136 136ASSEMBLY.]

the British Government is doing in the mat- better it will be for the nation. I suppot ter of ameliorating the conditions of the the motion. people. For a long period I have received On motion by Hon. G. Bennetts, debat from the British High Commissioner at adjourned. Canberra three or four long foolscap pages every week, each one of them referring to House adjourned at 5.32 p.m. £1,000,000 for this and £2,000,000 for that and £C3,000,000 for something else, every one -of the things concerned being entirely de- sirable. Knowing as I do several of the leading members of the British Government, I am sure that they have been inspired by 7Uzszatiieh znhg the highest ideals. But I have to ask my- Tuesday, 12th Augu4, 1947. & self this: Arc six years of devastating war a fitting-background for a new world? DoeP that background set up a condition of af- Pso Chairmen (Temporary) of Committees 13 fairs in which it is possible to tell people Questions: Dairying, as to stock foe soldier settlers and dairymen ... - ... .. 13 that they can work less and earn more and Railways : (a) as to amenities at East Perth indulge in all sorts of socialistic experi- running yards, (b) As to service for Dwellilngai area, (c) as to price of Collie coal]. .. 13 menttl Yet that is what has been done. Workers' Comnpensation, asi to representation of workers on R~oyal ComMnIssion .. 13 No-one is sadder than I to see what it has New Causeway, as to tabling file, etc. -- 13 Education : (a) as to Hi1gh School for Narrogin, led to. (b) as to bus service, Harvey-Hunary, (c) as to Brunswick JIunction school aite, etc., (d) wi I firmly believe that if when the present to teaching staff and school-iesaving age . Mlk.c as to contracts between dairymnen and LdAbour Government took office in England treatment licensee Native administration. ail to engagement of Pro- it had recognised the seriousness of the posi- tector from Northern Territory School of Mines, Kalgoorlie, as to appointment tion1 it could, by imposing conditions not of Director half so arduous as those it finds necessary Personsi explanation, the Premier and private homes built ...... to impose now, have given relief to the posi- Address-in-reply, fourth day...... tion; and that is what we have to consider. We here are in a very happy position, largely for two reasons: (1) We were The SPEAKER took the Chair at 4.0 not invaded-and we have to thank other p.m., and read prayers. icountries for that, such as China, Britain and America; (2) we do produce most of CHAIRMEN (TEMPORARY) oF the things that are essential. Those happy COMITTEES. circumstances should not blind us to the Mr. SPEAKER: I desire to announce tha ,neessities of the times. I am afraid that I have appointed Mr. Hill, Mr. Brand anc because so many people have so much more Mr. Triat to be temporary Chairmen ol moneuy in their pockets than they ever had Committees for the session. before, they think that everything in the garden, is lovely. QUESTIONS. Does it make senso that during the war DAIRYING. when produetive work was practically at a As to Stork for Soldier Settlers standstill, thd? Australian people increased anld Dairymen. their savin; to the extent of £100,000,000 Mr. LESLIE per nnuum? It does not make sense and we (on notice) asked th( shall have to come back to sense. The sooner Minister for Agripulture: we realise those facts that the Prime _Minis- 1, Has he seen a newspaper report of ter is constantly thrashing bom-that ire recent meeting at Rockinghamn whereat il ,can only maintain present conditions, let was proposed to submit to the Governmenil alone improve them, by the highest possible a request that cows and heifers now held b3 standard of productive 'effort, with the the Government for stocking farmn; undei i-losest co-operation be'tween all sections of the Soldier Land Settlement Scheme shank 'the community-and that implies a j oliticali be made available to replace stock owned b3 co-operation xsbieh, I am Sorry to say, we dairymen which is destroyed because ol in Australia are far from achieving-- the T.B. infection * (12 Auausr, 1947.1 1373

2, Has any such request been received by totion on the 11th July they asked for & the (lovernment'l daily bLus Service from Hlolyoake to Perth? 3, In order to avoid the possibility of any The MINISTER replied: delay in the progress of Soldier Land Yes; the Commissioner has been asked, Settlement, which delay wvould arise in the what provision lie is making- to serve the- event of a shortage of suitable stock to ade- residents between Brunsick( Junction and. quately equip the farms when required, -will Armndale with a better rail service, subse- he defer acedling to any request as indi- quent to the introddection of the new Bun- cated in No. 1 until the adequate require- bury exprc,.s. The Commissioner's proposals ments anticipated for the Soldier Land have not yet been received, but I am advised Sjettlement Scheme are first assuredI that the mnatter is receiving earnest cohnsi- The MI1NISTER replied: derat ion with a view to providing the best 1, Yes. practicable service consistent with the needs 2, Yes. of this district. 3, Yes. (c) As to Price of Collie Coaf.

RAILWAYS. 31r, MAY (on notice) asked the Minister for Railways: (a) As to Amenities at Eas;t P~erth Running 1, What was; the price of coal, both large Yards. and smatll, of each mine at Collie, tis at the, 'Mr. QUAA31 (on notice) asked the 30th June, 19:39? Minister for Railways: 2, What was tilt price of Ci, btag What is the present position regarding and small, of each mine (including open cuts the construction and installation of decent at Collie), as at the 30th June, 1947? amenitie.s for the workers employed at the East Perth railway locomotive running The M1INISTER replied: yards, in connection with which his attention. (1) and (2) is drawn to the statement of his predecessor AMALGAMATED COLLIERIES OF W.A., LTOt Price per Ian at in December last? 30th June, 10th June. 1939. 1947. The MINISTER replied: 1tB.d. g d Large Coal- The signing of a contract with the success- on-operative Mine 0 15 4.14 I 3 9 ful tenderer covering the work set out in Proprietary - 0 14 6.14 9 Cardiff .. 0 13 9.14 9 answer to the question aeked. by the member Storkton .. 0 13 11.14 9' for East Perth in December last was pre- Stockton Open Cut 1 9' Wanlsend Oiien Cut I- a vented by t he inability of the contractor to Small Col- tons of obtain a permit. A permit for four 'All 'Mines 0 10 4-5t 1 30. cemnent for foundations was issued on the 6th M1'arch, 1947, and progress payment of GRIFFIN COAL MINING CO., LTD. Griffin Mine-Itrge, 0 14 1.32 1 a1 a £112 was made on the 18th April, 1947, for Griffin 'Mine.-Small ... 0 9 7.6 1 0 1) IWyvernt Mine-Large ... 1 2 M' tile work done. An application for the re- Wyvern Atine-SmalL ... 1 0. (k lease of other material was granted in July, Wyvern Mine - Un. screened 1..ID 0.. 1947, conditionally on bricks being drawn The 1947 price for real supplied by Amnalgamatedt from country sources of supply. The mattes Collieries o! W.A., Lid., Is tentative only, and sub- loot to adjustment after review of the production of the release of this condition is now the costs for January-June. -subject of negotiations -with the Housing Commission. WORKERS' COMPENSATION. (b) As to Service for Dwueflingulp Area. As to Representat-ion of Work-ers on Mr. REYNOLDS (on notice) asked the Royal Commission. Minister for Railways: Hon. A. R. G. IIAWKE (or' notice) In view of the fact that the new Bunbury asked the Prenmier: As the industrial workers express will not stop at Pinjarra, has he are more vitally concerned than any other taken any further steps to provide the most section in connection with workers' comnpen- effliint rail service promised to the residents sation, will he reconsider the decision of the of Dwcllingup and district when at a depu-. Governnit refuising to give those workers 138 138ASSEMBLY.] a representative on the 'Royal Commission (b) As to Bus Service, Harrey-Bunbury. set up to inquire into workers' compensation Mr. REYNOLDS (on notice) asked the and related matters? Minister for Education: The PREMIER replied: As there is a shortage of accommodation It was considered advisable to confine the in Hunbury, will hie, in these eircumstanee', membcenhip of the Commission to persons arrange for a daily bus service for Bunbury' who (lid not directly represent any organisa- High School students from Harvey, similar lion wvhich would be directly concerned. T1w to that now operating from Donnybrook? members of the Commission now appointed The MINISTER replied: are regarded as entirely inbiassed and every opportunity will he made available to every, The service operating between Donnybrook and Bunbury was not sponsored interested section to give evidence freely. by the De- partment and is privately controlled. There NEW CAUSEWAY. wvould be no objection raised to a similar service between ffarvey and Bunbury if As to Tabling File, etc. approved by the Transport Board pending lion. A. R. C. HAWKE (on notice) asked the time when a Junior High School call the Minister for Works: be established at Harvey. 1, When was reclamation work necessary (e) As to Briustick Junction School in connection with the new causeway over Site, etc. the Swan river, commenced? 2, Will he lay the "Causeway" file on the Mr. REYNOLDS (on notice) asked the Table of the House?3 Minister for Education: 1, Has the architect yet chosen a new The MINISTER replied: .site for the Brunswick Junction State 1, Instructions were given to the Engineer School ? for Hlarbours and Rivers to commence re- elamation work on the 6th June, 1946. 2, Have plans been prepared and ap- proved? 2, Yes-for one week. 3, If so, when can construction be ex- EDUCATION. pected to commence? (a) As to High School for Narrogin. The MINISTER replied: 1, No; but the School Sites Committee laon. J. T. TONIKIN (on notice) asked is giving the matter attention. the Minister for Education: 2, No. 1, Has he promised that the next high school to be built will be built at Narrogin? 3, Answered by No. 2. 2, If such a promise has been made by (d) A4s to Teaching Staff atid Scliooi-Lcaring him, what were the considerations whichi Age. caused him to make it? 3, Does he deny that on the criteria of Mr. NEEDHAM (on notice) asked the numbers of children of high school age avail- Mlinister for Education:' able, and degree of overcrowding at present 1, W"hat is the number of teachers engaged existing in the respective districts, the in the Education Dcpartnent-(a) Males: claims of Midland Junction and Fremantle (b) fenles? ate far stronger than that of Narrogin ? 21 How many additional teachers will be The MINISTER replied: required when the increased school leaving: I, No. I undertook to caurry out the pro- age is operatingl mise of my predecessor as soon as circium- 3, If the number of teachers in the Depart- stances would permit. ment is to be increased because of the in- 2, Answered by No. 1. creased school leaving ago, wvhat steps are 3, It is the Government's intention to en- being taken to cope with the increase-(A) deavour to hold the scales of justice fairly Tn the training of teachers; (b) in the pro- as between all parts of the State. vision of accommodation! [12 AUGUST, 1947.]13 139

The MINISTER replied: 2, Any such appointment, if made, would -1, (a) 931, (b) 1,207. be to the temporary staff. 2, The number is estimated at 50. 3, Answered by No. 2. :3, (a) The number of teacher trainees is 4, If an apIpointment is made, the officer being greatly increased; (b) the Government will carry out duties as a protector of natives will use its beat endeavours to provide the as assigned to him. ,ieCsarv accommodation. SCHOOL OF MNINES, KALGOORLIE. MILK. As td Appointment of Director. As to (ontracts Between Dairymen and Mr. STYANTS (without notice) asked Treatmwent Licensees. the Chief Secretary, representing the Minister for Mines: lHon. J1. T. TONKIN (on notice) naked the Will he lay on the Table of the House the Minister for Agriculture: file dealing with the recent appointment of As the action of the 'Milk Board in refus- Director of the School of Mines, Kalgoorlie* ing to approve of contracts except as be- tween dairymen and holders of treatment The CHIEF SECRETARY replied: licenses is not (according to the Minister's In answer to Ithe hon. member's question, yes. statement) in pursuance of a scheme, or part of a scheme for the improvement of PERSONAL EXPLANATION. the supply, delivery or distribution of milk for consumers, what are the reasons for the The Premier and Pr-ivate Hou3es Built. Board's action?- THE PREMIER (Hon. D. 1R. MeLarty The MINISTER replied: -Murray-Wellington) [4.42]1: I wish to The action of the Milk Board is in accord- make a personal explanation, 31r. Speaker, ance with its powers under section 26 of the regardingw a question asked by the Leader Milk Act. of the Opposition on the 5th August. In answer to his question, I informed him that lon. J1. T. Tonkin: That is an evasion of the number of houses dealt with by private the question. ownership completed in Western Australia for the month of March, 1947, was 205. 1 NATIVE AD'MINISTRATION. regret that a mistake was made in the in- As to Engagement of Protector formation supplied to me. The figure 205 from Northern Territory. was the number applicable to the quarter ended March, 1947. The figures for the lion. A. A. M. COVERLEY (on notice) month of March are not yet separately asked the 'Minister for Native Affairs: available. 1, Is it a fact that a Protector of Natives from the Northern Territory has been en- ADDRESS-IN-REPLY. gaged for service with the Department of Rourati, Day. Native Affairs of this State? Debate resumed from the 7th August. 2, If so, is the appointment permanent or of a temporary nature' MR. GRAYDEN (Middle Swan) [4.44]: 3, If permanent, what official position At the otutset today, Mr. Speaker, I should join with other members in paying tribute will he fulfill to you upon your elevation to the Speaker's 4, If a temporary position, what is the Chair. However, as a newcomer to this As- special duty for which he is engaged'? senmbly, I hesitate to do this. Such felici- The CHIEF SECRETARY (for the Cations, I feel, are more rightly and pro- Minister for Native Affairs) replied: perly the privilege of others in this august 1, No such engagement has yet been made Assembly-others whose achievements of but such an engagement is under considera- service to the people of this State I cannot tion. The gentleman mentioned is a West hope to emulate. For mue, as a newcomer, Australian who was a protector of natives to offer you my congratulations would pos- in the Northern Territory and has had ex- sibly savour of presumption on my part. perience of natives in Western Australia. In this House, which is the quintessence of 140 140[ASSEMBLY.] democracy, yours is the obligation to direct they had received was typical of our atti- to the best advantage the efforts of' those tude to such people in Western Australia. of us who stand on the floor of the Chamn- The family of which I speak had been her seekin -g, as we do in our small. way, to living for several months in a tent,' within contribute to the welfare of the people of four miles of the G.P.O., on the Guildford- Western Australia and humanity as a whole. road, The tent had no fly, and was not rain- I will not presume to offer you congratula- proof. Its sole furniture was a small table tion;, or to suggest that my feelings as to and a lihd. On that bed, four or five feet your great ability to carry out your task wide, slept a man, his wife and their four could be of any consequence. Rather I shall children, the eldest of whom was about seven simply express the wish that you may hare years of age. Members will understand their a long and enjoyable term of office and that plight; a family of six spending these wet the duration of that term may be marked and windy months in a dilapidated and leak- by the -greator welfare of the people of this ing tent, all of them sleeping at State. night in a rain-sodden bed_ Under I take this opportunity of congratulating those conditions, the woman collapsed. the member for York on his election as She was taken to the King Edward Hospital Chairman of Committees. I wish also on where her baby was born two months pre- this occasioIn to thank the people of 'Middle maturely. She was almost blind as a result Swan for having elected me as their repro- of her experiences. She xvould have hen .sentative in this House. I assure them that inuvi worse had not some neighbour sent I will lose no opportunity of doing any- for an ambulance. The neighibour was in a thing that may be of benefit to that district, position to take advantage of These service- and that in all other respects I shall do in our society which, to all intents and pur- everything possible to justify their confi- poses, are there for anyone to enjoy but to dence in me, If I can do this- and make a which most coloured people in this State contribution-however small may be my would not presume to feel they had a right. ability to do so-to the progress and happi- This man was wondering where to take his ness of the people of this State, that is all family. Forced by the I ask. If I can on somne occasions in this complaints of people who lived anywhere near the vacant expanse Htouse direct the attention of meibers to iniquities existing in our society, to cases of land where this man had his tent, and who of hardship and want, and ways and means simply passed it on their way to and fromt of increasing the health and happiness of the city, the road board eventually had to our people, I shall feel justified in having intervene and enforce its by-laws. Thai the confidence of my electors. morning, while the man was. away at work, a representative of the lucal authority called I dto not propose to take up the time of and informed his mother, who had come f romn the House this afternoon by touching on the country to look after'th children while more than a few aspects of the matters dealt the man's wife was in hospital, that the with by His Excellency in his Speech, nor tent would be pulled down that evening. The do I propose to comment in great detail on mother had to send the youngest child, those matters. I will simply put them be- seven years of age, to East Perth where the fore members as their urgency requires. I father was working to tell him of what had will add that those matters are some that it happened. The man informed me that he will be my privilege to einphasise on every had never been in a court, possible occasion in the future, at greater but that if it was a case of length, while I remain a member of 'this pulling down his tent in those cir- Assembly. I will deal first with our attitude, cumstances, then he would go into court. in this State, towards our coloured and There was no animosity in his tone, no slightly coloured people. Although only A martyrdom in his make-up; he simply said small proportion of our population is af- he wvould not take his young children fur- fected, and most of them do not have the ther into the bush. Hie had not bod an op- right to vote, their conditions by all standards portunity to educate them himself and was of humanity are such that their plight be- determined that they should receive edu- comes a matter of great urgency. I had cation, occasion recently to help a slightly coloured I mention this simply to emphasise the family living close to Perth. The treatment difficulties in which it is possible for some [12 AUGUST, 1947.] 141 families in this apparently civilised and worth recording that the Premier, while organised community to find themselves. I directing the affairs of the State, could yet mention it also make time to help an individual family to point out that th~e slightl-y4 coloured people of this State have an in- such as this, a family previously unknown feriority complex arid thiat we (10 nothing to to him. snake their lot easier. Instead, we add to Now I should like to touch briefly on the their burden. -It is not the Government that housing situation. There is no need for me inspires that feeling in these people; it is to stress its gravity; there is no need to to individuals we must look. The biggest embellish a problcnm that has become as thing we can do for the coloured people and acute as this one has. It has reached what the slightly coloured people does not cost the amounts to a national emergency in Aus- State one penny. The biggest thing we can tralia. We in this State are fortunate in (10 for them is to judge them by their worth having many of the raw materials for hous- "I'd riot by the colour of their skin. It does ing, much more fortunate in this respec~t riot lie within the power of Governments to than are the people in the sister state of (lirect the attitude of individuals towards South Australia. To build houses in our these people. That is determined by the indi- State is primarily a matter of obtaining viduals themselves. The reflection is on the in- material and skilled labour, and there is (lividuals of this State that they should have no reason why our organisation should not ineulcated into those people the inferiority be brought to the very peak of efficiency. complex that they have, and it is a sad I do not intend to deal with this subject in and sorry commentary on this State that any great detail. The time is short and the they treat with such abandon a person who nmatter will be dealt with to a large extent is diown. by other niembers during the Address-in- I have outlined the difficulties of one reply. At the moment 11wish to emnphasise fainiil'v in our comimunity-the difficulties only one point. GIranted that as nmuch as of a man striving to keep his family. I possibly, can be done is being done to speed mention this onlyt because it is typical of up the supply of materials, to make the w~hat ai coloured man can expect in this best use of the skilled labour available and Stlate without the sympathy and under'- ensure the m'aximumn efficiency of our standimr_ which should not be denied any orgAnisation; granted all this, the salient mar,, simply because his skin is coloured. point that remains is to ensure that the Eventually I was able to put this family homes are allocated where they are most into two hack rooms in an unused ex- necessary. ]-tA.A.F. hall. Tt was surrounded by trees I have no wish to cast any reflection and scrub and was quite apart from the upon the Housing Commission. I realise, (other hut dwellers in the vicinity. Yet as everyone does, that its members are some of those individuals complained; they overwhelmed with applications for homes. complained that the man was slightly col- Including- rental homes, they have some- ourc d and at the fact that he had been given thing like 10,000 or moore applications. In at home. Yet I have it on the word of the these circumstances, eases are bound to oc- school mi-tress that, even while the family cur where people, who are not quite as was living in the tent, the two children much in need of housing as others may be, attending school were amongst the cleanest are allocated homes. The Commission, of and best-dressed of all the scholars. course, has to rely on the reports of in- Before I leave this subject thiere is one spectors, to a large extent, in determining other point I wish to mention and it should priority. I say, howvever, that the people he as, refreshing to the people of this State who shiould be getting homes are not get- as it was to Inc. I refer to the sympathetic ting them to the extent they should. They consideration given to and action taken by are not getting them to anywhere near the the Premier. showing that even the smallest extent they shoold. Where the trouble lies matter receives his attention. Although I do not know, but I do know that we could the Premier's time is fully ecupied on find out. I am pleased at the Government's larger matters affecting the State, hie did ainnouncement that just as soon as the not hesitate a moment to give his time and necessary amendment, can bep mode to the energies to ensuring that the plight of this Act, a woman will bie appointed to the partirular family was relieved. I think it Housing Commission. I feel that in a mat- 142 [ASSEMBLY.] ter as important as this, however, we can brother of a former Premier of this State go very much further to ensure that these lives in one, and his daughter in another, homes are allotted to the people in most and they cannot speak too highly of them. urgent need of them. ' Thereforc, there can be no real objection I had intended this afternoon to outline to them. There is another aspect of housing one or two ways in which our machinery for I would like to touch upon, an aspect that allocating homes could be drastically im- I feel has not been sufficiently stressed in proved; but on further consideration I am the past, and that is the matter of building convined that there are so many ways in twvo-roomed cottages with the object of COM- which this could be accomplished that to pleting the remaining two rooms at a later outline any one aspect, or one or two as- day. We should investigate thoroughly pects, would be pointless. The whole system the possibility of building such cottages in needs a complete and thorough overhaul. this State, with a view to adding the fur- I feel sure, if 1 were waiting for a home in tlier two rooms when the supply of materials the same circumstances as are thousands in makes it possible. Such cottages can be this State, I would be much easier in my erected in an amazingly short space (of time. enforced wait if I realised that my case was Not very long aio in Guildford I wit- being deferred only because some more de- nessed a trial demonstration. At 7.30 am. serving than my own were being attended four men commenced building. At 5 p.m. to. I feel, too, that members of the lions- that day the building was completed. Since ig, Commission would welcome such an that time, at the invitation of the builders, co'rliaul. It would allay much ill-directed thousands of people have viewed this home. criticism ol that Commission in the minds We could place 50 of thenm for families ot all home--seekers and others. To reiter- in Guildford alone. But I do not want to ate, we miust ensure that available homes labour this aspect or the housing situation are allocated to those most urgently in need generally. I have merely singled out three of 11mm. To (10 this, we joust improve the aspects of the tremendous housing problem eliiei cy ofI the machinery respon sible for which confronts the people of the State. thje allocation. This it is the bounden (luty Hundreds of other factors affect the posi- of the Government to do. tion. I shall leave them, secure in the *There are~ in this Stale thousands of fanmi- knowledge that other members will deal with lies who will never be prepared to go into them at a later stage. May I adid one thing? a workers' homne with [lhe object of spending Already the new Government has taken some the remainder of their lives paying off the steps in regard to housing. It has formed a tremen1Ius cost of such a home, that is, if housing panel comprised of representatives ever they (10 have the opportunity to com- of all the industries concerned to advise the plete the plurchase ot it. Workers' homes Government upon ways and means of step- built by the Gloverment in these days run ping up the housing programme in this into £1,100 or more, which means 20 or 30 State. years of a working man's life in paying for There are, of course, many improvements something which was completed in a few which have yet to be effected, hut their weeks. The scale of values is hopelessly accomplishment demtands a certain amount wrong. It' we. eon do anything about that, of time. The Government is to be congratu- it will at least easwn, that the juan who lated on the steps that it has alrcady taken wants to own his home ought to be able to and also on the open mind it has on this pay for it within at reasonab~le space of time. subject, looking always, as it does, for We must arrive at a solution of this pro- new ways of increasing the efficiency of the blem without very much further delay. Pos- building organisation in this State for the sibly the solution will be found in the cot- accomplishment of one of its primary ob- tnge type of home. With such homes the jectives, which is to put roofs over the beads working man can clear himself of debt within of those families which are so urgently in a reasonable space of time. The completed need of homes and of whose plight the Gov. dwelling runs into half the cost of the erment is so well aware and whose conditin worker's homes built by the Gov'ernmcnt. the Government is so earnestly concerned I know nmnny people living in the cottage about alleviating. TID summarise briefly type of home who are very satisfied. The before I part from this subjeed, let usi 112 AUGUST, 1947.] 1434 make sure that homes in. this State are length with housing and do not intend to goting to those who need them most; and touch more than the surface of the other let us not burden a man with a home of three matters,, which have been so tremendous cost, as the walls of that home thoroughly aired With the Government de- will enslave him as surely as the walls of partnients and the Minister responsible that any gaol. to do more than touch on them today would This afternoon I desire, MAr. Speaker, to not achieve any useful object. The eir- speak particularly of Middle Swan. I want cumstanees of these matters are wvell known to outline to the House the boundaries of to all. The main problem in connection this electorate, and to, emphasise that the resi- with them is, of course, lack of money. dents of this area have reoeived a shoddy Shortages in both labour and materials also deal in the past. I want to emphasise this have to be overcome. in regard to drain- and to eoxpress. the hope that the Government age, 1 would point out that certain areas wtill not allow that state of affairs to continue. in close proximity to Perth are extremely I will do everything in my power to achieve low-lying, In some cases these low-lying that desire. Parochialism involves a narrow areas run across what may be- considered outlook at any time. The needs of the State main rodds. The result is that when must come before any one section of it; but these nreas become flooded, as they do there is no excuse for neglecting one portion p~eriodically, the roads are impassable to to benefit another. 'Middle Swan is an troffie andl large numbers of the residents, example of a di-strict being sacrificed to for whom these roads provide dhe only political expediency. The boundaries of the outlet suffer considerable hardship. eectorate were determined for political reasons and the peoIple of Middle Swan These areas that are unfortunate in re- have suffered ever since. spect of flooding should receive sonic sist- Rocn. P, ('oilier: Who determined the ante from the Governiment because, as boundaries!? they receive less revenue than the higher areas, they cannot hope to tic'- (UIAYDEN Mr, : I think the best thing, velop to the same extent. Local auth- we cr1111do0 ini Middle Swan is- to divide it in ornties in these areas are in manyi eases two. The Swan River forms the natural tumnpletely unable to cope with the draining dividlimx line. The interests, of the people of of land, the flooding of which affects the1 Belmtont andl that sidle of the riv er are verv roads and the properties of the setlrs different front the interests of those in th~e within their boundaries. I know that in Bay"svwater area. In the past the interests, Middle Swan and in adjadent areaus the of the people of B~elnont and of' the people drninagt, problem is very acute. The 'Minis- in that area have been to same extent ter for Wiurks and Water Supply has visited neglected, as the bulk of time population is various places where drainage is lparticularly on the western side of the river. I do not urgent and has already seen fit to embark want to give the inipression that Baysivater on drainage projects -within those areas in has fared well. It has not. The size of the order to improve the plight of the residents. electorate has been a contributing factor to affected. I wvish to emphasise that we are- the general neglect. The present boundary not asking for excessive amounts. We simply line of Middle Swan is through Welshipool, consider that this matter df drainage should through and beyond Greenmount; it then be given a high priority in public expendi- encompass.es Caversham, Bcechhoro, ilamp- ture and we wont to ensure that that priority ton Park, "Morley Park and Bedford Park amounts to something. We do not want to and runs through Inglewood, 'Maylands, see other work8 which have not the same across the river up and throug-h Rivervale degree of urgency or value to the State and Carlisle and thence, to Welsimpool. As being proceeded with while areas in our dis- can be seen], it encoimpasses Bayswvater and trict, ullon which the livelihood and health Belmont. In the very centre of the elector- of the residents depend, arc flooded. ate there is another electorate, Guildford- I do not intend to say much about the Midlands transport position. The matter is in the We have four main worries in Middle able hands of the Minister for Transport, Swan. They ace housing, drainage, trans- and the Government is doing its best to port and education. I have dealt at some remedy the existing state of affairs and to, 144 144[ASSEMBLY.]

put transport in the position that it should less families housed. From the contact I hold in this State, that is, in the very fore- have made with the departments concerned, front of progress, not trailing dismally- and with members of the Governent, I want very dismally-in the rear. Middle Swan) to say that I have every confidence in the as I have said, has been shamefully neglect- Minister for Education, I amn sure that in ed in the past; but in no respect has it been his hands education in this State will, when moure shamefully neglected than in the mat- it becomes possible, be given a new deal ter of transport. That has been the greatest which will be the greatest thing that will stumbling block to the prowess of the dis- have happened in our history. trict with -which the residents have had to There are many public undertakings which contend or possibly ever will have to con- we, in Middle Swan, are anxious that the tend. We want more transport;' we want Government should commence as soon as better transport and we want it as soon as the State's finances, and the labour and it can be given. It has been a matter for t materials position allow. The most import- gratification to us in 'Middle Swan that a - ant of them, as far as we in Middle Swan ready the Minister for Transport has in- are concerned, is the reclamation of the spected the area and outlined certain tenta- Swan River between Perth and Guildford. tive plans to us which mean that this diffi- This reclamation will give to the State an- culty will be overcome, to the very great other stretch of river as beautiful as that benefit of the district generally. below Perth. Then, too, there is, the tre- There is only one point I wish to ciapha- mendous advantage that access to the areas Nse when dealing with transport on this invokved would be to rthe residents in the ceasion. It is that at Middle Swan we are cramped areas of Bayswater, Maylands, and at present in a worse state than are many East Perth. This is a task which should other electorates in the metropolitan areai hold a high priority requiring, as. it does, so far as transport is concerned. I want to no equipment which cannot be spared from repeat that we are gratified indeed at the other projects, and very little labour. A sympathetic consideration already shown to matter of surprise, to those wvho are not us hy the Minister for Transport in this familiar with -it, is the comparatively low problem. We know that we will continue cost at which so much of our river has al- to get this consideration from him. We also ready been reclaimed and this reclamation know-and this is more important-that has added considerably to the beauty of our from him Ave will get the best transiport it city. We should take the first opportunity is possible to give us. With education, with to reclaimi the river from Bayswater particular emphasis on improvements and to Guildford and thus extend its extensions to schools, we come to thle final natural beauty while at the same time one of what I consider to ho the four stock making the playing fields which could be problems of Middle Swan. As with the constructed on its hank available to Al, problems. of housing, drainage and trans- and, as I have already mentioned, particu- port, I do not wish to say much about this larly to the people in the crowded areas of matter now. With the housing position being Mfaylands, East Perth and Bayswater. as it has been in the past, and from which The plight of' the old ag-e pensioners in we have not yet recovered and are not likely this State is anot her matter, to which, for to for some time, we are faced with the a few moments I would claim the attention alternative-schools. or homnes. of the House. I do not refer to pensions, 'Many parents and public-spirited citizens which is the concern of the Comnionwealth. are devoting their time and energies to or- but to the accommodation provided by the gainisations to develop their districts and *State for these people. In Ithe past we imnprovo the welfare of their children. Natur- have felt that our obligations to the elderly ally they feel figgrieved when improvements people have been discharged so long as we to schools are delayed, but when they realise have provided security of life-that is, a the true position they will agree that the roof over their heads and the hare means (lovernmwet has made the only possible to sustain life. Our attitude to this ques- choice in the circumstances. I, and everyone tion typifies the showiness of our concep- else, would like to see this Government em- tion of helping those who need our aid. bark on an ambitions school-building pro- Bat the extent of otir showiness in this gramme, hut r would first prefer to see home- matter does not end with the elderly people [12 AnusT, 1947.] who, as a last resort, move into these so- evolve some way by which we could con- called homes provide] by the State for old tribute, even ?f at present it is only a token age pensioners. It extends to the thousands contribution in the form of medical sup- who are without relatives, or who for plies, to the welfare of the peoples close to other reasons live in their own lonely homes our shores, who arc not in a position to rather than accept the rations and living help theniselves. quarters doled out to them in the existing There is 6nily one other matter to which State homes. I do not want to labour this I wish to refer this afternoon, and before point but 'simply to stress that tbe plea doing go I wa~nt to say that it was not my of other obligations is no excuse for allow- original intention, or my wish, to include ing the present state of affars to continue. any criticism not of a constructive charac- The time is long overdue for the build- ter on this the first occasion that I have ing of homes and cottages to which our had the opportunity of addressing the elderly people could retire iii circumstances House. The matter to which I refer was the fitting to their dignity and needs. They unprovoked, unwarranted and vicious deri- should have homes where their wants would sion directed by a former Mlinister of the be attended to by a staff sufficiently large Crown in this House at the groat principle for the pur-pose. 1 am pleased to know of soldicr pref erence. We had the spectacle that the home being constructed in the foot- of his, deriding; the principle of soldier hills is being- built with this object in mind. preference, in a manner calculated to arouse I express the hope that the time is not far the anger and the contempt of any One of distant when our old people will he able us wvho has the intelligence and the human to retire in circumstances that will be fit- feelig to comprehend the suffering which ting to the lives of service to the State and waas willingly endured for Australia and for to humanity that many of them have so all of hnunanity, including the likes of the unselfishly rendered and for which, up to member for TLeederville who, I feel sure, the present, they have received such scant was ver~y dependent: upon their protection recognition. At an earlier stage this even- and who now so contemptuously spurns ing I mentioned parochialism in connection [111d derides the sacrifices they mnade. with dwelling too much on the needs of Iron. A. 11. Panton: That is a lie. When Middle Swan. I want to say that parochial- you can produce two song who did their isin can extend mnuch further. bit for their father you can talk. The State itself can be parochial, and I believe we ourselves are to a great extent, Mr. CRAYDEN: Thie hon. member. de- parochial. When T say that I do not mean rided the principle of soldier preference- in regard to our relations with the other lon. A. H. Panton: I ask for those words States, but in connection with the living to be withdrawn. I did nothing of the conditions of the vast numbers of people sort. I take exeeptioz to them. very close to our shores. Only about 40 Miles or so from the north of this State, Mr. SPEAKER: The hen. member is commences a series of populated islands asked to withdraw the statement. the inhabitants of which are tart raC a vast Mr. GRAYDEN: I withdraw. race which stretches right across that area. Hon. A. H1. Panton:- You ought to talk Many people in this State do not conceive about a Lian dependent on soldiers! of the number of people so close to our Mr. GRAY shores.. Their attitude to life is such that DEN: If the honi. member many of them die annually from starvation wants to mnake a speeh he will, I presume, and from sicknesses which could be avoided get ain opportunity later. and cured with the most elementary mcdi- ,Mr. Marsha II: He ill make a better one cal care. I point this out merely to em.- than -you are attempting. phasise that our sole object in Australia 'Mr. GRAYDEN: I must thank the Rouse must not always be confined to helping our- for its indulgence this afternoon. selves. We are in a position to do some- Hon. A. H. Panton: You have every right thing actively in the way of assisting those to. less fortunate peoples, and it behoves every Australian to do so. The States and the Mr. GRAYDEN: I want to pay a tribute t Commonwealth should, at an early date, o the new Government. Without exeebtion, 146 146[ASSEMBLY.]

the Ministers of this Government strive to vicious and quite unwarranted attack made do what they consider to be In the best in- by a member opposite on the principle of terests of the people of the State. soldier preference. Mr. Rodoreda: You ought to be a pretty Hon. A. B. Panton: I Would advise you good] judlge, not to comne hack at that! Mr. ORAYDWN: N4 matter. is so large 2%r. GRAYDEN: I felt bound, on behalf but that they aIpproaech it with new ideas, of the ex-servicemen of -this State, to em- at new outlook and an open mind. No matter phasise to memhbers opposite just how his ii too suadI for the Government to give it feelings in this matter were regarded by ex- full eonsideration. In its sincerity, its new servicemen. breath and its open mind, wVe have, in a few lion. A. I1. Panton: You will take a loag wvords, the hasie qualities characteristic of time to convince the soldiers of this State the prestti Government. At any rate, they on that point. aire a few of the basic qualities with which M1r. GRAYDEN: We had thespcal the present Glovernment has p)roved to be of a former Minis.ter of the Grown deriding- richly endowed and which will distinguish the principle of soldier preference in a it throwghout its term ff office to the very manner calculated to arouse the anger and great benefit of the people of Western Aus- contempt of any one of us who- tralia. I nint to emphasise those qualities, for they bring a breath of fresih air to a Hion. A. H- Panton: On a point of order, Mr. Speaker, State struigg-ling for breath. Members op- the bon. member is repeating liosite have many times during the current a statement he made earlier. debate referred to cobwebs, which character- Mr. Marshall: Let him go! ised the term of oive of' thp Labour Gov- lion. A. 1H. Panton: I will not let him ernmnt and enshrouded the Government go. I have already asked for a withdrawal benches during the period. For 14 long of a tsimilar statement. You, Mr. Speaker, years insincerity, sectional interests and lip- directed it to be withdrawn and now it has servoi-c to the public weal prevailed. With been repeated. I take exception to that, and the advent oi' the new Government, the cob- I ask that the statemnt lie withdrawn. we'his hare already gone. Mr. M1arshall: And for an apology. lion, A. 11. Panton: But the spiders are lion. A. R. G. Hawke: The rat-bag 1 Why there. bother about him? lon. .J. B. Slecinan: And the Government Mr. SPEAKER: To what does the hon. ineiberM are now tang-led in the webs. member object? Mr. CRAYDEN: They have been swept lion. A. H. Panton: I object to the from the Government benches. The cobwebs statement that I derided the work of re- ot insincerity, the cobwebs of sectional in- turned soldiers in this State on the question terests, the cobwebs of prevarication, the of preference. I did nothing of the sort, cobwebs of hypocrisy-all have gone. MNein- The fact is that I put up a fight for a re- her opposite still see cohb-ebs before them, turned soldier-and opposed the appointment and they look through a mirage of cobwebs, of a non-returned soldier. I ask that the Mr. Marshall: We look to the cobwebs statement he withdrawn. on the othar side of the House. Mr. SPE AKER ; Th e member f or-'Leeder- Mr. GRAYI)EN: They will continue to ville has taken exception to a statement Mt'c cobweb.-. Habits of 14 long years are made by the hon. member and has requested not swept away so soon. Labour members that the statement be withdrawn. will continne to see cobwebs although they lion. P. Collier: And not repeated. have already gone from the State's activities. Mr. SPEAKER: The hon. member has They 'will continue to see cobwebsv, in heard the request. Does he withdraw the which they themselves aire enmeshed, statement? Mr. Mnrs'halI: What forest did you find Mir. GRAYDEN: I withdraw the state- them in? ment, Mr. GRAYDEN: I felt earlier that it was 11on. P. Collier: You should not have my h~ounden duty to refer to the unprovoked, repeated it. [12 AUGUST, 1947.) 1474

Mr. GRAY DEN: There is one other mat- This brings me to the point -regarding ter I desire to tsay in conclusion, and it is thc development of the coalmines at Collie. that I am very pleased indeed to have the I regret to have to admit that, for a very privilege, of which I am very proud, of long period, more attention has been paid being associated with my colleagues on the to winning coal quickly than to the future (Governmnt side of the House., life and development of the inens, and I dem it my duty to direct the attention of Hon. A. R. G. flawke: The seeming the Government to the position at Collie. political corkscrew has spoken. The matter, I feel, needs investigation and Mr. Marshall: Did he not stand as an wsould, if attended to, have a far more bene- independent once? ficial effect than anytbing else oin the out- put of coal. I wish to say a few words, regarding the MR. MAY (Collie) [5.36];: At the outset distribution of coal. Under the National I desire to offer you, Mr. Speaker, my con- Emiergoency Regulations, it was considered gratulations upon your appointment to your advisable-and I think it was-to get up a high office. I trust that during the period committee charged with the duty of ensur- you ocoupy the Chair, while I have a seat ing a proper distribution of die cool chat in this; Chamber I shall do, and say, nothing was available. Thle committee was sct up to e-ause' you any alarm or concern. I am by thle Commonwealth. During the period deeply conscious of the fact that I follow of the war it might have bcen very desirable in the tootstep4 of a man who set a ver~y for the Commonwealth to take that action, high standard in public life. It has been but now, two years after the close of the very pleasing to me, on being elected to war and at a time when we are onl the road this House and mixing with my fellow meni- to rehabilitaltion, I feel that the distribution hers, to note the love and affection that all Of thle oL~tput at Collie should devolve upon had for my predecessor. I trust I shall do the State authorities. I shall give my rea- nothing to lower the standard set by the sons for this belief. former member for Collie. In common -with On the 26th June last, a conference of the muember for Murchison, I regret that the goidmining and coalmining interests was held portfolio of Mines is not held by a Minister at Kalgoorlie with the object of ascertaining in this Chamber. However, I feel in the what' the Goldfields' requirements of coal cireumstances that we must accept the posi- were and whether the Goldfields people were tion as we find it. In the Lieut.-Governor's prepared to use it. The conference assembled Speech reference is made to the forth- and one of the first questions asked by the coming season and the anticipation of a QGoldfields people was wvhy the supply -of successful harvest is mentioned. I am coal had been stopped. I admit quite can- pleased to note that. didly that the coal representatives: had no In view of the fact that we may anticipate idea that the 500 or 600 tons of coal that at bumper harvest I shall deal with a basic bad been sent to Kalgoorlie had been stop- require-ment as~sociated with a prosperous ped. I made further inquiries and found Season. I refer to the question of coal that the reason why Kaluoorhie had not re- suipplies. Ta view of the emergency that ceived its quota, as it bad been receiving iirose about two years ago, it was decided over a long period, was that the bunkering that the open-ent system should he adopted trade at Fremantle had to be supplied. I do in conjunction with deep coalmining. I am not contend for a moment that shipping is of the opinion that the openl-cut not of vast importance. It is, but I main- as against deep-mining method should tamn also that the future prosperity of the he regarded purely as anl emergency coalmining industry is also important. measure. Coal that is easily obtained close to I refer to the time just before the recent the surface is of a very immature nature and war when the Collie miners were working is often mixed with foreign matter such as only two or three shifts a week. They were gravel, -which makes the use of open-cut coal n1ot getting enough to live on. This was very, -undesirable, particularly from the point due to the fact that-the shipping companies of view of the consumer. Therefore I say in those days, were using Newcastle coal. that the open-cut method should be regarded At present, however, they are not able to only in the light of an emergency measure. get -Newcastle coal so easily, and conse- [ASSEMBLY.] quently they have sought supplies -of Collie Recently the State Electricity Comnmis- col, I see no reason why the internal mar- sion took possession of some leases near ket for Collie coal should be sacrificed to Collie. I understand that tile Commission people who are prepared to turn our in- intends to obtain its own coal supplies; bet dustry down immediately they can get coal so far I have been unable to discover that from other places. That is one reason why it has made any great effort to take siteps I bare brought uip the question of the dis- to provide its own coal requirements. I tribution of coal. It is time that representa- know the Commission is boring on its tivest of this State, if there is to be a direc- leases, but the boring is proceeding at a tin of the distribution, undertook that duty. very slow rate. I would very much like So far as the subject of distribution is con- to see some impetus given to the efforts of cerned, I shall leave it at that. the Commission to obtain its own coal sup- plies. I would also like to refer to the con- One important question is that of the in- sumption of our native coal on the Gold- vreased output of coal. The output has in- fields and to emphiasise that we should do creased to almost 800,000 tons a year, and everything iii our power to supply that de- it is possible in the event of our being able mand. If we do not, it is quite on the caids to supply thle requirements of then Goldfields that the demand and other industries that the yearly output will be met by the supply will rise to 1,000,000 tons. I feel sure that of fuel from without the State. this is at condition of affairs that every mnem- 1 feel I shall have the support of memi- her is very desirous of seeing attained. For bers when I say that, if it is at all possible the present, however, there is no possibility to supply the (',oldfields with our native (of iincreasing the output of coal at Collie, fuel, we should take the earliest opportun- unless nie are able to put more men into the ity to assist in supplying that need. We industry, and there is no chance of getting can only do so by obtaining an increased more men in the industry until we are able output, employing more nen in the in- to provide them with homnes. dustry and providing them with homes to We have heard this afternoon something live in. I wish to dwell on another aspet about homes and I have no desire to enter very briefly. The Minister for M1ines has into ainy debate on that subject. During the expressed his intention to grant additional past year 307 men were given work in the leases in the coal-bearing country at Collie. mines and 301 of those employees left the Would it not be possible to give other industry on account of inability to find ac- companies an opportunity, if they so de- sire, to take up leases commodation for themselv-es and their de- and put dow thi pendants. Therefore, in spite of the very own mines, as thereby they would help to acute position regarding housing in other overcome the present acute shortage of coal parts of the State, I strongly urge the Gov- supplies? I desire also to touch upon the ernment to do all in its power to provide railway position at Collie aind the require- miore homes in Collie in order that the out- ments of the Railway Department there. tint of the mines might he iacreased to meet I draw the atteation of the 'Minister for the requirements of the State. Railways to several requirements. He has I know that Collie has beea given a No. I already expressed himself as willing to be building priority ad under that piriority most helpful and I am sure we shall have we have been getting houses; built at the his assistance after I have explained a few rate of one a month. At least two wed- items. First, the railway assembly yards at dings take place every week in Collie, and Collie are totally inadequate to cope therefore I do not see how we can hope to with the goods and services that are being make up the leeway or keep up with the dealt with at the station toay. There is pace set by the number of marriages. I no t one line in the assembly yard with suf; earnestly implore the Government to try to ficient room to enable a whole train to he do something about the matter. If there is set up. This entails extra shunting. The anything that the local governing bodies position has been made worse flow that the can do, or that I can do, to assist the Gov- Garrett engines are again in service. Their ernment to remedy the position, we shall be increased load has aggravated the position happy to do it. at the assembly yards. I do not know when [12 AuGvu, 1947.] 1494 the Collie railway station was built, but it the dam to Collie. I am sure the Minister seems to me it must have been many years will look into that matter, which I think ago; it is more like a rabbit warren than has already been brought under his notice. a railway station, With the amount of I hope he -will act iimiediately.so that the traffic passing through Collie and the shunt- residents can have a supply of water ing that goes on continuously day and through the reticulation service during the night, it is high time the Comimissioner of coming summer. Rtailways gave some thought and considera- I would also draw the attention of the tion to reorganising the whole set-up of the Minister for Works to our roads. God assembly yards and the relative conveni- knows that Collie is isolated enough! It ences. takes two hours to get from Brunswick Something should be done whereby the Junctitan to Collie by train, and if one does trains can lye assembled much quicker and it' in that tivie one is lucky. Visitors only much more simply than that is being done need to go there once and they say, ''Never now. At present the assembly yards are again!" Collie is situated in the heart of faced on one side by Harvey-st. and on the forest country ; and because the Forests ,the other by Lefroy-st. Both these Department has most of the land tied up streets carry a treme ndous amount of traffic and does notpay any rates, we have what day and night and have become positive I suppose is one of the poorest road boards death traps to the general public, owing to in Western Australia, which does not get the continuous shunting over the two roads nearly sufficient. revenue to maintain the bioth day and night. Innumerable accidents roaids that are used in the district. I would have occurred there, and that is not to be ask thie Minister to give kindly considera- wondered at when one realises the amuount tion to that mnatter. It' will he brought to of shunting and the amount 'of traffic at his notice shortly and I feel-~sure he will the Collie station. be most ready to do something about it. I suggest to the Min'ister for his con- With regard to the record of the Collie sideration that lie should at least close the miners, all through the war, as everyqtne shunting yards and take the shunting fur- knows., they stuck to their guns under con. thei~ -wst to the other side of Hiarvey- dlitions, which at times, were most revolt- st., where there is no crossing and no ing. They worked every holiday and Sun- danger to *the public. There is am~ple room day whenever called upon, and I believe for the goods sheds at that site, and an that for coalmining they hold the world's island platform station could be erected. record. I want also to refer to decentrali- The site of the present assembly yards sation. I feel that when any company de- could be beautified by planting lawns and sires to establish itself in the country it trees. This might be an inducement for should receive every encouragement from the visitors who come to Collie to stay the Government. Recently it was, decided there a little while. 11 make that sugges- to install Had equip a wireless station some tion to the Minister for Railwvays in all four or five miles from Collie, but 1' under- sincerity. It would be interesting to know stand that so far the Government has not how mnuch lost time occurs in the course seen fit to grant the company the freehold of the year over both those crossings of the 20 acres of land on which tkat through the public being held up during station is to he built. As a matter of fact, shunting operations. I hope the Minister the mnast has already been erected. When- will give some attention to the settlement ever private enterprise desires to establish of this motter which I would ask him to itself in a country district it should he believe is long overdue. g-iven every opportunity to do so. We can- I want to say a word to the Minister for not expect people who have money and who Works in regard to water supply. A most are desirous of inaugurating some entei- remarkable thing is that although in Collie pm'ise to-go into the country unless they re- we have plenty of water-so much that we ceive some encouragement in the way I could supply the whole State-the inhabit- have suggzested. ants are always short of it. During the Last Saturday afternoon T took the oppor- summer months I am not able to obtain tunity to visit the location of the reent sufficient to water my garden, Our trouble susdnesome eight miles from Collie. is due entirely to the piping leading from There was not much said in the paper re- [ASSEMBLY.]

garding the catastrophe that occurred there ami-nity possible. I hope the Govern- and I want briefly to give members some ment will do all in its power to give idea of what took place. The subsidence them these things which they deserve occurred 1':, miles from the Cardiff mine. I for working most of their life in the want members to imagine- an area of ap- bowels of the earth, and away from God's proximately one acre suddenly disappearing sunlight, It is almost; dark when they go to a depth of 100 feet. The jarrab trees to work and when they come home, and it growing o4 that particular acre of ground is always dark when they are underground. vanished. They cannot be seen now. They work under rotten conditions, and I That will give some idea of the fall-in earnestly make the plea that the Govern- that occurred at the Cardiff mine. It is ment will, whenever possible, afford them estimated that approximately 1,000,000 tons every consideration. of earth have entered the old workings of that mine. Just two hours before the sub- MR. ACKLAND (Irwin-M1oore) [6.12]. sidence occurred, 12 men were working May I join those who have gone before me under the very spot where it took place. ilL congratulating you, Sir, on being elected We can imagine how lucky it is that there to the Speaikcrship ? As a new member, it was not a dreadful catastrophe involving is only natural that the first business of the loss of life and] desolation in* many Collie House should be of particular interest to me, homes! This is the biggest fall-in that has and it was with great pleasure that 1 happened in the district. We have had observed von receive the unanimous endorse- them in the pafst, hut they have been much mnt of all members of this Assembly, irre- smnaller. This is something to he dreaded. spuctive ojf par'ty. It was good to hear the By the immediate action of the manage- kindly and)4eulogistic reterenecs made both ment and the men, the river was diverted by the Premier and the D~eputy Leader of so that it would not flow into the fall-in. the O1ppo-6tion when they congratulated you, A good job has been done and so far the one of %%hom was tipeaking- on behalf of the water is still flowring away from that area. two purtie, comnprising the Government, and The amount of water and slurry that has the (other on hehalf of the Wetitern, Austra- entered the pit has 'covered an area, under- lin _La~oir Party. I would also, like to round, of approximately :30 acres. For- congratulate my friend, the member for tunately this has occurred in an old section York, on receiving the appointment of of the mine which was worked out somne Chairman of Committees. I have for many years ago, with the exception of the pillars,- years workt-d in close association with him and I think, aJId the- general opinion is, in an indus~trial organisation, and I know that the fall-in has, occurred as a result of that lie will stand up very well indeed to the extracting the pillars which has consequently duties whitch will fall to him in his new posi- prevented any support being afforded to tion. I would like to go further and offer the roof o1' the particular part of the mine. my sincere congratulations to the Premier I am quoting this ease to show members that and the teinn that has been elected to -work coalmining is not all it is cracked up to with him. We have already seien their capa- be. (loldinining has its risks also, but in city for haul work. flicy have not sjpnred, the treacherous nature of the country themselves for one minute since taking over around Collie the work of the coalminers their departments. becomes very dangerous and calls for a good deal of skill and courage. Sitting suspended from 6.15 to 7.30O p.m. I have already said that the Collie miners Mr. ACKLAND: Before tea I reached the hold a erood record for their work, and I feel point where I wished to congratulate ths sure that whenever th,!rc is an opportunity Mfinstry, and I stated that they had the to make, their lot brighter, all members, capacity for work. 1 am of the opinion particularly those of the present Govern- that, ino matter how large or small the under- ment, will d-n all they can to that end. They taking may he--there arTc three essentials to will give them every protection and con- ,success. The first is a capacity for hard sideration. The State urgently needs the work, the second is sincerity of purpose, coal, and 1 feet it is the duty of alt of us to while the third is a considerable measure of give to the men working in this danger- commonsense. In this Ministry we have all ouls environment every consideration and three in abundance and, when we have add- [12 AL'ousT, 1947~]11 151 ed to that a great deal of ability, I believe wheat stabilisati~n scheme, one under which sucess is assured. I wish I could proceed the rights of both producer and consumeri to congratulate members of the Opposition would receive fair treatment. Before I take on the sportsmanship they showed when my seat again I hope to have convinced the this House first met. I came here as a House that bud a wheat stabilisation scheme new member, without previous knowledge such as that suggested b3y the ix-Minister for of P'arliament, and to me it was indeed Commerce. Ali- Scully, become the law of a great disappointment to see the tactics this land, the producers would have contri- that were indulged in during the whole buted more than £180,000,000, which is a of last week. I expect it was a ease vast sum of money. ot window-dressing in prelparation for some- At the outset I will make the admission thing to caine, hut to me it seemed a reflec- fion on fthe great hulk of Labour supporters that the wheatgrowers of Australia are under a debt of gratitude and an obligation to the throughout Western Australia, in taking taxlpayer.- of the Commonwealth. They have them to he arrant fools! received considerable sums of money from It was said that the last election was won the( Commonwealth Treasurer. They are on mnisrepresentation and advertising. That, willing- to admit that and to honour any routing from a Labour Opposition, would be obligation arising from it. From 1930 to amuising if it were not so ridiculous. The 1941 they received an amount of aJmioqt excuses for defeat wore indeed laughable. £22,000,000 in subsidies from one source or We had a Labour Government in charge oD another. From 1938 to 1943 they received, the Trea-sury bench in Western Australia by reason of the flour tax, a further for 21) out of the last 23 years. At eleaion £C4,500,000. Over a period of 13 years they aifter eleetion promises were made to the received nearly £26,000,000. 1 will not tell the House that that was nearly sufficient to people huit were not fulfilled. Wehave thc (Govenmnent of today in office for four keel) the wheat industry solvent. It was not, but at the same time the wheat industry months., anrl right from its inception an should recognise attempt I-as been made to embarrass it. If that obligation, and is willing and anxious to do so. we wanted proof of what has not happened i the pmast it could be found in the facts sun- I have said that up to 1943 the industry rounding a deputation that was taken by the received nearly £26,000,000. In the suc- Leader of the Opposition to the Premier eeding two year., it conitributed to the shortly after he took office. That, in my people of this country nearly £.22,000,000. olpinion, aniounted to an admission of failure I am in a difficulty to find a term to de- on the part of the previous Government to svribe this scheme, but had it come into do what was required when it had tho .operation, during the next five -years the opportnity.' furiners would have contributed £C32,500,000 As the newly elected member for Irwin- per annum to the people of this country. Moore it is only reasonable and, I believe, This can easily he workerd out. Sixty mail- righlt, that I should confine my remarks lion bushels of wheat were used by the mainly to matters, related to agricolture- people of Australia; 32,000,000 bushels Practically the whole of the electors of Were used in the form of flour, 25,000,000 Irwin-Moore are to some extent dependent bushels were used by thle stock feeders and onl the pro~tucts of the soil. I can go, further the rest was used by breakfast-food manu- and say that all the people of 'Western Aus- facturers and processors of wheat gener- tralia are dependent for their stability on ally. Every bushel of that wheat returned the seasons, prices and conditions -related to to the grower -4s, Id. at siding. In 1938, primary production. Tonight I ' will deal when the flour tax legislation was intro- first with the wheat industry and wheat duced, the growers recrivedI 5s. 2d. per stabilisation. It is indeed pleasant to know bushel bag basis port, and at that time that to-day all the wheat producers through-: thet wheat was worth 4s. 4ld. per bushel at out Australia are speaking with one voice. thep average siding on a bulk basis. Owing It is, particuilarly pleasing to me because, for to increased handling costs, the value of a number of years, I have been working- that wheat had depreciated by 1945 to 4s. together with a most sincere body of men- Id. per bushel, or 3d. per bushel less than to bring into being a fair and reasonable it was worth iii 1938. [ASSEMBLY.)

I have figures to prove, conclusively that I have already mentioned that stock feed- the cost of wheat production over that ers were using 25,000,000 bushels of wheat period increased by more than 50 per cent. yearly. Before the wvay, when the price of The basic wage in 1938 was £3 15s. and at wheat was on all fours with the price of present the wheatgrower, in common with other commodities, stock feeders used an other industries, is paying £5 12s. 6id. A average of 8,000,000 bushels yearly. Then 20-combine in 1938 cost £104. The same the price of wheat started to rise and, by implement was quoted this morning at 1944, they used 51,500,000 boishels of wheat. £C205, with another inecase expected be- They were good business men; they were cause no implement can be hooked at a using wheat because it was the cheapest firm price. A header-harvester in 1038 feed they could buy. Now they are per- cost £295 whereas this year the price is mitted to buy 25,000,000 bushels yearly and £366. Members opposite will readily admit they are getting it at 4s. id, per bushel at that the ordinary cost of living, which the siding, whercas the grower could get an primary producer as well as everyone else oversea market price of 16s. per bushel. has to- bear, has risen considerably. Two I do not for one moment contend that those industries can possibly afford to buy years a go together with the member for wheat at l6s. per bushel. I also say thb York, and Mr. W. J. Russell, of Bilbarin, I was a, member of a committee that madl, those industries are necessary for the economic set-up of this country. 'We must an honest attempt to ascertain the cost of keep the pig feeders, poultry farmers and] producing wheat in this State. We do not dairy farmers in this country. Today, how- ay that we arrived at the exact costhu ever, these industries are subsidised to the we dto say it was an under estimate be- extent of £C13,750,000 yearly by the wheat- cause, every timne we were in doubt, we grower by reason of the fact that we are took a lower figure. selling wheat so much below the oversea After seven months of very hard work, value. dluring which time we co-opted a great W~Veare, however, prepared to fall into Inany people to help us, we reached n de- line with the rest of the l)eople of Aus- rision that thfe conservative price was 5is. tralia and keep those industries in produc- 51/ d. per bushel at siding. Since then tion, but we are not prepared to continue there has been a nether inquiry.- The carrying all the burden by supplying at the Farmers' Union of 'Western Australia asked present price, and any Government that our chairman, M1r. Russell, who, by the forced us to do so would be acting most way, as well as being a practical wheat unjustly, to say the least. It is the respon- farmer, is; also an accountant, to investi- sibility of all the people, and not of one section, to bear that burden. I have said gate the costs, again. Instead of workiu along the lines we had adoptec,-we tried t-bat I support and am very much in favour to find an average farmer on an averago of a wheat stabilisation scheme, a scheme farm receiving an average yield-he took which is just and equitable to all the people, something far more definite. He obtained the consumer just as mngch as the producer. the fires as presented by farmers to the I believe that it should be a Commonwealth Taxation Department. I saw the conclu- scheme based upon the cost of production, with a reasonable profit; but I am going to sions he arrived at. Since then Prof. ask members of this Thouse if they think Underwood of the University, -who is in there is the slightest possibility of getting charge of the Institute of Agriculture, made such a just and equitable scheme from, the available Miss Rowley to travel through the Commonwealth Government. agricultural areas. 'Names of 100 farmers were taken at random and she inspected That Government refused emphatically the requests of the Australian Wheatgrow- their books and taxation returns for the cm's' Fedcration. It wants to retain to past two years. These figures are not quite itself the right to sell millions of pounds complete, but it can be accepted that the worth of our wheat to countries like New cost of producing a bushel of wheat in Zealand at a ridiculously low figure. It Western Australia today is slightly over Os. wants, also, to retain the right to do exactly per bushel. For that, the growver is receiv- as it likes with our product, without any ing 4s. 1d, at sidings today. consideration to us at all. It is not pre- [12 AUGUST, 1947.] 15:3

pared to give us justice. I doubt whether ed a hospital silo, a gantry and weighing there is a single State Parliament in Austra- hoppers at Fremantle. These cost £170,000. lia willing to pass enabling !eg'islation which I say most emphatically that these were built will allow the Comnmonwvealth to do that. despite strenuous opposition not only from We have the experience of South Australia, Co-operative Bulk Handling, Ltd., but also where the growers turned down the proposal fron, the two Western Australian members by referendum. We have the experience of the Australian Wheat Hoard, Messrs. of New South Wales and Victoria, as well Tcasdale and Dyer, who east the only dis- as of this State. In the last session of our' sentient votes when the matter carne before Parliament an amendment was moved to the Australian Wheat Board. In addition, the enabling legislation. ,I believe the then we find that the Western Australian Government was quite prepared to pass Labour Government built a transfer tower that enabling legislation and so inflict an and conveyor and shipping gatherer cost- injustice on the wheatgrowers not only of ing another £100,000. Australia but of Western Australia in par- There is no co-ordination between these ticular. systems. The capacity of the hospital silo I am quiite convinced that we cannot get is nominally 000 tons an hour; in fact, it ain Australian stabilisation scheme that handles 450 tons. The previbus State would be suitable to the growers today and (Government's installation was built with I strongly support the movement 'which I the object of carrying 1,800 tons. It was believe will be initiated by our Government only half-equipped and has a capacity of to have a Western Australian wheat pool 900 tons an hour at present. When that along the lines proposed by the.Royal Comn- wheat is shot into the ship's hold, there is mission which recently sat in this State. at wheat trimmer which can only handle The people of Western Australia are under 300 tons an hour. Worse still, the maxi- a heavy debt to that Commission. Its re- mum capacity of the Railway 1Department port and findings form a very v-aluable to deliver wheat to Frenmantle over the past document; and the introduction of such a two years has been 3,000 tons per week, scheme in this State might wyell be the fore- not sufficient to keep) the State gantry runiner of similar sphemes in other parts working for two hours. When this work of the Commonwealth that conid be allied was completed, the Public Works Depart- to a central selling orgainisation to handle mnent aphjrl-ached the fariners' company and all our oversea wheat sales. Western Aus- asked for comments. Previous to that, the tralia is in a most enviable position. We farmers' company had sub~mitted plans and are cut off by great distances from the sp~ecifications drawn up by men wvho hadI Eastern States and there ~would be very grown up in the wheat trade. These plans little fear of our contravening the Consti- would have resulted in the Government tutiomi, as there would be bitt little likelihood securinz a sceme which would have cost of tradle between the States so far As West- £C118,000, and would have been suitable for ern Australia is concerned. Fremnantle for very many years. But that Frm stabilisation I propose to proceed is not all. tn wheat-handling. At the outset, I desire Had there not been a change of (lay- to congratulate the Government on the ermnent at the recent elections, plans were p~rompt action it took in handin g over the drawn up by the Public Works Departm 'ent' bulkltandling installations at Fremantle to for the spending of a further £270,000 at the farmers' company. This co-operative the port of Fremantle. That would have company,, which is in existence to render a been an absolute waste of money at pt time service without profit, is o1e in which even' when the. State was cr-ying out for useful wheatgrower who delivers%wheat in bulk expenditure. I desire to tell the House in thk State is a shareholder. It has what that really means to the wheat in- 7,316 farmepr shareholders. Under the Bulk dustry. Had the, £118,000 plan been adopt- IHandling Act, the company is responsible ed, the fixed charges-interest, sinking for the wheat from thie time it is fund, maintenance and otter charges which delivered at the siding until it is put in go ivith them-wvould have been 61/d. per the s4hip's hold. During the war years, ton and the working costs Sli~d., a total of howvever, under war legislation, the Com- Is. 2,Ytd. per ton. Had the £:270,000 been monwealth Government built what is call- expended by thme State and thus added to [ASSEMBLY.]

the expenditure already incurred by the alterations to the trucks were made and the Commonwealth and State Governments, account was sent to the farmers' company the fixed charges would have been Is. to meet. I have mentioned that those altera- 101/4d., antI the working costs 71/d., a total tions cost £E55,820. The cost of handling of 2s. 51/2d. per ton; double the expendi- those lines and extensions, which was dono ture which would have been incurred under to muake the trucks suitable, was E41,414. the co-operative company's plan. We not only paid freight on the com- From bulkbandliag T would like to turn modity in the loaded vehicles; hut in order to railway matters, particularly as they to make the Government's trucks suitable, affect wheat farmers. I claim to be able we paid freight on the return jouney so to speak with some authority on this sub- that they could be used again. Replace- ject. Since the inception of Co-operative ments and repairs cost £1-5,342 and in all, Bulk Handling Ltd. I have been a director. with the freight paid on those items- I was our. of the first directors elected by another £50,000--the expenditure totalled the farmers of Western Australia. At that £C162,580, or .16d. per bushel of the wheat period, in 1933, 1'represented all tile farm- tarried. On behalf of 7,000 odd wheat- ers north of the east-west railway, but to- growers in this State I wish to thank the day I am a director representing all the present Government for one of the very -wheat farmers throughout the State. Our first things it effected on assumting office; railway problems have been very serious namely, the removal of that unjust charge indeed. As far as railway matters are con- from the shoulders of the growers. cerned it has really been a godsend to the I should like to speak briefly on the mat- Government of this State that we have had ter of flood relief. I do not know whether two very lean years. Unless there is a members of this House are aware that two considerable stepping-up of railway effici- years ago an industrial organisation of enay, it will take considerably .more than which I am a member approached the Comn- two years to move this year's crop. I mnonwealth Government for some relief for think that a conservative estimate of that those farmers who had lost their crops crop is 30,000,000 bushels of saleable wheat, through floods. We were told to go to our which means that 10,000 tons will have to State Government, which we promptly did. he moved weekly. The highest weekly We had a reply from the thea 'Minister railage has been 13,000 tons in the past for Agriculture to the effect that the mat- year; and, even excluding the period when ter had been put to the Commonwealth we had a strike, it went as low as 3,000 Government- He also suggested that we tons. The average hauled is considerably should get a loan from the Rural Bank. below half what it is necessary to clear in At the same time that we were experi- 12 months. ceing floods, New South Wales had Through their company, the farmers of droughts. Thle wheatgrowers of N.ew South this State have paid to the Railway Wales received £1,500,000 and 'the dairy Department the sum of £4,250,000 on the farmers received £234,000. Of the £1,500,- railage of hulk wheat. That represents in 000, £843,000 came from flour tax collec- round figures £500,000 a year on an aver- tions. The farmers in Western Australia age crop; and ever since the company has had contributed their quotat of that money, been in existence, which is from 1933, it and in some instances the people whose has been penalised right and left by the crops were devastated by floods had a lower State Government. When the company first yield than the people whom they assisted came into existence it altered at its own to obtain relief. The present Government expense 160 railway trucks to make them is going to be asked, even at this late date, fit to carry bulk ;Nvheat and provided fit- to approach the Commonwealth Govern- tings for extensions so that the maximum ment for relief for those folk. InI my quantity could be carried in otherwise -on- pocket I have a list of more than 100 farm- suitable trucks. That involved the expen- ers who have sent in claimis voluntarily; diture of £55,820. Yet those same trucks and not one of those men had a yield higher 'were used for other industries, very often than five bushels, while many had no crop at the expense of Co-operative Bulk Hand- at all. ling. On one occasion, to suit the con- To the west of the Mfidland Railway venience of another industry, some there is a tract of poor country extending [12 AUGUST, 1947.] 155

from Gingin to Dongarra. I understand opportunity to alter the conditions as they there are 2,000,000 acres of light land there exist. and I am going to ask the Government if The Mogumber native settlement is a it will establish a light lands farm in that festering sore and a reflection on every one country. I do not request a big expendi- of us. The settlement contains school ture as at this stage that is not warranted; children, medical cases, v.d. cases, warrant but a small pilot farm, where fodder crops cases, indigent natives and blind and deaf could be tried out, is certainly called for. natives. *They are all herded together. I At Wongan Hills we have a light land ex- went through the school there and I believe perimental station. That came into exist- that the average intelligence of those ence after considerable opposition from children is nearly as good as that of white the Agricultural Department. It was an children. Their art work is outstanding. almost unhealrd of thing to establish a farm There were boys and girls of various agesi on poor land, the idea being rather to together, and the school teacher in talking establish one on good country. But several about them and expressing her worry at of us persisted and, as a result, the light the conditions said-''In this class there land farm at Wongan Hills was established are three pregnant girls, and I expect there and has been of tremendous benefit to are some with venereal disease.' There Western Australia. It has proved what are compounds for both young men and can be (lone with soils of p$or fertility, and boys, and for girls. But it can be seen that today it is entering into an &ven more im- the heavy link mesh netting has been torn portant role with reference to pastures and down so that therb is no hope of keeping pasture improvements. Though I do not the sexes separated. The natives who go ask the Government to spend anything like there to recuperate, or who go there be- the same amount of money on the wvest side cause of trouble with the police, are able of the Midland Railway, I do ask it to to roam from one end of thle place to the give consideration to and make preparationi other. A valiant attempt is made to keep for the establishment of such a farm in ,some sort of order, but it is quite impos- that big tract of country. There we have sible for that to be done. the advantages of proximity to a railway and a very heavy rainfall. Even though Instead of having so many stations for the land itself is poor, I think the evpendi- these people, where they are all mixed up, ture would be absolutely justified. I am going to ask the Government to establish six, one for male children, one for Within the boundaries of the Irwin- female children, a third for male v.d., war- Moore electorate we have the Moore River rant and delinquent cases, and the same for native settlement. I do not pretend to be female cases, together with a station in an authority on native affairs. Prior to the north and another in the south for the my election I had nothing whatever to do indigent natives. I believe that unless with them. The information I want to give these people are separated there will be no the House is certainly first-hand as I gain- hope of their ever being anything better ed it after visiting this place and inspect- than at present. I am going to make an- ing the conditions, and the suggestions I other suggestion which I believe will raise wish to make come from those whom I have a storm of protest in some quarters in been able to contact and who have been Perth, and that is that 'the wasteful ex- associated with the natives, and are very penditure of educating these childrea until worried about them. I do not blame any they are a certain age and then passing Glovernment, past or present, for the con- them back to the influence of their homes, he discontinued. It is indeed a wvaste of ditions at Mogumber, but they are a re- money. I say that the children at a young flection not only on this Chamber but on age-I do not pretend to know just when; all the people of Western Australia, and others will be more competent to give that they should not be allowed to continue. I information-should be taken away from want to make it quite clear that, after my their parents, except in the ease of natives contact with the people administering that who have proved themselves to be good settlement, I have nothing but the greatest citizens. They should be removed alto- admiration for them. They are fighting an gether and trained for the industry, pro- absolutely losing battle. They have no fession or calling for which they are most [ASSEMBLY.J fitted. I AM convinced from what I have that the Government must be given a chance seen at Mloguinber that it is an absolute to show what it can do. As someone has waste of money to educate these children said, "By their deeds you shall know them." so far and then send them hack to condi- I have no objection to the Government tions where they can slip into the morass having made promises when it went to the from which they came. country, as long as it attempts to fulfil such In conclusion, I want to make this point, promises, but I find that it is falling down andl I appeal to both sides of the House, on the job and is not much good to the that wve have in this Parliament one which people of this State. I believe this Govern- is very nearly equal in numbers. We have a ment will be known to posterity as, "the cob- great opportunity to work for the welfare web Government," I think the Government of all the people of this eounqtry. We ju* tried to fasten that name on those Hitting on Australia are, perhaps, unique inasmuch as this side of the House, but it is now getting we t'me-rged from ihis war far better, tangled' in cobwebs of its own invention. I in a material sense, than we entered it. will refer first to the cobweb of the Grosve- Great Britain has. been forced to her nor Hospital at Fremantle. It is closed knees, because of the terrific sacrifices she (down, with a cobweb and a spider on top of made during the war and because of the it. After the election we thought it was attitude of her former allies. She has. only a matter of going to the Government protected 119 since the foundation of our in order to get it to lift the cobwebs from country' Ship protected us during this that hospital and re-open it, anti that eveny- war. I ani* not suggesting for a moment thing in the garden would he lovely, but on that we did not contribute considerably going to the M1inister for Health ahid putting to our own defence and to the winning uip a proposition relating to that and of the wa-r, but we are in a totally several other hospitals, this is the reply we different position from that of Great receivd:- Britain. We need to produce in abuadance, In reference to the deputation1 re hospital ni uparuda il ViiFrM.Ultle. and I believe that though this Parliament Thle suggestion that privite hospitals are being closed by this has not the influence of the Commonwealth depa rtaivat lwci'pse tiey do not omnply'vWith Government it can, if it approaches this the P~rivate llospitals1 RJegulations is not c'or- matter with a feeling of co-operation and rect- a knowledge of its responsibilities and That was dated the 7th Mla;. This Govern- obligations to Great Britain, leave its mark ment took office on the 1st April, and I shall on the history of Australia. always remember that date: -1hut actually nm of tile private hioiipitahi HON. J. B. SIDEEMAN (F~remantle) in Fr-enmantle coimply with the minimjum rc- [r9201: Might I be allowed to congratulate quireinents of tile Regulations and some of you, Mfr. Speaker, on. attaining your present themn deviate fromn stanriards so widelyv that iii high and honourable position. normal tines they %vonlI nevcr lie Iirmsed. Notices of eximting deferts4 have been served 7Mr. Marshall : You are not sincere. by iiispectors upon hos4pitals ani where ha- miediate remedY is practicable it lhas hevi Hfon. J. B. SLEJFMANX: Out of All the dlendeild. Wherever, thirongli shortage of members op~posite I was most pileased to autpial or labour, inordinate expense or othe(r k-now that you, Sir, were to succed to the, difficulty, corroetion of n defect appeared office of 'Speaker. 'I feel sure you will con- likely to icoparilize tile operationl of the lies- pital, at-tion hlas; been Ilmited to long terut dluct the business of thle House as it should no1tic'e4 withoult )Pnalty 0-1a9nSe. it has becIL lie conducted and wiill carry out the duties of thle liliy of the- departint to keelp the pri- your higrh office with great credit to yourself. rate hospitals open even though the Private Should you at any time lVe unfortimate Hfospital Regulations are not fatlly complied enough to ind your rulings disagreed with, with. ' Urosvciior"' ospitail was not clumtel by the dlepartmieut. Thit hospital has, for do not let that worry you; the- leading judge,; sonic ynn, ]icen the smi)icct oif adverse rt-7 of the world have their deciszions disagreed ports hi the riepartmnent's inql)ctors andi dur- to at times. I wish you a happy time while iog 1916) llotirem wvere servedl uponl the owner von are in the Chair, though I cannot say T warning himn that nless certain urgent cor- expect you to be there for more than two or rective, work was undertaken, a1 lienise wrould three years. However, I wish you success; heo refused Imiumfor 1947. while you are there. It is not my intention There we have the words of the Mfinister in to keep the House long tunirht, as T feel denying that the Grosvenor Hospital at [12 AUGUST, 1947.] 157

Fremantle was ever closed or was being kept him later. When standing before the elec- closed by the department or the Govern- tors the Honorary Minister said:- ment. then in power. The present Minister During the war we accepted controls and regu- for Health says he cannot do anything about lations, believing that our freedom would the re-opening of the hospital, that it was return when the war ended. Since peace Gov- ertuments have re-enacted many controls which not closed by the department and that there- if continued will lend to the subjection of the fore no blame lies at the door of the pre- individuals of the State. vious Government. There is a publication to which I would like to draw attention, and She also said: for want of a better name I would call it To increase production and' to populate Aus- tralia with a healthy contented people, housing "The Subiaeo Comic Cuts." It reads:- is most urgent and could be speeded if some Thousands want homes-hundreds have the controls were lifted. land, the material and labour . . . But per- mits, red-tape control continue. Result: Few Before passing on I want to know what the houses being built. Break up of -family life. Honorary Minister is going to do about it. I want to knowv what the Honorary Minister Will she help get rid of the controls, or re- is going to do about it. Will she stand up main a Minister? to these promises and get rid of the controls, The Honorary Minister: I will not give or sell her prirleiples in order to remain on you another dinner. the Treasury bench? That is what I want Hon. J. B. SLEEMAN: I can afford to to know from her. I cannot see members buy m;~ own dinners, but I am worrying on the other side getting rid of these controls. about the controls under which people are While the Honorary Minister was making suffering. I want to know what the such promises to the tJectors; the present Honorary -Minister is going to do. Is she Premier was writing to the ex-Minister for going to get out of the Government and Lands asking him to appoint the members come over here, or is she going to declare her of the Potato Board. They are now both 'in independence and get rid of these controls ! the same Government, but I think the There is something else I wait'to know from Honorary Minister should get out of the the Honorary Minister. Before she was Ministry and show her independence by appointed an Honorary Minister, she was coming over to this side of the House. She regularly attending meetings of the 71 rail- wvill never get rid of the controls by staying way 'len who wanted their pension rights. on the Government side. I come now to an- The Honorary Minister used to go therte and other passage that is a gem. I mean every say, "Yes, I sympathise with you, but you word I say, and do not wish to become will never get anything from the Labour mixed up in the returned soldier contro- Government. Put the other party in and versy, but I must refer this to the young then everything will be nil right." Now, I hopeful from Middle Swan. understand, she has repudiated those men Mr. Grayden: We are not political cray- who wanted their pensions. What I wish to fish. We do not make statements and then know is: Are those pensions going to he hack out of them. paid? Of course not! The Honorary Hon. J. B. SLEEMAN: There is a further Minister knew very well that there was no passage: chance at all of their being paid, but she You must not grow potatoes, barley, wheat, promised these men that they would get a raise poultry, etc., without a license.' Result: pension if only they got rid of the then Restriction in production . .block marketing. Government. Well, they have got rid of the Labour Government. Now, where are the Then:- pensions? 129. an acre not to sow wheat. Eggs: New- laid unprocurable; 3(1. per d~ozen added cost Mr. Styants: They think they are going for Egg Board-for whIat? to get them. That is followed by:- Hon. J. B. SLEEMAN: I think they will Expensive but ineffective rehabilitation costs be disappointed, because the Honorary the public £127,000 in .wages and rents (plus Minister has already repudiated them. extras) to pitchfork thousands of ex-Service- The Honorary Minister: No, I have not. men into misfit jobs with uncertain future. Hon. J. B. SLEEMAN: The Honorary If the young hopeful from Middle Swan Minister did so on the opening day. She does not agree with that, let us hear from said, "We have gone into it and found that 158 [ASSEMBLY.] it is impossible." She was asked whether it The Minister for Works: Then it is un would not be possible to get 30s. a week for entirely different wording and an entirely them and the reply was, "No, it would cost different meaning. millions." Hon. J. B. SLEEMAN: In this morning's The Honorary Minister: Where did I say paper appears the following:- that? New Record in W.A. 'Ninety homes finiel lion. .1. B. SLEEMAN: Here, in the last month. building. Rental hom~es built and Ot'(uliedl under the Comxuonwealth-State scheme last month num- The Minister for Lands: More corridor Ibered 90-a, record. It is believeid that the talk. 36 war servive homies conipleteildi nt vied dur in g the mouth est Il id anouther record . lion. J. B.. StEEMAN: If the Honorary This was announced yesterdayv by the Premier Minister will not answer my question, I shal and Minister for Housing (MNr. MeLarty). piss on. Now I ivant to have a word with Mr. AleLarty said that 156l private permits to the Minister for Works. le promised t'he build lloflWS were granted during JTuly. people in his election literature that, if If there was any' record, it was a record elected, he would relax regulations on the for the Lahour Government, not for the housing So that two-unit families could get present Government, wflich had nothing to homes. do with it. The Premier went on to say- The Minister for Works: You - cannot For the first seven inonths ended on July attach that to inc. 311, the respective figures were: Rental honies. 39)0; war service homnes, 146; private building lin. J1. B. SLFEAMAN: I shall p~rodue permits, 1,154. the pamphlet. Will the Minister believe it then? There again, with the exception of the build- ing permits, that was another record for the The Minister for Works: I will, if I made Labour Government. the statement. The Premier: There will be plenty of lion. JT.B. SLEEMAN: He said the regu- records if wve go on. lations would be relaxed to allow two-unit families to get homes under the Housing Hion. J. B. SLEE-MAN: Why does not Conmission. .. the Premier get his publicity officer to say The Minister for Works: When did)I say that these were the records of the Wise that I Government? if the publicity officer can lion. J. B. SLEEMAN: It is stated in the make the people believe what is contained in Narrogin election pamphlet. that report, he will he earning his £800 a year. The Minister for Works: Have you a vnpy of the pnmphlet? I should bie glad to The Premier: I do not think the publicity se it. officer had anything to do with it. Hon)1.J1. B. SLEEMAN: Yes, but for the Hon. J. B. SLEEMAN: I do not think moment it is not in my hands. 1 wish to the Premier himself wrote that. say, also, that a very bad report about Mr. Marshall: I will guarantee that he homes appeared in this morning's paper. It did not. was a most misleading report; in fact, I Hon. J. B. SLEEMAN: My object is to cons~ider that it is bordering on political point out that that report is all wrong. The dishonesty. Reverting to the Minister for record was established by the Labour Gov- Works, the pamphlet I was referring to has erment, and the children who are living in been returned to inc. The Minister said- those houses should be taught to say in their Ixwill explain our intention to accelerate the Wise Gov- ti,, building of homes. prayers at night, "God bless ernment." But for the Wise Government, lie went on to promise that twoD-unit families they would never have had those homes. would have homes built for them by the When 'the Premier was asked how many Housing Commission, and said the regula- homes had been completed since the 1st tions would be relaxed to allow this to be April, 1947, under 'the Consmonwealth-State done. Housing Agreement, State Housing Com- The Minister for Works: Is that what mission, War Service Homes and MeNess vou referred to before' Housing Trust, his reply to everything was Hon. J. B. SLEEMAN: Yes. "Nil, nil, nil.'' (12 AuGusT, 1947.115 159

The Premier: You did not complete homes Parliament, either. The fixing of boundaries in three months. is done by men in high positions and their Hon. J. B. SLEEMAN: We do not expect recommendations are ratified by Parliament the present Government to do so, but we or thrown out. Next time the hon. member expect Ministers to give credit where credit wants to talk about somebody, he should is due. The man in the street reading this Choose a person who is in a position to hit report would say, "This Government is do- back. ing a wonderful job." Hon. A. H. Panton: An old chap like me, The Premier: So we are. for instance. -Hon. J. B. SLEEMIAN: It is almost as Hon. J. B. SLEEMAN: I have sonicthiag bad as the remark made by a man when he else to mention. The member for M~iddle was getting off the tram. He said, "What Swan handed out thanks to the present Gov- do you think they were saying on the tram? ernment. When the hon. member was a This Government has got along quickly with candidate for the Federal division of Swan the building of the Causeway." Mlinisters this is what the "Merredin Mercury" of the are getting credit for that the same as they 5th September, 1946, reporte him as are for building homes. saying- The Minister for Works: Where did we On'e outstanding questioni which particularly take credit for that'! concerned the Swan electors, a question which wvas a tremendous indictment of the present H[on. J. B. SLEEMAN: I said that the Glovernaicut (a Labour onverninent) and of tan in the street was giving credit to the the Country and Liberal Party, ires that these, present Government for the way it was two parties sat in opposition, but they bad getting on with the wvork At the Caulseway. .not so much as raised their finger. One in- It was pushing it along quick and lively. dependent could have done imimeasurably more .alone. Their interests are all in the intrigues The Chief Secretary: He could not have and sectional interest of party politics. been a member of the Labour Party. I can hardly believe that the bon. member is Ron. J. B. SLEE MAN: No doubt he saw now sitting behind a Liheral-Country Party the work going on. Let me now have a Government until I take a second look. word with our .young hopeful hero from Middle Swan. The hon. member had the Mr. 'Marshall: What a lovely supporter he temerity to say that the boundaries of the is! A little dandy! Middle Swan electorate hadl been fixed for Hon. J. B3. SLEEMAN: Within one political purposes. I do not know whether month he was endorsed by the Liberal Party to attribute that statement to ignorance or as a candidate for Middle Swan. what I should term it, but I should like to Mr. Marshall: He knew all about that inform the bon. member that the fixing of Party. electoral boundaries is not a politicallmatter. A Commission is appointed to carry u Hon. J. B. SL$EMAN: He advertised that duty, and the Cornmission consists of himself as the man that the Parties fqared. highly respectable and honourable gentle- Fancy the Parties fearing the member for men, who send their report to Parliament Middle Swan standing on his own! He for acceptance or otherwise. said that he was a political bombshell. I do Mr. Grayden: But you ratified it. not think I would be oat of order if I alter- Hon. J. B. SLEEMA.N: The hon, merm- ed that word. It should not be political "bombshell," it should be political "acrobat." her should not be silly. Of course we rati- fied it. The boandaries were fixed by very There is no doubt about that. He said- report was sent For a representative free of party polities, honourable men, and their Graydeu is your guarantee against intrigue to Parliament for ratifiation or otherwise. and deception of party politics. There is no such thing as rigging the boundaries. A month afterwards he is endorsed by the Liberdl Party. Hon. A. R. G. Hawke: No one ratified the member for Middle Swan. The Premier: Have you had ainy Inde- pendents join your party? Hon. J. B. SLEEMAN: It is just as well for -young members to get hold of the facts Hon. J. B. SLE EMAN: Never a man who and not cast aspersions on men holding high wrote stuff like that, anyway. positions-men who are not members of The Premier: Have you not? [a] 160 10[ASSE.MBLY.)

The Minister for Lands:- You would take The Minister for Railways: No; you are them, all right. wrong again. Hon. J. B. SLEEMAN: Then he goes on Mr. SPEA-KER: Order! to say that everything now in the garden is Hon. J. B. SLEEMAN: If it is under lovely. He is now sitting behind the mem- the bers of the Government. control of the Minister for Education, if he is controlling local governing bodies, then The Premier: He is right, too. he is the gentleman who is getting away Hon. 3. B. SLEEMAN: The member for with the loot, and not the Minister for Middle Swan said that the Minister for Works. Someone is doing it. I want to Works went to his electorate and did some- say that it is very wrong, until such time as; thing about drainage. I want to tell the petrol rationing is discontinued, to raise Minister for. Works that he was invited to license fees. They were reduced by previous come to my district, but be made an excuse Governments because of the fact that the and did not come. Evidently drainage was people were not using their ears so much not needed at Fremantle! However, the owing to the restricted supplies of petrol; people of Fremantle, with their local govern- but now the Minister is not bothering about ing bodies, waited as a deputation on the petrol. Minister for Works, who could go to Middle The Minister for Works: There is 110 Swan, but they could obtain no satisfaction. restriction of petrol. The Premier: He will take Fremantle in his Hon. J. B. SLEEMAN: Who told the stride. Minister thatI The Minister has a Minis- Hon. 3. B. SLEEMAN: But he would not terial tar and his petrol supplies would not visit Fremantle when requested to do so. be restricted. The Minister for Works: I promise you The Minister for Works: You can get as that by and by, when I have a little time, I much as you like. will go to Fremantle. Hon. 3. B. SLEEMAN: I am not coin- Hon. J. B. SLEEMAN: But the Minister plaining about the quantity which the Minis- went to Middle Swan. ter gets. The average man is restricted and The Minister for Lands: You had 14 cannot get what he wants. years in which to fix your drains at The Minister for Works: It is a poor old Fremantle. thing you are putting up now! Hon. J. B. SLEEMAN: As I said, the H on. J. B. SLEEMAN: It is a poor old Minister for Works could visit Middle Swan. thing the Minister is putting up! immediately, but, he would not go to Fre- mantle. I will tell the member for Midflle Mr. SPEAKER: Order! The hon. mem- Swan what the Minister for Works is doing. ber will address the Chair. He is putting up the licenses for our mnotor- Hon. J. B. SLEEMAN: Yes, Sir. I wish ears. That reminds me. I was listening in you would stop the interjections. I do not to the election campaign and heard the like them. member for Nedlands say that the Govern- Mr. Marshall: You are not a new member. meat was getting away with the loot like a H1on. J, B. SLEEMAN: We come to the thief in the night; but the Minister for Minister for Education, who is not present. Works is getting away with the loot in I want to have a little to say about hima. broad daylight. His case seems to he a repetition of thjt of The Minister for Works: I think I had the Minister for Works going to Middle better interject. I do not control the grant- Swan. The Minister for Education went to ing of licenses for ears. That is the func- Narogin and made promises. tion of may colleague. Hon. A. H. Panton: He has a good mnate Ron. J. B. SLEEMAN: -But the Minister at Narrogin. is the head of the department. for Works Hon. 3. B. SLEEMAN: The Minister for The Minister for Works: No, I am not. Education said-i think he contradicted it Hon. J. B. SLEEMAN: Has it been tonight when replying to a question- from the Minister for Works? Is shifted ateommodation had it under the control of the Minister for first'Housing priority and at thehospital present juncture. After Transport? that, primary schools came second. He would [12 AnGusw, 1947.111 161 say, after reasonable provision. had been made if not exactly that, lie said that the master to meet existing requirements in respect of bakers would have to meet and come to a these two problems, his attention would be given to secondary schools, with the result that decision themselves on this matter. The the proposed Narrogin High School would be housewives of this State, when they heard the first to receive consideration. that the member for Toodysy was in the I copied that extract from the file and think Ministry, were very disap pointed indeed. I copied it correctly. The following is what The Mlinister for Lands: They are not dis- was said Some years ago by the then Minis- appointed. They have not conveyed that to ter; it was the decision of the department me. and a new Minister had not just taken office. Hon. J. B. SLEEMAN: They have eon- 'He was replying to a deputation from Fre- vcyed it' to me. They said, "We are not mantle and said- going to get bread zoning done away with, Hle agreed with the deputation that a hligh after all." I would not like to repeat to school for Fremantle was long overdue. le the Minister the word they used, but it was said the request had his complete sympathy. "crawfishing." He realised last year that the establishment of a Fremantle high school could not he long de- The Minister for Lands: No lady would layed, and for thnt reason hie had refrained say that.I from making additions to the central schools. Whether the new school could he financed at Hon. J. B. SLEEMAN: I would not say present was a matter beyond the control of that about the Minister, hut what is he go- either himiself or the Treasurer. However, ing to do for the women of the State tu Fremantle had waited patiently for a long enable them to choose their baker? Is he time, and lie would do his best. He had had frequent requests from country districts and in going to do away with bread zoning or is nil his replies had given them clearly to under- he going to leave it to the master bakers to stand that the next high school would be at say that they will fix it and it will he all Fremantle. lie could promise nothing imme- right? diately, except his vigorous support. He would interview the Treasurer as soon as possible, The Minister for Lands:- I will let you and he trusted he would have no difficulty in know privately later on. getting his sanction to the placing of a suffi- dient amount of money on the Estimates to Hon. J. B. SLEEMAN: Let us consider make a start with the building. the attitude of the Government towards the workers compared with its attitude to the That happened a good many years ago. people higher up. You will remember, Sir, Then the depression occurred and nothing that at the Federal Arbitration Court case could be done about the matter. Just when concerning a 40-hour week there was a wve were to get our high school, war broke representative of the State Government who out and the whole project was pushed to one indicated that the Government was quite side. Nevertheless, -afteir having waited all prepared to leave it to the court to decide those years, -we find the present Minister for whether there should be a 40-hour week and Education going to Narrogin and saying more money, and all the rest of it. But one that 'Narrogin would get the first high schooJ'. of the first things that the present Govern- I want to enter my protest against that. ment did when it took office w~as to withdraw Fremantle has been waiting for so long that that representative and send another man I think it should receive first preference. along. The Minister for Labour said the What I have just stated is the departmental time was not opportune for a change. It opinion; it was not the opinion of the then seems to me that the time is never opportune Minister. for those on the other side of the House to The Minister for Works: Your own Gov- do anything for the workers. But what did ernment broke a promise and built a hjgh we find when the beef barons of the North- school at Geraldton. West wanted something done? They wanted Hon. J. R_ SLEEMAN: I was not satis- a deputation to the Premier. The Premier fled with what that Government did. I am sidetracked. them and sent them to the not blaming it for deferring the building of Deputy Premier. The -result was that the high school at Fremantle, because it was although the time, as not opportune to do faced with the depression and the war. The anything for the workers it was opportune Minister for Lands is present and I want to for something to be done for the beef know what he intends to d'for the house- barons!5 wives of this State. He promised them The Premier: Some of them haven't in- that bread zoning would be done away with; comes equal to yours by a long way. 162 102[ASSEMBLY.]

Ron. J. B. SLEEMAN: All right; do not Hon. J. B. SLEEMAN: Well, the Gov- get excited!f ernment appointed another one over there. The Premier: I am not. What is the difference? It is a case of tweedledum and tweedledee. Ron. J. B. SLEEMAN: What did the The Minister for Lands: He was much Government doI It reduced the freight for cheaper in his charges than the one you livestock on caftie about 1s. a head. The appointed. will not get any- workers in the North-West Hon. A. H. Fenton: thing out of it. The producers down south Don't tell me the will not get anything. Meat is still going to lawyers are scabbing on one anotber. he the sae price, but the beef barons of the Mr. SPEAKER: 'Order!1 north are going to get a reduction in freight Hon. J. B. SLEEMAN: I wish you would of 1s. a bead. When the beef barons are stop members from interjecting, Mr. concerned the Government is very sympa- Speaker. I thought I was speaking, but it thetic; but when the workers' case was being seems that other members have the floor. beard in the Arbitration Court, the Govern- ment withdrew its representative and said Mr. SPEAKER: Order! the time was not opportune. I hope the Hon. J. B. SLEEMTAN: I would appeal Government inl be fairer in the future. to the Government to treat everybody the The Premier: We left it to the discretion same. If it is going to do something for the of the court. beef barons in the North let it do something The Minister for Lands: You want to en- for the workers. Let it not say that the lighten yourself on the matter a little more! time is opportune to do something for one group and not opportune to do something Ron. J. B. SLEEMAN: Do I? for another group. I would not care if the The Minister for Lands: Yes; you have it consumers were going to derive any benefit. all wrong. But thpy are not; not one penny. The only people that will benefit are absentee land- Hon- J. B. SLEEMAN: I would like the owners living down here and getting a rake- Minister to tell the House all about it. I off. could tell the Minister a bit more if he The Premier: That is not so. would like me to. The Minister for Lands: I would like you Hon. J. B. SLEEMAN: It is so. Most of them are absentees. There may be one to tell me all you know. or two living up there; I will not split Hon. J. B3. SLEEMAN: I will tell the straws with the Premier on that. But there Minister that the freight was decreased on are a lot of absentee lpdowners who are every bullock brought down, and it is not getting a rake-off from the decrease in the people in the North-West who are likely freights. One other thing! When members to benefit but the -absentee landlords, the opposite were complaining so bitterly absentee landowners. floes the Minister atouzid the country about the appointment want to know who they are? of the MeKells and the Mountjoys and The Premier: Why not? working that for all they were worth, why The Minister for Lands: You were talk- didn't they mention His Excellency being ing about the 40-hour week. appointed here? Nothing was said about that. Why did they not tell us that they Hon. J. B. SLEEMAN: The Minister told appointed Mr. Ferguson, one of their politi- the paper that the time was not opportune cal men, to a hoardI They made plenty of for that and withdrew one representative capital out of one ease but forgot the others. and sent another with different instructions. The Minister for Lands: We should tell When asked for his opinion, the Minister you that we appointed Mr. Hegney to the said the tinme was not opportune. He said, Workers' Homes Board, perhaps. "We are prepared to leave the matter to the Arbitratiofi Court to decide, but we think Hon. J. B. SLEEMAN: To a pretty in- the time is not opportune." So he sent his ferior sott of job. own representative over. Can the Minister The Minister for Lands: Every man has deny that? a right to work. The Minister for Lands: Yes. We did lion. J. B. SLEEMAN: A little over the not send our own representative over. basic wage. [13 AUGiUST, 1947.]10 163

The Minister for Lands: Every man has a The MINISTER replied:- right to work. We acknowledge that. The council's application to have the law Hon. J. B. SLEEM4AN: I appeal to the amended did not meet with refusal. It is Government to give all a fair go and when apparent that the present system of Com- speaking about MeKell and Mountjoy- monwealth Social Service pensions associ- The Premier: They will get a fair go. ated with a means test does not offer much The Chief Secretary: I suppose you encouragement 'to lower paid employees to approve of Mountjoy's appointment? contribute substantially to superannuation, Hon. J. B. SLEEMAN: I approved of as the extra benefit derived in many cases His Excellency's appointment and I didn't is small. It is desired, if possible, to achieve mind Mr. Ferguson's. a schenW whereby greater benefit can be ensured to contributors and it is thought The Chief Secretary: You approved of this could Mr. Mountjoy's appointment? be done if the Commonwealth would readjust its ideas on social service Hon. J. B. SLEEMAN: I approved of pensions. Accordingly inquiries arc to take Mr, MeKell. Of course I did! I think be place in Canberra on this subject and the is a wonderful man. If we had a few more Attorney General has the matter in mind. MeKells in this country we would be. much The Fremantle Council was advised *to this better off. effect and the matter has been pended until The Chief Secretary: You win! the result of such inquiry can be con- Hon. J. B. SLEEMAN:- That is all I have sidered. to say at the moment. I will have an oppor- ADDRESS-IN-REPY. tunity to speak again On the Estimates. I thank members for their attentive hearing. .Fourth Dey. On motion by Mr. Hill, aebate adjourned. Debate resumed from the prcvious day.

House adjourned at 8.55 p.m. HON. G. BENNETTS (South) [4.34]: Allow me, Mr. Deputy President, to con- gratulate you on your elevation to the im- portant position you now hold. At the same time I would pay a tribute to our President, Hon. H. Seddon, and I trust he will soon be well again and hack with us to resume p stkiatbt C u. his place in the Chair. I desire to con- gratulate Mr. Parker upon his appointment Wednesday, 13th August, 1047. to ministerial office and the leadership of this House. I trust that our proceedings this PLOR session will be marked with cordiality and Question:, Municipal Corporations Act as to request for amendment...... 163 that all matters requiring attention will be Address-ln-repiy, founhb day ...... 183 Adjourunent, special...... 177 dealt with on an equitable bas41. At the same time, I desire to pay a sincere tribute The DEPUTY PRESIDENT took the to the Labour Government which held office during the war years-years that, I am safe Chair at 4.30 p.m., and read prayers. in saying, represented the most trying period in the history of Western Australia. QUESTION. Hon. C. F. Baxter: Not at all. What MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS; ACT. about the 1930-33 period? As to Request for Amendment. Hon. G. BENNETT S: During the war years we were in danger of invasion and Hon. E. M. DAVIES (on notice) asked all our resources had to be-drawn upon in the Minister for Mines: Why was the appli- preparation for repelling the invader. Noth- cation of the Fremnantle City Council for an ing of that sort had occurred in the previous amendment to the Municipal Corporations history of Australia. In those days all our Act to enable the council to institute a available building material, 'our seasoDned. contributory superannuation scheme for timber, our machinery from the mines and its employees refused? elsewhere were taken from the State and