Queensland

Parliamentary Debates [Hansard]

Legislative Assembly

THURSDAY, 7 SEPTEMBER 1961

Electronic reproduction of original hardcopy

244 Questions [ASSEMBLY] Questions

THURSDAY, 7 SEPTEMBER, 1961 cannot be agreed that at the time of the closure of the line the combined value of the two sets of yards was approximately £200. Similar yards at Kalbar, built at the Mr. SPEAKER (Hon. D. E. Nicholson, same time and including gates, races, etc., Murrumba) took the chair at 11 a.m. were recently valued by the Valuer-General on the basis that they might be disposed of QUESTIONS and allowed to remain on the present location. Even under such conditions his SALE OF RAILWAY TRUCKING YARDS value of the yards complete was only £50." !VIr. IUULLEH. (Fassifern) asked the Minister for Transport- SALE OF TOBACCO LEAF, CLARE, MILLAROO "(1) Is it a fact that the railway trucking AND DALBEG AREAS yards situated at the Mount Edwards Rail­ way Station on the now closed Mount Mr. COBURN (Burdekin) asked the Edwards Line have been sold privately for Minister for Agriculture and Forestry- removal at the ridiculously low price of "(!) What was the tonnage of tobacco £2 10s.?" leaf offered for sale and the tonnage sold "(2) Is it a fact that a similar set of from the Clare, Millaroo and Dalbeg areas yards situated at Aratula on the same for each of the years since tobacco was line has been sold for the sum of £2?" first produced in these areas?" "(3) Is he aware that the total combined "(2) What were the total gross receipts value of the two sets of yards is approxi­ from the leaf sold from these areas for mately £200?" each of the years aforementioned?" . "(4) Will he take the necessary action Hon. 0. 0. MADSEN (Warwick) replied- m future to prevent further reckless "(! and 2) It is regretted that complete disposal of unwanted Railway property?" details are not available to supply all of Hon. G. Yr. W. CHALK (Lockyer) the information sought by the Honourable replied- Member particularly in regard to the quan­ tity of tobacco leaf offered for sale from "(1 to 4) I deny that there has been any various areas. Prior to 1957-1958 figures reckle"s disposal of unwanted railway of sales of leaf from the Clare, Millaroo property as stated by the Honourable and Dalbeg areas were grouped with other Member for . ~assifern. . With his many North Queensland coastal areas such as years of pohtical expenence, I am sur­ Ayr, Ingham and Woodstock whose leaf is pnsed that he has allowed himself either sold on the same floor and listed in the to be recklessly misled by his informant, same catalogues. However, I have had or to become so much out of touch with prepared a statement showing tonnages, certain happenings in his own electorate. etc., in respect of the three centres referred The circumstances in relation to the to for the periods 1957-1958 to 1960-1961. matters raised by his questions are as Information has also been prepared show­ follows:-\Vhen the Mount Edwards ing total figures for the North Queensland Branch line was closed an inspection was coastal districts for the periods 1949-1950 made by the Department for reclaimable to 1960-1961. The statement I have materials. A report on the condition of referred to is of considerable length, and the cattle and sheep yards at Mount with the permission of the House I will Edwards and Aratula indicated that it lay it on the table." would not be economical to spend money dismantling them as most posts were Whereupon the hon. gentleman laid the rotted in the ground and most of the statement on the table. rails of the yards which were spiked to the posts were badly split and weathered. There were, however, six gates and one CONVICTION AND PARDON OF ANTHONY swing race attached to the yards at Mount FRANCIS CAVANAGH Ed\\ ards and six gates, a swing race and Mr. DONALD (Ipswich East), for Mr. a portable race attached to the yards at BENNETT (South Brisbane), asked the Aratula, which were considered to have Minister for Justice- value, and all these items were removed by the Department. All that then remained "(!) Has the Cavanagh Pardon Case as was uncerviceable material, the removal yet been thoroughly investigated? of which would have involved the Depart­ "(2) Has the matter been referred to the ment in considerable expense. To have Crown Law Office for the purpose of allowed it to remain there would have finding some charge to levy against led to the accumulation of rubbish the investigating police officers? creation of a fire risk, or possibly lo~s by "(3) Has the Crown Law Office been theft. The Department, therefore, readily told to find some charge at all costs? accepted offers of £2 1 Os and £2 for the mnvanted material at Mount Edwards "(4) Has it been suggested that they and Aratula respectively, subject to the should endeavour to find evidence of a purchaser undertaking prompt removal. It charge for conspiracy? Questions [7 SEPTEMBER] Questions 245

"(5) Is it correct that legal officers in the advantage of the fast goods service to Crown Law Office are giving opinions, North Queensland in preference to other differing one ~rom the other, concerning Northern services, and are endeavouring to these prosecutiOns?" arrange their deliveries to Roma Street so as to take the fullest advantage of such Hon. A. W. MUNRO (Toowong) replied­ fast service. Certain business houses are "(1) Yes." to be commended for the part they are ''(2) The matter has been referred to playing in a revival of business back to the Crown Law Office for the purpose of the railways, and Tuesday's happening is considering whether on the evidence any regretted by the Railway management. charges are open." However, very definite steps are being taken by the Commissioner in an endeavour "(3) No." to avoid a recurrence of the excessive "(4) No." queueing of vehicles, although it must

EDUCATION OF CHILDREN IN NECESSITOUS "(3) Is he aware that William Phillip CIRCUMSTANCES Walsh, a man with a criminal record, was involved in a £403,000 sale of molybdenite Mr. DONALD (Ipswich East), for Mr. mmmg leases at Mount Perry to LLOYD (Kedron), asked the Minister for DAVCO?" Labour and Industry- "(4) Is it a fact that DAVCO has not "(!) Is special assistance made avail­ observed a provision of the Companies able to assist in the education of Act in that it has not lodged trust deeds children of parents who are wigowed, aged, which are required to show where moneys or are war pensioners and who may not the company received had been lodged wish to apply to the State Children and also that it carried out business in Department? a proper manner?" "(2) Is similar assista_!lce available to "(5) Is he aware whether DAVCO took parents who are in receipt of unemploy­ any action to ensure that interest payments ment and/ or sickness benefit from the to machine owners would be safeguarded?" Commonwealth Department of Social Services? Hon. A. W. MUNRO (Toowong) replied- "(3) If this assistance is not available to "(!) No. It would appear that the those in receipt of unemployment benefit, Honourable Member is confusing this com­ when was this assistance discontinued?" pany with a firm of a somewhat similar name." Hon. K. J. MORRIS (Mt. Coot-tha) "(2) No." replied- "(1) Special assistance is granted by my "(3) No." Department to parents in receipt of Relief "(4) This matter is the subject of Assistance from the Department of Labour enquiry. At this stage I am not aware as and Industry, for the purchase of books to whether or not there has been a breach and school requisites for their children of The Companies Acts." attending primary schools, and who are "(5) See answer to Question 4." included in the Relief Scale of the parents. This policy was established in 1935 and WoNBAH MOLYBDENITE MINE, MT. PERRY has not been varied at any time since by successive Labour Governments, nor by the Mr. AIKENS (Townsville South) asked the present Government." Minister for Development, Mines, Main Roads and Electricity- "(2 and 3) See answer to (1)." "(!) Does he consider that the Wonbah molybdenite mine near Mt. Perry, situated SOOT NUISANCE, REGIONAL BOARD, on Mining Lease 107, is a payable pro­ TOWNSVILLE position for a major company?" Mr. AIJKENS (Townsville South) asked the "(2) Does he consider that the mine Minister for Development, Mines, Main was worth £403,000?" Roads and Electricity- "(3) Is he aware that the 'Queensland "Has any action been taken or is pro­ Government Mining Journal' of October posed to be taken to minimise the damage 20, 1943, reported that the Wonbah mine and inconvenience caused by the discharge had a possible reserve of only 10,000 tons of soot from the chimneys at the Towns­ of metal?" ville Regional Electricity Board's power "(4) Is he also aware that on the house on Murder Island, Townsville, and, expected recovery rate of 0.66 per centum, if so, what?" only sixty-six tons of molybdenite would Hon. E. EVANS (Mirani) replied- be recovered from the reserve?" " I am advised by the Commissioner for Hon. E. EVANS (Mirani) replied- Electricity Supply that the Townsville "(1) The mine was a prospect worthy of Regional Electricity Board, with the further investigation and development in approval of the Commission, has placed order to establish whether or not substan­ an order for the supply and installation tial reserves of ore existed. Information of additional equipment at the Power available to my Department is that the Station designed to further reduce the present holder has done little constructive emission of grits." work in the direction of attempting to prove further reserves." INVESTIGATION OF DEVELOPMENT AND "(2) No." VENDING CoRPORATION "(3) The geological report referred to Mr. AIKENS (Townsville South) asked the was made 18 years ago on the work then Minister for Justice- done. The estimate of possible reserves of "(1) Has the Auditor-General's Depart­ 10,000 tons therein was ore, not metal." ment begun an investigation into the affairs "(4) In view of the fact that the work of Development and Vending Corporation done recently has not increased the in Queensland?" estimated reserves of ore, the simple "(2) Have the company's books been arithmetical problem worked out by the seized?" Honourable Member is correct." Questions [7 SEPTEMBER] Questions 247

lNDOOROOPILLY TOLL BRIDGE under the portion of the Act dealing with the cessation of the owner's right to Mr. SHERRINGTON (Salisbury): I desire collect tolls would not be warranted at to ask the Minister for Development, Mines, this stage as it would involve the payment Main Roads and Electricity whether he has of heavy compensation." an answer to the following question, which I addressed to him on September 5- "In view of the reported statement in ORDERS IN COUNCIL UNDER LANDLORD AND the financial columns of 'The Courier-Mail' TENANT ACT of Wednesday, August 30, that the com­ Mr. HANLON (Baroona) asked the pany operating the Indooroopilly toll Minister for Justice- bridge had already announced a thirty-five per centum ordinary dividend- "(1) With reference to Orders in Council under the Landlord and Tenant Act tabled (!) What was the original cost of by him on August 22, 1961, under which construction and subsequent expenditure the application of parts of that Act ceased on the bridge? to apply to certain premises as described (2) What is the amount of toll col­ in the schedules thereto, why, in three lected since it commenced operation? of the five Orders in Council tabled, is (3) Will consideration be given to a the schedule confined to the Real Property termination of the franchise in accord­ description rather than also adding a ance with the original agreement which description more easily identified such as provided for a determination of the street name and number and district, in length of franchise based on repayment lay terms?" of the cost of the bridge plus a reason­ "(2) Will he consider in the future able return of profit on the original adding such details to these Orders in outlay?" Council as under present procedure a Member of this House would be obliged Hon. E. EVANS (Mirani) replied- to make a search to identify the premises "(!) The fair original cost was referred to in the Order in Council?" £124,129 Ss. 6d. The costs incurred in connection with the operation of the "(3) What are these details relating to bridge, including the amounts paid in the three Orders in Council referred to Income Tax, as reported by the company above?" to the Commissioner of Main Roads, have totalled £326,267 Os. 7d. up to February Hon. A. W. MUNRO (Toowong) replied- 14, 1961, the usual reporting date." "(1) In the three Orders in Council "(2) Tolls and rentals received to referred to by the Honourable .Member in February 14, 1961, have totalled his Question, the premises are situated on £708,608 18s. 9d." the whole of the land which is adequately described in the Real Property description. "(3) The arrangements which led to the The practice is that where only part of the building of the Indooroopilly toll bridge premises is affected by an Order in Council, were made in 1931 when the depression then it is necessary to give a more detailed was at its height and, as well as creating description of these premises than in the a measure of employment, provided a case where the property affected is the means of access between the city and the whole of the property concerned, e.g., the western suburbs of Brisbane. The com­ Order in Council may apply only to a pany which undertook the financial risk number of rooms in a building. In this was entitled to recompense. The franchise case, the number of rooms in the building is governed by the provisions of the Tolls would be described by their numbers and on Privately Constructed Road Traffic consequently, the Order in Council would Facilities Act of 1931 and an Order in have to have a more detailed description Council issued under that Act on than just a Real Property description. In November 19, 1931. Section 19 of the some cases in the past, where the whole of Act sets out the specific method of cal­ the land is described in the Schedule, culating the reimbursement to the com­ further information is also included in the pany of the 'fair original cost'. The Schedule in order to identify a particular expiry date of the maximum period of building." the franchise is February 14, 1971. The Act gives the Government power to deter­ "(2) Yes." mine the franchise before then, after giving "(3) In the Order in Council dated April twelve months' notice, but, unless the fair 13, 1961, the Order referred to the City original cost has been recouped in the Mutual Building, 307 Queen Street, Bris­ manner specified in the franchise, the bane; in the Order in Council dated April Government would be required to pay 20, 1961, the Order referred to business a considerable sum to the company by premises at Waterworks Road and Mono­ way of compensation. In accordance with plane Street, Ashgrove; and in the Order the provisions of the Act, there is still in Council dated June 29, 1961, the Order a balance of the fair original cost remain­ referred to the Queensland Insurance ing to be recouped. The taking of action Building, 371 Queen Street, Brisbane." 248 Questions [ASSEMBLY] Questions

CLOSURE OF FOUNDRY IN MOULDERS SHOP, no already surveyed allotments in the IPSWICH RAILWAY WORKSHOPS hands of the Crown at Cape Pallart:nda. As your present question now correctly Mr. DONALD (Ipswich East) asked the states, they are merely a designed drawing Minister for Transport- on a survey map. The Commission now has "Is it the intention of the Department land at Townsville to accommodate over to close the foundry in the moulders shop 400 families. All this land is situated at the North Ipswich Railway Workshops? reasonably close to the city, and essential If so, why? services, including transport, are presently available. The development by the Com­ H

COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR remark by the hon. member for Rock­ BEEF-CATTLE ROADS hampton North. If anyone can throw light on the previous remark he may do so. Mr. BROMLEY (Norman) asked the Premier- Mr. Thackeray: The Minister for Transport "Will he indicate to the people of called me "a pinhead" and in retaliation Queensland whether he and his colleagues, I called him a "ratbag."_ who attended the recent discussion in Canberra with Mr. Menzies and his Mr. SPEAKER: Order! I draw the atten­ advisors, are completely happy with the tion of the Minister to the fact that that is allocation of the £4.35 million to Queens­ an unparliamentary remark, and I ask him land to be spent over five years with the to withdraw it. the proportion of money received by the Mr. Chalk: If the remark I made was other States of the Commonwealth and accepted as being applicable to the hon. western Australia in particular?" member, I withdraw it. Hon. G. F. R. NICKLIN (Landsborough) Mr. SPEAKER: I shall give the hon. replied- member for Rockhampton North a further "Queensland has received this money as opportunity to withdraw his remark. a straight-out grant, without any strings attached to it for the specific purpose of M.r. Thackeray: I accordingly do so. constructing beef roads in the Gulf country. The Government is satisfied that Mr. SPEAKER: I repeat to all hon. mem­ it is a worthwhile and decisive contribution bers my warning in regard to cross-firing and to the development of North Queensland. interjecting during question time. I believe the question of assistance this State receives from the Commonwealth for GOVERNMENT As

COST OF CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE DAY-LABOUR EMPLOYEES AND CONTRACTS, WORK, CLEVELAND-LOTA RAILWAY LINE BRISBANE AND TOWNSVILLE UNIVERSITIES Mr. BROMLEY (Norman) asked the Mr. NEWTON (Belmont) asked the Minister for Transport- Premier- "With reference to his reply to my Ques­ "(1) How many day labour employees, ~ion on Wednesday, September 6, regard­ including skilled and unskilled, were mg money spent on construction and main­ employed at the University, Brisbane and tenance work on the recentlv closed Cleve­ Townsville, by the Co-ordinator-General's land-Lota railway line- • Department at July 31, 1960 and 1961 ?" (1) Will he inform the House if it is "(2) What is the number of contracts at true that concrete culverts were con­ present being carried out by private con­ structed on that line during 1960, being tractors at each University?" completed in June 1960, and that the "(3) What other new contracts or day lines were then pulled up in June, 1961? labour projects will start before Decemher. (2) Did he know when the culverts 1961, at each University?" were being constructed in 1960 that the line would be closed shortly afterwards? Hon. G. F. R. NICKLIN (Landsborough) (3) If he did know, does he not con­ replied- sider the construction of these culverts "( I) The number of day labour a waste of public money?" employees at the University of Queens­ land, St. Lucia, under the control of the Hon. G. W. W. CHALK (Lockyer) Co-ordinator-General of Public Works as replied- at July 31, 1960, was 154 and at July 31, "(1) Yes." 1961, 176." "(2) No." "(2) Contracts being carried out at the "(3) See answer to Question (2)." University of Queensland, St. Lucia, are­ Buildings 4, installations and services 7, a total of 11." CROWN LAND, BERSERKER RANGE ROAD, "(3) No other new contracts or day ROCKHAMPTON labour projects will commence before Mr. THACKERAY (Rockhampton North) December, 1961, at the University of asked the Minister for Public Lands and Queensland, St. Lucia, but approval has Irrigation- been granted to the Department of Public "With reference to his answer to my Works for the erection of the Refectory Ques.tion on Wednesday, August 31, 1961, Building at the Townsville University, and relatmg to the Mount Archer-Berserker work on this building has been commenced Range proposed road scheme- by day labour. It is anticipated that Cl) As no tender was received, will approval of expenditure for extensions the Crown make land available along to Wings 2 and 3 at the Townsville the proposed route to the Rockhampton University may be granted before the end City Council for subdivision? If so, on of December and that this work will also what terms, and will the land be free­ be carried out by day labour." hold or leasehold? (2) How many acres will be available? NEW COURT HOUSE AND PETTY SESSIONS OFFICE, MAREEBA (3) Will the land at the summit of the proposed road be declared a Mr. ADAIR (Cook) asked the Minister for National Forest or Park? If not, will Public Works and Local Government- he inform the House if any land will "When will work be commenced on the be available to the Rockhampton City construction of the proposed new Court Council or commercial interests?" House and Clerk of Petty Sessions Office at Mareeba?" Hon. A. R. FLETCHER (Cunningham) replied- Hon. H. RICHTER (Somerset) replied- " (I to 3) The Honourable Member for "A tender has been accepted for the Rockhampton South, in the capacity of erection of a new Government building Mayor of the City of Rockhampton, and for improvements to the Court House recently raised with me on behalf of his at Mareeba. It is expected that work will Council the question of the proposed be commenced in the near future." Mount Archer Road. The Mayor sought advice whether land will be HOUSING COMMISSION HOMES, MOSSM.\N made available to the Council and on what terms in the event of the Mr. ADAIR (Cook) asked the Treasurer Council constructing the road. I am having and Minister for Housing- the Mayor's request examined and he will "Owing to the number of applic,1tions be advised as early as possible of the for rental and purchase of Housing Com­ decision thereon. At this stage my inquiries mission Homes at Mossman, will he give have not been completed and I am not in consideration to the building of several a position to advise further in this matter." more homes in the area?" Questions [7 SEPTEMBER] Companies Bill 251

Hon. T. A. HILEY (Chatsworth) replid- PAPERS "At July 31, 1961, the Clerk of Petty The following paper was laid on the Sessions, Mossman, was only holding eight table, and ordered to be printed:- applications of nil priority for rental accommodation and the erection at present Report of the Chief Safety Engineer, of further houses for rental would not be Chief Inspector of Machinery, Scaffold­ warranted. The Commission holds three ing and Weights and Measures for the allotments at Mossman and would erect year 1960-1961. a house on any of the sites selected by The following papers were laid on the an eligible intending home owner." table:- Orders in Council under the Co-operative Housing Societies Acts, 1958 to 1961. FORESTRY ROAD TO BAILEYS CREEK AREA Orders in Council under the Fisheries Acts, Mr. ADAIR (Cook) asked the Minister for 1957 to 1959. Agriculture and Forestry- Order in Council under the Abattoirs Acts, "Owing to the considerable amount of 1930 to 1958." timber now being cut and transported out of the Baileys Creek area and the large stands of good millable timber still to be COMPANIES BILL cut, will he have an officer of the Forestry INITIATION IN COMMITTEE-RESUMPTION OF Department visit Baileys Creek with the DEBATE view to giving consideration to the con­ struction of a forestry road to these timber (The Chairman of Committees, Mr. Taylor, stands?" Clayfield, in the chair.) Hon. 0. 0. MADSEN (Warwick) replied- Debate resumed from 6 September (see p. 243) on Mr. Munro's motion- "Officers of the Forestry Department "That it is desirable that a Bill be have visited the Baileys Creek area from introduced to consolidate and amend the time to time. Logging of privately owned law relating to companies." timber is proceeding in that vicinity, but urgency for logging of Crown timber is Hon. P. J. R. HILTON (Carnarvon) (11.40 confined to a small area for which satis­ a.m.): This very important measure has factory arrangements have been made. received the attention of many people, not There is only a relatively small area of only in Queensland but throughout Australia, Crown land of reasonable topography in during the past two years. I think it will the Baileys Creek area, owing to the be welcomed by everybody who is interested alienation of the more accessible land. in the Companies Act and in seeing that trade However, the area is listed for investiga­ and commerce between countries and in tion regarding the provision of access Queensland is conducted on a very high as soon as urgent requirements elsewhere plane. are met." Briefly speaking, the Bill may be described as a Bill to prevent stealing, and it is COMPE?'ISA TION CLAIMS EXAMINED BY interesting to recall that the Divine injunction CARDIAC BOARD against stealing is the shortest command in the decalogue. When we translate this Mr. BURROWS (Port Curtis) asked the injunction into our social code and laws it Treasurer and Minister for Housing- involves a vast amount of legislation and "In view of the amount of dissatisfaction many statutes, and it is all-important, of with the procedure necessary for an injured course, that in a well-organised and civilised worker to obtain compensation for cardiac society we should have laws to protect all injuries- sections of the community in trade and (!) How many of the claims dealt commerce. with by the Cardiac Board have been In speaking on this measure, I feel some­ admitted and how many rejected since what like a student who attempts to lecture its inception? University professors, because the Bill has (2) Is there any appeal open to an received the attention of legal experts and unsuccessful claimant on any point of experts in the field of accountancy. The Minister is recognised as an expert in the law where a claim is disallowed follow­ field of accountancy and also in the field of ing on a finding by the Board?" commerce. I pay him that tribute and Hon. T. A. HILEY (Chatsworth) replied­ express the thanks of my Party, and myself as a unit of the Opposition, for the "(!) Fifteen claims have been admitted courtesy and consideration that he has and thirty-six rejected." extended to us in relation to the Bill. It "(2) I would draw the Honourable has received a great deal of publicity, and Member's attention to the provisions of people who have invested in and been subsections (5) and (6) of Section 14 C deceived by fraudulent companies might think of The Workers' Compensation Acts, 1916 that they will now be given complete protec­ to 1960'." tion. The major metropolitan newspaper 252 Companies Bill [ASSEMBLY] Companies Bill appeared this morning with a big caption­ large sums of money by phony mining com­ 'This law will protect shareholders." That panies, I suggest that the Minister should is true in many respects, and anybody who seriously consider the submission of the has studied the measure will agree that, in prospectus of mining companies by the future, shareholders will be protected in Registrar of Companies to the Department many ways in which they were not protected of Mines so that if it was considered by the in the past. department that the proposal was a fraudulent one or that the proposal was very Although, as I said, I feel somewhat like weak and unsound, expert opinion could be a student endeavouring to lecture University placed before the Registrar. professors, I think it is incumbent upon me, Mr. Burrows: Would you submit that if a as a member of the Opposition, to make some company was going to deal in vending observations and mention to the Minister machines that a certificate should be obtained certain weaknesses that I see in the Bill from from the Machinery Department in respect my study of the information he gave the of the vending machines? House yesterday and the information that he circulated when the measure was under con­ Mr. HILTON: The Machinery Department sideration last year. would be concerned only with the mechanics of the vending machines. That department The first weakness that I see relates to would not be in a position to give an mining companies. On the information given authoritative opinion on the trading opera­ to the Committee by the Minister, it is tions that would flow from the machin.;:s. All possible for people orgf!nising fraudulent the department could do would be to give a companies to proceed legally on their merry considered opinion about the mechanics of way despite the provisions in the Bill. They the proposed vending machines, and if that can comply with every requirement of the was necessary it could be done. legislation in their prospectus and still be fraudulent. Because so much publicity has Mr. Burrows: I do not think you can been given to the fact that shareholders direct public s<~rvants to give an opinion on will be protected in future, it is important such matters. that I should make my point. The question Mr. HILTON: I am giv;ng my opinion. In asked by the hon. member for Townsville view of what has happened in the past would Scuth today has some bearing on it, and, the hon. member be prepared to see people of course, other happenings in recent years still fleece the public even though they com­ also have a direct bearing on it. People ply with the provisions of the Bill? Should can produce a very attractive prospectus. that be allowed to happen if it can be Alleged experts might give opinions on pros­ avoided by a confidential submission by the pecting mining ventures that might not be Registrar of Companies to the Department worth a snap of the fingers. The Registrar of Mines? A question was asked this morn­ of Companies is not in a position to know ing about a mo!ydenite mine. No doubt had what fraudulent reports might be incorpora­ that proposal been submitted to the Depart­ ted in a prospectus. A company could be ment of Mines by the Registrar of Com­ duly registered and subscriptions invited. The panies, although I am not familiar with all vendors would sell to the company and the that occurred, at least the Registrar could shareholders would be taken down, as they have been informed that there was no value have been taken down in recent years. I in the proposal, and the fraud could have sug:;est that before the Registrar of Com­ been prevented. I know there are difficulties panies registers any company engaged in a in the way. I am not suggesting that any mining venture that it should be mandatory public servant should be asked to give his for him to submit the prospectus to the approval of a prospectus, but at least depart­ Department of Mines, not for the purpose of mental officers could inform the Registrar of getting approval from that department, as Companies if it were considered that it was that would be very unwise and quite a fraudulent show. The Registrar of Com­ improper, but because obviously the depart­ panies could be so advised and there is noth­ ment, from the knowledge at its disposal, ing unwise or foolish about that suggestion. would know whether the mining area had been worked out and whether there was any Mr. Burrows: The Registrar of Companies real value in mining the lease that may have could not say that a company could not be been taken up with the idea of defrauding registered, without giving a reason. people. If the department was satisfied that the represcntafons in an otherwise attrac­ Mr. .HILT0::\1: I will not argue the point tive prospectus were false, the Registrar of any further with the hon. member for Companies could be so informed and, of Port Curtis. I do not think he appreciates the course, the company need not be registered. point I am making. Whilst the principle I .think it is a worthwhile suggestion to incorporated w far as app:ication and other bnng before the Committee at this stage. As moneys paid prior to allotment by any appli­ far as I can gather there is nothing in the pro­ cant on account of shares or debentures posed legislation to authorise or direct any offered to the public to be held in trust is action along those lines. But because so many concerned is a very good principle, does it people in Que::nsland in recent years have go far enough? On the information circulated been badly taken down and defrauded of by the Minister, and from what he said Companies Bill [7 SEPTEMBER] Companies Bill 253 last year, it appears that any company pro­ not be any interim dividend paid, the slrares moter can hand that money over to any of that company are immediately depressed individual to be held in trust. Do hon. and fall in value. Those directors, if they members not see the weakness arising there? wished to be unscrupulous, could put forward Even if it is lranded to a bank the bank a logical and plausible reason for not paying is not held responsible for the paying out of an interim dividend in the middle of the those moneys to the company and is not year and could later on make excuses that obliged to treat it as trust money. would counter their first reason. In the meantime they and their friends could buy In order to carry this very sound principle up those depressed shares and make a good to its logical conclusion and protect the deal out of them. public, it should be mandatory that moneys so handed to a trustee should be lodged Mr. Walsh: The bulls and the bears get with a trustee authorised to act as a trustee busy. by law, or to somebody with an account such as a solicitor's trust account; or, the Mr. HILTON: Quite so. bank should be authorised to hold that money I realise there may be difficulty in over­ in trust and only release it wlren all the coming such a position. Shareholders at the conditions have been complied with so far annual meeting cannot force the declaration as the disposal of that money is concerned. of a dividend greater than the directors recommend, but I think shareholders should I£ certain people wished to develop one have some protection against any action by of these phony companies they could have directors that would resu1t in artificial a dummy acting the role of trustee. depression of the shares, and the subsequent Thousands of pounds could be handed to opportunity they would then have to buy him. He need not necessarily be a man the shares or have their friends buy the shares. obliged to have a trust account. He could In these days shareholding in companies is clear out of the country with that money. spread over a large number of people, many He could get his taxation clearance because of whom have not the foggiest idea how the tlre Taxation Department would not neces­ company is being operated. A company may sarily know anything about it and, when the be sound, but the directors may say, "Because bubble burst he could be out of the country, of the credit squeeze we think for prudent and all the blame could be placed on him, reasons we should not pay an and the fraudulent promoters could get away interim dividend this year." Their scot free because the theft would be pinned decision may be quite logical and sound. on the trustee. In a few months they may say, 'Things are I had a look at the latest Model Bill that better now and we will resume paying the the ~,Iinister bas kindly furnished us, and normal dividend." In the meantime ordinary the one introduced last year. There is shareholders, realising that the shares are nothing in tlrat clause to ensure that the falling in value, are prone to become panicky trustee will be a man of substance and that and sell them. The directors themselves can he will be governed by the laws that should buy those share at a depressed price. I think govern a trustee in this State. the point I have raised should be considered by the Minister in order to prevent that type I suggest that the Minister ensure that that of thing. weakness is overcome. I think there is a definite weakness in the Bill in that respect. Mr. Hart: The Bill provides that a director I hope that the very fine principle outlined shall at all times act honestly and use reason­ in the clause will be furtlrer considered and able dilligence in the discharge of the duties that the position will be made watertight of his office, and that an officer of a company in relation to the promotion of fraudulent shall not make use of any information companies. acquired by virtue of his position to gain Another point I should like to mention in directly or indirectly an improper advantage relation to companies is that in these days for himself or to cause detriment to the when we have a very sensitive Stock Exchange company. certain unsatisfactory circumstances can very ,\h·. HILTON: That is in the measure and readily develop. I have no substantial know­ the shareholders expect their directors to act ledge of its having occurred in the past but honestly. In most cases they do but I am refer­ I take the case of a relatively small corn· ring particularly to the relatively small com­ pany with a minimum number of directors. pany with a minimum number of directors who That company could have been operating w;mted to rig the position. They can do it, for a number of years and may h·ave adopted particularly with a sensitive Stock Exchange. a policy of paying an interim dividend. It They can get away with it, and nothing may be quite a sound company but with an can be done about it under the measure. economic state such as we are experiencing at present-a credit squeeze and all that goes I think there is some substance in the mat­ with it-and a very sensitive Stock Exchange, ters I have raised, and I should like the whilst I am not familiar with all the ramifica­ Minister, if he is able to do so, to refute my tions of the Stock Exchange I realise that, contention about weaknesses in the Bill. If if a company has been in the habit of paying they are correct they should be rectified before an interim dividend and the directors then it becomes law. The loopholes should be decide for a logical reason that there will closed so that the public will not be misled 254 Address in Reply [ASSEMBLY] Address in Reply into assuming that the provisions as to com­ I also welcome this opportunity of placing pany promotion are watertight, that they on record my views on the very important cannot be defrauded as in the past, and that issue of transport. They are not only my they are protected against unscrupulous people views, but the views of many people I repre­ who set out to fleece the public. sent, and the views of people in other areas, particularly in the south-western and south­ Mr. Walsh: An examination of the com­ ern portions of the State. I am taking this pany's books would reveal whether the direc­ unusual step for various reasons and because tors were acting honestly. I am afraid that I may not have Mr. HILTON: Yes, but they could give a an opportunity later to come to grips with logical reason for not paying an interim divi­ this very important issue. I am afraid that dend. They could blame the credit squeeze. on the Transport Committee we may A few months later they could say, "There have been momentarily sidetracked by is no need to refrain from paying a dividend," such issues as railway losses, and lack and they could declare the ordinary dividend of revenue. We all agree that the Govern­ at the end of the year. In the meantime, ment have done a tremendous amount of however, they would have had an opportunity work and have spent large sums of money to acquire shares at well below par. on roads, schools, and construction of public buildings, and there is a great deal still to Time does not permit me to develop my be carried out. Of course, losses in revenue argument further. I hope to speak again at play a very important part in the considera­ the second reading and committee stages. I tions of the Government. I could perhaps ask the Minister earnestly to consider my treat this matter of transport more fairly suggestions and I hope that I shall hear on an area basis, and I have done that, from argument on them in due course. time to time in relation to problems that Progress reported. arise in my area. This matter is so vitally important to the economy of the individual and the State that I believe I should expr~ss ADDRESS IN REPLY my views here. RESUMPTION OF DEBATE-FOURTH ALLOTTED Mr. Walsh: You have a good audience; DAY the Minister and the Commissioner are here. Debate resumed from 5 September (see Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: Yes. p. 224) on Mr. Camm's motion for the adop­ tion of the Address in Reply, on which Both Government parties are committed to Mr. Duggan had moved the following amend­ private enterprise to boost industry and pro­ ment:- duction. I believe that in the long run we "Add to the question the following would gain very considerably if we were to words:- encourage and facilitate every avenue that 'However, it is the opinion of this will help production. It is uneconomic for Legislature that, due in great measure both the individual, and the community as to your present advisers having failed a whole, for the country to retard some of to successfully manage and extend the these avenues, or to damage or restrict such financial resources of the State, to avenues as, for example, road transport, in encourage and foster new industrial certain aspects. Even if we as a Govern­ enterprises, and to take adequate action ment spend millions of pounds on roads, and to conserve and stabilise the economy, schools, it is the land and the people that serious unemployment has become an largely play a very important part in our established feature of the economy, over­ national economy. They play a very import­ sea migrants are now loth to come to ant part in our overseas economy and if it Queensland, and our own native-born were not for the country interests we would citizens are migrating to southern States not have as much money to spend. in such numbers that our much-needed We should do all we possibly can to population shows the lowest percentage make it easy and more attractive for growth in the Commonwealth, and, them, so that they may operate more effici­ accordingly, we desire to inform you that ently in those areas. We should assist the for these and other reasons this Govern­ people in the inland areas, and the country ment does not possess the confidence of areas, whichever walk of life they may be the House.'" in, to make an easier livelihood. We would more than get it back in the long run, per­ Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN (Barambah) haps indirectly, if we were able to take a (12 noon): I should like to congratulate the long-range view of these things. One of mover and seconder of the Address in Reply these matters concerns road transport. and join with them in expressions of loyalty It is a very important aspect because it plays to Her Majesty the Queen. At the same time a vital part in our everyday life. Transport I should like to express my own personal is here to stay whether we like it or not. sincere appreciation to His Excellency the And at this moment I am referring par­ Governor, and Lady May for their very fine ticularly, perhaps, to the more organised services in the interest of the State. We all forms of road transport. People want it, and know that it is greatly appreciated by the if we over-tax them or in other respects people of Queensland. through various means attempt to stop them Address in Reply [7 SEPTEMBER) Address in Reply 255

I say we are doing the country people a very VICITIIty of 1,000 bags of maize each year. great disservice. This is happening in quite I used to man-handle them onto a flat-top a considerable area of the southern half and table wagon and cart them with horses to south-western portion of the State. People the nearest railway station. Then came the are not getting the services to which I think trucks, and eventually the trucks took over. they are entitled, and which they want, and They spread further afield. They gave us which it is in their interests as well as the service in so many other ways and then, as interests of the country as a whole to have. we know, because of the flexibility and ser­ I think many of the actions of the Commis­ vice, the previous Government granted a sioner and the Minister, however you like franchise for runs in various parts of the to term them, are crushing down, are State. My line of thought and interest in eliminating bit by bit, these various avenues the past was that those services should be to which I am referring for the operation extended and that more people should have of such services. What we are doing today the opportunity of availing themselves of as the Government is not what our leaders this very efficient type of service. No and many of us have proclaimed to the individual or Government will be able to people as our policy over the many years, deny the people these modern means of and, in my opinion, that is not particularly assisting them to make their livelihood; they in line with Country Party policy. want this form of transport. If they were completely satisfied with the railways, road Here in Queensland we have great dis­ transport would die rapidly. The Minister tances and areas to be served. For many will no doubt say to me, "What are you years the railways have been what might be talking about? There is more road transport termed in the main a general form of goods under the present Act than there ever was transport, until more recent years-until the before." That may be so. But dealing with last 10 or 15 years. But that is all chang­ the day-by-day road service to which people ing, or has ail changed. Today we have in in many parts of the State were accustomed our midst a much more flexible, a much previously, I can say with certainty that they more convenient, a faster, means of trans­ are not getting that service under the present port, a more decentralised form of trans­ Act. port. The fact that the people use such tran~port and want it, I would say, speaks Mr. Wa!sh: Even if there is more road for Itself. No man or Government can halt transport, the cost is much higher. the march of time or the progress that it brings and it would only be foolish for any­ Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: Yes, the cost one or any Government to attempt to halt is much higher. That is because of the high such progress, for progress is like the tide tax, because they have to pay on capacity, of the sea-you cannot stem it or stop it. We and because of restrictions. know from history that years ago when trains w~re introduced in England many people Mr. Evans: That applies only in some raised a great hue and cry that they would areas. destroy the livelihood or the living of so many people. We know that trains came and Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: Yes. the nation prospered. It applied to every other nation. !VIr. Evans: It would be lower between Brisbane and Toowoomba. I recall very well the advent of tractors into the South Burnett district. Before their Mr. BJELKE·PETERSEN: Yes. I am a~vent . I and farmers generally ploughed speaking of the areas farther out. This Act With big teams of horses in tandem. When should never have been referred to as an tractors commenced, people everywhere said Act for "open road transport." That is far that as a State and as a country we would from the truth. I know businessmen in my go into bankruptcy with so much money going overseas for tractors, fuel and all the electorate, in Goomeri, Murgon, Wondai, rest of it. When I bought my first tractor­ Kingaroy, and Kumbia, who are unable to a McC:ormick-Deering-some 30 years ago, get the services they require, the services they my neighbour came over to me and said need in certain instances. The Minister may "J.oe, you have made a terrible mistake. Y o~ say, "Well, it is one thing or the other." But Will go broke." Furthermore, he said, with certain services are better supplied by rail the advent of tractors generally, "there won't transport or by road transport, and, because ~e !~e horses to eat the corn we are grow­ of the application of the Act, people are mg. We heard that expression used through­ unable to get things in the way in which out the district. I was told it myself. Tractors they would like to get t!tem. That is the came. People wanted them. Today the song position in many of the areas to which I of power of those tractors is heard from one have referred. end of the country to the other. I and the other people who obtained them have been We are told to wait, that gradually these able to double production in the process. anomalies will be ironed out. I am sure that the Minister has that in mind, but these I have lived also to see the advent of road matters are so urgent and the Act is operating transport in my own area and in other parts ~o unrealistically at present that I am impelled of the State, too. When I was a young man to press for a more speedy realisation of the we grew on our property something in the fact that there are anomalies. 256 Address in Reply [ASSEMBLY] Address in Reply

From the point of view of the primary pro­ Naturally I would not be able to substaniate ducer, until yesterday we were not permitted, this, but on past performance you can be as we lrad been in the past, to carry grain almost sure that the more you cart the to Brisbane. I am referring particularly to more you lose, although not quite in the maize, but the restrictions on soya beans same proportion. That is why I believe we have been lifted, also, and the fee has been should not be forced to pay high rail freights. increased. In the Kumbia area, we were Surely the co:.:ntry people have enough bur­ able to save at least 2s. a bag on the freight dens with droughts, the high cost of com­ that had to be paid during that time. The modities they have to buy and all their other present concession that has been granted will hardships, without being loaded with high be of no value for two reasons: firstly, the rail freights! It must be difficult for the high fee of 3d. a ton mile, and, secondly, the Treasurer to have such a drain on his fact that trucks coming to Brisbane will not resources as the railway losses. have the right to take back the things that they want to take back. Mr. Walsh: They have always been there. It gets back to this: What is a fair tax? Me!'. BJELKE-PETERSEN: They have We know that the High Court ruled that one­ always been there but in my opinion it is third of a penny was a just and fair payment a very retrograde step to try to overcome for wear and tear of the roads- for their them by attacking or dealing harshly with maintenance. The additional charge, there­ transport. If we both had businesses, Mr. fore, must be tax. It is estimated that under Speaker, and we were competing against the 25-mile tax-free road system--! am not each other, constantly attacking or under­ referring to the one-third of a penny tax, mining me would not be the way to over­ but to the 3d. tax-at least 70 p~r cent. come your problem. The proper way would of the population is getting what might be be to irnprove your system. I think the called tax·-free transport. Therefore the other problem ill the railways should be approached 30 per cent., because they live in the country, from that angle. I suggest the appointment are called upon, in effect, to assist in making of a board of two or three efficient men up the losses on the railways, many of which who have proved themselves as businessmen occur in the metropolitan area, the South of administrative ability. If g;ven a free Coast area, and other areas close to the city. hand, completely free from political influ­ We think that this is most unjust and unfair. ence, they would achieve surprising results There is some truth in the argument that if they were told to do the job within certain it is for ro;:d contruction; on the other hand, limits. The remedy is efficiency, stability and the roads are ef)ually important to country a hand free from politic. l interference. I and city dwell._ r·;. Perhaps they are not am not saying that only about th·i~ Govern­ quite equally important, but they are a ment, but of all governments. Under such national asset, of national importance, and management I consider that the railways all should have to pay for them. About 30 would be r:m more satisfactorily in many per cent. of the people of the State will be respects. I doubt whether anyone here would called upon to pay well over £1,000,000 in deny thaL the next financial year. It might be said that it is the road operator who has to pay Last we~k a young lad only a few years it and that the tax will not be passed on if out of school who works on a farm near reduced. But that is not correct. We know me, asked if he could come to Brisbane the competition that exists. We know that with me. I brought him down and left their service is worth more than that of the him with some friends in one of the suburbs. railways. All these factors are very important. When I took him lrome last Thursday after­ I think the Minister will agree that the load noon I asked him, "How did you enjoy of tax has been greatly increased. I could give yourself?" He said, "I went here and there no end of examples. It is also obvious from and bought a few things. One morning I the increased revenue. If the load were borne went across and watched some men working by the people of the State as a whole we on the railway line. There were a whole would not have the present complaints and lot of them. I watched them while they dissatisfaction. The grievance is so much were shifting dirt from near the railway greater because it is considered that this line a distance of about the widtlr of the heavy tax is levied to help make up for the road. The first man would take a shovelful losses on the railways. Such losses must be and instead of taking a few steps and putting greatly accentuated by the fact that the it where they wanted it he only shovelled it Minister grants certain concessions in various part of the way and others would then areas throughout the State in an effort to shovel it further. They just shovel from one eliminate road transport and counteract the place to another." And he said, "A lot of borderhopper. When one considers the rail them were standing, leaning on their shovels, freight concessions that the Minister is offer­ too." That was a comment from a young, ing in various parts of the State it is obvious raw country lad, but it shows that these that tremendous losses must occur in the things are applicable in many respects to Railway Department. That is one reason losses on railways. That is why I say a that we say it is not fair that the rest of change in the present method of administra­ the State of Queensland does not share the tion might overcome many of these things. I burden. The rail freights in Queensland are have many friends in the railways wlw are the highest in any part of the Commonwealth. good men and doing a good job. Address in Reply [7 SEPTEMBER} Address in Reply 257

So I said why should one section them to the railhead, load them into trains of the community, the 30 per cent. and journey with them to Brisbane. If he living in country areas who, we might did that, I am sure he would be pressing say, are the hard-working section because here for the right to transport them right of the long hours they work, people through by road. These people work hard who in many instances are not able to enjoy every day of their lives and are efficient. We some of the amenities enjoyed in the cities, must not deny them this right to efficient be called upon to operate under the diffi­ mode of transport. The tax on carriage culties we are trying to saddle them with of goods throughout the country is far too now? Because they are competing with the great on the 3d. a ton-).Tiile basis plus road railways, the road services are being forced maintenance charges. If it was say, a out of existence. If these services are maximum of 1!d. for 350 miles, or a eliminated the position mentioned in yester­ maximum of Id. a ton from beginning to day's issues of "The Courier-Mail" and end of journey, or even a maximum of "Telegraph" will become more prevalent-a ~d., all rates being on weight carried bigger bottle neck at Roma Street railway and not on capacity of truck, we would be yards. I should like to read the article getting closer to the mark and would be to hon. members had I the time, but it is charging a realistic figure. there if hon. members wish to read it for themselves. I am sure the Minister has read Mr. Walsh: There was not much to com­ it. It dealt with long delays at Roma Street plain about under the old Act. Railway Station. The more road transport Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: There was a is curtailed the greater the problem will great deal, but the full tax was not always become in regard to the despatch of goods by applied. rail. According to that article, whole days are lost in getting goods away now. In the time available to me I want to deal with another two or three points that Mr. Bennett: Are not the delays coupled in my opinion are relevant to general policy. with a lack of staff at Roma Street? I referred these matters to the Minister on a previous occasion. I will give an Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: Yes, but the illustration to prove my point. The operator more goods that are channelled to one cen­ happens to be on the border of my tralised point the greater will the difficulty electorate. Kumbia Transport has a few become. We should have more decentralisa­ good, modern, efficient trucks, and for tion which can be achieved by encouraging 12 years has been carrying flour from road transport. Dalby to Kingaroy, and to Murgon, Nanango, I have always been opposed to the flat­ and other places in the South Burnett district. rate system of tax which operates against the In that period of 12 years the operator has people in the more remote areas. It is a well built up a very efficient, well-organised recognised fact that under this completely service. Admittedly the charge during that wrong system of tax the people in the remote period may not have been very high. For areas are saddled with the greater liability. years it was £35 a month, but the Minister Mr. Walsh: Many of them are taxed on has now increased the charge to £200. their capacity and are only carrying half Mr. Walsh: Shocking! loads. Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: And that is Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: And many of not the end of the story. The railway them are in that position because they prefer freight rate on flour has been reduced from to operate by road transport. As the hon. approximately £4 to £2 a ton. On the one member interjected, it is not fair to charge hand we are hitting the road operator and them on the capacity of the truck. To me on the other hand undermining him. That that is one of the most unfair and completely is not true democracy. This was a service unjust aspects of the matter and, if I may say that did not interfere to any great extent so, it is completely dishonest to charge people with the railways. We are now going to for something they are not carrying. I know take from tltis man his livelihood and prevent the Minister will say that in previous years him from getting any reward from the service many of these people did not pay for all they and the contacts he has built up. In addi­ had on their trucks and that this is the only tion, on the carrying capacity basis of tax, way to get at this problem. I recognise that, he cannot on his return journeys bring back but two wrongs do not make a right. I think the few empty bags of freight that he brought it is completely unfair and unjust and I trust back in the past from various towns. that it will be promptly rectified. Mr. Walsh: Did you say there was no Certain concessions were announced yes­ railway line between those towns? terday in relation to the cartage of cattle and sheep. It is well known that many Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: Between Bell people have been pressing for the right to and Kingaroy, no. I am concerned about cart beyond the 250-mile limit, and the some of these undemocratic actions, as I Minister has made some concessions that I term them, and tlte fact that at the same do not think amount to a great deal. I should time service to the community is being like the Minister to take charge of a mob sidetracked momentarily on account of issues of cattle, load them on a transport, bring of Government finance. 9 258 Address in Reply [ASSEMBLY] Address in Reply

I have been concerned about franchises not have come into existence. That is obvious being taken from operators since the Act to me. I will take another part of the came into force. I have gone through Act to demonstrate my reason for saying all the correspondence that was passed on that it should be amended. to me, about interviews and so so, and the Mr. Mann interjected. way in which these matters have been dealt with is in my opinion a sorry business. Mr. SPEAKER: Order! I heard the I want to record that in my opinion we have hon. member for Brisbane refer some time not dealt with some of these matters in any ago to "Chalk." The hon. member should fair or just way. I could mention, too, the know better. He should know that he must names of operators in my area who are not call an hon. member by his name, in struggling and having great difficulty in this Chamber. carrying on under the system that operates at the moment. Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: I refer now to Mr. Mann: What has Chalk to say about Section 52-"Liability of consignors and con­ all this? signees." This is another terrible aspect of the Bill. The Section says- Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: I want to deal "Where any goods have been carried by now with the Act itself. It gives power road in contravention of section forty-nine to take away a franchise without compensa­ of this Act- tion. In some respects it does not go far enough, and in saying that I mean it does (a) the consignor of those goods; and not go far enough towards limiting the powers (b) if he takes delivery thereof, the of the Commissioner and the Minister. The consignee of those goods, public have no way, except through the grape­ shall be jointly and severally liable . vine, as it is termed, of finding out what the An Opposition Member: They will tell law is or how it is being applied. It is not you that it was in the previous Act, and clearly defined in the Act. Regulations can be issued. The Minister and the Commis­ it could have been cut out. sioner are given too great a power by the Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: Yes, I know Act. They can alter freight rates and can it could probably have been cut out. kill an operator overnight. The powers, as they are being applied, are not in the true Then, we have Section 53, which is execu­ interests of the State as a whole. tion against a vehicle, and then there is They are too drastic. There are powers to the repossession clause whereby an innocent withhold permits and powers for them to be man may be dealt with. Those sections, and given today and taken away tomorrow. I other sections should l:xe, and must be believe that they should not be issued on amended, because I believe it is only fair for such a basis. When we want them to give the Government to recognise the truth and proper services, or extend them, the permit fairness of some of the things I say. No shou~d be given on a five-year basis, especi­ doubt the Minister will rise and say that ally If we know that they are operating a ser­ there will be so much less money. I doubt vice in the State. Another important factor that. I believe that the more the railways is that there are no rules for compensation. carry the greater the loss. The Minister Surely there should be an appeal board. may say there will be less work that may There is one in Great Britain, but we have be carried out in various parts on roads completely eliminated all these things. I and schools in the State, but nothing will should now like to refer to the Act in rela­ convince me that to get more money this tion to some of these things. is tlre fair or practical way to do it. I ask the Minister not to try to force more co-ord­ Mr. Aikens: What did you do when tire inated services upon us to solve this problem. Act was going through? It is only natural that they will cause more bottlenecks in Roma Street whiclr will destroy Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: Well, I was fast efficient services. That is what I am overseas when it was discussed, and when concerned about. That would permit these was brought down, but I do not seek to escape operators, whosoever they may be-­ because of that; I accept my responsibility perhaps some of the present-day oper­ for it. I have tried to overcome some of ators, if they secure these co-ordinated the problems since my return. I refer now services-to run from the point of distribu­ to the third paragraph of Section 6 which tion at the end of the railway line without says- having to weigh without paying any "Neither the Supreme Court nor any tax, and there will not be a true check. other court or judicial tribunal whatso­ I mention this because I know a good ever shall have jurisdiction to entertain deal about it and I know the actual any suit, action, or other proceeding what­ weights they carry. We know that co-ordin­ soever for enforcing a right, remedy or ated services in some cases will perpetuate clai~ alleged to be had by any person the aspect that the railways will carry goods by virtue of any such ministerial direction." for next to nothing, as they are doing at In that paragraph, on its own, we are getting the moment, and show a bigger loss which away from democracy. If there had been farmers and others have to help to carry. a Bill of Rights in existence, this Act could I am talking from experience, and I have Address in Reply [7 SEPTEMBER] Address in Reply 259

had a great deal of experience of railways Mr. Aikens: Isn't it true that what you are and road transport. I have had probably complaining about is that the little fellow more tha~ most hon. members and nobody is being given a chance whereas the bigger can deny 1t. I know what I am talking about fellow is denied it? when I ~peak of these services. Many business people m country areas, too, know what it Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: No. All I means to get fast and efficient service. say is that the whole issue, I feel sure, is completely clear to everyone. Above all. Mr. Chalk: How are they being stopped? it is completely clear to the Minister. All the side-issues that may be brought in from Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: The Minister different angles are to me only red herrings. kno~s . what stops them-higher tax and restnctlve measures on what they can carry Mr. Chalk: There is only one thing you and what they cannot carry and having want-an organised road transport service. to pay on capacity. I am going as far as this today in connection with these Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: No. I have points-! am so convinced that I am right on not once mentioned organising a road trans­ this-I am no.t going to stand idly by and port service. Take the operators in my own see these serv1ces, whatever they might be, area. They are not an organised transport whoever .they are, whether they are in my service and the Minister knows how at area or m other areas, pushed to one side Roma one man stood up and accused him of a 7 5 per cent. increase. an~ ev':ryone fo~ced to use the railways with their h1gher fr~Ight charges. That is just (Time expired.) what we are domg now, or heading towards. Tt is one of the reasons why I am not pre­ Mr. NEWTON (Belmont) (12.40 p.m.): I pared to stand by and see men like Doua support the amendment to the motion for the Barrie of Kumbia and others at Goomerl adoption of the Address in Reply that was fast going broke through the restrictions moved by the Leader of the Opposition and that operate today. While this position supported by other speakers. It is interesting exists I will continue to oppose it. It is to note that very few Government members no good building up on the one hand have answered the points made by members and destroying and pulling down on the of the Opposition during this debate. The other. hon. member who has just resumed his seat made some attempt to reply; but in spite Honourable Members interjected. of what he went through at Dalby, he made a very mild attack on the Government in Mr. SPEAKER: Order! There is too much putting forward the views of the people noise in the Chamber. present at the meeting that night. Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: I know this is Last year we said in the Chamber that an important issue and one that affects very the Government would find the going very many people in the State. I am not the heavy in their second term of office. At that only hon. member it vitally affects. In moving time we were referring mainly to financial arou~d from time to time in my own area problems, but the events of the past 12 and m other areas I have learned that this is months have proved that the Government are a very vexed question. It is not good faced with a number of problems that are enough for the Minister to defer matters or much stickier than their financial problems. take delaying action and look at the matter What has happened in the first six months from the point of view of revenue or of of this year shows quite clearly that they losses or some other point of view. What­ are not worthy of the confidence that the ever he does, let the country people operate people placed in them, irrespective of ~fficieJ!t!Y under a system that has proved whether or not they were elected on a 1tself m the last 10 years or so in so many minority vote. The Government's own sup­ directions. porters are now meeting and protesting throughout the State, just as the trade union Mr. Chalk: You want the franchise system movement and the working people generally back again? have protested, because of legislation intro­ duced by the Government that has not been Mr. BJELKE-PETERSEN: I am not speak­ in the interests of the people or the State. ing in connection with wanting a franchise system back again. I want conditions to His Excellency's Opening Speech shows be such that they can operate so we can that the present Government were really have services. They cannot operate now scraping the barrel to show the progress they with the high tax imposed on carrying have made in the past 12 months in carrying capacity, as the Minister knows. Take a out the developmental works necessary for case like Tara. The Minister knows what the State's progress. In the past six months happens by the time you get to the far-out we have seen half the Ministry involved in point. I know q~it.e well. what I am driving shocking incidents relating to legislation and at. The Act as It IS applied now is going to to happenings in institutions under their con­ deny many country areas the service they tra!. have had for 10, 12 or more years. They First let us look at the Department of are . not getting daily service or regular Labour and Industry, which is under the con­ service. They are getting it spasmodically. trol of the Deputy Premier and Leader of 260 Address in Reply [ASSEMBLY] Address in Reply the Liberal Party in Queensland. For all the place at Westbrook and Hopevale Mission, Minister's statements about what the Govern­ both under the control of the Minister for ment have done to bring new industries to Health and Home Affairs. Irrespective of the State and establish new factories here, what the findings are, or may be, one would the unemployment figures are higher today expect a better approach today in a demo­ than. they have been at any time since the cratic country than the acts of sadism com­ end of World War Il. In a report on the mitted at these institutions, which are com­ second part of the Government's policy parable with what was done to the first white speech made by the Deputy Premier on settlers in Queensland. Here again we see the behalf of the Government, these words policy of the present Government. They have appear under the heading "Irresponsible­ got back to the position of past Governments 'Label' for A.L.P."- of their political colour. They treat the "Queensland's record of industrial unfortunate and the working people like con­ growth and individual prosperity would victs. As I have said before in the Chamber, 'wither away' if the A.L.P. were allowed the Government are living and relying on to implement it, he said." past methods to solve their problems. All these things come to mind when we are con­ What is the position today? Is not our sidering a vote of no confidence in the industrial prosperity and industrial growth Government. They are all matters that must withering away under the administration of be raised from this side when we are talking this Government? Are not unemployment about the people's objections to the actions figures higher than they have been for some of the Government. time? Is not this the very same withering away to which the Minister for Labour and On the other hand we have learned of the Industry referred? The Minister has not closure of the Collinsville mine and its sale found jobs for these people, nor has he to private enterprise. Like their counterpart solved the problems that he said he would in the Federal sphere the Government have solve. He spoke then about long-range pro­ shown the hand in favour of monopolies. It posals for increasing beef-fattening on the is another sell-out of the people's property, northern coastal strip to help overcome which is the policy of this Government. By unemployment in seasonal industries. Other such action taken at the height of unemploy­ speakers also spoke about these proposals, ment, the Minister for Development, Mines, but after 12 months very little has been Main Roads and Electricity has shown that done about them. Of course, we cannot for­ he did not care whether the miners, their get the shocking piece of legislation intro­ wives and children starved. He preferred that, duced by the same Minister. It should have rather than trying to solve the problem. been known as the Industrial Arbitration Here again a very serious situation arises. It and Workers' Discipline Bill; but it has been is another example of the Government's tak­ titled the Industrial Conciliation and ing advantage of doing something with which Arbitration Bill. Here we see one of the most they know the Opposition will not agree, shocking actions of the Government, the ter­ while the House is not in session. Unfor­ mination of the quarterly cost-of-living tunately, by the time we have the oppor­ adjustments. Under the present Government tunity to say something about it, the position we have witnessed the lifting of price control has got well and truly out of control. on many commodities, also the lifting of rent Mr. Hanlon: They refused to call Parlia­ control. In the past even if prices did increase ment together when asked. the Industrial Court was able to declare quarterly cost~of-living adjustments that Mr. NEWTON: That is true. Before the enabled the working people to have included House adjourned at the end of last session in their pay envelopes what was necessary to we asked that if any important issues arose cover the increased costs of the preceding Parliament should be called together to quarter. The provisions of the new Act will discuss them. The repercussions that the be used against the members of the State Transport Act is producing through­ A.F.U.L.E., not because they are asking for out the State are affecting not only the a wage rise but because they want to protect railways but road transport as well, and ~ertain existing conditions, and they are ask­ that is also administered by the Minister mg for better accommodation to be provided for Transport. by their employer-in this instance, the Government. I was amazed at the answer I Members of my party were invited to received to my question yesterday about the the Dalby meeting and I was present. To recovery of wages from Queensland clear up any doubts in the mind of the hon. employers. When I tallied up the fines and member for Condamine, hon. members on the costs of court I realised that each and this side attended the meeting but only the every one of the employers got out of the Deputy Leader of the Party was asked to offences they committed for somewhere about speak. He handled the task he was called £5. The case is still proceeding but under the upon to do on behalf of the Australian new legislation the position will be very Labour Party very creditably indeed. He difficult for the A.F.U.L.E. because of the made the Party's policy on transport quite viciousness of the Act: clear. From this side of the House we cannot by­ A Government Member: He sold the pass the shocking incidents that have taken railwaymen down the drain, did he not? Address in Reply (7 SEPTEMBER] Address in Reply 261

Mr. NEWTON: That is not true. We drought, yet the same hon. members last on this side would never do that as we year had very little to say when the allocation realise the important part railwaymen play for irrigation and water supply was reduced. in the development of this State. The Government are composed mainly of When talking about farming problems Country Party members who must know that we have often been criticised from the other water conservation is one of the most im­ side of the Chamber and told that we do portant ways in which farmers can be not know what we are talking about. If assisted. I asked a question this morning one works as the right hand to a farmer on the subject as its affects my electorate. I one understands the problems better than do have among my constituents vegetable, citrus many members opposite, who have never and poultry farmers, and water is of great been farmers. I have worked assisting a importance even to them. The Government farmer and my experience of them is that have discontinued the building of dams and when they protest about anything affecting weirs. The provision of water by such their livelihood they will not rest until the means would overcome the difficulties referred problem is rectified. to by Government members. The figures reveal that whereas more than 1,000 I went to the Dalby meeting keenly employees were engaged in the building of interested in farmers' problems in relation dams and weirs throughout the State the to this Act and, from what I heard there, number has now fallen to 224. it is obvious that they were completely disgusted with it. I heard many say that I have received letters from farmers who the Act passed by the Australian Labour live near the metropolitan area, in the Red­ Party, replaced by this one, was far better lands, Kingston and Woodridge districts. They than this, introduced by a Country-Liberal point out the great benefit that would accrue Government. to them and to the State if weirs were built in their areas on certain creeks. Whilst dealing with matters affecting public interest and complaints in the community Mr. Wharton: Do they all know about the I should like to touch on the administration farm-water scheme? of justice in this State at the present time. Mr. NEWTON: They know of it and pro­ From the manner in which it has been bably they are waiting for activity in their administered by irresponsible people, in my localities. They also point out the benefit opinion some review is long overdue, but that would flow from such work for people what do we find? The Minister for Justice living in close proximity to their farms. In sits silent as he usually does, instead of the forthcoming year I ask the Government doing something in the interests of the people. to give earnest consideration to further work I was greatly shocked at the recent in this field. incident in Toowoomba involving the death I have said previously that there are many of a young married woman. I have received ways in which the Government could in fields numbers of letters of protest at the punish­ under their jurisdiction take action to relieve ment dealt out to her. It is interesting unemployment. There is no doubt that to note that a similar position arose in employment could be provided in the building England, and it was considered necessary of weirs and dams. The construction of to amend the law so that people who were the Moogerah Dam and others throughout dealing out this sort of punishment could be the State has meant work not only for the controlled. I have here an article dealing residents of provincial .cities and towns but with shoplifting, an offence similar to that also farmers and their own families who are involved in the Toowoomba affair. It feeling the effects of drought. For the pur­ states- pose of assisting farmers and providing "Since then the law has been amended employment in the industry the Government so that shoplifting first offenders can be should give urgent consideration to my sug­ imprisoned only in very special circum­ gestion. stances." I shall have quite a deal to say later about It is high time something was done in other industries in which action could be Queensland about some of the decisions taken to overcome the problem of unemploy­ given by our magistrates. I hope that the ment. Minister for Justice will consider amending The Minister for Labour and Industry made the present law to afford some protection, one of his weakest contributions during this particularly to mothers with young families session when he said that the Government who are committed for shoplifting offences were concerned about unemployment, but he as first offenders. referred to the unemployment figures when the Labour Government took over after I pass now to a matter of vital importance the great depression. The Australian that comes under the direct control of the Labour Party Minister was so sincere in Minister for Publi~Lands and Irrigation. It referring to the unemployed that he included is linked with the motion of no confidence of those in public hospitals and other public the Opposition. Government members are institutions. Labour Governments in 'his continually telling us what the Government State have had to face unemployment since could have done but for the effects of the World War II. We had to face it in 1952 262 Address in Reply [ASSEMBLY] Address in Reply because of the drop in export prices and the going ahead with it was that they realised effects of inflation, but, as usual, the Aus­ that such a step would reflect on them, as tralian Labour Party was very quick to tackle this further paragraph shows- the task by finding work for the people of "If the Commission approved the appli­ the State. Again, in 1956, the Australian cation, and Queensland became a claimant Labour Party showed its hand on this State, the Commission would have a right problem, and when the present Govern­ to supervise State expenditure. ment took office in 1957 it could be said that unemployment was of little "It could, for instance, influence policy consequence. The Labour Government on the free hospitalisation." faced both those crises in its administration. In other words, if the Government had However, unemployment has been really decided to become a claimant State there is severe since December last, as the figures no doubt they would have had to break given by hon. members on this side of the another election promise. They would have House will show. It is affecting large cities to do away with free hospitalisation in and provincial towns throughout the State. Queensland. These figures are taken from the The other day when the Premier and the "Telegraph" of 14 May, 1961- Treasurer left for the South we hoped that they would return with very good news. Town Unemployed Brisbane 4,775 Mr. Windsor: A sum of £5,000,000 was Toowoomba 546 not a bad effort for one trip. Cairns 282 Mr. NEWTON: It has been explained by Bundaberg 314 other hon. members that not even £1,000,000 Ipswich 286 will be spent in this 12 months. We will Townsville 257 get a portion of the £1,000,000, which in Mackay 218 my opinion will not even overcome the dis­ Maryborough 198 ability that we have suffered since the Gov­ Rockhampton 192 ernment were returned to office last year. It Warwick 134 will not even catch up on that lag. Ayr 119 What is the Treasurer's position? Since I Innisfail 101 have been in Parliament he has handled him­ The figures are indeed alarming. self very well despite the sticky going. In the debate on the Appropriation Bill he M.r. Coburn: There was unemployment m showed signs of stooping to the provocative Bowen, Proserpine and Home Hill. tactics of his Liberal ministerial colleagues when our points dug deeply into the policy Mr. NEWTON: That may be so. of his Government. He said that hon. mem­ As the hon. member for Bulimba bers on this side were only wasting the time said, those figures do not include displaced of the House in asking so many questions, married women, and children under 16 years but our reason for asking the questions is of age. based on our experience in the debate on the Estimates last year. When we debated the I now refer to a report by Mr. Laws, Vote for certain departments we did not even former Commonwealth Director of Labour have the reports of the departments before and National Service. He reported that there us. Rather than be caught in the same way were still 818 children under 16 years of again we asked the questions so that we age out of jobs. That is a very serious could have the information when the Esti­ state of affairs. The Premier has tried to mates came before us. overcome the problem, according to this statement, of 17 June, 1961- The other day I asked the Treasurer to make further loan money available to assist "May be beggar State the building and allied industries in the State. "State Cabinet will decide within the As Minister responsible for housing, it next fortnight whether Queensland should would pay him to study the building industry apply to become a mendicant State. and the unemployment in the industry. "Because of the drought and unemploy­ Gravel is used in house construction and ment in Queensland, the Government it is taken from the river by people com­ could apply to the Commonwealth Grants pletely outside the building industry. Then Commission for special help. there are other materials, such as reinforc­ "However, it will have to make up its ing steel, iron roofs, fibro roofs, tile roofs, mind quickly. metal windows, louvre frames, and metal "The Commonwealth Grants Commis­ handrails, most of which are made in fac­ sion would have to investigate the State's tories that employ ironworkers, boilermakers, claim before the next Federal Budget is fitters and turners. Then there are stainless­ brought down." steel sinks and stoves made by sheet-metal workers, bricks made in the brickyards and It may be true that the Cabinet decided to cement made in the factory at Darra, in the give serious thought to Queensland's becom­ main by members of the Australian Workers' ing a claimant State but their reason for not Union. The gravel used in the honeycomb Address in Reply (7 SEPTEMBER] Address in Reply 263

houses now being erected at Inala is got by of every person in Queensland to have a job. people who work on the river barges. I am If we are unable to provide employment not sure which union they are covered by. for the people of Queensland we shall have Then we have the timber that is used in to look at the 40-hour week. In order to building construction. Timber starts off in ensure that everybody is gainfully employed the forest, and it affects timber cutters, and that all children leaving school will be workers replanting the forests, sawmill able to find jobs, we may have to consider workers, and truck drivers. The railways the introduction of a 35-hour week. We may also get some benefit from timber, because have to consider the provision of better leave they transport it to various parts of the entitlements. After all, automation has some State. Electrical fittings are made by elec­ bearing on the present unemployment situa­ tricians, and paint is also made in factories. tion. If factories are able to make greater Every type of lining other than fibrous profits because of automation the workers plaster, such as Masonite, plywood, and hard­ should share in some of those profits. board, which is manufactured at Ebbw Vale, fibrolite, Panelyte, and Laminex, is made by I turn now to other matters at which workers covered by unions outside the build­ the Government should have a look when ing trades group. they are considering a vote of no confidence. At the present time it is quite clear that Taking all this into consideration, the the situation with the Queensland Police question I asked about getting extra loan Department is growing worse every day. A money affected not only building workers series of allegations of police brutality, of but all the workers employed in allied indus­ bashings-even of sex assault-have been tries that are most important to the building laid against officers throughout the State in industry in Queensland. These allied indus­ recent months without any but surface action tries have been of great assistance in reliev­ being taken. It is not the fault of the ing unemployment in seasonal industries. If individual policeman that the Force's reputa­ the building industry is in full production, all tion is decaying at an alarming rate. The these factories require labour. Most of them responsibility lies squarely with the top man, employ either semi-skilled or unskilled the Minister for Labour and Industry. It labour, and this helps to absorb the unem­ is stated quite clearly that the Minister has ployed workers in seasonal industries. done very little to overcome this serious position or to allay public fears that some I represent a number of people working sections of the police are deteriorating into in meat works, and it has already been brutal, Gestapo-style, standover men. Within brought to my notice that dismissals have recent months, particularly within the first taken place. Those men are concerned about six months of this year, we have seen a their future and the future of their families. shocking state of affairs existing in the Police To be quite honest about it, hon. members Department. It is something else that should on this side of the House cannot say what be added to the motion of no confidence the position will be. We moved the adjourn­ before the House. The portfolio held by ment of the House in February this year in the Minister for Labour and Industry also the hope that the Government might take should be looked at. steps to convince the Federal Government that a special loan was needed to assist in Much has been said about the tourist overcoming unemployment in Queensland. If industry and in the short time available to the Government had been successful in get­ me I shall quote from the "Gold Coast ting extra money, it could have been spread Adviser" of Friday, 14 April, 1961, which over various departments-Main Roads, states how the people on the South Coast, Irrigation and Water Supply, Public Works, who are the staunchest supporters of the Agriculture and Stock, and the Housing Com­ Government, feel about the situation. The mission-and this would have made work for article reads- unemployed seasonal workers. "The situation with the Tourist port­ folio is as bad in its own way-but it I think the Government of Queensland is far more damaging to the State's like other State Governments and the Corn~ monwealth Government, must give considera­ economy. tion to automation. I recently returned from "Mr. Morris has made a series of trips a tour of the North. I found there that where overseas to publicise Queensland-and has employers in seasonal industries have plenty successfully alienated the tourist bureau of time to overhaul their plant and of the other States and New Zealand, and machinery, new machines are being put into brought the wrath of the Australian those plants, and when production is resumed National Travel Association-Australia's fewer men will be employed. I know that the most powerful tourist body-down on his subject of automation has been raised in head. this ~arliament and other parliaments, but "The officers of Mr. Morris's Tourist that IS not enough. Automation is having an important effect on unemployment. Some Department are dedicated men. They'd steps will have to be taken to overcome this have to be on the pittance they are paid. problem, and I have no doubt that the "His lack of administration has left a A.C.T.U. congress now taking place will give trail of disgruntled employees throughout it urgent consideration. I think it is the right the service. 264 Address in Reply [ASSEMBLY] Address in Reply

"In the Tourist Bureau, Mr. Morris's Department of Irrigation and Water Supply senior Officers are doing what they can to 30 June, 1960, in respect of the Burdekin with the funds made available to them River authority was £2,007,791, and in by their Minister's Cabinet. respect of the Department of Public Lands, "But the entire advertising allocation £965,338, a total of £2,973,129. for Australia is not so very much greater Why the Treasurer referred to it as the than the £18,000 the Minister has spent £10,000,000 Burdekin scheme is difficult to in recent months on his overseas jaunts. understand. The remission under the War "When Mr. Morris arrived back from Service Land Settlement Act Amendment Act the Pacific Travel Convention in Hawaii of 1960 to settlers in the Clare and Millaroo last year he claimed that he had received areas of arrears of rents owing and unpaid up excellent response and suggested that the to 31 December, 1959, amounted to £4,846. American tourist flood was about to start. The Government also relieved ex-Service "Yet when 12 of America's top travel settlers in the Clare-Millaroo irrigation areas agents arrived on the Gold Coast, they of their indebtedness at 31 December, 1959, all said that they had: of £30,699 for water charges and £989 for Never heard of the Gold Coast until drainage rates. Operations during 1959-1960 they arrived in Sydney. resulted in deficits in the irrigation areas of Clare £34,462, Millaroo £9,829 and Dalbeg Not heard Mr. Morris speak at the £4,161. These results did not take into con­ convention. sideration interest and redemption on loan Seen none of the thousands of moneys or depreciation. brochures the Minister was alleged to Payments by the Commonwealth and have distributed." State Governments in equal proportions Little has been said for or against a number towards losses on advances towards War of other departments controlled by the Service land settlement amounted to approxi­ Minister. They go on to name them. At mately £400,000. If the Treasurer assessed the present time they feel that the Deputy the scheme entirely on its direct returns to Premier of the State is a one-man Cabinet the Treasury or rather on the drain it has because he is the Minister for Tourism, been on the State Treasury funds his restricted the Minister for Police, and the Minister for outlook, the outlook of the accountant and Labour and Industry. not of the statesman towards this proposal, then we can understand why he made such (Time expired.) a statement. Mr. COBURN (Burdekin) (2.35 p.m.): The What applies in relation to this scheme people of North Queensland were shocked applies with equal force to every other recently by a statement published in "Queens­ developmental scheme undertaken in any of land Country Life" of 10 August, that the the Australian States. The States borrow Treasurer, Mr. Hiley, had stated that the the money to implement the project, pay £10,000,000 Burdekin scheme is a classical interest and redemption on the loan, find it example of "another white elephant." difficult to recoup the expenditure on almost every developmental project without excep­ Mr. Aikens: The silliest ministerial state­ tion and the Commonwealth reaps tlre reward ment ever made. in the form of income tax, sales tax, payroll Mr. COBURN: That is quite true. "The tax and excise duties. The small amount Burdekin will grow enough watermelons for of extra money received by the States under the whole of Australia but melons would not the taxation reimbursement formula would provide a living for a cocksparrow," he is be infinitesimal. It is, as I have said before alleged to have said. He continued- in this House, a classic example of the State "Until a high value crop in relation to feeding the cow and the Commonwealth tonnage-such as tobacco--could be grown taking the milk. under irrigation the area would not pro­ Just what has this project-so roundly and duce economically. wrongly condemned by the Treasurer­ "Tobacco would have provided the meant to Australia in general and to the answer if it had not been choked out with Lower Burdekin in particular? The values nutgrass and if water had not had too of the tobacco leaf grown in the Clare, much salt." Millaroo and Dalbeg districts since the Government took office are- To ascertain why the Treasurer, a man of Year £ extensive knowledge and one who almost 1957-1958 498,000 invariably bases his statement on fact, should 1958-1959 69{),000 have made such an amazing statement, an 1959-1960 931,000 unjustifiable one and one that could not pos­ 1960-1961 792,000 sibly be substantiated when the national good is placed paramount, I undertook consider­ That is an average of approximately £728,000 able research into what is known as the first per annum over the years since the Govern­ stage of the Burdekin River irrigation hydro­ ment took office, and the beneficial effect electric and flood mitigation scheme and I that this has had on the economy, particu­ ascertained that the expenditure by the larly the local economy, is substantial. Address in Reply [7 SEPTEMBER] Address in Reply 265

A high percentage of the annual income of men, he said, had shown that profitable £728,000 is spent locally and gives a great crops could be produced in spite of nut stimulus to business. I am informed that grass competition. The work at the Ayr approximately 1,000 persons have been Regional Experiment Station had shown employed in the local tobacco industry for that nut grass density could be greatly four months of the year and, if this employ­ reduced by cultivation under the hot, dry ment is available in the slack season as it conditions. Most of the tubers were located relates to the sugar industry, it is of extreme in the surface sod and, with high tempera­ importance. It is also claimed that up to tures and low moisture these were killed £400,000 a year is paid out annually in by dehydration. When weather conditions wages to those who find employment in the were favourable for nut grass growth tobacco industry in the Burdekin Valley 2,4-D would give effective control. Three area. The scheme is not as the Treasurer years of grass lay before tobacco will also described it, a white elephant, but is virtually suppress nut grass growth. To grow an iron lung that keeps industry and employ­ tobacco profitably in competition with the ment alive for hundreds of people in that nut grass that remains after any one of area. these treatments, the first need is for strong healthy seedlings. Crop growth must not If the tobacco- and bean- and pea­ be checked at any stage through inadequ­ producing land of Clare, Millaroo and Dalbeg ate moisture or nutrients. For that reason, were non-existent, the army of unemployed the land should be fertilised before plant in Ayr during the slack sugar season would ing. Backward patches in the newly trans­ be swelled by at least another 1,000 persons planted crop should be given side dressing as there are no other avenues for employ­ of nitrogenous fertilisers as soon as they ment. are noticed. The crop should be cultivated What we would all like to know is what as often as necessary to keep the nut the Treasurer would provide as an alterna­ grass under constant control. tive to the Burdekin Dam scheme to absorb "But although close cultivation was the army of unemployed. The answer to necessary, care should be taken to 'lvoid his statement that tobacco would have pro­ disturbing the roots of the tobacco plants. vided the answer if it had not been choked After the final hilling, nut grass woulJ nvt out with nut grass and if water had not trouble a healthy tobacco crop." had too much salt is contained in state­ ments made in a letter over the signature So much for the statement by the Treasurer of A. 0. Morris, Secretary of the Irrigation that we could not grow tobacco because of and Water Supply Commission, Brisbane, nut grass infestation and because there was dated 27 April, 1961. Extracts from that too much salt in the water. We have a letter are as follows:- statement by the secretary of the Irrigation "As you are probably aware the Com­ and Water Supply Department and the state­ mission decided in 1959 to investigate the ment by Mr. N. H. Adams, senior adviser economics of tobacco-growing on nut-grass in agriculture in the area that gives the iie infested land by growing several demon­ direct to that statement. There is no salt stration crops under conditions as close water in the Burdekin tobacco areas, as as possible to those applying to all stated by the Treasurer, but in some instances Burdekin settlers. A vacant Clare tobacco analysis of tobacco has revealed a chloride farm infested with nut grass was chosen content due to soluble mineral chlorides. for the demonstration and in the This, however, is evident in most tobacco­ 1959-1960 season 5-} acres of tobacco producing districts in the State and is not were grown yielding 9,397 lb. of leaf confined to the Burdekin. sold. This represents a production of 1,709 lb. per acre which would be con­ Let us now turn to statements by the sidered most satisfactory under the best Burdekin River Authority furnished to this conditions. There is no doubt that the Parliament in 1951 in a comprehensive favourable growing season contributed report, and find out what is the evaluation of significantly towards the high yield per the Burdekin Dam project by the eminent acre which, however, was markedly higher and highly-qualified public servants who than the district average. The average constituted that authority. In the 40 minutes price for the leaf at the 1960 Brandon allowed me in this debate it is impossible tobacco sales was 115.2d. per lb. the gross to discuss this comprehensive report in its return per acre being £820. The net entirety or in detail. The contents are well realisation after deduction of selling known to all interested members of the charges, etc., was £4,280." House, so I have just taken at random from the report 20 unequivocal statements which What did the senior adviser in agriculture reveal how highly the members of the autho­ in that year have to say about nut grass? rity value the scheme which the Treasurer I will read his statement- has found fit to condemn so roundly. " Most tobacco growers try to avoid cropping in nut grass land but some had In the report, we find these statements-­ no alternative, said Mr. N. H. Adams, the "(]) Project will bring into full produc­ Senior Adviser in Agriculture in the Agri­ tion large areas of land which offer great culture Department. A number of these possibilities for development. 266 Address in Reply [ASSEMBLY] Address in Reply

"(2) As the scheme develops substantial beast to 25 acres under natural condi­ quantities of hydro-power will be devel­ tions to more than 12 under irrigation oped, irrigation development will be and the quicker turnoff of cattle from the extended and the recent flood damage to irrigated pastures would much more than the land along the river and in the closely compensate for the water and drainage settled delta area will be appreciably charges and higher rentals payable on reduced. the irrigated lands. Cattle-fattening on "(3) When full development is attained irrigated pastures in the Burdekin area it is expected that the rural and local can therefore be expected to be far more urban population of the area will have profitable than under natural conditions. been increased by some 50,000 persons This is quite apart from the additional apart from substantial consequential security against drought losses, the bene­ increases in the population of the larger fits accruing from stabilised production and cities and towns in the area." the numerous other advantages associated with production in an irrigated area with "(4) The reservoir formed by the its closer settlement and resultant better Burdekin dam will conserve 16 times as services in connection with both the neces­ much water as is in Sydney Harbour, sities and the amenities of life. three times as much as in the Hume Reservoir on the Murray River and more "(1 0) The irrigated pastures and fodder than twice as much as is contained in the crops planned for the Burdekin area will Big Eildon Reservoir on the Goulburn not only give security against drought River in Victoria. It will hold appreciably losses for the large numbers of cattle more water than the seven major dams within the area but will provide a valuable either completed or proposed in the Snowy fodder reserve available for sale to other Mountains project. areas in times of drought." "(5) The capacity of the completed Mr. Aikens: I'll hold the Treasurer down Burdekin Falls Reservoir will provide for while you read that to him. a continuous daily output of not less than 5,400 acre feet, aqua! to a flow of 17,000 Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order I can­ gallons a second, over the worst drought not always see the hon. member for Towns­ period likely to be experienced. ville South interjecting but I recognise his voice. I should like to assure him that after "(6) Australia cannot afford to continue 11 years' experience in this House we have allowing the waters of the Burdekin River always found the hon. member for Burdekin to run to waste and to lose the potential quite capable of making excellent speeches. wealth to which the construction of even a He does not need the help of the hon. 75-feet dam would contribute. Speedy member for Townsviiie South and I ask him construction of the Burdekin Falls Dam please to cease interrupting. to this level is therefore imperative in the national interest. That is emphatic enough Mr. COBURN: Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I am sure he is trying to be very "(7) With the establishment of per· helpful, and he has been, too, at times. The manent irrigated high-quality pastures and statements continue- fodder crops in the Burdekin region, large "(11) More than sufficient suitable land areas will be available for the fattening of can be commanded by the project to take store cattle from the hinterland. Not only all the water available for irrigation and will the carrying capacity be increased animal and agricultural products for which acre for acre but it is anticipated produc­ there is a certain market can readily be tion will be stabilised over the whole year, produced. As development of the Burdekin a necessity strongly stressed by the late project proceeds the present unfulfilled Mr. E. F. Sunners, when chairman of the demand in North Queensland for vege­ Queensland Meat Industry Board. tables, dairy products and meat wiii be "(8) The establishment of irrigated met, with a surplus available for supply pastures and fodder crops is also vitally elsewhere in Australia and overseas. needed to give security against drought "(12) Development will be spread over a losses. As pointed out by the Bureau of considerable period, and at all stages will Investigation of Land and Water yield substantial benefits commensurate Resources, the Burdekin region is exten­ with the expenditure incurred. The final sive enough to act as a holding area for expenditure of some £51,000,000 on a large number of cattle when drought irrigated development will make possible threatens their very existence outside of production with a gross value estimated to irrigation areas. be of the order of £16,000,000 per annum, "(9) Experimental results in the Burdekin which is almost as great as irrigated pro­ area foreshadow that good pastures duction from the whole of Victoria and is established from tropical species under equal to one-third of the capital invested. irrigation could be expected to carry at "(13) Hydro-electric generation, with its least two beasts to the acre for at least comparatively low running and main­ part of the year. Even on a much lighter tenance costs, operating on water which stocking rate of one beast to two acres, will be used again in the area for irri­ the increase in carrying capacity from one gation offers the best means of providing Address in Reply [7 SEPTEMBER] Address in Reply 267

the adequate supplies of power at stabilised developed will nave a value in the future tariffs which will be one of the major perhaps much greater fuan can be envisaged factors in encouraging industrial develop­ today, having brought to the area a greatly­ ment as well as providing for the increas­ increased population, stable primary indus­ ing demand for power from existing con­ tries, protected against drought, producing sumers and the expanding rural and urban much-needed animal and vegetable pro­ population associated with the irrigation ducts, accompanying service and processing development. industries, and secondary industries assured "(14) The proposed hydro-electric of adequate supplies of water." installation will have strategic value, in Those are not my words. They are the that it would be less vunerable in time of statements of the top-rank public servants of war than a thermal station on the coast. the State, men who were appointed to the It has the further advantage of operating Burdekin River authority. Some have passed on replenishable water resources, thereby on but others who were members of t11at enabling valuable and irreplaceable coal authority which was responsible for the com­ deposits to be conserved for other pilation and presentation of that report are essential purposes, giving relief to trans­ still occupying positions as heads of various port systems and the manpower pool, and departments in Queensland. The present providing a supply much less subject to Co-ordinator-General of Public Works, Mr. possible interruptions, due to industrial Holt, was a member of the committee; Mr. disputes, than one based on other means Petersen, formerly Treasurer of the State, of operation dependent on fuel supplies. was also a member of the committee. "(15) When the Burdekin Falls Dam is Those statements are there. Either they built to a final height of 150 feet, its knew what they were talking about and t11eir effect in holding back flood waters will report was a factual one or it was a lot be to suppress what would otherwise have of balderdash, or a compilation merly to gain been major floods. It would have reduced some political kudos for some party. The the March, 1946, and even larger floods to Government never yet have condemned the below the level of serious damage." report. Never have they told the people of Serious damage does occur at intervals in the State, particularly the people of North the Burdekin area. Queensland who regard the Burdekin Dam scheme as the very basis on which industry "(16) Should it be found necessary or in North Queensland must be built, t11at they desirable to supplement the underground are not favourably disposed towards the supplies in the Delta, it would be possible report presented to Parliament by that to provide water in the area by gravitation Burdekin River authority. If the report is from the main source of supply upstream. accepted by the Government as factual, a "(17) The effect of the project in increas­ move should be made to induce the Common­ ing the population of North Queensland wealth Government to make money available and in developing its resources is such that for the implementation of that great scheme. Australia cannot afford any delay in its We in North Queensland who have been implementation. so shocked by the statement of the Treasurer, "(18) The Burdekin River Authority is because we feel that it completely undermines convinced that the project is a sound one t11e scheme that has been accepted by all and that its implementation is essential North Queenslanders as the basis for our in both the State and the national interest. development, say that the Government should It will bring closer settlement and indus­ dissociate themselves immediately from it if trial development to an area which is at the personal statement of the Treasurer did present sparsely populated and which not represent the attitude of the Government could not be developed without irrigation." towards this great scheme. In spite of that, the Treasurer tells us that Mr. Walsh: Apparently there is no truth these little tinpot irrigation schemes are to in the rumour that you were going to join be preferred to the larger schemes. No the Liberal Party too? country in the world that has developed to a Mr. COBURN: Poor old Ted is always high standard has ever done so without con­ gossiping about scandal, but he is generally serving its water on a large scale. Take the wrong. Aswan Dam on the River Nile, the Boulder Dam in the U.S.A., and our great Australian I was very interested in tl1e statement dams-the Burrinjuck, the Hume, and Eildon made the other day by the Leader of the Weirs. Those are the dams that have brought Queensland Labour Party about the position about development and given a good liveli­ in which the State's tobacco producers have hood and a very high standard of living to been placed. His statement about his own many of our people. area could have been applied with equal force to the Lower Burdekin area. Prior to The statements continue- the sale an air of optimism prevailed that "(19) Development of North Queensland had never been evident in the area before. and of its resources is essential if Australia There was a record production of leaf and is to hold this country, and must be regarded the growers considered tlrat it was the best as of major importance as a defence quality leaf that had ever been presented for measure. The Burdekin Project when fully sale. On the first morning that the sale was 268 Address in Reply [ASSEMBLY] Address in Reply

to be held I spoke to Mr. Noel Adams on Mr. Bromley: The whole system needs the Brandon floor. I asked him what he changing. thought of the leaf to be presented for sale. He said that in his opinion it was the best Mr. COBURN: What system will you quality leaf that had ever been presented for substitute for it? The trouble is that the sale. After the sale started the prices that growers are in the hands of a couple of were offered were such that they did not even companies. At Ayr, Wills and Rothmans, cover the cost of production of most of the were the only two that bought on a decent­ growers. We were told that the Tobacco sized scale and the prices that they offered Marketing Board have highly-qualified asses­ were the prices that had to be accepted or sors. They assess the leaf before it is sub­ the leaf taken home again. That is what mitted for actual sale. One instance quoted many of them had to do. to me was that the assessor valued the leaf at They claim that the Commonwealth 130d. a lb. and the best offer made for that Government should establish a quota high leaf by the buyers was 30d. enough to enable the whole of the Australian There is something wrong with an offer production that is saleable to be sold. The for leaf when there is a difference of 1OOd. quota was raised to 40 and 43 per cent. for leaf that is valued at 130d. Other for plug and cigarette tobacco. The com­ instances were quoted where no offer at all panies say, "If we use too high a percentage was made for the leaf but afterwards they of Australian leaf with the American leaf, privately negotiated with the buyers t~ find it won't suit the taste of the tobacco smokers out from them what they thought the real and there will be a decrease in our sales." value of the leaf was. One person told me That is their argument but I know it is not that the buyer told him his leaf was worth tenable because neither they nor anyone else 108d. He said, "I will give it to you for can say what the Australian §moker's taste 108d. because you refused to make an offer is. They say, "We have sold well with the for it when it was presented to you." There present blend," but they do not know they is a general feeling amongst growers in the would not sell equally well or even better area that they have not received prices with a different blend. commensurate with the quality of the leaf. Mr. Hilton: They are virtually saying tlrat I know it is very difficult to assess the good leaf cannot be grown in Australia. value of tobacco leaf. After all, it is a Mr. COBURN: They are. personal valuation of it. It is not like sugar­ cane where the juice is analysed and the If we are to develop our industry we sugar content of that juice is known exactly should have 100 per cent. Australian and the sugar-cane is paid for on the c.c.s. tobacco leaf in Australian cigarettes and, of the cane stalks. With tobacco leaf I do although I am not an authority on it, never not know of any standard that has been having smoked, I am quite certain that the established by which an analysis of the leaf Australian smoker would buy the cigarettes is made and a value placed on it. and smoke them just as he is buying and smoking the American-Australian blend used The year in which the low figure I quoted at present. occurred, the growers were given a formula The first excuse advanced, was that the buyers for an arsenic spray, and some of them told would not give a decent price for the leaf me they used the arsenic to a lesser degree because it was fiat. That was corrected and than that recommended. Their leaf was the next year they said there was too much entirely rejected because of the too-high chloride in the leaf. They go on making arsenical content in it. Everybody associated excuses and, as they are the ones who buy ~ith the tobacco industry from the growing the leaf, the other fellow has to sell it s1de was sure that they had not been given or take it back into his barn. He has no a fair deal. alternative, but we cannot build up an indus­ They did not sit down under it. Their try under those conditions. organisation moved to try to correct the I think therefore that the Tobacco Market­ position that had arisen. ing Board composed of men who know the industry thoroughly, backed by the producers Mr. Bromley: They were a bit slow about of tobacco, should exert the utmost pressure it. on the Governments until an arrangement is Mr. COBURN: They could have been a reached under which growers can be guaran­ bit slow but I do not know whether you teed that they will get for their leaf a price could have done any better. They explored commensurate with its quality. every avenue that could be explored and Before the sales commenced the growers they are still doing so. The growers them­ in tl1e Burdekin area did not know what type selves have not been idle. They are moving. of leaf was required by the buyers. It was They know what the position is just as we only after the sales that they began to make do, most of them better. They still have excuses for the low prices by telling them sufficient faith in the men that they elected the leaf was too light, or that it was not to the Tobacco Marketing Board to feel the right colour or that its chloride content that ultimately they will get the deal they was too high, and so many of these men are entitled to. who had lroped to be in an excellent financial Address in Reply [7 SEPTEMBER] Address in Reply 269 pos1t10n after the sales found themselves so illustrious T. J. Ryan, the first Labour financially embarrassed that they had to ask Premier of Queensland. Then there was the Government to send representatives into his successor, Frank Bulcock, who served the area to make a comprehensive survey of this State and the Commonwealth so ably. the whole position, so that finance could be made available to them for growing the next A.L.P. Members: Hear, hear! crop. Mr. O'DONNELL: Finally, we all In my area alone there are 170 tobacco remember the late Ned Davis who repre­ farmers. Some of the farms are let to sented the Barcoo electorate from 1943 to share-farmers. At times during the picking 1961. His experience as a pastoral worker and curing season 1,000 people are engaged and a union official qualified him to serve in tl:re industry, and at a time when there his constituents faithfully and well. He is no work in the sugar industry. It is such attained a unique position in political life a valuable industry to the Lower Burdekin in that he received the love of all sections of district that every effort should be made by the community. On innumerable occasions the Government to see that the growers are I have heard people say, simply, "He was given sufficient protection to allow them to my friend." That impresses me as to the remain in the industry and to make a profit. sincerity of his relationship with those who That will keep them in it. sought his advice, help, or companionship. He was a mate to them all. Should I ever attain Mr. Aikens: And help to develop North half the esteem in which he is held I shall Queensland. deem myself most fortunate. He was gentle, Mr. COBURN: Of course. gentlemanly, and courageous-a man in every sense of the word. He gave his all If these men and women had not been to his ideals. We are all better off for engaged in the tobacco industry, no other having known him. In his inimitable way he avenue of employment would have been open contributed effectively to the welfare of to tl:rem. They would have been on unem­ Queensland. His passing was a personal loss ployment benefits, and no good comes from to me. It will be incumbent on me to give that. a high standard of service, to emulate Ned Through you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, I make Davis and his predecessors. an appeal to the Government to do their Quite recently in this House there was a utmost to save the tobacco industry. These reference to Australian advancement. I do men were put into the industry under certain not think that reference can pass unexamined. guarantees, and in some respects we must There is no doubt that Australia is beginning admit the Government have treated them very this decade badly. Had we full employment generously, particularly the soldier settlers of and an annual growth equal to the average the Clare and Millaroo area. The tobacco of 1950-1960, by 1970 our population would growers of that area are not unmindful of be increased by 25 per cent., our work that matter, but, just as they had reached force by 30 per cent., and our manufacturing a stage when they were on the up-and-up, would have doubled its output, with these disastrous sales came on and they were enormous advances in most sections of given prices far below those they thought industry. There would be a m1mmum they should have received, and were thus increase of 60 per cent. in productivity placed in an embarrassing financial position. alone for the market of the '60's would Mr. O'DONNELL (Barcoo) (3.15 p.m.): have provided ample opportunities to extend In rising to support the amendment to the local production of manufactures-an exten­ Address in Reply moved by my leader, I sion necessary to employ the work force state that the electors of Barcoo, through and obtain needed basic materials and equip­ me, express their loyalty to our Sovereign, ment with limited overseas earnings. For Queen Elizabeth the Second. I sincerely hope the consideration of the House I offer these that she will long reign over the British figures that I have compiled. They will be Commonwealth of Nations. We congratulate of particular interest because they represent her worthy representative, His Excellency, a forecast of what should have been spent Sir Henry Abel Smith, who has endeavoured by 1970- to interest himself in all the activities of "(1) £1,300 million to double output our State. By their personal contact with of electrical power. the people, he and Lady May have "(2) £300 million in improving basic strengthened the ties between the State and steel capacity. the Throne. "(3) £2,000 million on roads. No doubt, every electorate has its tradi­ "(4) £600 million on water storage. tions, and has been represented by men who have given distinguished service. The "(5) £500 million on post offices and electorate of Barcoo has a place in labour communications." annals which is peculiarly its own. The During the next 10 years public works focusing of attention on the Barcoo by-election expenditure would exceed the total of the last reminded people of the original T. J. Ryan, 60 years. That is a big thing to say but a pioneer labour representative in this it is a fact. By 1970 we would be able House who was later followed by a more to build 130,000 homes as against 90,000 270 Address in Reply [ASSEMBLY] Address in Reply

at present. Also there should be a develop­ Mr. Deputy Speaker, that the cultivation of ment of mineral production-iron ore, coal, this area will bring about a threefold produc­ copper, uranium, bauxite, and asbestos. tion of stock. Of course, the work is not Primary industry, or course, would possibly as easy as is speaking about it, and the actual relatively lose some prestige in our economy application of the whole process of crop but wool would still be the principal pro­ feeding has many complications. The pro­ duct, and there would be advances influenced duction depends on the ability of the grazier, by irrigation, a subject that has been before or the farmer-grazier, whatever we may the House repeatedly over the last few days call him, to both breed and feed. When and of course stressed by people with strong we get down to the smaller living areas, rural interests. It could be extended to the it may not be possible to carry out that development of cotton, safflower and so on. activity as well as it could be carried out Naturally the whole of this development on the larger properties. would open an investment field for the Another factor that is important in this growth of industries and would be attractive form of combined farming and pastoral and beneficial to those people interested in activity is lack of finance. I do not think that that form of activity. question has been neglected by any party in The whole forecast is important in the sense the House. that Queensland would have benefited so Production of grain sorghum in the area greatly if only it had come to fruition. How­ this year was 40,000 tons. I ask hon. mem­ ever, as we know, we have the two matters I bers to consider what 40,000 tons of sorghum mentioned, namely, there is reduced employ­ could mean when used for crop feeding. ment and the average of the '50's in progress According to experts, half a ton of sorghum of work has not been kept up and it does will put 250 lb. on a beast in 120 days, so not seem to be likely at present. 40,000 tons of sorghum produced in that Contracting markets, too, have contributed area for export could, if applied to cattle in to this unfortunate position that faces us the area, feed 80,000. That figure of 40,000 today. Added to this there is a certain com­ tons does not take into consideration the placency existing in Australia over some grain produced by people who divert it facets of our position. Particularly there is a immediately to feeding stock on their section of anti-Labour opinion which believes properties. emphatically that there should be a reservoir Before 1947 there was virtually no sorg­ of unemployed, apparently to discipline the hum produced in the Peak Downs region Australian wage earners and some of the and adjacent districts. When I arrived in the salary earners as well. It is a terrible indict­ Peak Downs district in 1947, only one farm ment that the complacency that exists in this was producing sorghum, and I had to take country should have that in mind rather than my hat off to the man who faced up having the progress of Australia at heart. to a series of droughts and stuck to his guns. Let me come closer to home and mention He pioneered the growing of grain in the certain activities in the Barcoo electorate. I area, and today there is a great expanse of stress that the problems of Barcoo are not country laid open for closer settlement. I peculiar to that area but apply to nearly might say that it was laid open for closer every inland electorate in the State. The settlement by the Australian Labour Party eastern section of the Barcoo electorate is an Government then in office. I spent all my extensive area of the Fitzroy basin and in earlier years there in close contact with the this region there must be at least 500,000 Queensland British Food Corporation and acres capable of being cultivated without its activities, and no-one can contradict me touching on land that it would be too costly when I say that that area is now under closer to develop as yet. In the district there is settlement because of the wise administration an extensive belt of brigalow. The rainfall of Labour Governments in the early 1950's. of 25 inches is quite adequate for the produc­ To narrow down the Peak Downs area, it tion of grain, cattle, sheep and fat lambs. includes people Jiving right down to These industries can be correlated, especially Springsure and north to Blair Athol. when lot feeding of grain is done. The Those people have their problems. In cultivation of this area could increase the meeting my obligations as their represen­ carrying capacity threefold with more safety tative in this Parliament, I carried out a to the primary producer. We hear a great personal survey of what these people thought deal lately about Arcturus Downs. It is was essential for the development of the mentioned whenever the subject of lot district. In the course of conversation, the feeding is brought up. However, that is not importance of clearing the brigalow country the only property in the area that is working was brought up. This will not only add to along those progressive lines. Iona, Barton cattle production but will also contribute Downs and many other properties through­ greatly to grain production, and it will out the Peak Downs and Springsure district enlarge the general activities that can be are going in for this wonderful correlation carried out in such a productive region. of farming and grazing-to put it simply, breeding and feeding. I think this is the I should like to digress and refer to whole basis of the success of the future, wheat. The production of wheat in the east at least of the Drummond Range in Peak Downs area is somewhat in the nature Central Queensland. I know, and you know, of a fluke. When the seasonal conditions Address in Reply [7 SEPTEMBER] Address in Reply 271 are right we have wonderful wheat crops. are endeavouring to do something. The Unfortunately this year there is hardly a clearing of the gidyea country and the farmer there producing that winter grain. planting of buffel grass has been well However, we are going to have good crops publicised. It has contributed to a revival from time to time and with the clearing of interest in that area. We know that if of the brigalow belt we shall have increased we could increase the carrying capacity of wheat areas. As is well known, the wheat the land we would move along to resub­ produced in the Peak Downs district is of division and, of course, closer settlement, high protein content. We expect the which is something that is greatly desirable brigalow country to produce wheat of high­ particularly away from the coast. When we milling and baking quality. Other grains get subdivision and closer settlement we will produced there include barley, oats, and give more opportunities to the young people maize, and, of course, linseed, safflower, to go onto that land, the land that they cotton, panicum, peas and beans have been want to till and the land on which they grown successfully. They illustrate what a want to rear animals because that is their wonderful area it is and the wonderful upbringing, their life and their ambition. possibilities for future development. To facilitate that work I suggest a research I should like to return to what the station in this area. I think it would be farmers and graziers refer to as their appreciated and would do incalculable good grouches. I have listed eight points that to the country. Before concluding on this will be of particular interest to the Govern­ point I should like to refer to Great Britain's ment because they all represent points of capacity to take our wool. I know that Great criticism brought up not only by the Opposi­ Britain has lrer difficulties but I believe that tion but also by hon. members opposite. if she could halt the inflationary trend she The first point is that electricity at a would be able to buy a great deal more of reasonable cost is required. The second our Australian wool. We, consequently, point concerns better roads to railways. I would be able to expand our exports. next list adequate water conservation for Again it comes back to what I said before. irrigation, stock and domestic purposes. It is not much good increasing production if The next point, lower rail freights, is of you have not the market. I have here great interest to the Minister for Transport. Commonwealth statistics for the last financial The adequate supply of rolling stock and year and in brief, in approximate figures, faster delivery of livestock are another two Japan stepped up its purchases of wool by points of interest to that hon. gentleman. £11,000,000 whilst the United Kingdom's My next point is: land valuation on cultiva­ dropped by £20,000,000, France's by tion to be kept at a reasonable and equitable £5,000,000, Italy's by £11,000,000, Belgium level with uncultivated land. I refer to road and Luxembourg's by £2,000,000 and West transport where railways do not exist and Germany's by £5,000,000. The total drop I have listed Clermont to Mackay and was approximately £51,000,000. Charters Towers, Springsure to Moura and Injune. The countries that are reducing tlreir pur­ chases happen to come from the Common Lack of finance is the retarding factor in Market area which, of course, to me, repre­ development and therefore liberal financial sents something for concern. If the infla­ consideration over a long period would tionary trend is altered, there may be a help significantly to bring into production reversal of that trend and we may once undeveloped fertile areas. The conservation more see our wool being bought in larger of water that is allowed to run off every quantities by the European markets. That year after the monsoonal rains is essential will, no doubt, contribute greatly to a revival to counter any drought losses. It is of in the 60's and perhaps some partial attain­ vital importance that there must be markets. ment of my previously mentioned programme It is no good producing cattle threefold might be achieved. Of course, as always, or doubling the production of sorghum, etc., markets are our problem. if you have no markets. Had there not been a drought in Queensland this year TI:Te Barcoo electorate is well served by there would have been a surplus of sorghum a railway system and it is well served by that could have been embarrassing to the its railway workers, who have demonstrated producers of that crop. in the years that I have lived there, and in my frequent trips through the electorate, that Inadequate rainfall and lack of water they are loyal to their department, always storage prevent the expansion of agriculture seeking to improve a public utility. They are to the West. Apparently the soil is very conscientious servants and it must not be fertile because you can see the citrus grow­ forgotten that they suffer some disabilities ing at Barcaldine; you can see the activity there. They are subject to a transfer system of the railway workers at Alpha in growing but still they do their work and do it will­ their vegetables; outside Barcaldine you can ingly, even though the localities are often see where water from the Charles Lloyd unfavourable, living costs high and climatic weir is being used for the irrigation of small conditions extremely uncomfortable at times. crops. Admittedly it is a small experiment Some of them have not the educational but you can see these things going on even amenities that are desirable. in the Blackall area where some men have endeavoured to grow grain. Unfortunately During my campaign I travelled from the rainfall is inadequate but these people Jericho to Barcaldine and called in at 272 Address in Reply [ASSEMBLY] Address in Reply

every fettler's camp on the way. I can over 1,700 square miles of country. Coal assure hon. members that no member of this varies in type, from bitumen to anthracite House would care to live under the condi­ coal, and of course, includes hard and soft tions that these maintenance workers put up coking coals. We have it everywhere in the witl:t in order to earn their living. I think Fitzroy Basin, but let us take Blair Athol. they are entitled to a mede of praise but Look at the five square miles of country there, I do not mean to take away credit from the with coal 90 to 100 feet deep. It is a services rendered by the Police Force, the wonderful sight for any tourist. People come teaching staff and other public servants. along, open their mouths and wonder. What They, too, render wonderful service to the is happening about it? Nothing at all. I think people of Barcoo and the State. Perhaps they last year 140,000 tons of coal was taken out of live on a slightly more congenial plane Blair Athol. The Railway Department bought because probably they are sounder financially approximately 96,000 tons and paid about and have less trouble in making ends meet £140,000 for it. The rest went to private than many of the railway employees. Never­ enterprise. What is the reason for lack of theless they are doing an excellent job. exploitation of this high-quality coal? Only one reason is offered-high transport costs. I must not forget the permanent residents, There will never be achievement until some because they form the backbone of the land strong Government action is taken to develop and contribute to the wealth, prosperity and this field. It is a pity because the natural development of town and country. Irres­ resources of this wonderful site have only pective of the area that may be visited been scratched on the surface. There is evidence of that fact can be found. ' only one solution, and the Leader of the More often than not these people have Opposition in his policy speech last year to sacrifice the joys of family life and mentioned this point rather strongly, but, of frequently have to send their children away course, nothing was done about it. He for education, particularly secondary educa­ said that this coal should be used to produce tion. There has been an advance, of course, byproducts on the field. We will develop in secondary education in the country. I it if we get the opportunity. There is the know we have four high school tops, but chance to set up an iron and steel works. they are totally inadequate in 43,000 square I was disappointed when I examined the miles. We have the further disadvantage statements concerning iron deposits to find that, when children have attained the school­ that their location was in the Dawson Valley. leaving age, they have to be sent from the It would have been a great advantage if area to obtain positions commensurate with they had been found in the Blair Athol area. the educational standard they have reached. However, investigations are not complete, The people are looking forward to decen­ but my information to date is that there is tralisation. It cannot come too soon for no great optimism about the quality of the them. They will welcome such government iron, and then, to make matters worse for advances as the establishment of a central Blair Athol, if this iron ore is of any use, Queensland university, a teachers' training the Premier has forecast that it will go to college and a Central Queensland agricultural Gladstone. That is disappointing to me, but college. is probably good news for the hon. member We also want some consideration under for Port Curtis. the Transport Act. We have anomalous Blair Athol has fewer amenities than any fares and freights and they must be abolished of the other towns in the Barcoo electorate. and, by their abolition, encouragement given In the last I 0 years it has declined. I to the permanent or the migratory inland remember when five coal trains left Blair resident. Irrespective of the industry in Athol daily. Each coal train takes out 400 which he is engaged, and whether he is a tons, and that represents 2,000 tons a day, wage plug or a wealthy grazier, he still has or 10,000 tons a week. That is roughly three the conviction that he is being penalised, to four times the present production. How­ that he has to pay a penalty for living away ever, Blair Athol is a valuable centre. This from the main coastal centres. That feeling year 27,000 head of cattle passed through prevails throughout the west. the railway yards. That indicates, quite clearly, that there are other activities in the Road transport is important and it must district, but it is a declining centre. become more so. This service must make a reasonable contribution to a balanced The electorate of Barcoo has played its transport economy. That is quite clear; it part in the development of the State and the is accepted. But we cannot have road Commonwealth, and I have every confidence transport subject to bungling and indecision, that it will continue to contribute effectively, and there should be no transport fees for providing the Queensland . Government keep persons using conveyances for hire when in mind the points I have mentioned. The their journeys do not compete with rail electorate needs each Government depart­ service. Under those circumstances a fee is ment to take an intensified interest in its an imposition. development. There are 43,000 square miles in the electorate. Should that interest be We know that Queensland has tremendous displayed and the finance be made available coal deposits. There are ten thousand mil­ for irrigation projects we will see the Barcoo lion tons alone in the Fitzroy Basin, spread electorate continue to progress. Address in Reply [7 SEPTEMBER) Address in Reply 273

Mr. MULLER (Fassifern) (3.49 p.m.): I Premier rushing off to Canberra in an take advantage of this great privilege of endeavour to adjust our financial arrange­ speaking to the motion for the adoption of ments. the Address in Reply. I associate myself Last week the Leader of the Opposition with that important part of the resolution referred to our loan allocations and grants to express my loyalty to Her Majesty the for development purposes as being somewhat Queen and the British Empire. I join, too, niggardly. The Premier agreed that they were with the other speakers in expressing my niggardly. This was followed by an approach sincere thanks to His Excellency the Governor by the Premier and the Treasurer to the for the excellent service he has rendered to Prime Minister. I expected that after that Queensland. I can assure you, Mr. Speaker, conference the Commonwealth would have that I am one of his great admirers for the been more generous. I was somewhat pleased way in which he makes his best endeavours when I read the joint Press statement by the to see Queensland. Probably there is no Prime Minister and the Premier that we were greater authority today on Queensland's going to receive very much better treatment requirements than Sir Henry. I doubt if but I am satisfied, notwithstanding that fact, anyone has seen so much of the State in the that conditions are still niggardly. I am not time. going to ask you to accept my word for it but I feel sure this afternoon every hon. member I should like to take the opportunity of will appreciate the writings of Harold Cox. offering my sincere congratulations to the He is reliable. He writes without bias. This hon. member for Whitsunday, who moved is what he had to say as appeared in last the motion for the adoption of the Address week's "Sunday Mail"- in Reply, and the hon. member for Aspley, who seconded it. Their practical background "At a time in the life of the Parlia­ enabled them to speak in such a way that we ment when hand-outs have become the could not fail to appreciate their points. As order of the day, Queensland is to get a matter of fact, I am sure their practical another £4.35 million of Federal money approach impressed the whole House. paid over a five-year term for the develop­ ment of the beef roads scheme. My experience in this Assembly dates "By contrast, when superficial accounts back a number of years. Going back to are closed, Western Australia will have 1935, there are only about five of us left­ paid £26.8 million, or 65 per cent. of the Leader of the Opposition, the hon. mem­ the cost of the Kalgoorlie-Fremantle rail ber for Bundaberg, Mr. Walsh, the hon. standardisation, and the Commonwealth member for Carnarvon, Mr. Hilton, the will have paid £14.4 million, or 35 per Premier and myself. I have seen some cent. of the cost. changes in that time, and I have seen the "As most of the West Australian strange peculiarities and the problems that Government's share will come from the arise from time to time. It is important to State's consolidated revenue, it is inevitable deal with those problems as they present that the Grants Commission will jack up themselves in the light of existing circum­ the State's special grant to meet this stances. commitment, and the real result almost I came here in the time of the depression. certainly will be that the Commonwealth In 1935 there were signs that it was lifting, will pay the lion's share of the money. but conditions were still very bad. I saw the "Had the same nominal division of the war years and I saw the change to uniform cost of the West Australian railway been taxation. I mention those points because I applied to the Mt. Isa railway the Com­ think it was the change to uniform taxation monwealth would have paid about £10 and its effects over the years that brought million as a straight-out contribution, us to where we are. I remember when the whereas it is to provide nothing but to matter was under consideration. The late give an extra £4.35 million for Queensland Hon. William Forgan Smith, sitting over here roads. on the Government benches, criticised the "Thus the Commonwealth comes off idea. Later, of course, he was obliged to more than £5 million better and Queens­ capitulate, as we all were, but he used these land £5 million worse than would have words- been the case had the allocation basis for "If you forfeit the right to tax, you the West Australian railway project been forfeit the right to govern." applied to the Mt. Isa project." That is, perhaps, exactly where we have Mr. Hanlon: If that is the best they can drifted. Because of the Commonwealth's do in an election year, what will happen taking that power and of what followed, we to us if they get back again? are today practically governed from Can­ berra and the State has found itself to be Mr. MULLER: I know that the Premier something in the nature of a glorified local did his utmost and was sincere; but if he is authority. Perhaps, too, I have never seen a pleased with that arrangement, I still believe time when the relationship between the that it is niggardly and I am not at all States and the Commonwealth was so pleased. Most of us thought that, with a strained and stretched, almost to breaking project such as the Mt. Isa railway project, point. We had the example last week of the the Commonwealth Government would have 274 Address in Reply [ASSEMBLY] Address in Reply

borne at least one-third of the cost. I under­ early action is taken I shudder to think of stand that they originally intended contri­ what is going to happen. I have already buting very substantially to it. If I read mentioned the position we have drifted into, the financial arrangement correctly, it now largely as a result of uniform taxation, the appears that the Commonwealth Government powers of the Commonwealth and the little are going to give the Queensland Govern­ power of the State. I want to show how ment nothing. They will provide the loan serious the position really is. We also have money and the Government will pay interest the further matter of Great Britain's joining on it. The £4,500,000 for beef roads is the European Common Market. It raises to be spread over five years, and if we the subject of the changed relationship examine that arrangement closely we find between the United Kingdom and marketing something like this: that about 15 per cent. organisations in Queensland. I shall have of the money will be found in the life­ more to say about this subject a little later. time of the present Government, about 60 per Many people have never fully appreciated cent. in the lifetime of the next Govern­ the worth of the United Kingdom market. ment, and about 25 per cent. in the lifetime In the past we have sent them all our of the Government following that. One can surplus-anything we did not want. If we easily make a promise to do something had no surplus, we sent them nothing. with someone else's money. In other words, I hope my speech today will not sound Mr. Speaker, it is like me offering you a unduly pessimistic because I think that all cheque for £500 and you going to my these problems are surmountable if uncle to get the money. That is really approached in the right way. To strike a the position. note of optimism, I should like to refer In view of these complications, this session briefly to what has been done about one should be very interesting. The problems great problem that has been before Parlia­ are tremendous, and I say without fear of ment for the last seven or eight years. I contradiction that there was never a time refer to land valuation. I believe that we when the affairs of Government in Queens­ have achieved something as a result of a land were more difficult than they are today. happening in the last few weeks. I am not I believe that the position is so serious that my speaking now from any political angle. Land approach will be to do my own thinking, valuations have been soaring and taxes have to speak as I think, and to vote as my been following them, but I can now see a conscience dictates. Summed up, that means ray of hope as a result of the recent valua­ that one does not agree with everything tions in the Boonah Shire. Under the old that is going on. I believe that every hon. order the Valuer-General's Department member, particularly on a motion of this valued the land in the various shires, and kind, should speak as he thinks. I never any person who felt he had a grievance had wished to adopt the role of a destructive the right to go before a police magistrate critic, but I -think the crying need for for a review of his valuation. Of course, Governments in Queensland and Australia it was little short of a joke because the is for people to say what they think. decision reached was beyond the powers of a stipendiary magistrate. Largely as a result I represent an agricultural district, and I of my initiative in the matter it was decided think I represent the producers of Queens­ that appeals should lie to the Land Court. land. As a result of my past experience, We had a ridiculous happening in the Gatton I believe I have reason for saying that Shire, and we all know what happened on because of my work in days gone by, I know the Gold Coast. Complaints were made and something of the needs of our agricultural finally the decision was reached to take the districts. Because of that I say that I have appeals before the Land Court. The Gatton a duty to my district and the State. valuations were the first cases to be heard One of the great problems at the moment by the new President of the Land Court, is the spread of unemployment. It will be Mr. Wright. As a result of his investiga­ remembered that in 1935 we had a real tions and findings in the test cases that came problem of unemployment on our hands. In before him he reduced the valuations by an those years it was not created by intlation average of about 33 per cent. That made but it was because of a period of deflation. the Valuer-General's Department look plain Pri~es were very low. People were carrying silly. In one case it was up to 40 per cent. therr swags. Under the Unemployment Relief Act unemployed people were given On the Gold Coast, as hon. members know 10s. a day for three days a week, or 30s. a from figures released the other day, the total week. Those of us who were here at that valuation is about £28,000,000. The Gatton time, or shortly afterwards, will remember people appealed and have been given some that we said that if we were ever likely to be concessions, but even now, after the reduc­ confronted with a similar set of circumstances tion, on the basis struck by the Land Court we would mortage our socks in order to the values are still at a ridiculously high and get people back into employment. I do not crippling level. wish to exaggerate the position but I have The Boonah shire was valued, too. Any­ no doubt at all in my mind that within the one who knows that country knows that it next six months there will be the greatest contains some of the richest agricultural areas wave of unemployment that the State has in Queensland, in the Lockyer, Fassifern and seen since the days of the depression. Unless Logan districts. A new approach has been Address in Reply [7 SEPTEMBER] Address in Reply 275 made to this shire by the Valuer-General's I do not advocate the wiping out of land Department as a result of the judgment by tax entirely because I say that no-one has a the Land Court some time ago. The Boonah right to hold more country land than is values have just been released and they are reasonable. quite fair and reasonable. They !rave gone In this matter, as in every other form of up about 2 per cent. and this adjustment business, it is a question of business approach. places those good lands at about half the I know that these values have been raised value of those in the Gatton shire. in the main because a few farmers in the I feel that the Gatton people and the Lockyer district at that time had made some Lockyer people have suffered the greatest money out of potatoes, onions and pumpkins, injustice I have known landholders to suffer but if the position over the whole district during the period I have been in this Parlia­ were considered it would be found that it ment. was not so much the land, as tire business When tire trouble started, these people approach of the people on that land, that appealed to me and asked for my advice. was responsible. That applies whether it be I told them what they ought to do and they the land, secondary industry or anything have worked very largely on that advice else. We have only to watch the stock ever since. I think that these two shires market to prove it. The success or failure of in particular-and there may be others­ different companies depends very largely on are entitled to justice and that something the directors and the ability of people running should be done to give the Gatton Shire those companies. and tire Town of South Coast new valuations I turn now to the subject of unemploy­ immediately in order that these people might ment. The Government say they have solved enjoy some of the privileges enjoyed in other the subject of land valuation; I believe it is shires. possible to solve the problem of unemploy­ In all our industries the basis of success is ment. In my view every day a man is idle is in the foundations on which they are built, a national loss. Further, it leads to a moral but if the land values are not right, nothing break-up. People out of work lose heart. is right. I know that many of these values Something must be done about it. I am not a at that time were based on sales in the supporter of the Douglas Social Credit Sys­ district, but tire time has arrived when we tem, but money should be borrowed. It is the should ignore such exceptional sales, and duty of someone. Money should be found in they are exceptional sales. After all, the times of stress and turmoil for the purpose value of land is what it will produce and of relieving suffering. It is found in times of not what some individual will occasionally war. We must do something to provide work pay for it. It may be said that it cannot be for those who want it. I am not at all happy done, but I mention the Boonah case to about the Commonwealth Government's show that it can be done, and it has been approach to this matter. Most of the men done. There is no reason why it could not who are out of work today are unemployed be done throughout the State. because of the inflationary system for which I suppose I lrave been as critical of the we can largely blame the present Common­ wealth Government. I cannot 'see it in any Valuer-General's Department as anybody. other way. No-one has convinced me, or even When I see this adjustment and the men he put into the area to make the valuation, and attempted to convince me, that it did not start as a result of the Richardson Report the job they made of it, I must congratulate some years ago. Although I agree that a him on his effort. member of Parliament, a Minister of the An Opposition Member: He knew his job. Crown, and anyone else is entitled to fair and reasonable remuneration, I could never Mr. MULLER: Well, the men he had see the wisdom of paying the Prime Minister engaged on it did; in some of the other £14,000 a year and his Ministers £10,000 cases they did not. There must be some a year. He may be worth it, and if the relationship between similar classes of land. increases could be confined to those people Tlrat does not mean that there is not going alone the effect would not be as bad, but to be a margin of, say, £25 an acre for what actually happened? You, Mr. Speaker, some and £2 an acre for others. In some know this to be a fact-everything else went cases the £25 an acre would be justified, haywire. The increases were then applied to as would the £2 in others, but there would higher officials. The salaries of judges and not be a margin of £50 in one and £5 in high-salary men were increased, but the another. ordinary worker's share of it was the sack In some of the seaside and suburban lands or short work. I have been through the mill. another picture opens. Many of these things I was not reared with a silver spoon in my could be done with the realisation that with mouth; I was reared among working people existing conditions, land values cannot be and I am still a working man. If anyone expected to fall and, if we are to provide doubts that, he can come out and spend a relief for our landowners we should be pre­ dav with me and I will demonstrate it. The pared to lift the exemption. The existing point is that we are living out of each exemption is approximately £3,000 but it other's pockets and, if the working class should be at least £5,000 on suburban land or the ordinary worker is in trouble, it is not and £10,000 on rural land. very long before everyone else is in trouble. 276 Address in Reply [ASSEMBLY] Address in Reply

I repeat that the economy of the country has we do not think they need it." I said to gone haywire. The credit squeeze perhaps him, "How much do you spend on those 16 has given some relief. Perhaps the lifting of States?'' and in reply he said, "We spend import restrictions has given some relief, but 160,000,000 dollars a year, or 10,000,000 those measures are only palliatives and we dollars in eaclr of the States." I said, "That still cannot see daylight. sounds very nice, but where do you get the money?" He said, "Our Federal Government Let us consider some of our industries. We finds the whole of it and the States pay it were discussing Mt. Isa a short time ago back at the rate of 2t per cent. over 40 and what it means to the Commonwealth years." In otlrer words, they really do not Treasury. The Commonwealth Government pay it back at all. If hon. members examine have decided to give us nothing. The con­ for themselves what is being paid back to tribution of that tremendous industry at Mt. the Commonwealth Treasury funds from the Isa to the economy of Queensland would be Mount Isa and Mareeba-Dimbulah schemes very hard to estimate. they will be amazed. The States are expected Mr. Mann: You can blame the Treasurer to find the money for tlris development out for that. of a "niggardly" allocation, as the Leader of the Opposition described it. That state­ Mr. Aikens: The hon. member for ment is very true. Then, the proceeds of Brisbane is always knocking it. that investment have to go to the Common­ wealth. In the name of God, how are we Mr. MULLER: We should be able to to get on with these things? We are entrusted establish other industries, perhaps not on the with an important duty: we have to develop lines of Mt. Isa. The hon. member for the State of Queensland. These tlrings cut Burdekin today spoke about the little interest me to the quick every time I think of them taken by the Treasurer in water conservation. especially as the present Government are I could not agree more with him. We have doing so little about them. got to do something about it. The Common­ wealth Government over the years have been The Commonwealth Government are talking about water conservation, but what endeavouring to correct an anomaly, but in have they done? Hon. members can go back my opinion, they are going about it in the over the years for as long a period as they wrong way. Hon. members must realise that care to take. I remember Sir Earle Page's it is not a question of how much money we visit to Queensland. He came to see me when have in circulation, or what we can get from I held ministerial office, and he asked me the International Bank, that will straighten what might be done in water conservation out tlre economics of the country. The only telling me that he would go back and talk wealth we have comes from the goods we to his Government. His was a voice in the produce for sale. If we can get back into wilderness and no-one took any notice of production and keep men in employment the him. In times such as this when we have an problem will largely solve itself. I did not ar.my of unt?mployed: what would be wrong agree politically with the late Hon. W. With borrowmg sufficient money to engage in Forgan Smith, but I had to admire him water conservation and so put many people for his principles and for his very able way to work? In Queensland we have done prac­ of expressing himself. He told us that tically nothing to develop our water there was only one way of getting out of resources. It is true that we have some the depression and that was by getting people schemes going but they are only small when back into employment. When Sir Otto compared with what is being done in other Neimeyer came here, I was simple enough States. to believe him, that the depression was world-wide and we had to go through it, Mr. Aikens: You have a dam in your own but the problem was accentuated because area. We want one in ours. people were unemployed. I was in Sydney Mr. MULLER: I am so pleased with what when the bank closed, and I will never forget the loss and the misery of human life. I has been done in our district that I believe had a brother living in Newcastle whom it should be done everywhere else. If we do I went to see and I saw 1,400 to 1,500 men not do it we will look very foolish in the lying about the parks like animals. Surely days ahead. to God we will not let that happen again. When I was inspecting the Snowy River If it does we are not worthy of the positions we hold in this Parliament. Our great need project there was a consultant there called is employment, and efficiency in tlrese ~r. Rees, an engineer. I inquired from htm what they did in the United States of matters. ;\merica. I said to him, "Do they pay I am pleased that the Minister for Trans­ mterest and redemption on any of your port is here this afternoon. I asked him a schemes which the Treasurer expects us to question yesterday, quite a courteous ques­ pay?" He said, 'There is not a plan in tion, and his reply this morning was most the world where these schemes will pay discourteous. What I said was not an interest and redemption on the capital." I attack on the Minister. I wished to draw said, "What do you do in the States?'' He his attention to the inefficiency in his depart­ said, "We water 16 States." I said to him ment. I am not condemning every railway "What about the others?" He replied, "Well: employee. It applies to any business. A Address in Reply (7 SEPTEMBER] Address in Reply 277 business must be properly managed. Every­ who are being hit hard are the farmers. one from the directors down must do his The further they are from the city the more job. Most men are prepared to do a fair tax they pay. To me it is very hard to under­ day's work but they look to wise direction. stand why a Country Party should set itself My attention was drawn to the stupid busi­ out to tax first of all the people who have ~ess of selling railway trucking yards in the been supporting it over the years. Circumstances when others would have paid much more for them had they known. I The regulations are full of anomalies. To know the Minister could not be expected to begin with, the charge is excessive, and the know and the Commissioner could not be other regulation I am very much concerned expected to know, but I was told they were about is that dealing with the taxing of the sol~ for. a mere song. I just would not capacity of the vehicle. I want to point out believe It. I asked the Commissioner last to hon. members how it operates. Take week and he told me that, to his knowledge carriers in my district who are carrying farm they were not sold at all and, if they were: produce and putting it over the scales. Take someone at the Department of Public Lands one with an 8-ton truck or a 10-ton truck. had sold them, because the land had been One man told me the other day that he was handed over to the Land Administration Com­ 28 lb. over weight and he was told, "Don't mission to sell. I went to the Department let that happen again.'' I ask the Minister of Public Lands and they showed me a letter to note that. Anyone who is prepared to from the Commissioner telling them not to sell give the matter a little common-sense thought the yards and the buildings. At any rate, I will realise that with a load of potatoes or received a letter from the Minister for Public pumpkins or onions or anything you like Land~ and Irrigation telling me it was all right; you cannot know for certain what is in it. that It was not sold; that no officer in his You can be a few hundred pounds out, or department knew anything about it. I went even more. What is wrong with allowing back like Jacky on Saturday last and said a bit of latitude? I understand that in ~o the boys who were complaining, "Here New South Wales an allowance of 10 per Is a letter from the Minister. It is not sold." cent. is made, and if a person is any more They said, "Don't be silly. The yards are than 10 per cent. over, he is in trouble. Let pulled up and carted away.' Anyway, I us not jump on them in this way. found out what actually happened. This is Then there is the return journey. People what happened, Mr. Speaker, and I think in farming districts usually try to get some the ~ouse should know the whole story. I loading for the return journey. If one has a can give you several other instances if I want 10-ton truck, one will have some loading to. be nasty. I do not want to do it. In hut probably nothing like 10 tons. The th1s case the men there are lifting the rails carrier cannot now carry 2 or 3 tons. If he and the sleepers. That is all right. They must does, he has to pay this excessive charge have offered the yards to somebody. One and then pass it on to his customers. That was ~old for £2 and the other for £2 10s. shows a lack of practical common sense. and 1f the _two were n?t worth £200 they would be fauly close to It. The fact remains Just to show that it is almost impossible to that they were sold privately. No-one else comply with all the conditions laid down, I had. a chance to buy. That is surely bad refer to the subject of axle loading. I do not busmess. know whether the Minister has heard much I simply asked the Minister if it was true about that, but I am sure he has. A 16-ton and asked that he take the necessary action semi-trailer probably carries 4 tons on the to ~ee that there will not be a recurrence front section of it. That means it has 6 tons of ~t. w~ kno~ tha~ things can happen in on the centre axle and 6 tons on the back. a big busmess hke this. The administration Owners of these vehicles tell me that is of the Railway Department is very difficult impossible if they load the vehicles as they and no-one knows it better than hon. mem­ should be loaded, because they should have bers. We are passing through a transition much more on the back axle than they have on the others. In effect, this means that they pe~iod from railways to roads. I am not g

Mr. MULLER: The Minister can pass the ex-Minister for Public Lands, the hon. mem­ baby to the Minister for Development, ber for Fassifern. The only crime he com­ Mines, Main Roads, and Electricity, but it mitted was to rebel against the wicked influ­ is all the one thing. It never happened ence of vested interests, which, as I said before, and all this is done under the State previously, were dominating the policy of the Transport Act. The charge is bad enough, Government. but it is just impossible to comply with some of the regulations under the Act. I believe Time after time over the past four years that the unrest that has occurred throughout of his premiership we have witnessed many the State since the introduction of the legis­ occasions when he has been similarly forced lation could have been avoided. to surrender his personal views for the sake of political expediency. I should like to deal briefly with the threat hanging over our heads in regard to the entry Almost every legislative act of his Govern­ of the United Kingdom into the European ment has been levelled against the very Common Market. The United Kingdom is people his section of the Government pro­ obliged to join the the European Common fesses to support-the useful people living Market for political, social and economic in the country areas of the State. Only reasons, I believe. France, Italy, Belgium, a few weeks ago he was forced to journey West Germany, Luxembourg, and the some 300 miles to Roma to try to excuse Netherlands held a conference in Rome and that most iniquitous piece of legislation laid down a constitution, and, as I see it, the known as the State Transport Act intro­ United Kingdom has no alternative. She has duced by the minority group or city interests to go into it or go down. Unless she does, of the Government. His inglorious retreat manufacturers will be unable to sell their from Roma was comparable with the retreat manufactured articles. Markets may be diffi­ from Moscow of a dictator with his tail cult to find-I am not going to say impos­ between his legs about 150 years ago. sible-and this, in addition to the other No-one knew better than the Premier that things I have mentioned, is a further problem he was faced with a hopeless task. Accord­ in the Government of this State. ing to newspaper reports, he left the meeting and the town of Roma a very dejected man. Mr. BURROWS (Port Curtis) (4.29 p.m.): I wonder whether, instead of speaking, I The State Transport Act and Regulations might be doing a greater service to the State are bad, if for no other reason than they if I moved an extension of time for the hon. discriminate against people living in the member who has just resumed his seat. I country. The city dweller who sells his hope he has further opportunities to make products in the country sells them on a free­ contributions to the debates in this House. on-rail Brisbane basis, but when the country dweller sells his products in the city the As one of the older members of the House, freight must be borne by the producer. In I offer my greetings to the new Member who effect, this means that the city dweller is ~ot has moved the motion that is the subject of very much concerned about the anomalies this debate, and to which an amendment has or the injustices of this piece of class now been moved. I sincerely hope that, as legislation. time goes on, he will reflect on the conclud­ Other examples of this cold war on primary ing part of the text of this important motion. producers can be found in the Stamp Duty If he should do so he will find it impos­ Act, the Stock Acts, the closure of branch sible to reconcile the plea that our labours railway lines, and the curtailment of sub­ may tend to the advancement of the State sidies to local authorities, all of which are with the general policy of the Government contrary to the professed policy of the he supports. party to which the Premier owes allegiance. This Government, like the previous anti­ There is no need to remind him that life Labour Government of 1929-1932 have is "bitter" with the Liberals-bitter aloes already demonstrated their incapacity, and has nothing on it. But it is poor comfort to proved that the labours of their members the people of Queensland to see country are directed towards the advancement of towns being depopulated, industries languish­ vested interests at the expense of, and to ing and development halted because a few the detriment of, the State. ambitious, power-crazy, city smarties are The Premier, who leads the major section able to exploit the weakness of Country­ of the two groups that form the Govern­ Party members of this House. ment, is obviously paying dearly for the No country can afford to discount the honour of bearing the standard. No doubt value and the necessity of primary produc­ he must often think of that quotation from tion, and if the Liberal Party continues to King Henry IV, "Uneasy lies the head that exercise the same evil influence over the wears a crown," and how easily it could Government as it has done over the past be adapted to include Premiers. four years the future of this rich State can­ It is pitiable to see the humility he has not be viewed with optimism. suffered in order to retain office. It was The attitude and utterances of the Trea­ tragic to hear his joining with the Liberal surer towards primary production, already group to damn the political soul of one of referred to by previous speakers, are typical his staunchest and oldest friends, an of a man who has never grown a sweet Address in Reply (7 SEPTEMBER] Address in Reply 279

potato, but who has certainly cultivated a The Treasurer, like most of his kind, very plausible style of persuading his less criticises the farmers for what he alleges is sophisticated Country Party colleagues in the lack of efficiency, but as Treasurer he starves Government that they only represent the the Department of Agriculture and Stock of wood-and-water joey members of the com­ funds for research and experimentation. His munity. likening of our rich agricultural lands to the Let us read some of his utterances, pub­ Sahara Desert is due to a bad form of lished in "The Courier-Mail" of 9 August, ignorance and contempt for the people who 1961. Referring to irrigation planners he are doing a most useful job in cultivating said, "They have been carried away with the areas such as tlre Lockyer, Burnett and dream of making a Sahara blossom like the Dawson Valleys. rose." In the next column of the same paper A few weeks ago I visited the Callide he goes on to say in defence of the Common Valley where the rainfall, as in the rest of Market- Queensland, has been a great deal below "~ustralia would have to produce better, average for four successive years, and it was delightful to see the green fields of lucerne a real city outlook- and other green crops. " ... sell vigorously and pack more attrac­ tively and efficiently. We have not yet In a previous speech I referred to one reached the ultimate in any one of those. farmer who had grown over 100,000 bales of lucerne the previous year. Only a few "Australia's exports could be expanded weeks ago I visited another farm in the because there were steady signs that district. The farmer had 80 acres of lucerne. country after country was having difficulty He explained to me that his electric ligl:rt in producing enough food and raw account for the previous two months was materials." £251. The irrigation pump was driven by Those two inconsistent remarks came from a electricity. The farm was a very pleasing man who more than any other person has sight. I am not exaggerating when I say manoeuvred the Premier into the unhappy that it was difficult to find a weed on the position he finds himself in today. If the farm. He told me he was sending every Treasurer and the minority section he and bale of lucerne he could produce to the dry his Liberal Party colleagues truly represent, Townsville area. Despite these things we maintain their wicked influence over this find that a man who has never been out of Government they will succeed in making a Queen Street, and has never taken an intelli­ Sahara out of all our rich fertile land out­ gent interest in tlre affairs of farmers, and side a small radius of Brisbane, and a Cairo in the way food is produced, is condemning of Brisbane itself. the men who planned this work, and saying To them water is a foreign matter only nasty things about them. It is shocking useful for running under bridges or to float and startling particularly for a member of boats on. the Cabinet and Treasurer of the State. The productivity of this great State is limited by Only a day or two ago "The Courier-Mail" two factors only, the failure of our politicians had an article on the largest citrus orchard to recognise the importance and value of in Australia. J commend that article to irrigation, and electricity in country areas. hon. members. The hon. member for Burnett will be familiar with it. At the same time The Treasurer referred to the many I remind hon. members that without the countries that were finding it impossible to weir at Mundubbera, this and many other feed their people. If he would only take the orchards in the area, would not be producing opportunity to visit one irrigated farm on half as much fruit as they are at present. tl:re Dawson he would come away convinced of his crime against civilisation and Christian Mr. Wharton: I agree. principles in condemning irrigation. Mr. BURROWS: I am glad that the hon. He admits that the Burdekin area could member for Burnett who is familiar with that supply enough melons and root crops from country, once in my electorate, agrees with its irrigated farms to supply Australia, but me in that statement. I remind the hon. says that it is not economically possible to member that, directly or indirectly, he is transport these products to the market. Those condemning that land by supporting the are his words. Assume it is not economically Treasurer and his Liberal Party friends in possible to take those products to the market. their destruction of Queensland. If we cannot take the melons to the people, Mr. Wharton: If you had listened to my let us take the people to where the melons speech the other day, you would know that and root crops are grown. He cannot see I said almost the same thing. a mile past the Brisbane Post Office. He does not understand or appreciate the prob­ Mr. BURROWS: I am reminded by the lems of tlre State. If he stopped to think hon. member that he did criticise them. I about the matter he would realise that the remember his giving me some of the names Government have done more to depopulate of what he called Liberal Members at a country area than any other Government Country Party meeting. I said, "What did have done to populate them. they say?" He said, "Oh, I did not let them hear me." I think that is typical. Mr. Nicklin: That is unkind. 280 Address in Reply [ASSEMBLY] Address in Reply

Mr. BURROWS: It is not a bit unkind. ton at the pithead and he had to admit too, I remind the Premier that with me he is in that the Coal Board was allowing them 61s. the evening of his political life. Would it a ton. Sooner than insist on the cheaper not be pleasing to be able to say later in price being enforced, the higher one is life, having regard to towns such as Monto, allowed to prevail for no other reason than Biloela and others in tlre Dawson and Upper to try to save the face of a few incompetent Burnett areas, as well as the sugar areas public servants. of the North, "I led the Government that We read reports of graziers' meetings draw­ were responsible for the creation and estab­ ing attention to the exorbitant profits of the lishment of those towns." When Govern­ smart Alecs who corner the supplies of meat ment members condemn the Labour Party and the benefit that would accrue if the they should remember they are condemning grading of meat were enfor7ed, ~~t no action the people who created these town. The is taken by an unsympathetic MmiSter, whose Premier today is leading a Government that real master is the exploiter. This is the same is doing its damnedest-and I say that Minister who told the hire-purchase firms­ advisedly-to depopulate the towns and and I am referring to the Minister for Jus­ destroy the work of the statesmen who pre­ tice-that they were too modest in their ceded them. charges to those unfortunate members. of the The Treasurer is not so unintelligent that community who are forced to use this form he cannot understand that proposition, but of finance as a means of obtaining articles he must serve the vested interests which necessary to reasonable living standards. have set him and his party the task of building up the cities at the expense of the Mr. Windsor: When did he say that? country areas. The more we examine our Mr. BURROWS: He told a conference of problems the more convinced we will be that the hire-purchase people before he introduced most of them are unnatural, as no country the Hire-purchase Act, and he allowed them has been better endowed by nature than to charge 20 per cent. interest. this State. It has bigger reserves of coal and bauxite than any other country in the Mr. Chalk: They reckon you are getting world, huge deposits of all essential minerals, 10 per cent. on your money. millions of acres of undeveloped rich fertile Mr. BURROWS: It would not matter if I land with billions of gallons of unused water charged 1,000 per cent., I would not get 2s. flowing into the sea every day. Its climate a year. encourages the commercial production of almost every fruit, vegetable or cereal known All these and many other economic and to man. It can produce two crops of social crimes, which are showing an alarming potatoes a year compared with one in increase, over the past four years can be European countries, such as the United fairly charged against the present Govern­ Kingdom, and Germany, where this vegetable ment led in name if not in deed by the hon. is one of the main items of food for the member for Landsborough. I refuse to people. believe he has the ingenuity or intent to be personally responsible for the degeneration What are we doing to obtain something like and degradation this once-proud State has full value from nature's generosity in giving suffered at the hands of a Government not us these vast resources? The answer is worthy of the responsibility of governing, but nothing. Our coal and bauxite are exported he is guilty of that weakness of political to less fortunate countries for use in the character which has enabled these manufacture of finished articles that we are unscrupulous forces-including the hon. forced to buy from them to provide profits member for Windsor, who wants to butt in­ for agents and middlemen who neither toil behind the Liberal Party to bring about this nor spin. More men are employed exploit­ tragic position. ing our farmers and primary producers, or policing Government regulations designed to This State and its people deserve much handicap and annoy, than are employed in more consideration than they have had from actual production. If we build an electric both our State and Federal Governments power-house it is situated as far as possible and neither can justify their own lack of from the coalfields that provide its fuel which responsibility by putting the blame on the represents 70 per cent. of its generating other. Over the last few months it has been costs, and when it is completed, it is found just a case of passing the buck backwards that its capacity is incapable of supplying and forwards and people in the State are the demand although the cost of electricity allowed to languish, unemployment to grow, to the consumer is about twice as much as and all the evils allowed to flourish. it should be if common sense, the rarest The Premier and his colleagues have of all our products, had played its part in shown themselves to be no match for the its design and location. smart boys at Canberra and it has taken I asked a question in the House, and only them nearly 12 months to wake up to the a few days ago the Minister for Develop­ fact that Queensland was sold a pup on the ment, Mines, Main Roads and Electricity financing of the Mt. Isa railway project. was forced to admit that the coal-mine The Treasurer's fantastic scheme for owners had indicated that they could supply impoverishing the State by dissipating its coal to the Brisbane powerhouse at 45s. a reserves in the hope that it would qualify Address in Reply (7 SEPTEMBER] Address in Reply 281

for special Federal grants has proved a very it and walked off it, it gives me a lot of sorry venture. He was going to reduce fun. I am serious when I say that I was Queensland to a condition so low that it taking 20 tablets a day when I acquired it would qualify for application for a special and that over the last three years I have grant as one of the poorer States. At the not taken an Aspro. As I say, it gives me time, we warned him he would be like the a bit of fun, and if the hon. member gets man who dissipated his estate in order to as much fun out of it as I do, I do not qualify for the age pension only to find after begrudge him that. I think I might achieve he had spent all his money that he was still some distinction on the financial side if refused the pension. That is exactly what I hang on to it. I have had three succes­ happened to Queensland. Every reserve built sive deficits, so I am running a good second up by previous Labour Governments was to the Treasurer. dissipated. And what happened? We had no money in reserve and Mr. Menzies simply A Government Member: When are you gave him the cold shoulder and told him the going to walk off it? story about the ant and the cricket. Mr. BURROWS: If I do have to walk The only concession that this State has off it, I hope I do not have to ask a member received from the Federal Government has of the Liberal Party for a lift. been for beef-cattle roads. We read in the "Telegraph" an article only today pointing Much publicity has been given over the out that Mr. Menzies has had the proposal past two years to the possibility of develop­ on ice waiting for a big enough squeal from ing coal exports from coalfields in the the Premier of Queensland. The article was Dawson Valley through the Port of Glad­ no~ written by a political writer, or by a stone. There is no doubt that the contri­ wnter atta~hed to a political party, and I butions such exports would make to the commend It to the Premier. It points out economy of Queensland would be very that Mr. Menzies had the beef-cattle-roads acceptable, and could play an important part prop~sal in cold storage waiting for the in restoring the economic balance that we Premier to squeal so he could dish it out as all desire to see, and which some of us a sop to keep him quiet about the financial think might be possible in spite of the treatment on the Mt. Isa railway proposal Government's policies. and other matters to which he had turned a The export of this coal would be impos­ deaf ear. I tell the Premier now that it sible if it were not for the enterprise and was not as a result of any representations efficiency of the Port of Gladstone, and no made by the Government that concessions credit or thanks are due to either the Federal were made in regard to the beef cattle roads. Government or the State Government for If_ anyone deserves any thanks, Queensland that. The port authority in Gladstone has will have to thank Vesteys. Vesteys' contri­ staked its whole financial future on the bution to the Liberal Party's funds for the success of this venture, and hardly a week ~ext Federal election was the thing that passes without a request being made to it mfluenced the decision. to spend huge sums to improve the port's Mr. Chalk interjected. capacity. This authority up to date has shown Mr. BURROWS: The Minister knows as no profit on the million tons or more of coal well as I do that Sir Thomas Playford is already exported as competition is so keen the. m~n who_ ~~.ndles their money. He is that no coal would be exported if the port their Mr. FlX!t , and that is why South charges were fixed on an economic basis. Australia gets such favourable treatment from the Liberal Party. These charges will have to be increased if the port authority wishes to remain solvent, Mr. Chalk: Sir Thomas is Mr. Fixit? and if increased, competition will favour Mr. BURROWS: He is Mr. Fixit as far southern ports where the facilities and as Vesteys' funds are concerned. improvements are heavily subsidised by the Federal Government. Some idea of how Mr. Aikens: You are nearly as big a viciously opposed the Menzies Government cattle man as Vesteys. How much do you have been to the coal trade of Central sling them? Queensland will be held by the older hon. members who should remember how they Mr. BURROWS: I give them the interest subsidised the importation of African coal on my overdraft. The hon. member for to Victoria 10 years ago to the extent of Townsville South seems to take a sadistic £7 per ton, to the detriment of Callide coal delight in trying to build me up as a capitalist. exports to that State. History is repeating If I have not achieved very great distinction itself. At the present time the Federal I want to tell him that I have not been fa; Government are heavily subsidising the instal­ off achieving it over the last three years. lation of plant in New South Wales coal It gives the hon. member much pleasure to districts, but they have not made any con­ compare this little bit of dirt, this small tribution for similar development in Queens­ farm, with a big cattle ranch, and even the land. At the present time the Gladstone Treasurer chaffs me a little about it. I am Harbour Board, only a very small body in very proud that I have this selection. comparison with the State and Federal Gov­ Although the two previous selectors forfeited ernments, is subsidising the export of coal to 282 Address in Reply [ASSEMBLY] Questions

Japan by reason of the fact that they are sincerely hope that the rumblings and mur­ charging only 2s 8d. per ton to pick up coal murings are an indication that there are still off the stockpile and load it into the ships, some hon. members of the Government and paying for all the labour necessary in parties who do honestly believe that this that process, together with supplying plant. State deserves a much better Government Any additional improvement t!Iat the Japan­ than it has suffered over the last four years. ese authorities require costs money. The Debate, on motion of Mr. Jones, adjourned. Minister for Development, Mines, Main Roads and Electricity, and the Treasurer, The House adjourned at 5.7 p.m. invited the Gladstone Harbour Board to pro­ vide this service, and as a result the Glad­ stone Harbour Board finds itself bankrupt, just like the Rockhampton Harbour Board. In the meantime, because of the subsidies made available to the southern States they will capture our trade and we shall be left lamenting. Only a fool or a knave could believe that we have nothing to fear from the suggested entry of Great Britain into tlre European Common Market. If it eventuates, Australia as a whole, but Queensland in particular, could never be in a worse position to face the emergency, thanks to the incompetence of both the Federal and State Governments. Our economic defence is just as important as our military defence. It would not be idle to claim that the present value of the thousands of millions of pounds expended on military defence since the last war would be less than one or two million pounds. On the other hand, money spent on roads would have permanent value, both from an economic and defence point of view. Equally as important would be a substantial growth of population in country areas, but sad to relate, and to the everlasting disgrace of the anti-Labour forces in charge of the Federal and State Governments, our rural population is either stationary or declining. In my opinion no single factor could stimulate a growth of population, apart from arresting the trend of the past three years in Central Queensland, more than the estab­ lishment of a major power house in this area. But notwithstanding the importance and out­ standing merit of such a proposal the Govern­ ment are fighting a delaying battle in the matter. Mr. Speaker, I must confess that my vocabulary is totally inadequate to describe the misfortune Queensland has suffered by the election of this weak-kneed, anti-social, meddlesome, narrow-minded, tax-hungry, power-drunk, hotch-pot Government. Is it any wonder that any intelligent or sensible person would be disgusted and even despair at the future of this great State, when one sees what is going on? WIIen one sees men like the hon. member for Fassifern, who spoke just prior to me, standing up, one must congratulate them. They have at least shown signs that if they did not have any conscience at one time in their political lives they have at least developed one since. I sincerely hope that the murmurings and rumblings in the ranks of the Government parties will not prove to be as we lrave often experienced them to be, a dry storm. I