaping a tremendous revenue. (Time expired.) Debate, on motion of Mr. Eastment, adjourned. The House adjourned at 4.57 p.m.