Adjournment. [21 "FEBRUARY, 1968.] Adjournment. 3263 some delay with regard to main­ I did stress that these schemes are of tenance work at the school referred a voluntary nature only. However, I to by Mtr. Elliot, because it was con­ ask Mr. Cathie to bear with us in our templated that the building might endeavours to finance a higher stan­ be pulled down. I did inspect it after dard of education for a rapidly in­ he requested me to do so, and I creasing number of people. The con­ believe immediate action should be tribution made by the parents, taken to recondition three rooms. I through the media of both finance understand from a report that I re­ and working bees at schools, is ceived this afternoon that that work greatly appreciated. Above all, the has been commenced. However, tremendous interest parents show in that is only work of a minor nature. the schools which are endeavouring to educate their children is The next important project is to appreciated. extend the playing space of these schools which are built on one or two Mr. Cathie suggested that parents' acres and cater for up to 1,000 money is being expended on the pro­ children. The Department is now vision of essentials. Of course, the doing this, and a considerable sum definition of "essential" changes of money has been expended in in­ from one decade to another. dustrial areas in order to expand Much of subsidy money that playing space. is being expended these days is used to acquire facilities Another idea I have -in mind is the that were regarded as being in construction of a special type of the luxury class when I was teach­ design for inner suburban areas so ing. There is no better illustration that there will be some recreational of this than in the provision of space within the building itself. It libraries. To-day, the accepted stan­ costs between $150,000 and $160,000 dard for a library closely approxi­ an acre to reclaim land in these areas, rna tes half the size of a small to and it may well be better to include medium sized school of the 1940's. I some sort of indoor playing space in shall study carefully the particular preference to paying large sums of matters raised by Mr. Cathie, and money for additional space, which is provide him with detailed answers. really economically impossible when one considers that 15 acres may be a The motion was agreed to. desirable area for a high school. The House adjourned at 5.23 p.m. until Tuesday, February 27. The Hon. D. G. ELLIOT.-You are referring to roofed playing space? The Hon. L. H. S. THOMPSON.­ i.!:egilliatiu:e Allll:embly. That is so. In regard to consultation with the Parliamentary representa­ Wednesday, February 21, 1968. tives of the districts concerned, I shall be only too happy to consult Mr. Elliot and other local members in The SPEAKER (the Hon. Vernon regard to these problems. I have a Christie) took the chair at 4.5 p.m., particular problem in Collingwood, as and read the prayer. Mr. Elliot is aware, and I shall be happy to bring him into a consulta­ DROUGHT RELIEF. tion on the matter. COMMONWEALTH ASSISTANCE. Mr. Cathie raised a question of a ? Mr. HOLDING (Leader of the different type. He suggested that Opposition) asked the Premier- undue pressure was being placed on If he will lay on the table of the Library parents to contribute in a voluntary the file containing all notes, memoranda and correspondence between the Victorian sense. I shall be happy to inquire Government and the Commonwealth into the particular matters that he Government seeking drought relief from the raised. Some weeks ago in the press Commonwealth? 3264 Metropolitan Hawker's Licences. [ASSEMBLY.] Natural Gas. Sir HENRY BOLTE (Premier and NATURAL GAS. Treasurer) .-The answer to-day must DISTRIBUTION RIGHTS. be "No," but not because I want to Mr. EDMUNDS (Moonee Ponds) withhold any of this information from asked the Premier- the Opposition. I doubt whether the Whether the Gas and Fuel Corporation of latest correspondence will have Victoria has to compete against Esso-B.H.P., reached the Prime Minister by now. the Victorian Pipelines Commission, and I could make the information avail­ other gas distributors for new industrial able to the Leader of the Opposition and commercial markets outside the reticu­ lation areas of existing distributors of gas; personally. It is proposed that next if so, whether all the provisions of the Gas week the M1inister of Lands shall Regulation Act 1958 will apply to com­ answer several questions on this sub­ panies supplying new industrial and com­ ject and deal with the whole of the mercial markets? problem generally. Sir HENRY BOLTE (Premier and Treasurer) .-The answer is- METROPOLITAN HAWKERS' The circumstances under which the pro­ LICENCES. ducers of gas may supply direct to industry have been laid down in the draft agreement NUMBER ISSUED: REVENUE. between them and the gas distributors, in­ For Mr. GINIFER (Deer Park), Mr. cluding the Gas and Fuel Corporation of Victoria. Any sale of gas by the producers Wilton asked the Treasurer- is subject to the approval of the Minister. 1. How many metropolitan hawkers' The provisions of the Gas Regulation Act licences have been issued during each of the would apply. last twenty years? 2. How much revenue was collected in STAMP DUTY. respect of those licences in each of those years? CORRESPONDENCE WITH COMMON- WEALTH GOVERNMENT. Sir HENRY BOLTE (Premier and Mr. .HOLDING (Leader of the Treasurer) .-The answers consist of OppositiQn) asked the Premier~ a mass of figures and I seek leave of If he will lay on the table of the Library the House to have them incorporated the correspondence between himself and the in Hansard without my reading them. Prime Minister dealing with the Common­ Leave was granted, and the wealth's attitude to the recent stamp tax answers were as follows:- legislation? Sir HENRY BOLTE (Premier and 1. and 2. Treasurer) .-The answer is- Number Fees No, not without the concurrence of the Year. of i Paid to Prime Minister, who has indicated that he Licences. Revenue. regards the correspondence as confidential at this stage. $ 1948 .. .. 434 633 MELBOURNE AND METROPOLITAN 1949 .. .. 388 559 BOARD OF WORKS. 1950 .. " 311 443 INQUIRY INTO CONSTITUTION. 1951 " .. 287 410 1952 .. · . 467 666 For Mr. FLOYD (Williamstown), 1953 .. · . 551 770 1954 .. .. 430 602 Mr. Wilton asked the Premier- 1955 " · . 382 540 1. Whether an eight-member "mystery" 1956 · . .. 355 412 committee from the Liberal Party has been 1957 .. .. 374 556 set up to investigate the functions of and 1958 .. · . 428 618 need for the Melbourne and Metropolitan 1959 · . .. 365 533 Board of Works as constituted at present; 1960 .. .. 329 455 if so-( a) whether he will announce the 1961 .. .. 426 701 personnel of the committee, and its tenns 1962 .. .. 568 852 of reference; (b) whether the committee can 1963 .. .. 469 1,549 compel witnesses to appear before it; (c) 1964 .. .. 423 1,692 whether any record of the meetings is to be 1965 · . .. 465 1,860 kept; (d) whether any expenses from 1966 .. · . 728 2,912 Government sources have been allocated to 1967 · . " 810 3,240 the committee; and (e) whether the findings will be made public? Motor [21 FEBRUARY, 1968.] Boating Act. 3265 2. Whether he win consider appointing a the Treasurer. I have framed the Select Committee with specific terms of I I reference to make a proper investigation answers, so suppose should give into the functions of the Melbourne and them. They are- Metropolitan Board of Works and its con­ 1. The total amount of revenue collected stitution? from registration of motor boats to 31st Sir HENRY BOLTE (Premier and December, .1967, was $979,837. Treasurer) .-First, I consider that 2. After the costs of administering the the question is framed quite wrongly. Motor Boating Act have been met, as pro­ vided by sub-section (2) of section 35 of There is no mystery committee. the Act, the revenue collected from registra­ All political parties reserve the right tion of motor boats is applied towards the to appoint committees to investigate cost of providing public boat launching ramps and ancillary facilities such as toilet matters and advise on them. Such blocks, parking areas, short lengths of committees have no status-certainly, access roads, &c. The total amount spent their members are not paid-and they to 31st December, 1967, was $932,385. are not competent to take evidence 3. The total number of launching ramps on oath. I think all honorable mem­ in Victoria is not known. bers thoroughly understand this Since 1962, the Tourist Development situation. I am very jealous of the Authority has made subsidies available to­ right of all parties to appoint com­ wards the cost of constructing 96 public mittees to look into various matters ramps at locations within the State. and to prepare reports, which 4. Any ramp constructed with the aid of a subsidy made available by the Tourist ultimately lead to party decisions. Development Authority must be under the The detailed answers to the questions control of a committee of management. are- Fees may be charged but details of these 1. There is no II mystery" committee are not available to the Tourist Develop­ appo·inted in this matter. The committee is ment Authority. purely one set up within the Parliamentary Liberal Party to undertake certain inquiries, and it will operate the same as any other HOUSING COMMISSION. party committee. (a) No.