Queensland

Parliamentary Debates [Hansard]

Legislative Assembly

TUESDAY, 16 AUGUST 1949

Electronic reproduction of original hardcopy

WayB and Means. [16 AUGUST.] QueBtions. 97

TUESDAY, 16 AUGUST, 1949.

The ACTING SPEAKER (The CHAIR­ MAN OF COMMITTEES, Mr. Mann, Bris­ bane) took the chair at 11 a.m.

CIRCULATION AND COST OF ''HANSARD.'' The Acting Speaker laid on the table the report of the Chief Reporter, State Reporting Bureau, on the circulation and cost of '' Hansard' ' for the session of 1947-1948.

QUESTIONS.

HYDRO-ELECTRIC SCHEMES.

~Ir. NICKLIN (Murrumba-Leader of the Opposition), for Mr. MAHER (West Moreton), asked the Secretary for Mines and Immigration- ' ' l. Has any construction work yet been commenced in connection with the Tully Falls scheme¥ '' 2. What hydro-electric schemes have reached the constructional stage, indicating the locality, the estimated-total cost, the expenditure to date, and the main objects of each scheme respectively~''

Hon. W. ~I. MOORE (Merthyr) replied- '' 1. No. Extensive surveys, including diamond drilling, have been necessary to select and prove the most satisfactory site for the clam and other works. The surveys have been pressed on with as rapidly as possible as the provision of new generating facilities to serve the growing electricity 98 Questions. [ASSEMBLY.] Questions.

demands in the Cairns Region is an urgent know the date upon which the maps will be matter. It is anticipated that final reports published. I am satisfied that the Com­ on the technical and financial practic­ missioners are proceeding with the duties ability of the Scheme will be available to imposed upon them under the Act, and that the Government in the near future.'' maps showing their proposals will be made '' 2. Apart from the fact that hydro­ public at an early date.'' electric resources in this State are limited they are almost entirely confined to the INCREASED PUBLIC SERVICE PENSIONS. Atherton Tableland area. The report pre­ sented to this House in 1945 by a Com­ l\'Ir. EV ANS (Mirani), for l\'Ir. :iUADSEN mittee appointed by The Co-ordinator­ (Warwick), asked the Premier- General of Public Works indicated that the " In reference to Section 6 (b) of the Tully Falls Scheme was the best of a num­ Public Service Superannuation Acts Amend­ ber of possible sources of generation, and ment Act of 1948, will the Government recommended that full investigations be give consideration to individual claims for made with a view to exploitation. The the increased pension rates made possible by remainder of the State must be served the increase in the Government subsidy in almost entirely by fuel-burning generating cases where officers retired prior to reach­ stations, the principal fuel being coal. ing the age of 65 years but had served Three new coal-burning stations are under and were contributors to the fund for a construction at Howard, Rockhampton, and long period of years and are able to present Townsville, for the respective Regional a reasonable case for special considera­ Electricity Boards operating in those areas, tion W'' and both the Brisbane City Council and the City Electric Light Co. Ltd. have com­ HoD. V. C. GAIR (South Brisbane­ menced works for new power stations of a Acting Premier). for lion. E. l\'1. HANLON similar type. Also a number of new power (Ithaca), replied- stations using crude oil and/or suction gas '' Officers under the Public Service Acts as fuel are under construction in other parts are retired on account of either-(i.) of the State. Full details of progress on reaching the retiring age; or ( ii.) perma­ these works are contained in the Annual nent incapacity for employment. Officers Reports of the State Electricity Commis­ who are retired for health reasons are paid sion.'' the incapacity allowance prescribed under the Public Service Superannuation Acts PAYMENT OF ANTI-PICKETING FINES. and upon reaching the age of 65 years are paid the annuity for which they have con­ lUr. NICKLIN (Murrumba-Leader of the tributed, together with Government subsidy Opposition) asked the Premier- on the compulsory units of annuity up to '' Have investigations yet been completed a maximum of two units of £50 per annum regarding the source of the payment last each. Officers who are retired on account year of the fines imposed upon Messrs. of age are paid the annuity for which they Healy, Englart, and Julius under the law have contributed together with additional known as the Anti-Picketing Act~ If so, annuity prescribed in the amending Act will he table the report for the informa­ in respect of the compulsory units of tion of Honourable Members or state the annuity. Additional annuity benefits pay­ result of such investigations~" able by the Government are not made to persons who left the Public Service of their Hon. V. C. GAIR (South Brisbane­ own accord to enter private employment or Acting Premier), for lion. E. M. liANLON business on their own account and who were (Ithaca), replied- permitted to continue as contributors under '' Police investigations have failed to the provisions of the Public Service Super­ reveal the actual source of payment of the annuation Acts.'' fines referred to by the hon. member. The only information the police have been able STATE HOUSING COMMISSION CAMPS. to obtain is that at a public meeting, con­ vened by the Australian Communist Party, .Mr. H. B. TAYLOR (Hamilton) asked held at Rockhampton on 23 February, 1949, the Secretary for Public Works, Housing Mr. Max Julius stated, in reply to a ques­ and Local Government- tion, that the Trades and Labour Council '' 1. How many families are living in paid the fine required for his release from flats at various Housing Commission camp prison.'' areas in and surrounding BrisbaneW '' 2. Are any such flats vacant~ MAPS OF NEW ELECTORAL DISTRICTS. "3. Is there a waiting list of applicants f '' 4. Is there any qualification required of Mr. NICKLIN (Murrumba-Leader of the Opposition) asked the Attorney-General- applicants such as the number of children in the family~ ' ' '' Will he kindly advise the House as to when the maps of the proposed new elec­ Hon. W. POWER (Baroona) replied­ toral districts are likely to be published~'' " 1. 1,757 families. lion. G. ll. DEVRIES (Gregory) "2. No. replied- ''3. Yes. '' The matter is in the hands of the Elec­ '' 4. Yes. Temporary accommodation toral Commissioners duly appointed under offered to applicants according to their (The Electoral Districts Act.' I do not points rating.'' Questions. [16 AUGUST.) Questions. 99

A.W.U. AND OPEN-CUT COAL MINES. Hon. V. C. GAIR (South Brisbane­ Acting Premier), for Hon. E. M. HANLON Mr. PIE (Windsor): As the Premier is ( Ithaca), replied- absent from Brisbane and as Questions 6 and '' 1. Before agreement was finalised with 7 are addressed to him personally, I should the Electric Supply Corporation (Overseas) like the permission of the House to withdraw Ltd., the possibilities for development of them until his return. the Blair Athol coal deposits were investi­ Hon. V. C. GAIR (South Brisbane­ gated by a Committee of Enquiry appointed Acting Premier) : There is no necessity to1 by the Queensland Government in 1945 and withdraw the questions. The replies were later by a technical committee on which drafted before the Premier's departure from the Commonwealth Government was repre­ Queensland. sented. This latter committee, which worked under the direction of the Co-ordinator­ ~Ir. PIE (Windsor) asked the following General of Public Works, visited the field question:- as a body. Its findings were presented to " In view of the reported statement made me with the Co-ordinator-General's report by the Federal Secretary of the A.W.U. of .June, 1947, which was published as a in 'Courier-Mail,' 3 August, that the state­ Parliamentary Paper, and gives in detail the ment made by Mr. Menzies that the A.W.U. whole of the information to that date president and secretary had stated that regarding the field. Representatives of the their union was prepared to work black companies at present operating the field coal open -cuts was incorrect, will he advise had the opportunity of putting proposals this House-( a) If he has negotiated with for development before the Committee of Mr. Fallon, State Secretary of the A.W.U., Enquiry. Before entering into the agree­ and the union's executive to work Queens­ ment with the Electric Supply Corporation land black open-cut mines; (b) did he (Overseas) Ltd., the Queensland Govern­ give an assurance to Mr. Fallon and the ment had encouraged development of open­ executive that if the A.W.U. did work cut mining at Blair Athol by giving special Queensland black open-cut mines he, and/or orders to the companies through the Rail­ the Queensland Government would stick to way Department for the supply of a total them~'' of 75,000 tons of coal a year for two years, in addition to their normal supplies to the Hon. V. C. GAIR (South Brisbane­ Department. These special orders were not Acting Premier), for Hon. E. M. HANLON fully met within the two-year period. In (Ithaca), replied- addition, financial assistance was also " No negotiations have taken place rendered by a bank overdraft of £33,000 between the State Secretary of the Aus­ being guaranteed. tralian Workers' Union or the union executive and myself in regard to the '' 2. The representative of the Electric working of open-cut mines in this State, Supply Corporation (Overseas) Ltd. had and it has therefore not been necessary for preliminary discussions with both com­ me to give any assurance along the lines panies at present operating the field, before suggested by the hon. member. It will, the agreement was finalised. The agree­ of course, be appreciated that the open-cut ment does not 'hand over this great mineral fields in this State are being worked not treasure to the English company.' It by the Queensland Government but by specifically provides that the Electric Supply private enterprise.'' Corporation (Overseas) Ltd. or its per­ mitted assigns will endeavour to acquire bJ agreement the leases held by the present ELECTRIC SUPPLY CORPORATION (OVERSEAS) FRANCHISE. companies, or the shares in the companies holding such leases. Jllr. PIE (Windsor) : The same remarks '' 3. No official advice has been received apply to this question, but as the reply was by the Queensland GovernnlC'nt of American framed before the Premier's departure, I interest in the Blair Athol field. Any ask it- further application for assignment of '' 1. Did he, before signing the agree­ rights under the present agreement would ment to allow the Electric Supply Corpora­ be considered by the Government in the tion to. take over the open-cuts at Blair light of the cil;cnmstances existing when Athol, visit the field to assess the possibili­ the application was received.'' ties of the existing companies increasing their output of coal to meet the require­ ments of Queensland industry W NEW STATE SCHOOL, HARLAXTON. "2. Did he, either personally or by letter, communicate with the present owners of lUr. CHALK (East Toowoomba) asked these open-cuts to ascertain their views or the Secretary for Public Instruction- inform them of his intention to hand over '' In view of the fact that the Harlax­ this great mineral treasure to the English ton State School was considered due for company~ replacement as far back as 1935, and was "3. In view of the American interest listed by the Education Department in the now being displayed in the Blair Athol schedule of educational works submitted for open-cuts, will he give this House an assur­ inclusion in the Approved Loan Works ance that he will visit the field before sanc­ programme, but later found impract~cable tioning any further assignment of rights to include in the approved works, w1ll he in this project W" advise whether any further steps have been 100 Papers. [ASSEMBLY.] Death of Hon. J. Huxham.

taken in regard to the building of a new Regulations under ''The Roofing Tiles Act school in this important area of the City of 1949'' (4 August). of Toowoomba W" Ordinances under ''The City of Brisbane Hon. H. A. BRUCE (The Tableland) Acts, 1924 to 1949.'' replied- Proclamations (7) under ''The Valuation '' Present accommodation at this school, of Land Acts, 1944 to 1947." though not of modern type, is adequate to meet the needs of present enrolment. The DEATH OF HON. J. HUXHAM. Department appreciates the need for replacement of the existing old type of MOTION OF CONDOLENCE. buildings as soon as practicable. The pro­ vision of a few school building has been Hon. V. C. GAIR (South Brisbane-­ regularly listed by the Department and Acting Premier) (11.20 a.m.), by leave, considered by the Co-ordinator-General of v:ithout notice: I move- Public \Vorks for inclusion, when possible, '' 1. 'l'hat this House desires to place on in the Educational Works programme. record its appreciation of the services ren­ However, owing to the need for other works dered to this State by the late the Hon. of more urgent nature, it has not yet been John H uxham, a former member of the found possible to include this project. The Parliament of Queensland, Minister of the question of improvement of conditions in Crown and Agent-General for the State. the present buildings is at present under consideration by the Department of Public '' 2. That Mr. Speaker be requested to ·works.'' convey to the family of the deceased gentleman the above resolution, together REPORT OF POWELL DUFFRYN TECHNICAL with an expression of the sympathy and SERVICES LTD. sorrow of the members of the Parliament of Queensland in the loss they have 1\Ir. KERR (Oxley), without notice, sustained.'' asked the Acting Premier- The late John Huxham was one of the '' In view of its great national import­ pioneer members of the Labour Party of this ance and value to the people of Queensland, State and in the Queensland Parliament. He is it the intention of the Government to was an Englishman by birth, having been make available the report of Powell born in Devonshire in 1861. After serving Duffryn Technical Services Ltd. on coal, six years in the British mercantile marine, and if so, when will the report be pr·esented during which time he visited Australian for the consideration of this House~ '' ports, he entered commercial life of Sydney in 1880. Nine years later he came to Queens­ Hon. V. C. GAIR (South Brisbane) land and after a period of service with Bris­ replied- bane commercial firms he established his own '' As soon as possible.'' company. Mr. Huxham first entered Parliament in PAPERS. 1908. He was one of the members for Bris­ The following paper was laid on the table, bane South in the 17th Parliament, being and ordered to be printed:- elected thereto together with Mr. Peter Report of the Auditor-General under ''The Airey on 5 February, 1908. He was unsuc­ Supreme Court Funds Act of 1895 '' for cessful at the polls in 1909 when the general year 1948-1949. election for the 18th Parliament was held on 2 October, 1909. He re-entered Parliament The following papers were laid on the as the first member for Buranda in the 19th table:- Parliament, which was elected on 27 April, Proclamation under ''The Public Works 1912, and continued to represent that elec­ Land Resumption Acts, 1906 to 1940,'' torate until his resignation on 31 July, 1924, and ''The State Development and Public during the progress of the 23rd Parliament. Works Oragnisation Acts, 1938 to 1940 '' He was Minister without portfolio from (4 August). 10 July, 1915 to 23 March, 1916, Home Proclamation under ''The State Transport Secretary from 23 March, 1916 to 9 Septem­ Acts, 1938 to 1943" (12 August). ber, 191.9, and Secretary for Public Instruc­ Order in Council under ''The Banana tion from 9 September, 1919, to 14 July, 1924. Industry Protection Acts, 1929 to 1937'' He afterwards became Agent-General for (28 July). Queensland. Orders in Council (2) under "The Pri­ Mr. H uxham 's record was one of faithful mary Producers' Organisation and Mar­ service to the people of this State, both as keting Acts, 1926 to 1946" ( 28 July). a private member and a member of the Cabinet of Queensland, and later as Agent­ Regulation under ''The Primary Pro­ General for the State in London. I believe ducers' Organisation and Marketing that he discharged his duties in whatever Acts, 1926 to 1946" (28 July). position he occupied with a great measure Proclamations (2) under "The Mining of conscientiousness and with the desire Acts, 1898 to 1948'' and ''The Miners' always of serving the people to the best of Homestead Leases Acts, 1913 to 1947 '' his ability. Throughout his life he prac­ (7 April). tised without much demonstration or osten­ Regulations (2) under "The Apprentices tation a real zeal for his fellow men, and an and Minors Acts, 1929 to 1948 '' (28 understanding of them, and although my per­ July). sonal knowledge of him is limited because of Death of Hon. F. T. Brennan. [16 AuGUST.] Death of Hon. F. T. Brennan. 101 the discrepancy in our ages, I do not think former member of the Parliament of there was a more zealous or ardent advocate Queensland, Minister of the Crown, and of the principles of Labour, which are Judge of the Supreme Court. synonymous with humanitarianism. He was "2. That Mr. Speaker be requested to ever sympathetic with the working-class convov to the widow and family of the section of our community and indeed with deceased gentleman the above resolution, every person who was faced with adversity together with an expression of the sympathy and vicissitude. He had a particularly and sorrow of the members of the Parlia­ sympathetic attitude to the afflicted and for ment of Queensland, in the loss they have many years he displayed very keen interest sustained. in the Blind, Deaf and Dumb Institution, of The late Mr. Justice Brennan was associat12d which organisation he was a life member. I for a long period with the public life of understand he was also a prominent member this State, during wl\ich he carried out most of the Queensland Temperance League and important duties and held high office. He he brought to this work the same measure of first entered the Legislative Assembly of idealism and zeal that, I believe, distinguished Queensland as member for Toowoomba in his career in the public life of Queensland. 1918, and in a comparatively short space. of Honourable Jllembers: Hear, hear! time attained ministerial rank, beconung Assistant Home Secretary and later Secre­ Jllr. NICKLIN (Mu.rrumba-Leader of the tary for Public Instruction. At the early Opposition) (11.27 a.m.): I join with the aO'e of 40 he was elevated to the Supreme Acting Premier by seconding this motion C~urt Bench. expressing condolence with the relatives of It could not be said of the late Judge that the late John Huxham. As the Acting Pre­ he followed always the orthodox course, mier has said, the late Mr. Huxham had a as do most of the people of a community, long and faithful record of service as a but it can be said that he was a man of very citizen, as a member of this Assembly, as a broad vision and very definite views, and with Minister of this State, and later as Agent­ the courage of his convictions on important General in London. The sincerity of purpose public questions affecting the life and welfare he showed all through his public life was a of the individual in the State of Queensland marked feature of his record. He came into and of the State as a \Yhole. He was always this Parliament as a junior member of the ready to forcibly and fearlessly give expres­ Labour Movement, and he did a great deal of sion to his opinions and convictions. work to establish that great political move­ As a native-born Queenslancler th~ late Mr. ment in this State; and he received his reward Justice Brennan possessed a deep affection by being elected to this Assembly and serving for the State of his birth and an even deeper in its Ministries. regard for the Commonwealth of which he I think Mr. Huxham will be best remem­ was a citizen. He was always a strong advo­ bered by the people of this State for his cate for the preservation of Australian tradi­ administration of the Department of Public tions and for the clue recognition of the land­ Instruction. During the years he was in marks in Australian history. Hon. members charge of that department, he became known will recall his advocacy of a proper com­ throughout the length and breadth of Queens­ memoration of the discovery of this conti­ land by the application he gave to its adminis­ nent and his suggestion that a week should tration and the sympathetic consideration he bP set aside to be called Australia Week, applied to the many problems associated with which would include both Anzac Day and that very important Government department. 30 April, which is the date of the first land­ As a result of that long service and the ing in Australia by Capt. Cook. administrative ability he displayed, he became As a Judge of the Supreme Court of known to many of the people of the State Queensland, Mr. Justice Brennan often seized who would o-therwise not have remembered the opportunity of stating important prin­ him. Later on he served the State as ciples of fundamental importance for the Agent-General in London. I think when we moral welfare of youth and the preservation look at his record, we are impressed by the of standards in society. With some of his fact that it is a great record of service and views we may find many who will disagree, one of which anyone could be proud. \Ve but all will admit his sincerity and earnest­ join in extending to his relatives our deepest ness of purpose. These two qualities were sympathy and condolence in the loss they and the keynotes to his character. the State have suffered. The late Mr. Justice Brennan was a public­ Honourable Jllembers: Hear, hear! spirited man who served his fellows and his Motion agreed to, hon. members standing countr~· with a great measure of conscien­ in silence. tiousness, zeal, and earnestness and thus he achieved his desire and aim. As I said pre­ viously, he was a forceful and earnest public DEATH OF HO~. F. T. BRENNAN. figure and the State is the poorer for his passing. MOTION OF CONDOLENCE. Honourable lllembers: Hear, hear! Hon. V. C. GAIR (South Brisbane­ Acting Premier) (11.29 a.m.): I move- Jlir. NICKLIN (Murrumba-Leader of the '' 1. That this House desires to place on Opposition) (11.34 a.m.): I second the Act­ record its appreciation of the Services ing Premier'S motion to convey the condolence rendered to this State by the late the of the House to the relatives of the late Mr. Honourable Frank Tenison Brennan, a Justice Brennan. As a Queenslancler he gav

''The measure of taxation relief recently assigned and the fact remains that by putting afforded applies only to those taxpayers through that legislation nothing whatsoever who actually live in the Northern Territory. has been done of material value to this State. Residents ~f Queensland and others who Everybody scoffs at the Blair Athol scheme provide capital receiYe no taxation con­ today and private companies are doing a cessions, and hal'ing regard to the fact that much better job on this field than has ever the devel?pment of this country requires been attempted by the company that got the large capital resources, such exemptions as franchise. have been ;.:h·en are not likely to help. It has already been suggested, and I con­ 'l'hP l'ery natme of this country and its firm the suggestion, that the Government preearious rainfall require that it be should reconsider the franehise with a view utilized in large units 0f production. In to its cancellation. We cannot play ducks other words, it is not suitable for closer and drakes with a valuable coal franchise settlement, and people will not willingly such as this, we cannot sit down and do noth­ live there. At the present time, labour is ing about it. The company has had plenty most difficult to obtain, since much of the of time in which to do something and it white population has moved to the more should be compelled to relinquish the fran­ closely settled areas where living con­ chise. The existence of the franchise is posi­ ditions are more attractive. The Govern­ tively preventing other people from properly ment's plans will miscarry unless both developing the Callide field and the Nebo people and capital are given conditions field. The existing franchise in connection equal at lE!ast to such as obtain in closely with Blair Athol is hanging over them and settled areas-1therwise cattle hands will the fact that the public are expecting some­ not be available. Any arrangements made thing to be done by the corporation is pre· between the British Government and Aus­ venting activity in the development of other tralia will produce little immediate carcass areas, which would take place if the existing meat. This is something which your franchise did not overshadow everything else. readers may not fully understand, and some­ It is high time we did something about the thing which, if not understood, may cause cancellation of the franchise. Everyone subsequent disappointment.'' realises that throughout the State and the Commonwealth coal is needed in great quan­ In writing this letter I exercised my free tities today and in greater quantities year democratic right, and I make no apology to by year, but the Government are doing very the Minister or anyone else. little about it. This unwarranted assumption that by When the legislation of which I speak went writing this letter I broke my oath of office through, the Opposition saw in it a measure is palpably absurd and the Ministelr,, in that would probably operate against the using extravagant language of this kind, de· monopoly interests of the Miners' Federation. means himself and makes us question his The actions of the Miners' Federation have worthiness to hold ministerial office. proved definitely that it is a monopoly; it monopolises the coal industry today. When its leaders say ''We will not work,'' no work ADDRESS IN REPLY. is done, tools are dropped, and the people are consequently held up 1md put to great RESL'~IPTION OF DEBATE-FIRST ALLOTTED inconvenience and suffer not only physical DAY. harm but also monetary loss. I am satisfied that the people of Queensland and Australia Debate resumed from 3 August (see page generally will not forget their actions when 35) on Mr. Jesson's motion for the adoption within a few months we shall have ou:r of the Address in Reply. Federal elections. These sufferings will stick in their memory. When we see the results .3Ir. KERR (Oxley) (11.43 a.m.): When of the activities of the Miners' Federation tlH~ House adjourned last W ednesrlay week and their monopolistic method of Jwndlin"~ I ha(l reached the point where I was deal­ the coal industry, we realise that it is high ing with the development of the Blair Athol time our Government at least took some action ccdfield. I had pointed out that over two to prevent this monopoly from controlling the yrars ago an agreement had been entered into production of coal. I suggest that the bel >vcen the Government and the British Elec· development of our open-cut mines should tric Supply Corporation (Overseas) Ltd., by take priority in the activities of the Govern­ which a franchise was granted to that com­ ment. puny in respect of the I3lair Athol coalfield llfr. Power: The Government have their and that we had given the franchise our own mines. blessing in the hope that something would result therefrom. However, we can safely ;'l[r. KERR: I know that the Government say that actually nothing whatsoever has come have their deep shaft mines. I am suggest­ out of that agreement, although it has been ing that the Government should change their in existence for two years, and that the attitude and give every assistance not only holding company has assigned its right to to the open-rut mines at Blair Athol but to another company with a nominal capital of the Callicle fielcl as well. I personally urge £50,000. The company to which the right that the Callide field should receive prefer­ was assigned has a nominal capital of only enN' in this development. We have a rail­ £50,000 and no-one knows how much of its way of a sort there. \Vhat do a few million capitl'll has actually been subscribed. The pounds mean in making transport available point is that a valuable franchise was to obtain coal from the Callide field and 104 Address in Reply. [ASSEMBLY.] Address in Reply. transporting it to Gladstone~ Nothing. Jllr. KERR: I suggest that you bring vVithin 100 miles of Brisbane we have miles about the establishment of a separate union and miles of railways that are absolutely use­ altogether. less. The districts they serve would be much ::lir. Power: Through the Government? better served by road transport. Without desiring to offend any particular hon. mem­ lUr. KERR: Inspire it. These things ber, I suggest that the railway line from come from public men; these leads come Wynnum to Cleveland could easily be closed from public men, particularly Ministe~s·. of without any hardship to the people living in the Crown. I sny that the open-cut :mnmg this area. In fact, they would welcome the iu Queenslnnd should be nbsolutely divorced substitdion of road service. That does not from the Miners' Federation. We have had npply to that particular area only; it applies one shocking example of what can happen; to other areas round Brisbane as well. whether the leaders were Oommos or Socialists or left or right wing, they brought "lllr. Power: What other railways do you nbout a state of chaos, and we have to do suggest should be closed down~ something to take it away from their control. 1Ur. IfERR: I am not going to make JUr. Power: Tell us how we are going to tl1at suggestion here. I am merely asking do it. that the Government should give considera­ tion to my suggestion to review these lines, }lr. KERR: Hon. gentlemen can do it. which are almost valueless in the light of the j}Jr. Power: Tell us how? You are mak­ ~raffic they carry and I am further suggest­ ing the suggestion. mg that the traffic could be handled much better by road transport. JUr. KERR: As I told the hon. gentle­ man-inspire it. Form a union outside the ;ur. Farrell: You are not very con­ structive. A.W.U. and outs.ide the Miners' Federation. What are the Government afraid oH Jlir. KERR: I am. A Q.oyernment lliember: Call it the Open­ There will be a dearth of steel rails for Out Union~ the development of Blair Athol. The Prime Ministe~· has already undertaken to provide llir. KERR: Certainly. Take it out of steel rarls to construct a rail way from Callide the hands of the Federation. Are they going to Gladstone. I would not wait for him. to leave it there forever? Is that their We have waited too long for him. Let us attitude~ I am surprised that the Secreta~y make use of these obsole·te railways and for Public Works is satisfied to leave this transfer the steel rails to the Oallide field. industry in the hnnds of the Miners' The Callide field is onlv 80 miles from the Federation. coast, so that by rail it would take only a l\Ir. Power: I am prepared to leave it couple of hours to reach one of the fil1est in the hands of the men who work the ports in Australia. We could thus greatly industry. augment the supply of coal. In 1948, in New South .Wales, 500 miners operating in open­ l\Ir. KERR: There comes .a time when if cut mmes produced 1,200,000 tons of coal theY will not control the umon the Govern­ or roughly 2,4oo• tons of coal per man pe; meilt will have to do something nbout it. year. I think New South Wales deep-seated I suggest that on account of its proximity mines, worked by 17,000 miners, produced to the coast the Callide field is one 10,250,000 tons or 648 tons per man. This that should appeal to the Government above comparison should appeal to the Government any other open-cut field in Queensla.nd. We and we should do something about it now. It know that the cost of rail transport of coal is of very great importance from every pos­ is about 1d. per ton-mile and you have sible angle that we should have an abundance back loading which would give you a. charge of coal. of about 15s~ a ton from the Biloela field. The West Moreton miners have nothing to fear from the open-cut mines; neither have lllr. Power: In a lot of cases you do not the Burrum miners. They have everything get any back loading. in their favour. Coal from West Moreton l\[r. KERR: A penny a ton is the recog­ rosts about £2 a ton on trucks on the wharf nised rate per mile for transport ?f coal. at Woolloongabba. In the case of the Oallide I am allowing ld. a ton a mile :Wd and Blair A thol open-cut coal there is the I am also allowing for back loadmg. mining cost plus railway transport from the It works out at roughly about 15s. a mines to the ports. Therefore the West More­ ton for 160 miles. The Government should ton and Burrum miners have 30s. or £2 a ton give every assistance ~o that field ~nd in rosts up their sleeves as against coal won give a, lead to develop this. coal by spe_ndmg from thn open-cut mines. a lot of money in making the railways The working of the open-cut mines should efficient and creating a railroad that Will he taken right out of the hands of the Miners' be economic. The miners in vV est Moreton, I Federation altogether. In Victoria they repeat, hnve nothing to fear. \lYe should have ,,·ork the open-cut mines under the A.W.U. a surplus of coal and we should have no and thev work the Leigh Creek mine under cause to fear anything similar to what we the A.W.U. have just experienced. We have had two or JUr. Power: How do you suggest they three such experiences during the last thr~e take it out of the hands of the Miners' or four yenrs, nnd it is time they called It 1<'edera tion ~ a day. Address in Reply. [16 AuGUST.] Addres8 in Reply. 105

The open-cut mining offers a greater field and gave a most effective reply to the charge than the existing deep-shaft mining. We of the Government's lack of interest in that have obsolete methods in deep-shaft mining. part of the State. Some of the mines were in operation 100 years ago and the sinking of a shaft and the I congratulate also the hon. member for winning of the coal are done in much the Curpentaria on his contribution to the debate same way today. You have left huge pillars on Appropriation Bill No. 1, because of his of coal which indicates a great waste of most effective reply to people who howl about coal. The miners are reluctant to allow the neglect of the North by this Government. mechanisation to take place because of the 'l'hat hon. member represents the most northern fear of some accident. part of the State and speaking authoritatively he gave conclusive proof of the value of the lUr. Power: They had good reason to work that has been done there by this Gov­ be afraid; they were working only two days emment since he has represented that part a week, you know. That does not apply now. of the State. For the information of hon. members he read a letter that he had written Mr. KERR: There should be some guar­ t0 the organisation in the North working to antee. If a surplus i11 produced, these miners discredit this Government but which they in West Moreton or any other field should refused to publish. That organisation ignored not be at a disadvantage. its contents and that was the reason that pmmpted the hon. member to give it publicity lUr. Power: They already have that in this Chamber. guarantee. In answer to the charge that this Govern­ Jlir. l{ERit: Why did they strike? ment had neglected the northern and central parts of the State for the benefit of the J}Ir. Power: Ask Bluey Millar. South I would remind hon. members that for 5~ years there were Tory GoveTnments in lUr. KERR: In open-cut mining there is no loss of coal whatsoever. In open-cut Queensland. mining, too, the incidence of disease virtually lUr. Power: And they were a Liberal disappears and for that reason alone the Party. Government should move to develop this fGrm of mining to the greatest possible l\Ir. TURNER: The¥ were a conglom­ extent. I raise these two issues this morn­ eration. They dilly-dalhed with the develop­ ing because we cannot continue any longer ment of North Queensland. Shipping interests suffering the chaotic conditions, the disloca­ wielded so much control over them that they tion and the sufferings caused to the people would not push on with the development of a not only in the physical but in the monetary r:1ilway service to the northern areaR. It was sense. It is therefore the duty of the Gov­ left to this Labour Government to connect ernment to ensure that these disabilities are the South and North, at a cost of £4,000,000 rpmoved. on the railway line connecting the two parts. This project was vigorously opposed by the lir. Power: How? mrmbers then in Opposition, because of the pressure that the shipping companies brought lir. KERR: Hon. members opposite are to bear on them, as they knew that the build­ the Government, I am not. In conclusion I ing of this railway link would interfere with repeat that the Government must divorce con­ their shipping freights. ti ol of the mining industry from the Miners' J<'ederation. Later we have in the building of the Mackay harbour another important development in the lUr. TURNER (Kelvin Grove) (12.1 interests of the North. When the Mackay p,m.): The speech made by His Excellency Harbour Board Acts Amendment Bill was h1 this Chamber on the opening of this introduc0d in 1934 by a former P1·emier, Sesoion of Parliament will be recorded as l\Ir. W. Forgan Smith, who was then being the finest ever made here. In his Treasurer, it was opposed by the then Leader Speech he covered the activities of the Gov­ of the Opposition, Mr. A. E. Moore, who en,ment throughout the whole of the State, asked:- first of all dealing with those works that have '' Why should. the people of Queensland lwcn completed and those nearing completion have to pay a subsicly to enable Mackay to in the financial period of which he spoke and have a harbour? I am opposed to the then of those that are to be begun chuing the principle in the first part of the Bill.'' coming year. I think he very definitely gave }Ir Power: Who said that? contradiction to the statement made by those people who argue that the Government should I\Ir. TURNER: Mr. Moore, the then give greater attention to the northern part Leader of the Opposition. The Government of the State. The mover of this motion, the ha,d promised to subsidise this project to the hon. member for Kennedy, took full advan­ extent of £250,000 and this was objected to tage of his opportunity and flayed the Opposi­ because the su bsicly would have to be met tion right and left by drawing their attention by the people of the whole of the State. The to the activities of the Government in the State Government lent generous assistance to North during the time that he has represented this project. The finance approved to be the Kennedy electorate. The hon. member for granted to the board by the State was a Fitzroy, who seconded the motion, dealt very loan of £550,000, together with a subsidy of extensively with the activities of the Gov­ £250,000, or 25 per cent. of the cost of the ermnent in the central part of Queensland work, including capitalised interest, whichever 106 Address in Reply. [ASSEMBLY.] Address in Reply.

was the greater. The total loan moneys it was loaded onto the mainland considerable advanced by the Treasury to the board were damage was often incurred, and when the £322,438, which sum included capitalised weather was rough further damage was caused interest amounting to £84,116. The by the water. ]'or those reasons tremendous Treasury also advanced a subsidy to the sums were saved to the sugar industry in extent of £382,062. In addition to the lighterage, to the shipping companies in Government's loan and subsidy, the board payment of claims for damage to goods, and borrowed the sum of £200,000 from the Pru­ in the payment of wages to the waterside dential Assurance Company Ltd. and arranged -workers. overdraft accommodation to the extent of £350,000 with the Queensland National Bank, lUr. Evans: What rot! You do not know the loan and overdraft being guaranteed by >vhat you arc talking about. this Government. lUr. 'fURNER: I am glad this is getting Summarised, the :finance aggregated under the hon. member's skin. His skin is £1,254,500, being­ il pretty tough, but I have penetrated it. Loan from the Treasury 322,438 The people in the Mackay and surrounding Subsidy from the Treasury .... 382,062 local authorities conducted a ballot on the Loan from Prudential Assur- proposal and it was overwhelmingly decided ance Co. Ltd. 200,000 in the affirmative, the voting being 10,500 odd Overdraft from Queensland against 1,500 odd. That ballot removed any National Bank 350,000 doubt whether the people of Mackay and dis­ trict wished that it should be built. The When the total loan advances by the development that has taken place in and Treasury reached £322,438 at the completion around Mackay since the completion of the of the work, it was suggested by the board scheme has been tremendous and in rural that the gu"ranteed bank overdraft be in­ industries, apart from sugar, the increase creased by £100,000 and the loan indebtedness amounts to 27 per cent. That alone justifies to the Treasury correspondingly reduced. its construction. From 1929 to 1933 agri­ The chief ad>-antage to the board lay in the cultural production increased by £8,750,000, fact that the Treasury loan ca.rried interest an average ,of over £1,750,000 a year. That at the rate of 5 per cent. per annum and the increase also has justified its construction and bank was willing to charge only 4 per cent. the people of the district have to thank the This suggestion was agreed to and the board present Government for pushing on with the paid £122,438 to the Treasury, thus reducing scheme against tremendous odds and in the the loan indebtedness to £200,000, at which face of strenuous opposition to it. sum the loan was closed and became repayable over a period of 40 years from 1 January, When I spoke on the Appropriation Bill I ]934. said that the Government had spent over That was a very good effort by the Gov­ £3,500,000 on hospitalisation in the part of ernment to encourage the development of the State north of Mackay but the hon. mem­ North Queensland. When the interest rate was ber for Oxley interjected that my statement was not true. I now have the figures to sup­ reduced to 4~ per cent from 1 July, 1943, the annual payment in consequence became port what I said and I propose to read most £10,823 12s. The amount of money saved of the important ones. They will prove that to the sugar industry in lighterage charges my statement was absolutely correct. Here has more than paid the interest on the money are the details- expended on that project. I should say that Charters Towers.-New Mental Hospital for the project is one of the finest development North Queensland planned to accommo­ schemes ever put into operation anywhere in date 600 patients and to provide all the State. Not only does it give Mackay the necessary services of an up-to-date security hut all that valuable land behind hospital. Mackay has acquired a strong sense of The estimated cost of the complete security as a result. project is £1,500,000. Again, no-one has been able to estimate The levelling and grading of the site the saving this project has meant in shipping has heen completed. Sketch plans for costs. Before this harbour was constructed the first section of the new hospital, waterside workers were engaged in Mackay estimated to cost £250,000, have been and had to board a lighter and be towed to approved. Flat Top in order to start work on the ships. Townsville.-New General Hospital, Frequently weather conditions prevented their £32 7,000, in course of construction. working and the men were paid considerable New nurses' quarters, £240,000, con­ sums from time to time without having done struction proceeding. any work whatever. Of course, this was not through any fault of theirs or of the shipping Charters Towers.-Additions, nurses' quar­ companies bu' simply because weather con­ ters, remodelling hospital, administra­ ditions would not permit of their going to tive and out-patients' block, £125,000; the ship either to load or discharge. construction proceeding. Innisfail.-Remodelling Blocks ''A'' and Again, previously thousands of poun~s ~ad been paid out each year by the sh1ppmg '' B,'' £30,000; work nearly completed. companies to consignees as compensation for Boiler-house, boilers, hot water and damage done in the extra handling and load­ steam reticulation, £25,000. incr cargo from ships to lighters and in taking Power switch room and duct work it "from lighters to the ships. Again, when for reticulation, £3,000. Address in Reply. [16 AuGusT.] Address in Reply. 107

Cairns.-New operating theatre, kit- adjusted. Mr. McEwan, who is in charge of chen, additions hospital, hot water the project, has been handling farming reticulation, £79,017. machinery all his life. I can assure the Mareeba.-Nurses' quarters and fur­ hon. member for Dalby that he cannot tell nishings, £31,500. Mr. McEwan anything about farming Atherton.-Additions nurses' quarters, machinery that he does not know. In fact, £19,500. anything that Mr. McEwan does not know about it is not worth knowing. For the hon. Mossman.-New laundry block, domestic member to say that the harvesting machines quarters, additions kitchen, £27,000. were not correctly set and that a lot of grain Mt. Isa.-Repairs and painting, new nurses' v. as lost as a result is nothing short of a quarters, £49,500. fabrication. The total cost of the works in the pro­ JUr. Rnssell: You were not up there and gramme from which I have extracted the you do not know anything about it. main items amounts to £1,033,758. Here are some further details- lUr. TURNER: That is how the hon. Mackay.-Additions to nurses' quarters, member always approaches a question. I did £52,417. visit this project during the harV'esting Bowen.-Plans new hospital, £154,650. period. I arrived there a couple of days Proserpine.-Additions wards, £42,400. after the Leader of the Opposition and the Townsville.-Medical Superintendent's hon. members for West Moreton and Fassi­ residence, £4,500. Additions and fern were there. Therefore, I have proof of remodelling maternity ward, £47,000. what I say. As an hon. member suggests to me, I was there when the hon. member for Ingham.-Nurses' quarters, £25,000. Dalby was in England spending money Tully.-New nurses' quarters, £25,000. earned for him by men working on his Babinda.-Nurses' quarters, £28,750. property. Gordonvale.-New hospital, £73,810, new maternity ward, £21,343. The hon. member for Dalby also made the statement that farming was an individual's Cairns.-New nurses' quarters, £200,000. job and could not be accomplished success­ Mareeba.-Home for aged, £100,000. fully on such a large scale as the Peak Downs Hughenden.-New hospital, £165,000. project because uninterested labour did not Cloncurry.-New hospital, £103,000. pay proper attention to the job. Such criti­ Mt. Isa.-New hospital, £180,000. cism should not have been uttered by a man who does not even work his own property. That programme of works totals up to He has men engaged to work it and they £1,450,090. produced while he was away enjoying life in Those figures prove beyond doubt that the England. Government have spent over £3,500,000 on During my visit to Peak Downs I was told hospitalisation in North Queensland and they that the employees were so interested in their show that the hon. member for Oxley did not jobs that on every succeeding day they know what he was talking about. attempted to break the previous day's record. During the consideration of the Appro­ The men working on the harvesting machines priation Bill the hon. member for Dalby have harvested gTain of all kinds on the referred to the sorghum-growing project at Darling Downs for years, and therefore any Peak Downs. He condemned the scheme and such reflection on those men is only so much not being satisfied with condemning it he hooey. attempted to condemn the people conducting I will prove the falsity of the hon. member it and the workers employed there. He made for Dalby 's statement that the harvesting the absolutely untrue statement that there machines were not working fast. When we was castor-oil seed in the sorghum grain that wer0 there, one of the harvesting machines had been harvested but I am assured that had broken down and no-one was more unset there was not one caster-oil plant in the than the men who had been operating them. whole of the 29,000 acres that had been They recognised they were doing a job for cultivated. their nation. They wanted to do the job to The hon. member also made a statement the best of their ability for they recognised in Toowoomba which was published in ''The that they were working for the nation, not Toowoomba Chronicle" identical with the for an individual. statement he made in this House, ani! in the Press, namely, that a lot of castor oil seed The hon. member for Dalby stated also that was harvested . with the sorghum grain. He the sorghum grain haTvested on Peak Downs also said that a lot of the sorghum seed was did not attain the Darling Downs standard. broken up by the machines and blown away EveTybody who visited the project .on Peak in the wind. That is only another fabrica­ Downs who possessed a knowledge of grain tion. It is true that some sorghum seed on stated emphatically that the grain produced the erlge of the cultivation that hail been compared more than favourably with similar dHmaged by an early frost got caught in the grain grown on the Darling Downs. That was harvesting machines and due to the extreme the opinion of men who were independent dryness of the seed some did break but the and who did not allow their opinion to be coloured by politics. quantity w~s very, very small indeed. The hon. member for Dalby said also that Mr. Sparkes: Why was that land not the harvesting machines were not properly cut up for the settlement of returned soldiers~ 108 Address in Reply. [ASSEMBLY.] Address in Reply.

JUr. TURNER: There is any amount of !Ir. TURNER: I was invited by the other land just as suitable as that growing Secretary for Health and Home Affairs to sorghum at Peak Downs that could be used accompany him to the Gulf country and to for soldiers or anyone else who desires to visit the mission stations the Government settle on our land. In this particular case are supporting to a large extent. As I am the Government are desirous of repairing the interested in mission vvork I accepted that damage done by private enterprise, which has invitation and the visit was of tremendous used the land for many years. Peak Downs interest to me. I do these trips because, as originally carried 70,000 sheep but when the the Minister said, I am applying the whole Government took it over it carried only of my time to my job. I am working for the 20,000 sheep, and they were virtually starv­ people of Queensland. ing. Much of the natural grasses were eaten out. Those who had worked Peak Downs Government .:\!embers: Hear, hear! had given no consideration to the effects of <0ver-stocking. JUr. TURNER: I want to serve the poeple and the more I travel in Queensland the better \IV e were surprised at all the talk of the Government's taking this land from them. I can serve the people. I have no business interests to tie me up, and I cannot afford They were mighty glad to be relieved of the respansibility of it, and they were well paid. t•J pay anybody else to do my job. Now they are trying to make out, when t·he In order to proYe that the Government project is a Huccess, that they have been have done a great job in developing North robbed of their rights. Queensland I shall quote figures from the last census, which prove that the North has a The hon. member for Dalby talked about soil erosion at Peak Downs. There is no more greater population today than in 1933 when t·he previous census was taken. I can assuTe soil erosion than could be expected, and less you, Mr. Acting Speaker, that there is not a than there is in any other part of the State; member in this House who represents a and there is none that cannot be corrected. northern district, irrespective of party, who lUr. ,sparkes: You do not know what has not from time to time introduced depu­ you are talking about. tations to the Secretary for Public Instruc­ tion, seeking greater accommodation at the JUr TURNER: The hon. member should local State school to cope with the increased give attention to his own property. I am numbeT of pupils. ~We know that when Mr. informed that there is more erosion 0n his E. G. Theodore was Premier he was very keen property than on any other property in any on the development of the North because he part of the State. spent most of his youth there and ~e. ~as lUr. Sparkes: Who told you that? well acquainted with its great potentialities, and he made a proposal to the Government JUr. TURNER: I have been reliably to send him to England to raise the necessary informed. fin~nce to start a smelt·er. The Opposition The statement made by the hon. member were so strong at that time that they sent for Dalby brought a reply, which was pub­ three gentlemen-two members of Parliament lished in Toowoomba on Wednesday last and and a defeated candidate by t·he name of reads as follows:- Walsh-to England to queer his pitch and ''Criticism of Peak Downs sorghum har­ use their influence on the financial i1_1terests Yesting operations was described today as over there, to prevent him from gethng the 'all ltooey.' necessary money. It was a £3,000,000 pro­ ject but the Gov-ernment were pre~ented from ''This was the description given by Mr. croing on with it because of the mfiuence of C. S. Harding, a former Peak Downs farm the people on the other side of the House. supervisor, who recently resigned to take They did not want ironworks at . Bowen up share farming. because their financial interests were m New ''He said that 90 per cent. of the men South Wales. engaged at Peak Downs had ~worked on the Darling Dovvns, and were highly competent. In suite of these handicaps, the North Only a small percentage of the grain had has de.:eloped ancl population_ ha~ increas.ed. been left, and that was not the fault of For example, I give the followmg mcreases .­ the header opera tors or the macl1ines. J\I[ackay-from 10,665 to 13,500. ''He had no criticism of the adminis­ Atherton-from 3,962 to 4,337. h'a tion of the scheme, anJ saw no reason Herberton-from 2,852 to 3,199. why it should not go on to further success.'' Cairns-from 11,993 to 16,641. That is the statement of a man "·ho WJrked 'l'ownsville-from 25,876 to 34,233. on the project. Charters Towers-from 6,978 to 7,567. I wish to confine the rest of my speech to Everywhere one finds an increase in popula­ ,Jcaling with a part of the State that not tion. with the exception of the J ohnstone many members of the House have had the Riv-er area, where there has been a decrease vrivilege of visiting. of 511. No-one can understand the reason for this. It is a sugar-growing area with An Opposition JUember: Another free its own sugar mill. I have been unable to trip! ascertain why people have left the area }lr. Power: He applies the whole of his because everywhere else, even in the Gulf of time to his job. Carpentaria, population has increased. Address in Reply. [16 AuousT.] Address in Reply. 109

In the Torres Strait area we met repre­ and the abundance of water available. All sentatives of the Torres Strait islands, a that is needed to develop them is more yery intelligent section of people, who in a population. I intend to recommend to the deputation to the Minister asked among other Presbyterian committee with which I am con­ things that they be allowed to vote. nected that the natives be transferred from Physically these natives are of a better type Mornington Island to Aurukun in order that than the Australian aborigine. They put the area may be developed to the full. At forward very good reasons in support of their present Aurukun is carrying 2,292 cattle and Tequests. I met the sister of one of these 70 horses. Men with whom we discussed the men. She is a nursing sister at Palm Island matter in that part of the State said that and holds triple nursing certificates. In that country was capable of carrying ten her final examination she topped the list of times that number of cattle. The mission all candidates, \Yhite and coloured. Her area extends over 1,900 square miles and ambition, after completing her term of there are 650 natives and only eight half­ engagement at Palm Island, is to return to castes. her homeland, York Island in Torres Straits, I was pleased to see how these people had and there establish a base hospital. She endE>avoured to make themselves more secure will visit other islands and medical cases by constructing an air strip. Each of these she considers too difficult for her to treat mission stations has provided an air strip she will arrange to have flown to the Thurs­ on which Douglas planes can land. Mitchell day Island public hospital. River, the Church of England mission, is a 'rhe Department of Native Affairs, with fine progressive property with an excellent head office now in Thursday Island, is doing air strip on which A.N.A. Douglas planes a great job; in fact, Mr. 0 'Leary, the land every Tuesday bringing and taking mail Director of Native Affairs, is doing a wonder­ and passengers. At Mitchell River they have ful job. I had the idea that when the head a white teacher and a white nurse, as well office of his department was transferred from as native nurses and teachers, while most Brisbane to Thursday Island Mr. 0 'Leary of the other places rely on the missionary's might have felt somewhat upset, but at wife to educate the people. Thursday Island I found him more interested At Mornington Island we met what I might in his job, if that was at all possible, than describe as one of the finest personalities one when stationed in Brisbane. In Mr. 0 'Leary could wish to meet. She was a half-caste the Government have the most capable officer widow 31 years of age who had three children. in the State service for the type of work he She helped the missionary's wife as a teacher is engaged on. I was very pleased to note and that young woman would be a credit to the respect and regard in which he, was held any part of the State among white people. 1 not only by the missionaries but also by the am hoping that before very long we shall natiYe population in the Gulf country. see the half-castes allowed to come to the At all the mission stations we visited, mainland to live in the community as white particularly the Presbyterian Mission at people. It is wrong that they should be Aurukun, we found the missions going in for kept on these stations among the natives. some cattle project but owing to lack of If we are going to make these people still finance they have not been able to develop more valuable citizens an admirable under­ them as they would wish. The Minister taking would be to bring them over to develop assured them of Government assistance, which the parts of the State to which I have will enable them to enlarge their project, refened and I am pleased that the Govern­ and this will become one of the important ment have reserved a large area of the Gulf undertakings of the North. A very excellent Country for this purpose. type of native people are in charge of cattle­ raising, under the supervision of white stock­ Another step the Government have taken men. The Minister expressed his pleasure at for the development of these people is the the splendid work these people are doing and arrangement made to transfer the inhabitants I think great praise should be given to these from one of the Strait islands, which is whites for the sacrifices they make in isolating threatened with inundation through erosion, themselves by working among the native to the mainland. They will be brought across population. by Government ship. At Mapoon Mission I was amazed at the (Time expired.) handiwork of the womenfolk. Their needle­ work was equal to anything to be seen any­ Mr. MAHER (West Moreton) (12.41 where. A large firm in Melbourne each year p.m.) : I take this opportunity of expressing sends a quantity of material for these native appreciation of the very great interest His women to work up for it. Of course, they Excellency the Governor takes in the welfare are well paid for this work. The work is of the State. Accompanied by Lady Lavarack sold in Melbourne at high prices. he travels over very wide areas, making him­ But I was concerned more with the greater self familiar with all the problems of primary development of their cattle project. Mr. am1 secondary industries ·within the State. Sidney, the overseer at Aurukun, told me that The Speech of His Excellency opens up ma.ny last year the cattle sold averaged 7 40 lb., avenues of thought and constructive criticism which shows they are fair-sized beasts. on matters that relate to the progress and development of Queensland. We then went some miles up the Watson River to see some plains that were capable Very recently there has been much criticism of furtl:ter development. We were amazed in the northern parts of the State about the at their size, at how well grassed they were, lack of interest m1d the neglect of tht> uo Address in Reply. [ASSEMBLY.] Address in Reply.

Government of that very rich region of the a special obsession against Mr. Moore, his State. Some time ago Mr. Summers, of the Government and all their works, let me tell ''Courier-Mail,'' drew attention in some of him that the Moore Government did more to his articles to the drift of the population rehabilitate mining in North Queensland and away from the far northern and north­ development generally there in a short period western hinterland to the coastal cities, to of three years than any other Government the lack of developmental projects, and to the had done. And one of the things he did general apathy and lack of interest of the was to reopen the Chillagoe smelters but a State Government and indeed the Common­ subsequent Labour Government closed the wealth Government too in the intensified smelters down and dismantled them. development of this part of the State, which Mr Smith: They should be pulled down is one of the richest potential fields of and rebuilt at Cloncurry, where th,e mineral development anywhere in Australia. North is to be found. Queensland undoubtedly needs special atten­ t,ion today and it is not getting it from the Mr. 11IAHER: I am not disputing the State Government. right of the hon. member for Carpentaria to The only solution to these important have whatever mining plant will help in the problems, of course, lies in giving the people development of the rich Cloncurry and Mount of North Queensland, from a line to be Isa fields. determined, a new State in which the people Mr. Smith: 99 per cent. of the copper who live in the tropics under tropical con­ ore treated at Chillagoe went from Cloncurry. ditions may work out their own problems and rtheir own destiny in their own way. The 1\Ir. MAHER: The hon member can Country Party stand four-square for the advocate the erection of a smelter at Cion­ creation of a new State in North Queensland curry-! will support hi~ in .a~ything that so as to allow the people there to work out will help to develop the nch mmmg areas of the solution of their own peculiar problems that belt of country-but there is still work which common sense and reason clearly for the smelters at Chillagoe. Old-established indicate cannot be solved with any degree of miners assured me that this is so. Men satisfaction from a capital situated approxi­ who are engaged in mining operations tol.d mately 1,000 miles to the south. me that they could not get any sympathetic When I was in North Queensland last 1 help from the Mines Department to mine for was interviewed by a number of people who gold. They could not get any help for the in their discussions with me underlined some purchase of ore compressors or jack-hammers of the reasons for this dissatisfaction that on the hire-purchase system. It was indicated is so evident in North Queensland today. 1 to me that the gold shows in that area were do not think anyone will dispute what 1 very promising but they lacked suitable am about to say and in this connection 1 machinery and if the miners had that particularly invite the attention of the machinery they could greatly ex,pand the Secretary for Mines. In northern and north­ production of gold in that area. Because of western Queensland there lies one of the this fact they were obliged to abandon the richest mineral belts of country on the face mines or to sell to companies that had of the globe. Any Government who had the facilities to work them. At Mt. Carbine welfare of that region at 'heart should surely I was informed by the central executive of take steps to develop this very rich mineral the North Queensland Ore Producers' Asso­ belt and by every means possible open up ciation-Mr. W. Gardiner is the chairman the wealth that lies there untouched todav. of that body at Mt. Carbine-that at that Much wealth-gold and other minerals-have place there were wolfram and tin shows, and of course been won over the last half although there were three running streams century or more but there are immense riches within :five or six miles of the township the still waiting for the prospector's pick and township had no water. If they had water the work of mining companies generally. they could treble their output. The miners even offered to pay royalty on the ore if the 1\Ir. Theodore: What are they doing Government provided them with water. They about it~ indicated to me that the water could gravi­ lUr. 11IAHER: Let me put one question tate from the JI.Iary and Macleod Rivers and to the House. Why did the present Govern­ that no pumps would be required. By this ment dismantle the Chillagoe smelters~ means 40 or 50 homes could be reticulated with good drinking water and a sufficiency of 1\Ir. Theodore: You know why. water would also be provided for the treat­ 11Ir. 1\IAHER: Why did they take away ment of ore. Mt. Carbine, which is 20 miles from the heart of a rich mineral region north-west of Mt. Molloy and 25 miles from smelters that were doing a big job in the Mareeba, has been a growing show in wol­ mining industry in that part of North Queens­ fram and tin since as far back as 1901. land and were capable of doin" a bigger Everything points to its having a very job stim "' long life as there is an abundance of tin, mostly stream tin. Time and again 1\Ir. Theodore: You attacked the Gov­ these miners have asked for help to get water ernment for carr::ing on the Chillagoe to expand the production of wolfram and smelters. tin, and provide amenities for that rich Mr. IIIAHER: Predecessors of the pre­ mineral area. The Government stand guilty sent Labour Government prior to 1929 closed of neglect of men who are struggling up the Chillagoe smelters and in spite of the there under very difficult conditions to mine fact that the Secretary for Public Works has minerals of great valne to this country today. Address in Reply. [16 AUGUST.] Address in Reply. lll

lUr. Foley: The Mines Department has who want to put the most rosy hue on their given them grants and subsidies to develop case. The hon. member has been up to Peak the district. Downs. All I want to say about Peak Downs is this: I do not want to detract in any way JUr. MAHER: These men are not looking from the industry and intelligence of the for grants or subsidies; they are looking for men connected with that scheme-I think water. There are good running streams they are doing their best-but what I do within five or six miles of their township and object to are the methods of the Government: they are prepared to pay a royalty on their first of all, fundamentally, in establishing a ore to get water facilities but every request big collective farm moulded on Russian lines, they have made has been turned down. a State monopoly farm; secondly, because lUr. Farrell: You know very well that of the political propaganda and publicity that is wrong. have taken place in connection with the sorghum harvest. It must be tremendously Itir. MAHER: It is not wrong. embarrassing to the decent fellows who are trying to carry out the job up there. I have lUr. }'arrell: We have been up there. here extracts from newspapers such as the lUr. lUAIIER: The hon. member for ''Courier-Mail,'' the ''Telegraph,'' and the Maryborough can dispute what I say when ' 'Morning Bulletin'' and they are all filled it is his turn to speak. That is the case with propaganda in the interests of the presented to me. Somebody said a while ago Government. They sent a whole group of that there was nothing left for the Chillagoe newspaper reporters, special correspondents, smelters to do, but these practical miners photographers, and movie-camera men to view informed me that there was plenty of copper the work at Capella. This is the sort of thing ore at Mt. Molloy, silver and lead ore on I object to-the wording of this article- the Etheridge field, silver and lead at Chil­ lagoe, and copper at Mt. Carbine, while there "Vast project at Peak Downs arouses was copper, silver, lead, and of course tin, on interest throughout Empire.'' the Herberton field. The area is a rich That is in big black letters. It continues­ mineral one, yet some hon. member has ques­ tioned what such smelters could be used for. '' The crop is estimated to yield about There is a district where the miners 1,000,000 bushels. informed me there is an abundance of ore ''It is Australia's largest, most discussed, suitable for treatment at such smelters. and most contentious agricultural project. I am prepared to admit that there It also is one of the most successful too, would possibly be a loss on such smel­ for, valued at current grain sorghum prices, ters but could not that loss be regarded the harvest should return every penny the as a subsidy to the mining industry~ The Corporation has put into it. Australian Government have during the ''Journalists, photographers, movie- past few years been paying subsidies to primary camera men and radio men were on the and secondary industries, even to firms of spot to see the commencement of the harvest such significance as W. D. & H. 0. Wills Ltd. and to record it in news and still and mov­ in connection with tobacco. Many other big ing pictures to all parts of the Empire.'' secondary industries have been receiving these grants from the Commonwealth Treasurer as With the publicity in the newspapers, the subsidies to enable them to meet the condi­ special correspondents, the radio men and the tions of the time. Is it too much to ask photographers, and the vivid description of that we might give some measure of assist­ tractors going into action, one would imagine ance to men who are trying to develop a we were going into battle against some mineral field that is already rich, but with invisible enemy. Despite the estimate of a further development might be capable of pro­ 1,000,000-bushel crop, which was greatly ducing such riches that will help us to solve publicised, it will be less in actual figures the dollar problem~ When all is said and than approximately 400,000 bushels. clone, gold is something that is understood in all curnmcies and all languages; and it At the luncheon adjournment I was drawing would overcome the dollar position very attention to the fact that the greatly publi­ materially if we were able to produce big cised estimate of 1,000,000 bushels of sorghum quantities of it. at Peak Downs had not been realised and according to private advice it would appear I mention these matters as one or two small that not more than 320,000 bushels would be items that indicate the underlying objection c.btained when that harvest had been com­ and the sense of frustration that emanate pletell. Considering all the publicity and pro­ from North Queensland and would be satis­ paganda connected with that scheme I do not factorily met only by the creation of a new think that camera men, radio men, or photo­ State in North Queensland to let the north­ graphers generally will be present at the con­ erners work out their own salvation. elusion of the harvest to give the story of this The hon. member for Kelvin Grove has been great scheme that has been utilised for Social­ on further trips abroad. An innocent abroad! istic political propaganda. Take the other side If the hon. member were able to view the of the picture: last year the individual sor­ landscape in the light of practical knowledge ghum growers in Queensland produced 4,500,000 and experience of primary industry, he would bushels without any glamorising, publicity, or learn much of great value to him, but unfor­ song and dance, and without any encouraging tunately he merely receives the impressions pat on the back from the powers that be. and hears the stories retailed to him by those Lacking the magnificent plant with which the 112 •'iddress in Reply. [ASSEMBLY.] Address in Reply .

Government have equipped the Queensland­ Mr. MAHER: The Government have British Food corporation and which they have exactly the same objective. They are travel­ employed at Peak Downs they produced this ling the same road as the hon. member for quantity. Bowen. The Labour Party has travelled far The main object of this scheme, as was since those early days when it advocated the stated by the Premier when introducing the bursting up of big estates. The old Labour Bill, was, not so much to raise sorghum-that Party is non est today. Under the policy of was only a means to an end-but to raise the present alleged Labour Party the need pigs. I invite the hon. member for Kelvin of the individual is completely by-passed. The Grove who discoursed on this subject this monopoly of land now under competent morning in such impractical terms, to inform private management merely passes over to the House whether he heard one single grunt a monopoly under State ownership, the from a pig on Peak Downs when he visited differellce being that under private manage­ the sorghum farm run by the Queensland­ ment those estates were profitable concerns British Food Corporation. I was there but competently run in the interest of the State, did not see one single pig-nor did I hear one while under Sta.te control possibilities are single grunt-anywhere over this vast estate. opened up for tremendous losses. We are into the second year since the Bill Not only have the Government failed in went through this Parliament authorising the the original aim of raising pigs and corporation to begin activities there and the subordinated everything to the growing of main aim of the scheme, namely, the raising sorghum in a big way, but they have also of pigs to provide pig-meat in the .t'ood for returned to the policy of State cattle stations. Britain Scheme, has not been realised. The I have not the figures of the number of cattle advice tendered to the British Pood Mission on tho properties held by the Queensland­ by men like the hon. member for \'l"ide Bay, British Food Corporation, but I know that who showed them how the indi-1idual pig­ they have contracted to buy 10,000 head from raiser could produce pigs in quick time if the Love estate at Townsville and I suppose they were encouraged to do so, w:ts not heeded. there are a good many thousands more grazing It shows that the members of the Briti~h on the various properties they have acquired. Food Mission were wrongly advbcol and taken They have failed to learn from the lessons for a ride by the Premier and his :1dvis8rs, of the past. Everbody knows that the scheme who urged them to spend their ca]Jital in this of State cattle stations under the socialistic big scheme and it is evident now that enormous plan by which the State owns everything, losses will be sustained eventually l>y the adopted years ago by pre1·ious Labour corporation. (Government interje ticms.) Governments, of whom the present Treasurer Something should be done about this busi· was one, failed utteTly. When the hon. ness before it is too late. Vast sums of gentleman sat as a Minister under Mr. money have been expended in the acquisition J\fcCormack as Premier, our present Treasurer of 400,000 acres of beautiful country nnc! in had to give his vote in favour of closing investment in machinery, with large outgoin1' down those State cattle staitions for the for labour in the working of these farms. simple reason that the State hac! lost over This beautiful tract of countrv has been taken £2,000,000 through the incompetent running from competent private hand~ at a time when of the properties under State control. Shrewd enormous dividends-wealth to the State-­ as he is in many directions, the Treasurer were being won from wool and from cattle. apparently is prepa!·ec! to close his eyes to The laml was taken from these men and run past experience and still give a vote today under the Russian state-monopoly system. for the acquisition of more cattle to run Before it is too late and the taxpayers suffer on ca.ttle stations on a system which his past further loss, the Government should realise experience has shown him to be umvise and the error of their ways, retract and do the very costly to the taxpayers of the State. right thing. I will suggest the right thing that should be done. At one time it w:1s There is an answer to all this nonsense. the policy of the Labour Party to embark That answer lies in the old established fact on schemes of closer settlement. This was that we should get out of this foolish enter­ pictmesquely referred to in Labour Leaflets prise before it is too late and we should make and policy advertisements as ''bursting up'' this country available for closer settlement. big estates. We should subdivide the land into adequate living areas and throw them open for selection A Government Member: It is still the to returned solfliers and land-seekers generally policy. and let those men develop those areas in the same way as men like them, Australians of JUr. JUAHER: They advocated making an earlier generation, have built up the the land then held by big interests available prosperity of this country, namely, on the for those who were 1Yithout land seeking land. principle of individual enterprise, not on this That 1vas in the days when it was a Russian canker of State monopoly farms a11tl Labour Party, but since it has become a collective farms, not the nonsense we hear Socalist Party tied up with Commnnism anrl about and read about. If we do that we the Communist objective, nothing suits it shall have made a useful contribution to the better than to get into the vogue and adopt future prosperity of our country. N o-onc the Russian idea of a big, State Government will work to give a better result than a man monopoly farm. who has his all invested in a block of laml 1Ir. Power: You have no right to say that he takes np to work primarily in his we are tied up with Communism. Your own interests, but in helping himself he party supported it. helps the State and his fellow men. Address in Reply. [16 AUGUST.j Address in Reply. 113

When I was up in the Capella district I position to see dividends, some hope of took the opportunity of going to Blair Athol reward, being ignored and being deprived of and I can only say that I was deeply im­ their rights. pressed by the magnificent seams of coal It has been argued-I have heard it so that were being uncovered by the open-cut argued by the Premier in this Chamber­ method of mining there. \Ve hear about thu that they deserved to be dispossessed because white cliffs of Dover; one can really speak they had done nothing, that they had been of the black cliffs of Blair Athol. There unprogTessive. I ascertained at Blair Athol the great cliffs stand out like headlands, that when Mr. E. G. Theodore was Premier pure black coal without a single band of of Queensland the directors of one of the dirt or any fault strata whatsoever. mines approached him and asked him to give What is the story of Blair Athol ¥ The them a franchise to enable them to raise story as I ascertained it is that back in 1905 capital to build a railroad from Blair Athol the mine was developed by Queenslanders, to Broad Sound and the estimate of the cost by our own fellow citizens who over a long of the line at that time was less than peTiod of years, fought against ups and £2,000,000. But Mr. E. G. Theodore, like downs not by the open-cut system, because all the socialistic know-alls, would have none it was not then known, but by deep mining of it. He said, ''No, this cannot be done. and handicapped by remoteness from the coast This is contrary to our socialistic policy. Only and competition from other coalfields both in the State can build a railroad and you cannot the locality and close to big cities on the have your franchise.'' These are the men coast-battled along enduring hardships, ups whom the Premier today dubs unprogressive and downs, losses and few gains and in the yet it is extraordinary to think that in 1922 course of time brought the mines to the stage Mr. E. G. Theodore refused them the right of development they have reached today. At to build a railroad whilst today the present last, having reached the point in their activi­ socialistic Premier is prepared to grant such ties when, by the open-cut system, they could a franchise to his newly-found friends from remove the oveTburder. exposing this enor­ overseas enabling them to build the railroad mous cliff of coal, when they looked like being to the coast. in a position to reap the reward of their The antics and the political acTobatics of industry over the yeaTs and to recoup some the Premier tickle my funny-bone. Here he of the losses they had sustained in earlier is pledged to the policy of nationalisation of times, what happened~ A most extraordinary industry. That is his definite pledge. At thing happened, namely, the Government of least it can be said of Mr. Theodore that he the State then stepped in and completely stood fast to what he believed in. But here ignored them. These men, our fellow Queens­ is a Queensland Premier of today, Mr. landers, the men who had pioneered the Hanlon, pledged to the nationalisation of development of these mines, were dispossessed industTy, believing in a policy of State­ and the Govemment arbitrarily entered into owneTship of milways, who is prepared to give a contract over their heads with certain over­ a franchise to an overseas company. He seas concessionaTies known to us in this PaT­ reminds me of the old Roman rider. He is the liament as the British Electric Supply Cor­ Roman rider today. We read that away back poration (Overseas) Ltd. The whole purpose in the days of ancient Rome in the amphi­ of the legislation involving the agreement theatres they had an event in which the with the corporation was to dispossess these riders rode >vith one leg on one horse and men of their mines and the reward of theiT the other leg on another horse. As they gal­ enterprise, which was then becoming plainly loped round the ring the rider stood up with visible, so that their venture had reached a foot on each horse. Here is the Premier the stage when they could look for some divi­ doing this Roman ride in which he stands dends. The whole of their effort was to be with one leg on the nationalisation horse and handed over to an overseas company that had the other leg on the private-enterprise horse. no claim on this country whatsoever. Where does this man stand~ We can respect What would be the position, Mr. Acting men of principle, men who adhere to a defined Speaker, if you, the Acting Premier, the line. I must confess that the antics of the T~eader of the Opposition and myself had Premier greatly amuse me, but I am con­ engaged since 1905 in the development of a cerned IYith the seriousness of the situation gold mine with its many ups and downs­ so far as the whole State is concerned. getting a little bit of gold hen~ and incurring Time is against me and all I can say in losses there, losing the run of the reef, getting conclusion is that I uphold and fully endorse it again and battling along for half a life­ what the hon. member for Oxley said in time until we came upon the Teal stuff, a this Chamber today, that the time is ripe­ regular jeweller's shop, a real El Dorado, it is rotten ripe-to cancel this contract with and just when we were congratulating our­ the Electric Supply Corporation (Overseas) selves on being prepaTed to reap the reward I~tf1. and/or its assignees, the North Queens­ of ouT yeaTs of industry the Government of land Development Co., and to give every the State should step in and say, ''This is encouragement to good Australians who too good for you fellows to own. \Ve aTe inyested their money in and worked their going to make a present of this rich mine mine up to the present point, where they to some of our friends fTom overseas, some think thev see some rmyard for their efforts, concessionaries, people who have no claim on and to gi1·e them a chance. I commend that this country whatsoever''~ That would be couTse to the Premier and his supporters. nothing more than scandalous-our good Aus­ tralians and goo(1 Qucenslanders, people who Mr. THEODORE (Herbert) (2.36 p.m.): had opened up the mine and were now in a I desire to congratulate both the mover and H4 Address in Reply. [ASSEMBLY.] Address in Reply. the seconder of the motion for the adoption my duty as a representative of the North to of the Address in Reply. I believe both hon. take care of the things that concern the members, since their entry into this House, people who live in that area. I have at all have been sincere and honest in their times endeavoured to do those things that I endeavours to carry out their duties as repre· thought were necessary in the interests of sentatives of their electorates and as repre· the people of the North. sentatives of the State. lUr. Pie: We are not blaming you. The Governor's Speech outlined the work that has been achieved by this Parliament, ~Ir. THE OD ORE: The hon member the very comprehensive programme of works blames the Government or somebody else. that is at present in progress, and the corn· These people-including that body organised prehensive programme of works about to be up there-have endeavoured to put the Govern­ undertaken. It discloses a determination on ment on the spot in respect of things for the part of the Government to carry out their which the Government are not responsible. responsibilities to the people. Despite criti­ They have no better argument that they can ci8m that from time to time comes from the use at the forthcoming elections, which are Opposition and others, the Government are uppermost in their minds. determined, indeed they have shown that they have the initiative and capacity, to do those Many of the matters mentioned by the things that are necessary for the State's pro­ deputation to the Premier were brought to gress and advancement. We observe in the my notice by public bodies, progress associa­ Speech undertakings and intentions to carry tions and A.L.Ps., and individuals. As evi­ cut Labour's policy of decentralisation, a dence of the fact that the Government do determination to continue to help primary not take their responsibilities lightly, I point producers and to carry out a policy of out that I have never yet been refused a rail -developing our natural resources. This applies pass and all possible assistance in cases where not to one particular part of the State but it was necessary to bring a crippled child-or to the whole of the State, be those resources anyone else for that matter-to Brisbane for in either the North or the South. proper treatment. Some of these people have Whilst I have been a member of this Par- gone to the home outside Brisbane, and they 1iament I have always felt it a great respon­ have appreciated what the Government have sibility to play my part in the development done. If there were a crippled children's of the State and to have regard to the State home in Townsville, how many of the mothers as a whole, not a particular part. I have could allow their children to live at that been taken to task by people in my electorate home unless it was urgently necessary to do so who thought that because I have advocated in order to get regular treatment~ Very few some progressive work or undertaking else­ mothers could part with their children. It where than my electorate I was not doing my is a lot of nonsense, and these people are ~uty to my electors. making a mountain out of a molehill when Mr. Pie: You were taken to task in the they bring such trivial things before the North too. Premier. l\Ir Kerr: What about the Montrose Mr. THEODORE: I will come to that Home~ shortly. The hon. member for Windsor, like many others, has tried to belittle the Govern­ 1\Ir. THE OD ORE: I have had rail passes ment and their activities and I am going to supplied in every case that I handled in order make particular reference to that fact·. As a to help mothers or fathers to take their North Queensland member, I am concerned crippled children down to that home. with what is happening in North Queensland. The Premier rightly drew attention to the Recently a deputation waited on the Premier fact that these people who were crying out in Townsville and submitted certain matters about the neglect of the North and the failure that they wanted him to consider. They to do things that they demanded should be mentioned pre-natal accommodation, the done had not done much themselves. They do establishment of a crippled children's home, verv lit·tle. When they get the opportunity the establishment of a convalescent home for to do something they fall down on the job­ the aged, a nurses' rest home, and a number for instance, the proposal to establish a cement of other matters that would not contribute works for North Queensland. They cried out one iota to the development of North Queens­ for these works and eventually the Government land, no matter how necessary they are and agreed to finance the works t-o the extent. of no matter how desirable it might be for us to £200 000. Where did the people of Townsv1lle endeavour t·o provide those amenities. These com~ in~ They were very backward in their things have not been cast aside lightly; on assistance to this project, which we know will the contrary, every application has received mean so much to the North. careful consideration. Notwithstanding that the Government are charged with having I do not know whether the people who are neglected North Queensland. so noisy in making capital out of the alleged neglect of the North realise that they are Great stTess has been laid on the alleged doing more harm by their noise than if they failure to develop the north. In reply to that went quietly about the job in a sensible wal. I want to say that if any blame is attach­ As an illustration, take the question asked m able to the Government or the party for any this House this morning about the hydro­ neglect that can be proved against them, I am electric scheme at the Tully Falls. I could prepared to take my share of it, because it is have asked a question about that matter and Address in Reply. [16 AuGusT.] Address in Reply. 115· obtained publicity, but I did not do that. report covering all aspects and in~ludmg There are many instances in which members estimated costs and recommendatwn~ is of the Opposition ask questions in this Cham­ nearing completion. If found practical,le ber merely for the purpose of obtaining pub­ and economic, the completion of this sche111e licity. As I have said, I also could do that, which is regarded by the State Electricity but of course I should not obtain much pub­ Commission as truly national in scope and licity through the "Courier-Mail" or the requiring the most urgent attention will ''Brisbane Telegraph.'' There is no need to open a new era in electrical development get the information this way. They could for North Queensland.'' readily get all the information they require 'l'hat is the true position in the develop­ from the executive heads of the depart­ ment of electric power in North Queensland. ment as I have already done. Listening It is not because of any desire or intention to the assertions made from time to on the part of the Government to neglect time, one would think the Government were that very essential service to the people; it deliberat·ely setting themselves out to prevent is because it is essential that e.-:t1·er:'e care development in the North, not only neglect­ shall be exercised in planning, prP.varing anti ing this development but deliberately pre­ arranging to proceed with the develllpm.Jnt venting it. 'l'his has not been my experience of the scheme. since I have been in this Parliament. When­ At the conference held in Townsville ever a proposal has been put to me by a recently many charges were laid against the public or semi-public body I have taken up Government roundly condemning the Govern­ the matter with the proper authorities, either ment for neglect and so on. Amongst others, the Minister or the executive head of a was a statement by a doctor that the nutri­ department, and have been given sound reason tional standard and well-being of the children for the delay, if any. Of course it is well of North Queensland were not so good as known that nothing could be done in the they should be. That is an outrageous state­ development of hydro-electricity by the Tully ment for any man to make. Of course, he Falls during the war, and since the war's end was a doctor and I suppose he is in a better there have been shortages of material, position than I am to judge, but I challenge shipping, and other things. anyone to see anywhere in Australia healthier or physically better types of children than Knowing that the people of North Queens­ those attending the schools in the Herbert land feel they would like to have amenities electorate. I have heard ever so many people, similar to those provided in other cities and including visitors to the North, agree with towns, I want·ed information as to what pro­ what I am saying. In his recent visit to gress had been mad,e in regard to t·his the North Billy Hughes said that one thing scheme because from it we shall draw our that struck him forcibly was the fine physique supplies of electricity and from Mr. S. F. ancl glowing health of the children he had Cochran, the chairman of the State Elec­ seen. That, of course, is a direct contra­ tricity Commission, I received this reply- diction of the doctor's statement at that ' 'The increasing use of electricity in the conference. Cairns region has focnssed attention on the I toolc the trouble to peruse the Queens­ necessity to proceed as early as practicable land Year Book in order to see what the with a major scheme which will provide ade­ infantile mortality rate was in various parts quate generating capacity at reasonable of Queensland and I find that until 1946 it cost for many years ahead. .was- "During the year ending 30 June, 1949, Southern Queensland-28 per thousand. approximately 67 per cent. of the unit out­ Central Queensland-33 per thousand. put 0f the region was generated by water North Queensland-31 per thousand. power in the Barron Falls hydro-electric plant, the balance being obtained from fuel, The rate for the whole of the State was principally by diesel plants, although por­ 29.3 per thousand, so that it is a gross exaggeration to say that the physical standard tion was contributed by sugar mills. and condition of health of the children of ''Within the next five or six years, the North Queensland is not so good as it might demand for electricit:;- in the Cairns region be. I disagree entirely with that doctor and will have doubled. In 20 vears it may be take this opportunity of refuting his state­ expected to increase to ' six times • the ment because it does harm to the North, for present requirements. To meet the demand which I in particular have great regard. during the next few years, it will be neces­ sary to install additional diesel generating Another statement made at that conference sets but the indefinitelY continued use of by a person representing the district I have such plants is undesirable and they should the honour to represent in this Parliament be discarded as soon as some new major was that the Gove,·nmem were deplorably sthemc can be brought into operation. apathetic in connection with the district he represented. That is not only an exaggera­ ''A general survey of the Cairns-Tul~y tion but it is also far from the truth and region indicated that several streams . m there is no evidence to support it. I have that area may be used for the generatwn been representing the Herbert electorate for of electric power and that the Tully River almost nine years now and I say emphaticallv should be chosen for further investi15 at;on. that such a statement is entirely without ''Because of the high cost of the scheme foundation. The Government have paid lengthy and complete physical and geolog­ particular attention to the requirements of ical surveys have been necessary, but a those parts. Take the Innisfail and Tully 116 Address in Reply. [ASSEMBLY]. Address in Reply. district as an example. The amount of It did wonderful work by taking advantage money required for road construction in of the loan-subsidy scheme for public works. these· districts is enormous because the Today there are bitumen roads throughout cost of construction and maintenance the district. Much credit must also be in the heavy-rainfall area is very high. given to the marvellous achievements of the V\Then I first went to the district about P.E.I. Branch of the Department of Public 26 years ago there were no roads at Lands while it was under the ministerial all. The district had not been developed in direction of the late Percy Pease because this respect and the work could not be these roads have made it possible to open carried out as quickly as it could be done up new land for settlement and new farmers in the more densely populated areas. It are coming in. I do not care what condem­ took time to do it but with the generous nation or criticism hon. members opposite help of a Labour Government it was eventu­ may level at the Government. they cannot take ally carried out and remarkable progress from them the credit that' must go to the was made. I make that statement in spite Government for the wonderful work that they of any condemnation or criticism by members did on behalf of the people of the North. of the Opposition and some rat-bags in the Another attack that is continually being North who are trying to denounce their own made on the Government is on the develop­ country and condemn their own people. ment of Mourilyan harbour. It is no fault of Mr. Sparkes: Rat-bags? mine that that harbour has not been developed to a greater extent than it has. As the result 1\Ir. THEODORE: They are when they of continued representations on my part, Mr. make statements like that, statements that Fison, the Engineer for Harbours and Rivers, are entirely without foundation. I am not was 1·ecently sent to Innisfail and Mourilyan afraid of · anything I say in this regard harbour to make investigations and he has because I know what I am talking about recently submitted his report to the Govern­ whereas a number of hon. members opposite ment. I believe that a very favourable report who >Yent to the North do not know what has been made. I will not forecast how soon they are talking about. They are relying its recommendations will be put into opera­ on what they were told. tion but I have been informed quite recently Let me substantiate my remarks by quot­ that the first step in the development of ing just a few figures to show the expenditure Mourilyan harbour will be the reforming, on road construction in the Herbert electorate bitumening and surfacing of the road leading alone. Since the inception of the Main to it and that the work will be undertaken Roads Commission the expenditure on perman­ at the end of the present sugar season. ent works in the Herbert electorate to 30 I want to make some reference to the sugar June, 1948, amounted to £328,786, of which industry as it is a very important one to £16,948 was charged to the lo:al authorities. Queensland. I am interested in it not only The amounts spent on maintenance was because of its importance to this State but £89,208 and the amount charged to local because of its wealth-producing value to the authorities £1,374. 'rhere we have a total nation. Despite many difficulties the industry expenditure of £417,994. For the year has made a wonderful recovery since the war. ] 948-49 the amount spent on permanent works was £28,297 and on maintenance £9,381. No The crop in 1948 was a record. The Leader charge was made against local authorities of the Opposition in his speech contended that because the matter had not been finalised. production was declining and went on to tell That gives a total expenditure for the Card: a tale of woe and despair, saying that pro­ well area alone of £455,672. duction and everything else >vere going down, and that the Government were to blame. As I now come to the J ohnstone shire. Up I said, sugar production last year was a to 30 June, 1948, the amount spent on per­ record. I notice that· '' Hansard'' reported manent road works amounted to £512,421, me as saying that there >Yas an increase in of >Yhich £70,726 was chargeLl to the local sugar production last year. That is not what authorities. The amount spent on mainten­ I said. There was a record crop last year, ance amounts to £119,966 of which £4,404 the previous record having been in 1939. was charged to local authorities. That gives [n 1948 the crop was 942,561 tons net titre a total of £632,687. For the year ended 30 and the 1939 crop 924,147 tons. There is June, 1949, an amount of £18,917 was spent every indicat-ion that the present crop will on permanent works and £13,040 on mainten­ :mce. No charge was made against the local at least equal last :year's record. authorities. That gives a total expenditure The I~eader of the Opposition stated that to date of £664,344 in the J olmstone shire. the good season was responsible for this result. I disagree with him. I admit that I have given those figures to indicate that our critics pay no regard whatever to the the season was a good one and that this fact expenditure that has taken place in North plnyed its part in the record production, but Queensland. Of course we could continue to I believe that what played a bigger part­ spend large sums of money on road and wtcl the hon. member £or Mirani knows this other >vorks and still there would be much to fact-was the introduction of new varieties be done. It is a difficult area to develop of cane in bot·h the northern and southern because the rainfall is heavy and it is difficult districts. Snch new varieties as Trojan and to keep the roads in proper repair and unless Pinrlar were introduced in sugar-growing areas we can get back to the progressive days in north of Townsville, Q.50 and Q.28 in the the Innisfail district when it had a go-ahead Mackav area, and C.P. 29 j116 in the Bunda­ Labour Council we shall still be in difficulties. berg district. These new varieties resulted Address in Reply. [16 AUGUST.] Address in Reply. 117 in increased tonnage per acre. 'rhe hon. meeting last night that he adhered to his member for Mirani knows that and he knows 1935 Hull speech, in which he stated that that I know just as much &bout sugar as he the policy of the Socialist Party was does. It is no use his making the statement 'Liquidation of the British Empire.' '' that everything depended entirely on the season That is the view of the Labour Party of for success or failure of the sugar crop. vVe England and that Government and their plan­ in the North have very rarely had a crop ners are receiving all the support this State failure through the season. The greatest and the Federal Government can give them. losses we have sustained have not been through drought but by floods whereas losses in the This Government and the Federal Govern­ ment should realise that the Empire is far South have occurred from drought. more important to Australia than apparently \Ve may get into dangerous condition as it is to the British Socialists. Apart from a result of the great boost that these new sentiment, our very existence depends on it. varieties of cane have given the industry. Everything will be all right if they continue There is no member of the British Com­ to give their present results and disease does monwealth other than England who can lead not affect them. If anything went wrong with this Empire; therefore, rather than give these new varieties disaster would overtake maudlin lip-service to the British Socialists, the industry. For that reason I am in let ns face the position squarely and try to agreement with the action proposed by the work out a solution before it is too late. To that end I wish to review the facts leading Queensland Canegrowers' Council, which has up to the present situation and point to what asked the Director of the Bureau of Sugar I feel is the only solution to the problem of Experiment Stations to persevere with the the maintenance of a strong Empire. introduction of new varieties of cane in case anything happens to our present varieties. The economic and industrial supremacy of Wonderful work has been and is being under­ England during the last century was not due taken in this direction. The Badila variety, to the law of nature but to the fact that the with these new varieties I have mentioned, industrial revolution started there. The fact has enabled remarkable advances to be made that she is a small island, not self-supporting in food supplies or raw materials, meant that in the industry. the end was bound to come even if the two The industry is still suffering from many world wars had not hastened it. problems, but I have not time to deal with them all. It has taken action with the State The natural successor to the dominant posi­ Government, and the Premier has agreed to tion in world economy is a country with vast lead a deputation to the Commonwealth internal resources of raw materials and food Government in regard to an increase in price. and a large home market for manufactured It is well known that the previous increase products. It seems that America has, by the we received-the restoration of a halfpenny process of natural law, usurped that position, -was gone in increased costs before it and is likely to maintain it for a very long reached the grower. Today we find tremen­ time. dous increases operating against the pro­ It is true to say that the British economic ducer in the sugar industry. Sacks cost problem started shortly after the first World 2s. 6d., which previously cost ls., this amount­ War, although neither Britain nor the rest of ing to 2ls. a ton. Coal prices have increased the world would have admitted that at that and shipping :freights have risen by 27s. 6d.. time. However, there ·were many leading recently and a further 15s., making the total economists who recognised it. It was the £2 2s. increased cost up to the halfpenny economic drain on the first World War that increase in price of sugar, which I am sure started the decline, and in 1938, the year the Commonwealth Government will agree to prior to the outbreak of the second World give to the industry, but it will hardly com­ War, England was spending £40,000,000 more pensate it for the tremendous increases in than her annual income. costs in the items I have mentioned. The British people can be likened to a I have great confidence in the future. I family living in a house fed by people from believe that we should be confident. We outside. Suddenly half the food supply is should not lose heart because we have been cut off and then either the inmates of the faced with difficulties. I think that if we house have to share what comes in, which persevere everything will turn out for the would reduce their standard of living, or benefit and good of the people. (Time half their number have to get out. expired.) The basic British problem is that the })Ir. RUSSELL (Dalby) (3.11 p.m.): country cannot maintain its large population After the false charges of disloyalty levelled now that so many of its foreign investments at me and my colleagues by the Premier and have been liquidated. However, I firmly the Secretary for Agriculture and Stock for believe that if we as an Empire face the facts our criticism of the socialist attempts to save and the Dominions get a good infusion of the British economy, I feel I should like to British blood and British industry the Empire deal at some length with the British economic will attain to a greatness never before problem in the hope of being able to enlighten reached. those gentlemen of the true position. Firstly, The problem is one beyond the power of I wish to read an extract from the ''Courier· political systems to solve but I feel quite Mail," dated 2 November, 1948, as certain, in fact I know, that the socialistic follows:- programme is aggravating the situation to a '' The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir point where we are moving towards disaster. Sta-fford Cripps, told a heckler at a Bristol It is urgently necessary to realise the nature 118 Address in Reply. [ASSEMBLY.] Address in Reply.

of the problem and meet it with a solution, the coal deposits are at great depths and however unpleasant it might be, rather than this makes it impossible for the industry to give lip-service to the platitudes that are so compete with the coal-mines in the Rhur and frequently heard. other places. Apart from these two reasons, Always before England has faced the foe or taxation in industry generally applies the facts fearlessly and in the end won equally to the coal industry. The Socialists through, but today it seems to me that the say conditions and production have improved facts are not being faced and the situation, considerably since the nationalisation of the as a result, is going from bad to worse. mines and they quote figures to prove it, but here again they do not tell the whole story The facts are not being faced because the because the production figures take into people are not being told the truth. This account a large percentage of surface coal, is characteristic of Socialist administration. which is of very poor quality. The present difficult position is being used as an excuse for the introduction of Socialist I was informed by Mr. G. R. T. Taylor, policy when actually the position has not Director of the London, Midland and Scottish been brought about by any political ideology. Railway prior to the nationalisation of that company, and one time Deputy Chairman My purpose is to trace the results to date of the Socialist or Labour regime in England of Vickers Armstrong shipbuilding firm that so that we may take warning and heed before the ash contents of the coal has risen from 5 it is too late. per cent to 30 per cent. Before national­ isation this coal ran from 13,000 British The Socialists think that the capitalistic thermal units but now it is no longer uniform system, which built the Empire and which and it goes down to as low as 10,000 British has created in the United States of America thermal units. the highest standard of living on the earth, is wasteful and that this waste can be pre­ In addition to this, the price of coal had vented by a planned economy-by Socialist risen by 16s. a ton and the collieries now, economy-and that the saving will be suf­ in spite of the increased price of coal, a.re ficient to enable them to bridge the gap running at a loss. between exports and imports. Mr. Taylor instanced two small collieries Unfortunately, the Socialists have gained in South Wales owned by Mr. Evans Bevin power by offering to the people, in their diffi­ which prior to nationalisation of collieries culty, a solution that was not offered by the were run profitably and in the year before Conservative Party. The solution they they were taken over they disclosed a profit offered was a planned Socialist economy of roundly £100,000. which even if it could save industrial waste cannot succeed because the problem is one of In the first year of operations under fundamental economics. Government control the collieries disclose(] a loss of £80,000 for the first 10 months, and However, let us see what is happening to as a result of this excessive loss Lord Hindley, British industry. Let us take the steel Chairman of the Coal Board in England, industry, which is next on the list for decided that those two collieries should close nationalisation. It is said that in the hands down. As a result of their closing down, of private industry this has been allowed to 1,500 miners were thrown out of work run down. The Socialists say too much of the profits have been paid out to shareholders and petitioned their previous owner, Mr. and insufficient has been put back into the Evans Bevin, to buy the collieries back and industry. They cite the fact that during the re-open them. Mr. Evans Bevin even went 1930's only £6,000,000 a year was put back so far as to offer the Government back the into capital investment with the result that full amount of compensation he had been when we take into account the extent to which paid but the offer was refused. the plants have been war-worn, the estimated To us in Australia this is no new story. _capital investment needed now to recon­ We have had a lot more experience of this struct the industry and make it fully efficient Gowrnment control than they have had in and competitive is £168,000,000. England, but unfortunately our example was The Socialists conclude that as private not big enough to be a lesson to the British industry is too interested in profits and is not Labour Party. prepared to pnt back into industry sufficient of its profits, that the Government should Unfortunately, every Govern nent enterprise take it over in the interests of the people. seems to follow the same DactcJn. Let us se,. what happened to the London, Midland and To the uneducated and the untrained this Scottish Railway after the nationalisation of would appear to be correct but the whole that once-famous company. It had a capital­ story has not been told. For years now the je,ntion of some £1,000,000,000 and the average British income tax has been confiscatory in profit over the years was conservati~ely the high-income groups. In addition to this, estimated by Mr. G. R. T. Taylor, one-tune there exists a 12?, per cent. surtax on undis­ director, at £35,000,000 annually. Each year tributed profits. This discourages ·the adequate provision was made for replacement re-investment of profits in industry. and reconstruction, and the programme for Now let us see what has happened to the some years ahead had been laid down. Since coal industry, which has already been taken nationalisation t,he anticipated losses of the over. Admittedly the conditions of coal­ whole British railways, which comprise four mining in England have never been attrac­ companies taken over, are between £20,000,000 tive, tl1is being largely due to the fact that and £30,000,000. Address in Reply. [16 AUGUST.j Address in Reply. 119

Three of the four companies, namely the to another buyer in competition with the London, Midland, and Scottish, the Great first. Prices rose or fell according to the Western, and the Southern Railway com­ judgment of a number of impartial individuals panies were formerly profitnble while the and no-one accused either the buyer or the fourth, the London-North Eastern Railway, seller of blackmail, as recently happened in was running at a loss prior to the Govern­ the Argentine beef deal when no bargain ment's taking it over. However, the London­ resulted. North Eastern represented only about 28 In the metal industries, for example, manu­ per cent. of the whole British railways and facturers attributed the falling off of export ''ould not have been .respcmsible for the whole to the high price of metals. This high cost of the anticipated loss. I have not got the is, they contend, the result of the bulk-btlying up-to-date figures. The results are out, but policy. Under the bulk-purchase agraemen1s they have not been disclosed to us in Aus­ the Government do all the buying for certa1'1 tralia yet. industries and sell to consumers at fixed Freights anil fares have been raised yet charges. The Government have frr,queJJtly this, although adding to the railway revenue, found themselves with large stocks of goods is not sufficent to bridge the gap. The con­ bought at high prices, which in turn they trolling authorities are now considering ways had to sell to industry at high prices. nnd means of meeting the loss by cutting Industry in England finds itself at a cmn­ down on the programme of replacements petitive disadvantage and has been unable and reconstruction, anil it is understood by to take advantage of the normal :ftuctu.o~tion people who know that this has been so re­ of world market prices. duced as to impair the future efficency of The Enfield Rolling Mills according to a the Btitish railways. Already the service director of that company has to pay the is not so good and the trains no longer run Ministry of Supply a far higher price for to time. metals than its foreign competitors have to There seems to be no question that private pay in the world markets. When it is manu­ industry is co-operating with the Government factured into sheets, rods, and tubes, the price in spite of the fact that the Government's is nearly doubled. According to this firm, 1)olicy is contrary to its inter est. Whatever not only have export orders fallen off but the rocks lie in the unchartered waters ahead it home trade has been seriously affected. will not be the fault of the captains of in­ Other metal manufacturers report losing dustry if the ship of State meets with big orders at the British Industries Fair on disaster. The chairman of directors of the account of foreign competition due wholly Orient Steam Navigation Company, Mr. I. to the fact that the prices of British base C. Geddes, with whom I travelled to England metals were so much higher than those of recently, is a typical example. His attitude other world markets. was completely co-operative, although ;h~s company is operating under most difficult Again, take the paint industry, which has conditions. suffered a serious export slump. The im­ portance of this industry can be gauged by Having lost four of its eight ships during the fact that last year's export amounted to the war the company is faced with the problem about £8,000,000. The industry has to pay of replacing the vessels. Ship-building costs the Government about £150 a ton for linseed have risen 150 per cent. since before the war oil, which is about £40 a ton above the world and here, in common with many industries, price. That makes it impossible for it tu taxation is having a serious influence on the compete. future of this shipping line. British income­ tax law is similar to our own, inasmuch as The soap industry is another ilbstration most depreciating assets can be written off of the control of prices. Soap manufacturers by a fixed percentage over a period of years. pay the Government about £100 a ton for Under the regulation as it exists, the value imported tallow, although it is available in of a ship may be written off at the rate of the United States of America for about half 5 per cent. per annum. When a ship, costing that price. Consequently, they are unable to £1,000,000 before the war, has been written compete with America. Dff, the company is now faced with the These examples should be sufficient to sho\v problem of replacing it with a similar ship the trend in British industry today. It is costing £2,500,000. in a very difficult position and at the present time is unable to compete in the open market This socialistic administration in England with foreign rivals. This is naturally having is drawing the capital life-blood from private an effect on the value of the £ sterling and ;industry. ·when private industry become-s at the present fixed rate of exchange British anaemic and weak, it is taken over under the trade is seriously declining. nationalistic programme because it has not shown the proper degree of development. This American manufacturing costs, in terms has been seen with coal, railways-and will of man-hours, are low by comparison with be seen with steel, if they can get away with British costs. it. This is due to the volume of production, Another serious factor that is causing in­ which is greater, also to improved technical dustry to lag is the Government policy of methods and last but not least, to the f::tct bulk buying. When Britain's industry relied that private enterprise is not discouraged. on a number of private traders to supply it This applies particularly to motor-cars and with raw materials, if one buyer did not offer railway rolling stock, in which Australia is enough the seller could always offer his goods particularly interested. In the case of railway 120 Address in Reply. [ASSEMBLY.] Address in Reply.

rolling stock it is safe to say t·hat English As is well known, the plan of the British manufacturing costs are twice those in Socialist has been so to stimulate the export America for production runs. trade as to bring about a balance between exports and imports, but now that the sellers' It follows that the maintenance of the £ market has become a buyers' market, the out­ sterling at 4.03 dollars to the £ is a further look for British trade under existing difficulty for the export trade to overcome conditions is particularly bad. and is one that is seriously affecting not only England but the wh~le of the sterling It was thought that as a result of the dollar area. The £ should be depreciated to reflect loan and Marshal! Aid the situation would the trend, but the Government will not admit improve and that Britain would regain her their failure. A ust·ralia is feeling this economic independence, but unfortunately back-wash of the British Government's the economic position appears to be growing socialistic experiments and it is time the m are difficult. authorities here viewed the situation in this According to the "\Vall Street Journal" of light instead of commending the British 19 May, 1949, her exports dropped to about Government for their unavailing efforts. £146,000,000 in April fr01~. a maximum in Very little understanding exists in the March of £160,000,000. Bnbsh exports, su?h matter of currencv control but to me it is as as motor-cars, textiles, etc., are dearer 1n obnoxious as the rest of socialist control. Not the United States compared with similar only is it affecting Empire development but goods manufactured there. Price-cGnscious it is likely to impair the friendly relations Americans will not buy British goods in these that exist between ourselves and the United circumstances and as a result trade is falling States of America. off every day. It is this syst·em that has been responsible For example, again quoting the ''Wall for the present impasse in international trade Street Journal '' the Austin Motor Company, which is having such a serious effect on Aus­ produces the ' cheapest British motor-car. tralia, whose welfare depends tG a large This sells in New York for 1520 dollars and extent on mutual trade with the United Stat·es the Chevrolet coupe sells for 1435. The Brit­ of America. ish car-manufacturers contend that they are not competing in this particular line and that The lifting of exchange controls would mean they are making for a speci~l demand. ~ow­ that the cunencies of the various countries ever. if an export slump IS to be av01ded of the world would find their own levels in the British industry will have to compete not markets of tihe world and reflect the only in the field of motor-cars, but in the inefficiency of S•Jdalist control in England. fielcl of textiles, leather-ware and all the Under the system of a free exchange, which other things for which England has become operated before \Vorld War II., the value of famous in the past. If British industry can­ currencies of the various countries of the not compete it means that British tra.de must world was determined by competitive financial continue to shrink, insofar as the exports institutions and the rise and fall of the to the dollar areas are concerned, which in exchange rate had the effect of keeping trade turn means a further weakening of the balances adjusted. sterling currency in relation to the dollar. lUr. f:ollins: Do you suggest that we There are no shortages: in, the United should be put on a par with sterling~ St:c tes; in fact, there are many signs that some commodities are being over-supplwd. JUr. RUSSELL: I_ suggest that there As a result there has been a general drop in should be no currency control as at the p1·oduction figures because of decreased present time. The trade balances were clemand. adjusted by selling at a discount the currency The percentage of unemployed is not much of any cGuntry that had an unfavourable trade greater than it is here now. (Government balance. If the market were to be freed now interjections.) a Chevrolet car for example might be valued in A ustrnlia at a price which would he too The ACTING SPEAKER: Order! expensive for many people to buy, and Aus­ tralian wool, for instance, in the United )[r. RUSSELL: Having arrived at these States might he corrcsponc1ingl:· cheaper. conclusions, the next step is to look for a \Vhen the trade bnlanccs became equalised as solution to the problem of the British the result of the exchange premium the mGtor­ economy, which for reasons I have stated is rar would become cheaper to Australia and an Empire problem. It is an Empire problem the price of wool in America dearer. bPcanse as things are going E11gland is being bled white economically and the Dominions, The controls came into being after the war which are tied to the sterling pool, arc feeling as a result of the weakness of sterling. It the economic backwash in continued shortages "·as, and pro ha bly still is, considered in Eng­ It has been shown that the export drive has land that given time, sterling woul:l regain failed in so far as competitive industry is its strength. concerned and apparently the only hope now is to develop a closed economy within the However, owing t~ the Socialist trend and sterling bloc, which is shrinking. it~. effects, sterling currenCcJ is becdming \Yeaker rather than stronger in relation to To this end, foocl schemes have been dollars and there are all the signs that the developed in conjunction with Dominion world is not prepared to wait. Socalist Governments, which presupposes the Address in Reply. [16 AUGUST.] Address in Reply. 121 exclusion of American goods and further pre­ serious effects on the whole Empire, which supposes the continuation of currency control, for obvious reasons it is desirable to maintain with its attendant evils. as an entity. 'l'his policy is an unfriendly action towards Firstly, it can be said with certainty that rc friendly power to whom Australia owes a if the British standard of living is perman· great moral debt. The mere provision of ently lowered, the cultural standard of the food in the Dominions will not solve the country will be impaired; her leadership in British problem. Food can now be obtained fields of industry will be overtaken; her in the United States but the problem is to claim for leadership in the British Common· p~y for it. The United States is supplying wealth of Nations will be challenged, which food nniler Marshall Aiel until 1952. 'l'hese will mean the end of Empire. Consequently, food projects are presumably intended to the integral parts cannot maintain their replace food now coming from the United position as first-class powers in the world. States. If that is so the same problem of Already we see signs of the Empire's break· payment will exist, or is it presumed that no ing up and the only way to save it is to adjustnwnt will be necessary'/ Australian build np the heart of the Empire, from \'reclits are built up now to the extent of which the rest of the Commonwealth can draw £400,000,000 but we are not getting the goods inspiration and leadership. we need out here. 'l'hese are financial pro­ blems that the Socialists do not explain. It Having regard to human nature, the would seem to me that England will ultimately Empire can be held together only when there have the same difficulty in paying us for food is mutual advantage to be obtained by all as she has in financing the food purchases members. It cannot be clone by Socialist from the United States. planning and cries for charity, however deserving that charity might be. '\Vhile this goal of increased production may have been comparatively easy in the days The alternative is the real solution to this of the Industrial Revolution, it is to my mind British problem, which is necessarily an malle well-nigh impossible today because of Empire problem, and to my mind lies in the indu~trialisation of most of the important dispersal of British industry and people countries of the world, which collectively have throughout the Empire. This can be done the advantage of local raw materials. by seeking the urgent co-operation of Assuming the various industrialised countries Dominion Governments to a far greater of the world to be competing on equal terms, extent than has been done. The Australian those with local materials and home markets Government's present plan of taking 100,000 must have the advantage. immigrants a year should be quadrupled both for her own good and good of the It is noteworthy that before the war one Empire. (Government interjections.) I saw American steel corporation, Unit eel States in San Francisco harbour many Liberty ships Steel, produced with less man-power two and which could be used for migration purposes a -half times· as many ingots and castings as and for the purpose of providing the shipping the whole British industry. Before the war accommodation. It is not sufficient to say British steel cost four times as much as we have not the shipping accommodation Belgian steel. Steel, of course, is a basic available to bring migrants here. (Govern· industry on which so much of British industry ment interjections.) depends. .\ ustralia 's problem is one of man-power Having failed in the solution of increased and so the export of capital and machines is production, there are only two alternatives not enough. Australia's future lies in a big for Britain. The first, which is the accept· increase in population; England's future lies ance of a lower standard of living, is, I am in a decreased population. The benefit to afraid, being forced upon the nation now the Empire of such a course of action cannot unless the Americans or the Dominions con· be overstated. tinuc to contribute towards the trade deficiency. A point I want to make is that at the Many responsible people in England believe British Food Corporation's project at Peak that the United States of America should Downs, there is not a British migrant and continue to bridge the dollar deficit but we are embarking on this Socialist scheme surely this is a complacent attitude and one under the guise of food for starving Britain. that is not likely to please the American (Government interjections.) Criticism has people. been stifled by the cry that those who criticise are preventing food supplies from being pro· This prospect is not, unfortunately, duced for the starving people of Britain. being generally realised and the mass of (Government interjections.) It is time that the people are living on a false hope that this nonsense was stopped. existing conditions are but a passing phase and that Socialist planning will eventually The Government have falsely charged me lead the country to economic prosperity and with disloyalty. I do not care what may be well-being. their opinion of me-that does not interest me. However, I do want to say that from This is a dangerous fallacy and the my observations the Labour cum Socialist cum Socialists are playing it up to the people for Communist Party does not know the meaning their own ends. If the people of England of the word loyalty. are satisfied to accept a lower standard of living than the rest of the world, the problem Mr. INGRAM (Keppel) (3.50 pm.): In may be thought to solve itself. However, the first place I congratulate the hon. mem· such a social condition in England would have bers for Kennedy and Fitzroy on their very 122 Address in Reply. [ASSEMBLY.] Address in Reply. able and constructive speeches when moving Government did not care a tinker's cuss for and scconuing this motion. It is very pleas· the sick. All they cared about were the big ing to note the wonderful progress the State financial institutions, the beef barons, and hns made under Labour Governments, despite the shipping combines. the moaniugs and the groanings of the Tory Mr. Muller: You appear to have been Party. b1·ought up in a communistic school. For instance, the social-service programme of the Queensland Labour Government can Mr. INGRA!I: I will give the hon. mem­ stand comparison with the rest of the world. ber some more about the Communists before The welfare of the citizen is catered for from I am finished with him. birth to old age through the activities of \'! e have been repeatedly accused by the the Department of Health and Home Affairs. Tories of doing nothing for the State. I Before a child is born the mother can receive propose quoting some of the things done in ante-natal advice through the hospital services the Keppel electorate during the last five ye~rs, all(l maternal and child-welfare services; and things that were not even a~tempted durmg this does not exclude mothers in the remote the 15 years of representatwn by a Tory parts of the State, as they cim obtain their supporter. Take our schools alone. The great advice through a correspondence section of leader of the Liberal Party in Rockhampton the service. condemned the school buildings, but he should The young Queenslander is guided through be ashamed of his statements because there infancy by the clinics and child-welfare are no finer school buildings to be found sections and his health is safeguarded in his anywhere in the Commonwealth. school years through the activi Lies of the Before I was elected to Parliament a great school health service. From his school years number of schools in the electorate were right through his life he is taught through the closed and in a deplorable state. Immediately Queensland Health Educational Council how I >Yas elected I saw that every school was to obtain good health anu live to an old age. opened and I have had additions and painting If he is so unfortunate as to lose one or both work carried out to many of them. The parents the Director of State Children comes amount spent on schools in my electorate was forward and ensures that he is properly cared £19,973, and on other buildings a further for and receives every opportunity in life. £9 000-odd was spent. This was expended The Queensland hospitals system with its on' such pla

Now let me give the figures for the Living­ If the American Red Cross had saved them stone Shire Council. The amount spent on many millions more would have died later on. permanent works was £73,028 and the amount An Indian business man declared last year- charged to the council £1,974. The amount '' Our famine was a failure. Over spent on maintenance works was £42,282 and 4,000,000 should have died, but they Sll;r­ the amount charged to the council £9,752. vived. This means the whole country will The expenditure for the year 1948-49 on be short of food this year and later on permanent works was £51,624 and on main­ 10,000,000 people must die.'' tenance £16,144. The total expenditure in He ended this statement by saying- the Livingstone shire on permanent works was £124,652 and on maintenance £58,426. '' God's in his heaven, all's right with the world.'' The total expenditure in the Keppel I will quote what Sir John Boyd Orr, electorate was £335,682 on permanent works Director-General of the United Nations Food and £131,520 on maintenance works. Have and Agricultural Organisation, the greatest a Tory Government ever done anything like authority on food in the world, stated in the that'! That has been done by the Labour ' ' Sunday Mail'' on 9 May, 1948- Govemment in one little corner of the State , 'America talks about Russian misuse of -in the Keppel electorate. the veto, but the United States herself has ,Let me go further to show what the vetoed-and therefore destroyed-the world plan to feed the world. We had the blue­ Labour Government have done and are still print, we were ready to go ahead and then doing in the Keppel electorate. They have America said 'No.' provided a subsidy of 33 and one-third per ''The stupidity of men is incredible. cent. to enable the Y eppoon people to get a All this talk about the atomic bomb is out­ better water supply. They have made a dated. World hunger is a far greater generous offer of a 50 per cent. subsidy-that danger to civilisation and mankind than the is, money without any interest or redemption atomic bomb could ever be. payment and obligations-to enable a boat ''Full stomachs are the answer to Com­ harbour to be established at Double Heads. nmnism, but the United States won't or The Government granted the money necessary can't understand this ...... '' to build the Yeppoon-Emu Park scenic road, No more can the Tory parties in this State. which has proved so useful and so popular ''In any case bacteriological warfare and enabled visitors to appreciate the beauty makes the atomic bomb obsolete. Germs of these seaside resorts. Approximately have been developed which would wipe out £100,000 has been spent on this road for its all the peoples of the world and we have construction and improvement. The cost to not yet discovered an antidote or the means the Livingstone Shire Council and the Rock­ to prevent the spread of man-made disease. hampton City Council was very small. The "I 'm 67, and my wife is getting on, t?o. Government bore almost all of the cost. At I lost my son in the war, so I 'm not worned the present time the Government are carry­ for personal reasons, but the outlook is ing out improvements between Lake's Creek grim.'' and Keppel Sands to enable the people to Now should not this statement by the have a good road. greatest authority on food in the world, be a lesson to the Tory parties~ The Tory Party The Tory Party never thought of such only criticise this Government when they work and never granted any subsidies to attempt to grow food for Britain when it local authorities. The Rockhampton seaside should offer its moral assistance in such resorts have grown as a result of the schemes. America objects to such large food­ Government's policy of improving the growing schemes as that esta?lis~ed by the standard of living. There is now no unem­ Government in the Emerald distnct, because ployment, people are well paid and are able she regards them as socialistic. If that is so, to have reasonable holidays. They can now then let us have a lot more of them. Doubt­ take their families to the seaside resorts, less America raised that bogy because the whereas under Torv Governments there was world before the war depended on America the tragedy of une~ployment and low wages. for its food supplies. Consequently the seaside resorts were Queensland could with advantage embark depressed and retarded. on many more food-growing schemes on the lines of the Emerald district scheme. If it Judging by the speeches of hon. members does I will admit that irrigation must play a opposite, they do not believe in increased food big part in them. You know, as well as I do, production. It is essential to have increased Mr. Acting Speaker, that the present Labour food production. The world today contains Government are doing all they can with regard 2j billion people and in 25 years' time it will to irrigation. They have pushed on with such have half a billion more. Europe alone has schemes throughout the State. The food­ 21,000,000 more people today than before the production problem today is evidently beyond commencement of World War II. Despite the resources of individual producers. Today that war the population of the world in the there are millions of acres of land practically last 10 years has increased 170,000,000. Today, adjoining our railways_ on which !armers ::;re from 20,000,000 to 25,000,000 people die each producing only one-thud of their potential year of malnutrition. Even before the war capacity. In view of that fact have not the the American Red Cross decided to let the Government taken the right stand~ The Gov­ famine sufferers in China die-4,000,000 died. ernment are doing everything possible to 124 Address in Reply. [ASSEMBLY.] AddresB in Reply.

increase food production but private enter­ I met with a happy and contented people. prise is not pulling its weight. That is I did not have to attend meetings organised especially so in the pastoral industry. The by the Tories and the Comms to get my infor­ pastoralist neglects to store hay for a possible mation. Unlike the Leader of the Opposition drought, he neglects to make provision for and his party, I saw for myself what was sufficient water for his stock, and then he going on. I met dairy farmers who told me expects the Government to give him help to that they were making more money from half overcome his losses. their dairv herds on the Tableland than they Today, when extraordinary prices are being did from· all the herds on the Tweed River paid for wool, the wool-grower is making little in New South Wales. or no provision for drought by improving The Leader of the Opposition said also his holding. Cash reserves are of no value that the Labour Government were in power for to the country. If a sheep or a cow dies of 34 years with the exception of three years neglect, that is an irreplaceable loss to the and that they neglected the State. Again country. But what do the Opposition care that is absolutely untrue. It was the Tory about that~ One of their own party on the Government during the period 1929 to 1932 front Opposition bench stated in this House that it is too costly to grow fodder for starv­ who sadly neglected this State and who ing stock in drought-time. There would be starved the men, women and children. He no profit in it and he would rather let his said also that the Labour Government made stock die than feed them. promises and never fulfilled them. ~What a ridiculous statement! What Labour has Mr. Sparkes: You do not know what promised Labour has fulfilled. you are talking about~ G01'ernment .ill embers: Hear, hear! Mr. INGRAlU: I do know what I am talking about. .ilir. INGRA.ili: It was the Tory Party Mr. Muller: Quote it in "Hansard." who promised everything in 1929; it promised £2,000,000 for 10,000 jobs and promised to Mr. INGRA.iU: The hon. member cannot give the boy a chance. What became .of deny it. the promises of that party~ When the Tones became the Government they to~k 1s. a week lUr. JUULLER: I rise to a point of order. from the orphans and reduced the ration The hon. member has said that I would leave allowance for swagmen and they had to walk my stock to die rather than feed them. That 40 to 60 miles for a few shillings' worth of statement is untrue and I ask that it be with­ rations. If a single man resided with his drawn. parents he was forced to carry his swag or take 10s. every three months for food and clothes. Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr. Hilton): They gave £2,000,000 to a Tory State ~nd I ask t~e hon. member for Keppel to accept the demal of the hon. member for Fassifern. left the people here in a state of star-:atwn and poverty. Then they have the audacity to lUr. INGRAJU: I accept the denial but get up here and attempt to . make people I am still of the opinion that he said it. believe that thev are the fnends of the working class. ;rhey went ~rom house ~o lUr. MULLER: I say that the statement house and town to t~nvn carrymg on a whis­ made is definitely untme and I ask that it pering campaign, but the electors have not he withdra,vn. The hon. member has with­ forgotten the period from 1929 to 1932, when drawn it but he still repeats the statement, the Tory Government reigne~. Today. they asserting that what he said is correct. have joined •vith the Commumst Party 111 an endea"vour to defeat Labour. Mr. DEPUTY SPEAKER: The hon. mem­ ber for Keppel must accept the denial of the \Ve continually hear t~e .Opposition prais­ hon. member for Fassifern. ing arbitration and umomsm. For what reason'? In order to try to gull the workers. lUr. INGRA.3I: I accept his denial. They are not in favou: of union.ism. Th~y I have never heard greater election propa­ rinubarked the Industnal Court 111 1929-3:l. ganda than the speech delivered by the Th~y reduced wages without going to the Leader of the Opposition on the Address in court. Members of the Tory Party. offer.ed Reply. During that speech he accused the less than award rates to men lookmg for Government of sadly neglecting the North, work. For instance, the hon. member for which is a deliberate falsehood, and he knows Aubigny did not accept the awards of the that is so. He and his party travelled through­ court at that time. out the North and part of Central Queensland on an election campaign for the benefit of JUr. Sparkes: He paid more than the the Tory Party at the forthcoming Federal award rate. electbns. I should like to remind members of the Opposition that I travelled through the 1Ur INGRAlli: During 1933 the hon. North last year and put in three weeks on the member refused to employ men on his Tableland and visited BYerv town-I did not properties at the award rate of £3 5s. a fly over in an aeroplane as ·most of them do­ week but stated that he would employ them and everywhere I went I travelled on splendid at £2 a week and throw in their beef. bitumen ro~ ds. There was electTicity in every town and irrigation schemes were being pushed llir. Sparkes: He paid more than the ahead as fast as possible. During my travels award. Address in Reply. [16 AUGUST.] Address in Reply. 125

~Ir. INGRAlli: I do not want hon. mem­ judge! The same year that war broke_ out bers to take my word for this. All they need Menzies said ''Hitler has done great thmgs do is to look at the statement of the hon. for Germany>' and "Would an.ybody believ~ member for Aubigny, to be found in his own that a man with the achievements of Tory paper, the Brisbane ''Courier-Mail,'' Mussolini would risk the destruction of his page 16, 2 December, 1933. I am not saying country by going to war~" At the time that the hon. member is but he might be a of the Munich surrender Menzies declared, secret Communist: he and his class have "Thank Go cl for Munich." You see, even ahmys opposed arbitration. after the betrayal of Austria, Czechoslovakia, Abyssinia and Albania, Menzies had a good The Moore Government suspended the word for Hitler and Mussolini. Industrial Court awards and left the worker at the mercy of the exploiter. This is what No wonder that when two very important the hon. member for Aubigny said- Country Party men were discussing Menzies, '' Mr. Sparkes said that he had ascer­ one of them said, ''Poor Bob, he lacks the tained that stock owners were prepared to common touch.'' The other who is not noted employ 500 men in ringbarking from £1 10s. for the moderation of his language, replied, to £2 per week, free meat provided. ''Common touch! The dumb cluck lacks '' II e and his neighbour alone were pre­ common sense.'' pared to give employment in ringbarking Menzies is a great patrio_t, he is prepa~ed to 60 men at £2 per week, free meat to lay down your life for his country. Billy provided.'' Hnghes once remarked that it was a great The men, however, were not allowed by the pity that the 1914-18 war inte~fered ~ith union to accept such employment except at the military career of ex-Captam Menzies. the award rate of £3 5s. a week. The hon. You see, before the war Captain Menzies member stated also that the depressed con­ was in the militia, but when war started, dition of the cattle industry did not warrant then Mr. Menzies became ex-Captain Menzies. the union rate of pay. Now he and others like him have the cheek to stand in this Sir Earle Page has publicly stated .that _Mr. Chamber and state that they are the workers' Menzies does not possess the quahficat10ns friend and they are in favour of arbitration. that are necessary to a Prime Minister. We of the Labour Movement have been Arty Fad den's opinion of Mr. Menzies is cont"nually accused by the Tory Party of unprintable. being hand in glove with the Communists. What a record! He stabbed Joe Lyons in 'Phis is far from the truth; it is the Tory the back by resigning from the Cabinet when Party who are in hand with the Communists, Joe was trying to get a National Insurance it is they who are urging the Comma. N a­ Bill through Parliament. He stabbed Faclden body is more sorry than the members of in the back during an election campaign .by the Tory Party that the coal strike is now opposing Fadden's refund of taxat10n ended as they were hoping that the strike proposals. He was Prime Minister when ~>·ould continue until the Federal election so World War II. broke out. He and Chamber­ that they would be able to campaign against lain closed the Burma Road so that the the Federal Labour Government on the issue. Chinese who were fighting the Japs, were That is why Menzies toured Queensland denied ' supplies. He sent Australians to endeavouring to have the Government de­ fight and die in the Middle East and Greece feated, instead of assisting the Prime without proper arms. Minister. :B'ancy Menzies touring Queensland and shaking hands with the workers! If it After all this muddling, he let Australia was not just prior to an election he would down and resigned as Prime Minister. absolutely ignore the workers, as he has always Fadden was elected in his stead, but he lasted done. According to my information, he shook only 40 days, when the late Jack Curtin, hands with more Commas than anything else the. Leader of the Labour Party, was called during his tour. He accused the officials of upon to form a Government ancl save Austra­ the A.M.I.E.U. at Rockhampton of being lia which he did. It took a Labour-Com­ Commas because the meat workers of Lake's m~nwealth Government to save Australia, Creek would not attend his meeting. I give while Menzies and his crowd clid not care this an emphatic denial. If Menzies was half one iota about Australia or about whether as good as these men in Rockhampton, he the Japs came or not. No, you cannot trust wouhl do. Menzies. He has let his own mates down, l now wish to deal with Menzies, this great he has let Australia down, and he has let leader of this Tory Party, which changed its the Empire clown. You just cannot afford name from Queensland People's Party to to give him a chance to let everybody clown Liberal Party. The leader of the Federal again. Liberal Party has thrown his diaper into the Mr. Sparkes: That is what is worrying political ring. Last year he returned from a trip to Europe and America where he con­ you most. ferred with Dewey ancl other millionaires Mr. INGRA:JU: It is not worrying me at on the best way to defeat Labour ancl enslave all. No matter what the Tory Party says or the working class of Australia. does aaainst Labour Governments throughout Mr. Menzies also returned from a trip to the St~te and the Commonwealth, the people Europe in 1939. He came back then full of will never forget Labour's past record. They admi,·ation for Hitler, Mussolini and will rally to the Labour Party and vote in Chamberlain. Poor blind Bob, he is a bad favour of each and every Labour candidate. 126 Address in Reply. [ASSEMBLY.] Address in Reply.

Furthermore, one thing about the Labour I think it will be obvious as I proceed that Party is that it is game to face the electors I have gathered a good deal of information on under the same old colour, with its set policy the subject of irrigation. I listened recently that will be of benefit to one and all. It to Dr. Norman Wright, a member of the does not change its colour, as the Tory Party Briti&h Food Mission, when he was in Aus­ ,does year after year. tralia; and what impressed me most in his speech was that the first priority of the house­ ~Ir. H. B. TAYLOR (Hamilton) (4.25 wife in England is meat and the second butter. p.m.) : I intend to refer particularly to the When I got copies of English papers report­ responsibilities of Parliament and the ing the visit of Mr. Chifiey to England and development of the water resources of our his 15 years' agreement with the British State. I do not intend to shout and I do Government for the production of food for hope to contribute something helpful to the Gn,at Britain I gathered that the people of government of the State. England, through their newspapers, were very interested in Au&tralia's attempt-if you can I think it will be generally agreed that the put it that way-to provide over the years greater production of food, of meat in the meat that they need, which is not now particular, is the first responsibility of this available to them from Argentine. I have Government. The availability of land and of here a copy of the London ''Daily Mail'' the organised distribution of water will containing the heading, "Jackeroos are ready determine the extent to which Queensland to drive home the meat.'' Then in the London can carry out that duty. "Kews Chronicle" there is the heading, In the recess periods I have visited the ''These riders of the range will be our irrigation areas of Victoria and southern butchers.'' I know that the hon. member for New South Wales and seen the amazing pro­ Aubigny knows something about jackeroos duction and prosperity that have followed and what a jackeroo was but this paper the proper storage and distribution of water. describes a jackeroo a&- I have also visited what was once described ".Jackeroo is an a,pprenticed drover, who as the prospective heart of rural Queensland. usually spends two or three years before If Queensland had followed the example of taking charge of his first station.'' the southern States and not so shockingly neglected its responsibility for 15 years the I do no know whether that would be con­ position might have been very different today. sidered a proper definition of a jackeroo. Hon. members will realise how difficult it will be This debate during the last session of to maintain an adequate production of meat Parliament provides an opportunity of hon. when we have to depend solely upon an members like the hon. member who has just irregular rainfall. The average citizen does resumed his seat to give an account of their not realise that we cannot hope to maintain stewardship over the past three years. I do maximum production until we are prepared to not intend to do that, except to illustrate my spend some money on irrigation. intense interest in this subject on which 1 am now speaking. I must confess that upon I want to say this through '' Hansard,' ' my entry into this House I was immediately that of all the continents, Australia is the disillusioned in the belief I had that I was driest. The Commonwealth Rural Recon­ competent immediately to contribute con­ struction Commission in its report of Decem­ structively to the debates on the legislation ber, 1945, said- brought before the House. Although I had "Water will ultimatelv be one of the from 25 to 30 years' experience of this State most important commodities in Australian lived in many places and followed th~ economy.'' activities of government over those years 1 still found how little I knew of the m~ny The Commission went on to say- subjects of legislation that were brought " Irrigation should be given priority over ?efore. the House. Consequently I turned electricity generation.'' 1mmed1ately to our very excellent Parliament­ We have had a great deal to say about the ary Library, and so appreciative was I of the availability of reference books and the impounding of water, mainly for the gener­ ation of electricity and not so much for r.eady assistance given by the staff of the irrigation. I want to arouse public interest hbrary> that I immediately became an enthuswst for free public libraries for all on these point& because I am afraid that many people. immigrants are coming to this country in the belief that it is a country flowing with milk In my search for greater knowledge on and honey, that this country can produce these these matters of legislation I turned my things quickly, that it is a real wonderland. attention to the important proposal o'f free libraries. Incidentally, I have not ~Ir. ~Ioore: That is not true. , dropped that snbjc~t. I am waiting anxiously to see what the pohcy of the Government will lUr. H. B. TAYLOR: I shall have to ll~ this year. ~ am hoping sincerely that they accept the Minister's statement that it is not w11l follow therr example of the previous year true but I am afraid quite a number of people and double their Vote for libraries. If they to whom I have spoken believe that the should decide not to follow the rest of the country has those possibilities and that these English-speaking ~~-oriel and to refrain from things are here waiting for them. granting free public libraries then I shall Mr. Lewis East, chairman of the State i11 the next Parliament, take f~rther action t~ Rivers and Water Supply Commission, a very achieve my ambition in this direction. prominent irrigation engineer and one of the Address in Reply. [16 AUGUST.] Address in Reply. 127 leading authorities in Australia, in an address On the bottom of the pamphlet the most to the Dried Fruits Association in 1ll47, striking sentence was a statement by the said:- Premier reading- '' Let us not delude ourselves bv constant " We shall not rest until we have repetition that Australia is a treasure chest harnessed the State's water resources to of vast untapped resources of fertile soils the service of our great primary industries.'' and flowing rivers awaiting only the waving I want you to realise that the Premier said, of the magic wancl to blossom like the ''We shail not rest'' but the Premier and Garden of Eclen. a number of his Ministers have sat in Gov­ "This simply is not true. When com­ ernments who were not interested in irrigation pared with any other continent, Australia for 15 years and put the Irrigation Depart­ is poor in soil, ancl very poor in water. ment in the back room of the Department of Only those who have flown for thousands Public Lands. I will show shortlv that of miles over the great waterless wilderness Queensland neglected our irrigation- possi­ of its interior can have any realisation of bilities while Southern States developed theirs how poor we really are. and the results that followed. ''But this need cause us no loss of heart -if it had been otherwise, there would Before I go on I want to mention a have been no opportunity at all for white subject I dealt with on the Budget debate settlement in Australia ..... '' last year, namely, cattle-fattening on the coast belt of North Queensland. That is an "It is not in shouting and tumult, and area that requires no irrigation. That great passing resolutions, it is not in edicts or coast belt is lyirig today as it has done since regulations that progress is made towards the commencement of time. I made the higher standards of living-it is in the suggestion then that the 200,000 acres of extension of man's power to harness and land stretching from Cm·clwell to Daintrec use the forces of nature.'' ancl hcyoncl was capable of fattening 70,000 How are the eastern States of Australia to 80,000 head of cattle a year. All this harnessing and using the forces of nature information hacl been proved by the Depart­ to get greater production~ This is a question ment of Agriculture's Bureau of Tropical I examined very fully when I visited the Agriculture at South J ohnstone. Murray and Murrumbidgee irrigation areas, I suggested to the Secretary for Agricul­ <'Jlfl when I went up to our first major inigation project at Theodore. Here I hue ancl Stock that it might be thrown open should like to express appreciation of the last in blocks of 1,000 acres to ex-Service men who annual report of the Commissioner of Irriga­ have the capital to develop these areas for tion, which gave a historical summary of our cattle-fattening, but the Minister in his reply irrigation projects. I do think Mr. Commis­ stated that the land might become too valu­ sioner Lang was extremely wise in giving this able. But the Minister still said to the Coun­ cil of Agriculture on 4 August that although important summary because it allowed critics there was little land in Queensland that was of the Government to know just what the not being used huge tracts of country needed position was when the Commissioner took over opening up to the best advantage for the his office. Numbers of people do not read further expansion of primary producti_on. those reports ancl I will for their information The Minister had the opportunity of opemng quote a few facts from this particular report up this lancl on the wet coastal belt, but it so that they might be inserted in '' Hansnrd. '' still lies idle. As far back as 1892 there were 200 private While on that subject, I am concerned as irrigators with 5,000 acres of land under to what happens when the Bureau of Tropical irrigation, but by 1948 the inigatcd areas hacl Agriculture discovers-and it has discovered exp::lnded to 92,000 acres and were producing at South Johnstone-which are the most suit­ £8,000,000 worth of products or one-third of able grasses and legumes for fattening ~attle. the total value of agricultural products in Nothing is done about it. Mr. Graham 1s the this State. This is a very significant state­ officer in charge of the experimental farm ment because although the irrigated lancl that I visited 12 months ago but nobody was less than one-twentieth of the cultivatable seems to have been able to get a ton of wire lancl, yet when inigatecl by private irrigators to put ronnel a fence in order to protect i~. it has proclucecl one-third of the total value An experiment is carried out and no use 1s of production. made of it. When the hon. member for Car­ Before I went South the Commissioner of pentaria brings forward his Private Members' Irrigation very kindly gave me all the help motion I will say more of that. possible in arranging an itinerary. I appre­ ·when one cannot get lancl thrown open that ciate that help very much because I was very is capable of fattening cattle at the rate well received both by the Commissioners in of which the area to which I referred is Melbourne and by every engineer along the capable one is obliged to turn to the :p~ssi­ Murray and over in Leeton. I think that was bilities of irrigated pastures. When I v1s1tecl all clue to the favourable opinion that those Melbourne I went out to the irrigated pas­ southern engineers have of our present Com­ tures of the farm belonging to the Metro­ missioner ancl his staff. Before I went away politan Board of Works, which compris~s the Secretary for Public Lands, whom I am 24 610 acres and carries 13,237 cattle, approx1- very pleased to see in the House to hear my m~tely the same number that could be carried remarks on +hi~ subject, gave me a very in the wet belt up north if thrown open for interesting pamphlet which gave me some iclea coastal fattening. In the last year 4,657 of what Queensland has already accomplished. cattle were sold and they realised £88,449. 128 Address in Reply. [ASSEMBLY.] Address in Reply.

The board is continuing its policy of breed­ a result of irrigation will mean a very sub­ ing, and branded 4,208 calves. I mention stantial increase in the rural wealth of the that to show the possibilities open to us with­ State.'' out irrigation. I draw the attention of hon. members to To return to production from irrigation, I this:- went to Mildura. Anyone who is accustomed "It is estimated that when the whole of to the low-rainfall areas of this State must the area is in complete production the value be amazed when entering that district to see of its pTOduce will be in the vicinity of the beautiful oasis in the desert-all due to £1,500,000 per annum, as against £500,000 irrigation. Mildura is an object lesson in per annum before the advent of irrigation, irrigation, and the most important lesson it an increase of £1,000,000 per year.'' taught me was that irrigation must be con­ centrated, there must be a plentiful supply In association with the Murray Valley irri­ of water and it must be available when it is gation area is the soldier settlement of wanted. Nnmurkah, with an area of some 60,000 acres At the Red Cliffs soldier settlement at Mil­ on which some 500 to 600 returned service dura 700 ex-service men are comfortably men have been placed on various kinds of settled on 16 acres each. There they grow farms, mostly dairy farms. I have brought the best sultanas in the world. This is country with me a plan showing a typical layout of a that has 4 to 6 inches of soil, but it has the dairy farm on the irrigation areas of Vic­ water. It is an area where water is not sup­ toria. This farm comprises only 103 acres: plied by gravitation, but is lifted something in Queensland a dairy farm of 103 acres like 90 to 100 feet. I was amazed to find that an would be looked upon as a financial impossi­ area of 12,000 acres takes 130,000,000 gallons bility. a day when they are irrigating; consequently 1\Ir. Foley: What part is irrigated-the that makes me emphasise: not only must irri­ "·hole of itW gated farms be concentrated but they must have plenty of water. lUr. H. B. TAYLOR: Yes. I will let the After I visited Theodore and saw the pic­ Minister see this plan if he wishes to do so. ture there, which obviously was designed I attended a meeting in Cobram of returned along the lines of Mildura, I felt that had the soldiers from this irrigation area-the Government of 17 years ago not put irriga­ engineer organised it-and I learned some tion into the back room and left it there things of particular importance and in a for some 15 years till 1947 the Dawson Valley later debate I shall have something to say today might be regarding itself as the heart about soldier settlement in this State. The of rural Queensland, because a comparison in procedure under which soldiers take up land the fertility of the soil at Dawson Valley with there is this: The man is selected-not bal­ that of the Murray is amazing. On the loted for in Victoria-and is offered work by M urray there is 4 inches to 6 inches of soil, the Commission. I am very pleased to see that whereas on the Dawson there is 2 to 3 feet in Queensland the Commissioner of Irrigation of soil. However, I will not dwell on that is adapting the same attitude at the Clare because I wish to deal further with the other tobacco section: men are offered work before end of the Murray. the land is prepared. The main point I I passed down by the Murray Valley coach stress is that in Victoria, because service men to Swan Hill, and I make this point about are not allowed to go onto their land until Swan Hill: it is similar to Mildnra. Land that land is brought to a state of production, there that before irrigation was worth from after the farm is allotted to a man he works £4 to £6 an acre is today worth £300 an acre. in the area and sees his land being improved. The next place I Yisited was in the heart of His channels are dug, his paddocks are laid the Murray Valley irrigation area. I particu­ out, a house is built for him at a cost of larly refer to this because I am dealing with £1,800, and a dairy is provided at a cost of the years J 932 to 1939, before the war and £700. He is given 5 cows for nothing. when the war had no influence whatever on This does not apply only in Victoria. I the Government's actions. This was in the haye a pamphlet from S1ut.h Australia­ years when Victoria had put through this another Liberal Government-which gives an irrigation project. The Murray Valley irriga­ illustration of the type of house that the tion area comprises 629,000 acres and was soldier setHer is given in both Victoria and established because of the building of the South Australia. When the farm is brought Yarrawonga weir. This weir was begun in to a state of production, 1vhen water is avail­ 1934 and finished in 1939 at a cost of able, when the grass is growing and the fise £586,000, but the carrying out of this pro­ c1ws have been proyided as the beginning ject meant that 269,000 acres of land was of a herd, a man goes onto it on what is brought into production, so now that the war ltas ended it has made available food not only called an interim lease. He has seven years for Australia but for overseas in large quan­ in which to make up his mind whether he is tities and also provided a large irrigation going to stay there, and, when he deeides that area for soldier settlement. he will stay on the land, he is allowed to acquire it on the basis of 55 year's repay­ The pamphlet on the Murray Valley Irri­ ments at an interest rate o£ 2 per cent. gation District I was given when I was there has this to say- Those conditicms mean that those men whom '' The carrying out of this project means, I saw at Cobram were all· ::!.:"'ileiJly happy. however, that a new irrigation province is The way they put it was, '' Becausl we have being added to Victoria and production as the water we have the grass, and bee,ause we Address in Reply. [16 AUGUST.] Address in Reply. 129 have the grass and the clovers, we know what confess that at the time this report was pub­ our cows are going to produce for us.'' One lished I was following the political world man said, "I know my 30 cows are going to very closely. I knew Commissioner Partridge give me 300 lb. a year each and if butter is and I believed that probably he had been only 2s. a pound I should make £900; but I dreaming when he described that area as the made £600 last year out of my pigs~'' The heart of rural Queensland, but I believe also point I am making is that Victoria puts that Commissioner Partridge spoke the truth returned service men on the land and gives and the commission's report is quite wrong. them an opportunity right from the start of That report seemed to seal the fate of budgeting for their revenue and expenditure, inigation on a major scale in Queensland just as a business man who enters business until the Bureau of Investigation went South. in Queen Street can budget for his expected revenue and expenditure, and that makes In 1944 Mr. Kemp went South with the settlement on the land attractive. members of the Bureau and they saw, as I sP,w-although a little more than I saw-irri­ Mr. Foley:· Does that work out econom­ gation areas on the Murray and the Murrum­ ically sound for both the Government and bidgee. His first statement when he came the settler¥ back was- Mr. H. B. TAYLOR: Yes. The basis for "In a country such as Australia, which the settler is thab the Commonwealth and is more than ordinarily at the mercy of the the State conjointly determine the valuation vagaries of climate, irrigation is essential before the man takes the interim lease. The to the stabilisation of primary production. amount of payment on the interim lease is 1 Irrigation must be developed to the fullest per cent. of bhat valuation. That valuation is possible extent, and that as soon as always subject to review but can never be possible.'' higher than the first valuation. It is frequently But it took the Government three more years less, and so much is written off from time before they got a Commissioner of Irriga­ to time. tion. Mr. Foley: They are having a great A little while ago I heard someone make deal of difficulty now in agreeing on what an interjection about the Moore Government amount should be written off to make it an and every time I hear that parrot cry from economical undertaking. the new spokesman for the Government, the hon. member for Kennedy, and others­ Mr. H. B. TAYLOR: That is a problem '' What did the Moore Government do''' I for the Commonwealth and State Govern­ feel tempted to reply, "What did these irri­ ments conjointly. gation somnolents do for 15 years~'' Perhaps My next visit was to Theodore. When I I am not correct in saying they were only saw that rich country I was extremely sorry half-asleep because quite a number of people that it had never been proceeded with as say that ever since 1932 the Labour Govern­ the major irrigation area of Queensland. This ment have been completely asleep on the report of the Royal Commission killed it. subject of irrigation. The Royal Commission said at the time that I have been comparing what has been done the truth of the matter was that the whole in the southern States with what has not Dawson Valley irrigation project, as an been done in Queensland over the same period. undertaking economic to the State, was about If the Queensland Government had followed 50 years ahead of its time. Only 16 years the example that was right before their ey~s, have passed since that statement was made, something they could have seen every day m but in that 16 years a tremendous amount has the week, much progress could have been happened. We all know that in the light of made here. That should at least have these events this was definitely an ill­ prompted them to attempt something. considered and wrong statement. Had the A few days ago the Secretary for Public Nathan Gorge scheme been proceeded with, Lands in answer to a question by the hon. Theodore could today have been the heart of memb~r for West Moreton on the subject of rural Queensland. I was on one property of irrigation gave, I should say, the longest some 3,000 acres at Theodore that produced answer in the history of this Parliament. I produce to the value of £15,()00 last year. think it was a record. I shall not bother to This shows how rich it is under dry-farming inquire into what Queensland was inclined conditions. With irrigated pastures such as I to do in the matter of political propaganda want to see developed, not natural grass but and in the planning over the next 12 months pastures suitable to the country and clovers but I did inquire from Victoria what they such as have been produced there, we shall be had done in the last 12 months and I got able to fatten cattle in Queensland at the the reply that last year the Victorian Pa:­ liament was asked to approve of an expendi­ same rate as they have fattened them on the ture of £4,128,705 and of that amount the Werribee farm of the Victorian Metropolitan actual expenditure on irrigation work for Board of W 01 ks, two beasts to the acre. the financial year beginning 1 July, 1948 and The commisHion to which I refer also sug­ ending 30 June, 1949, was £2,250,000. That gested bhat the Nathan Dam be postponed State has already developed irrigation to a for a period of at least 25 years. I must high standard over a long period of years 1949-E [ASSEMBLY.] Questions. 130 Address in Reply. and even now in the current year, it is. plaJJ.­ ning to spend more thaJJ. it ha~ spent m the past because it reali~es. th~ Importance of that expenditure on rrngatwn. I must hurry, as my time is running out. I never like to make a speech unless I can h~lp the Government to govern and I never lrke to make a critical speech without offering some suggestion of what the Governmen~ can do to bring about a result, about wh1ch I am just as much concerned as they are. As soon as I criticised the Dawson scheme in the newspaper the other day the Minister came out and said the matter was up for review. I know that he is faced with prob­ lems and his first is the shortage of staff. He said so in his statement but he will not get his staff unless he makes the positions more attractive for them. Let me quote an instance. When I was speaking to Mr. East, the Chief Commissioner in Melbourne, on the same question, I told him Queensland needed more staff and he said that he did, too. He went on to say that he knew of a competent engineer who was coming out of the Army and he wanted him on his staff. He went to the Public Service Commissioner in Victoria and asked him whether he would approve of the employment of this man right away, but the Public Service Commissioner replied, ''No. You must follow the Public Service procedure. We must determine the salary and the job must be advertised.'' Mr. East asked him to advertise the job at once and the Public Service Commissioner advertised the job at £600 a year. Mr. East sent the advertisement to the engineer concerned, who he knew was a highly qualified engineer, but the man did not apply for the position. The following week he went to South Australia for £2,000 a year. Therefore, I suggest to our Minister that if he wants to get a pro­ perly trained staff he must make the posi­ tions more attractive and offer the men more prospects of progress. This is another point. The other day I spoke to another engineer in this city. He was interested in young men going for engineering at the university. He told me of one young man who was progressing quite favourably. ·when he saw this young man he asked, "How are you getting on with your engineering?'' The reply was, ''I am giving that away. The Government last year passed an Act of Parliament enabling students to qualify as dentists at 21 and I know that when I am a qualified dentist in Queensland I can earn £1,000 a year. I have therefore given away engineering and now I am going to be a dentist." We must pay engineers a salary equivalent to what the rest of the world is prepared to pay. We cannot expect to get them otherwise. There is a demand all over the world for trained engineers. (Time expired.) Debate, on motion of Mr. Foley, adjourned. The House adjourned at 5.5 p.m.