(14 August, 1956.] 123 except in winter time. The broadcast band Mr. Ross Hutchinson: How could that from Cieraldton can be heard in Carnarvon be pushed any further? duning daylight hours in winter time, but the receiver requires so much power for Mr. NORTON: I was not suggesting his set that it results in all the statics and that the radius be pushed further. I sug- Interferences being brought in, so as to gested that programmes could be better practically make the service inaudible. distributed by more powerful stations, and, if necessary, more stations. I am The shortwave station which operates not advocating television for the North- on 2 kws on the 32 metre band is the one West; I am only asking for the ordinary tuned into by most people. If the power broadcast or shortwave service to be were raised to 10 kws, like the station audible. operating on the 60 metre band, a great deal of the trouble of the outback stations There is one thing which not only the would be overcome. If the Oeraldton people in Western Australia but in all station were raised from 2 to 10 kws, as Australia should do, and that is to press in the case of Wagin, far more people the Federal Government not to carry out could be served by Geraldton than at any more atomic bomb tests on any sea present. routes. Over the last two years we ex- I tested out the two stations on perienced a number of such tests at a car radio. I did this in the vicinity of Onslow. In every instance they not only Nookawarra station, out from Cue. At disrupted the State shipping arrange- 4 p.m. I could pick up Wagin clearly ments but also the air services, and, in which was 450 miles away, but I could not fact, every service which is supplied to hear Geraldton which was 180 miles away. the North. During the last tests, four of Prom that it will be seen that an increase the State ships were held up for over in the kilowatts of these stations would two days waiting for the all-clear to be enable them to service many more given. There is any amount of space in listeners. the world for the holding of these tests Ron. D. Brand: Is that matter not un- without picking on a shipping lane which der consideration by the Commonwealth is the life-blood of any country. at present? In conclusion, I would ask the Premier, when he goes to Canberra, to again bring Mr. NORTON: I have seen nothing before the appropriate authorities the about that in the report of the A.B.C. matter of taxation relief for the North- which I have here. I would point out West. The Premier has now seen a lot that the Commonwealth is rapidly going of that Part of the State for himself and ahead with the installation of television. I know he will appreciate the difficulties When such a service is installed it will be experienced there. Not only will he in the Perth, Bunbury, Kalgoorlie, Albany appreciate the difficulties, but also the and Geraldton areas. I understand each potentialities, and I am sure he can of these stations will radiate between 35 readily see the urgent necessity to encour- and 40 miles. Admittedly, that would give age, by some means, capital to that area. a service to 495,000 of the 639.771 head of population in Western Australia. Those On motion by Mr. Crommelin, debate figures were taken from the last census, adjourned. and in both cases they could be greater at present. I would urge the A.B.C. to p.m. give serious consideration to increasing House adjourned at 5.22 the power of the stations which will serve the North-West and the outback. By installing television, with its restricted radius, we are moving towards centralisa- tion, something which we are so urgently trying to avoid. Mr. Rhatigan: Once again it is a case of the forgotten North. Mr. NORTON: It is. The people of the North-West have very little entertain- ment, and the only thing they can rely on for entertainment is the wireless set, Tuesday, 14th August, 1956. whereas People living in towns and dis- CONTENTS. tricts to be served by television will have not only wireless entertainment but also Question : War service land settlement, pg television and other amenities which mast vacation and reallocation of tobacco farms 124 people in the North are deprived of at Address-in-reply, second day .. .. 124 present. Speaker on Address- Mr. Ross Hutchinson: What is the HOn. Sir Charles Lathiam.......... 124 maximum range of television? Mr. NORTON: According to this 7th annual report of the A.B.C. it is between The PRESIDENT took the Chair at 4.30 35 and 40 miles. p.m., and read prayers. 124 124[COUNCIL.] QUESTION. this is really a very important House. We have to pass all the State's legislation. We WAR SERVICE LAND SETTLEMENT. do not have control of finance, as that con- trol has been limited to another place; but Vacation and Reallocation of Tobacco we have the right to overlook all expendi- Farms. ture, and we have power to reject any Hon. F. D. WILLMOTT asked the Chief money Bill, a power which, of course, is Secretary: very seldom exercised. During my many years in this Parliament I do not rememn- (1) How many war service tobacco ber its ever being exercised. Nevertheless. farmers have left their properties? frequently the Appropriation Bill has been (2) In what districts are these farms delayed, not because of the Labour Party situated? being in power, but because of other parties (3) How many of these farms have been who held office and who thought that reallocated? further consideration should be given to (4) What does the Government intend some of the items of expenditure mentioned to do with unoccupied tobacco farms in in that legislation. the Northcliffe area? Many people talk about the abolition of The CHIEF SECRETARY replied: this House. In reply to that, I want to point out, especially to new members, that (1) and (2) Twenty-nine tobacco growers there is on the wall of this House a picture relinquished their leases: six at Manjimup, depicting the first five members of the 20 at Northcliffe and three at Karridale. Legislative Council of Western Australia. One lease was cancelled by the department. That initial Council was appointed in 1832 Twenty-two growers have been transferred and ever since that year we have had a to other types of farming. Eight lessees Legislative Council in this State. In fact. are on tobacco farms. until 1899 it was the only House of Par- (3) None. liament. In those days this State was very (4) Properties will be sold by tender on isolated because there was no rail com- terms determined by the Commonwealth. mnunication with other States, and there was very little population until gold was discovered. ADDRESS-IN-REPLY. However, the finding of the yellow speck Second Day. attracted to Western Australia a consider- Debate resumed from the 2nd August. able number of people, who were of a good type. From that year onwards we have HON. SIR CHARLES LATHAM (Cen- made steady progress, and I hope that for tral) [4.36]: At the outset I wish to apolo- many centuries ahead we will still have a gise for taking the place of Mr. Simpson, H-ouse of review to carry on the traditions who is sick, and I ask the Chamber to bear of the past. Members should realise that with me for a little while. My first duty is whilst there are three parties in this House, to congratulate the new members of this most legislation is considered from a non- House, and I would like to point out to party point of view. I know there have them that they have entered upon a very been times when I have voted against my important duty. I know there are many own party because I believed that, by so among the outside public-and some of our doing, I was acting in the interests of the political friends also-who regard this as people of the State; but I have never seen a not very important place, and practically any members of the Labour Party doing useless; but I would impress upon mem- that. bers that they have a great responsibility The Chief Secretary: They are the in this House, equally as great as that of greatest supporters you have had. another place, and Probably a little more Hon. Sir CHARLES LATHAM: I would so, inasmuch as this Chamber represents not say that. However, I remember, that on a section of the community that has a one occasion, I introduced a Bill and considerable stake in the State and which had great difficulty in getting it passed be- consequently provides the wherewithal, in cause my own friends, members of the many instances, whence come the neces- Liberal Party, opposed it. But I did re- sary funds for those engaged in other ceive support from the members of the avocations and represented by another Labour Party. Admittedly, it was fairly place. difficult, and I even had to smoodge to the I wish to congratulate the hon. mem- Chief Secretary. ber who moved the Address-in-reply, and I assure him that his speech was The Chief Secretary: That will be the quite up to standard. I believe that day! before he finishes his six years' term Hon.