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House of Representatives
11 October 1901

1^st Parliament · 1^st Session

PAPER
SUPPLY BILL (No. 4)
POST AND TELEGRAPH BILL
PAPER
PACIFIC ISLANDS LABOURERS BILL
- Second Reading
POST AND TELEGRAPH BILL
MOTION OFWANT OF CONFIDENCE
ADJOURNMENT
- Motion of Want of Confidence

Mr. Speaker took the chair at 10.30 a.m., and read prayers.

page 5977

PAPER

Sir GEORGE TURNER (for Mr. Kingston) laid on the table -

Regulations under the Customs Act 1901.

page 5977

SUPPLY BILL (No. 4)

In Committee of Supply :

Sir GEORGE TURNER (Balaclava-

Treasurer). - I move -

That a sum not exceeding £928,322 be granted to His Majesty for or towards defraying the services for the year ending 30th June, 1902.

Mr. REID (East Sydney). - I hope we shall make up our minds whether we are going to discuss the whole financial policy of the Government while the Senate is waiting to pass a Supply Bill in order to pay salaries, or whether we intend to reserve our observations until we can deal with the proposals of the Government at one time. The Opposition are not delaying the progress of the Bill in any way. I could easily make a speech on the subject, but I shall have an opportunity of doing so in two or three days’ time. I hope honorable members will allow this general discussion to stand over until we are dealing with the general financial policy and proposals of the Government. I am quite as much in earnest in this matter as the honorable and learned member for Northern Melbourne, but I feel that there is no time, under existing circumstances, to enter into such questions, and I should like to see the rest of the time to-day devoted to important measures now before the House.

Mr JOSEPH COOK:
PARRAMATTA, NEW SOUTH WALES · FT; ANTI-SOC from 1906; LP from 1910; NAT from 1917

– I subscribe to all that the leader of the Opposition has said, but I have to complain that there are no loan funds available for necessary public works. I believe in every word of the honorable and learned member for Northern Melbourne, who has uttered a caution which is wise and opportune ; and I hope with him that we shall not resort to loan funds except for purely reproductive purposes. I want to call attention to a very serious disability which the services of the whole of the States are labouring under by reason of their being no loan funds available at the present time. The Post-office, we know, is a constantly expanding department, in which fresh expenditure is continuously required on permanent reproductive works. But there are no loan funds available for expenditure in that direction, and the consequence is that these works are entirely suspended. The Postmaster-General and the Treasurer should, on taking office, either have made arrangements with the States to carry on the normal expenditure on these new services, or have themselves raised a loan for the purpose. I do not care how small a loan it might have been, but there should be a fund out of which the services could have been continued. Honorable members will perhaps realize my point by an illustration afforded in my own electorate, and that instance is multiplied in other electorates. In the fruit-growing districts in my electorate, those engaged in that industry have been trying for some time to get connected with Sydney by telephone. All arrangements for this were made last year. A guarantee was asked from the fruit-growers by the Government, and that guarantee was forthcoming, and a deposit paid in January. Notwithstanding that fact, no work has yet been done.

Sir Geo rge Turner:

– Why did not the

States start some of these works ? We did not take over the departments till the 1st March.

Mr JOSEPH COOK:
PARRAMATTA, NEW SOUTH WALES · FT; ANTI-SOC from 1906; LP from 1910; NAT from 1917

– The Treasurer knows just how long it takes a State department to make a beginning - even the Victorian department. Now, honorable members are told that there are no funds to enable the work to be carried out until loan moneys are available. The same condition of affairs prevails in regard to urgently required additions to postoffices. At one place, with whichI am acquainted, the population has of late considerably increased, with the result that people cannot gain access to the local post-office during certain hours of the day, to say nothing of transacting any business.

Sir Geo rge Turner:

– If we gave everything that is asked for there would soon be trouble. We should be blamed for the expenditure.

Mr JOSEPH COOK:
PARRAMATTA, NEW SOUTH WALES · FT; ANTI-SOC from 1906; LP from 1910; NAT from 1917

– This is an expenditure which the Treasurer cannot escape. I am not talking about superfluous expenditure.

Mr Deakin:

– No one thinks that expenditure in his own constituency is superfluous.

Mr JOSEPH COOK:
PARRAMATTA, NEW SOUTH WALES · FT; ANTI-SOC from 1906; LP from 1910; NAT from 1917

– The PostmasterGeneral says that this expenditure must be incurred, and will be incurred as soon as loan funds are available. If the Government, through their own mouth-piece, declare that these works are absolutely necessary, surely some arrangement should have been made with the Public Works departments in the various States for the continuance of extension operations in connexion with post-offices. I hope that some arrangement will be speedily arrived at which will enable these works to be put in hand. There is another matter to which I should like to direct attention. In New South Wales I believe that the line repairers are regarded as temporary hands. They have not those privileges which attach to the permanent servants of the State.

Sir William Lyne:

– Has not that been promised?

Mr JOSEPH COOK:
PARRAMATTA, NEW SOUTH WALES · FT; ANTI-SOC from 1906; LP from 1910; NAT from 1917

– There was a promise made by the Minister, but it was taken back by the head of the Government. The latter gave us to understand that there was not much likelihood of the Ministry being bound by the declaration of the Minister for Home Affairs. He would not commit himself to saying that the promise made by the Minister would be carried out. If what I ask is going to be done, I have nothing further to say. I merely desire that the line repairers in New South Wales should be placed in a similar position to that which they occupy in the other States. Either there must be a levelling down or a levelling up. I hope that this Parliament will not permit of any levelling down process so far as the ordinary services of the Commonwealth are concerned. The disposition should be rather to level up those services to the highestpossible point. I trust that we shall soon see a realization of the promise made so definitely to the House by the Minister for Home Affairs. I wish also to say a word or two upon the question of increments to transferred officers.It is well known that in New South Wales certain increments have been restored to officials of which they have been deprived for several years. But whereas our Public Service Bill provides for the payment of increments of £15 a year up to a certain amount, only £10 per annum has been given for some years past to these officers by the Public Service Board.

Sir George Turner:

– I directed the Post-office to give them what they were entitled to under the laws existing in the States.

Mr JOSEPH COOK:
PARRAMATTA, NEW SOUTH WALES · FT; ANTI-SOC from 1906; LP from 1910; NAT from 1917

– I take it that the increments which are being restored to the State officials will also be paid to transferred officers.

Sir George Turner:

– Yes ; up to £150. I gave instructions that they should be paid what they were entitled to under the laws of the States, and in the absence of any such laws that they should be paid according to the practice in vogue in the various’ States. We provided £28,000 for that purpose, nearly all of which will be disbursed amongst officials in the Postal department.

Mr JOSEPH COOK:
PARRAMATTA, NEW SOUTH WALES · FT; ANTI-SOC from 1906; LP from 1910; NAT from 1917

– That meets the point which I have raised. There is one other subject regarding which I should like some information. I desire to know what is being done in reference to the Federal capital site. This matter seems to be in a most nebulous condition. No one seems to have any precise knowledge regardingit. The Minister for Some Affairs says thathe is doing allhecan to facilitate theselection of thesite. On the otherhand, the Premier of NewSouth Wales declares that he has already doneall that can possibly be done to assist in its early selection. In other words, he has collected all available informationand presented it tothe Minister for Home Affairs, with a view of expediting a decision in regard to this matter. What is the cause of the delay in the department of the Minister for Home Affairs ?

Sir William Lyne:

– What does -the honorable member wish me to do ?

Mr JOSEPH COOK:
PARRAMATTA, NEW SOUTH WALES · FT; ANTI-SOC from 1906; LP from 1910; NAT from 1917

– I want the site to be selected and operations commenced for the building of the capital. I wishthe Minister to carry out his specific promise to the people of Ne wSouth Wales in regard to this question. Except for the vague statements which appear from time to time in the newspapers, as emanating from the Minister, nobody seems to know that anything of a tangible character is being done, and I therefore hope that he will see his way clear to make a.statement to the House concerning the position which this very important matter occupies at the present time

Mr CHAPMAN:
Monaro · Eden

Mr HUME COOK:
BOURKE, VICTORIA · PROT

Sir WILLIAM LYNE:

– I know the case to which the honorable member refers ; and so- far as- I understand . the matter,, the Postal department will halve to give up the idea of running this and similar services on commercial lines. No railway would ever be built if it were expected to pay from the start, and the same remark applies to postal and telegraphic matters. These services are for the convenience of the public, and in no more than one or two of the States have they previously paid expenses. In regard to the Preston, case,. I do not know the reason, though no doubt there- is a reason, why that work has not been proceeded with. Claims come into the department of Home Affairs, and in almost every case where the postal authorities recommend a work, the money necessary has been placed on the Estimates. But there are bundles of claims in regard to which the postal authorities do not recommend the construction of works, and honorable members, with their past experience in the various States, must acknowledge that claims are sometimes made, on no very solid foundation, for the expenditure of large sums of money. If the Commonwealth is to husband its resources, and not bring down, for the approval of the House, proposals- for largo and undue- expenditure^ we- must be careful not to carry out works- which are not required in the interests) or for the convenience, of the public.

Sir George Turner:

– If we spend the States? money indiscriminately, we shall

place them in a difficulty.

– Has the matterbeen considered by the Government?

SirWILLIAMLYNE. - I am speaking for the Government. In reference to the remarks of the honorable member for Bourke, I wish to say that I have always held it to be the privilege of an honorable member to unearth and rectify any abuse. I held so in New South Wales, and: never refused to see any member who had acomplaint of a reasonable character to make. Of course, I recognise that there is a vast difference between’ that and the practice of going to a Minister with every trivial matter, and’ thus interfering unduly with heads of departments. But the Ministerial head of a department has a right to see that wrongs are rectified. It is his duty todo so. If he is not aware oftheexistance of such wrongs, who is better qualified to bring them under his notice than a Member of Parliament, who is the guardian of the public interests ? The honorable member for Bourke was unquestionably right in endeavouring to get justice done in the case to whichhe referred. I know of an instance in which a man had his character blasted tilla Member of Parliament embraced the opportunity of exposing the wrong which had been committed, and of insisting upon a searching investigation, with the result that the man’s character was thoroughly rehabilitated.

This matter has also been ref erred to by the honorable member for Tasmania, Mr. 0’Malley. At the same time I shall always deprecate any undue interference with the heads of departments. Where abuses do exist - and theywill creep in very often - the fountain head is- the proper authority to consult in order to get those abuses remedied.

Sir GEORGE TURNER:
BalaclavaTreasurer · Protectionist

– I spoke to both sides of the House ; I did not refer particularly to the Opposition.

Mr WILKS:

– Well, then, I must have misunderstood the right honorable gentleman. From the very outset the Opposition have given the Government every assistance in the transaction of business ; in fact, we have been a model Opposition, and the Treasurer should not have blamed us as he has done. The Minister for Home Affairs, who has charge of the selection of the site for the Federal Capital, has said to-day that he will deal with the question, but he has given no more definite promise than that which he made three months ago. The people of New South Wales are tired of the delay that has taken place in dealing with this matter, and I trust the Minister will organize some plan for keeping the spirit of the bond entered into with that State. I hope we shall come to a definite decision this session. I do not intend to air the grievances of my constituency, because they are too numerous; but I could not allow this occasion to pass without urging upon the Minister the desirability of proceeding at once to the selection of a site for the Federal Capital.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Resolution reported.

Resolved (on motion by Sir George TURNER -

That the standing orders be suspended in order to enable all steps to be taken to obtain Supply and to pass a Supply Bill through all its Stages without delay.

Iti Committee qf Ways and Means :

Resolved (on motion by Sir George Turner) -

That towards making good the Supply granted to His Majesty for the services of the year ending 30th June, 1902, the sum of £928,322 be granted out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

Resolution reported and agreed to.

Bill, founded upon resolutions of Supply and Ways and Means, presented, and passed through all its stages.

page 5992

POST AND TELEGRAPH BILL

Mr. SPEAKER reported the receipt of the following message from the Senate : -

In Committee (Consideration of the Senate’s message) :

Mr DEAKIN:
AttorneyGeneral · Ballarat · Protectionist

– The amendments which have been made by the Senate are, I think, for the most part such as can be accepted without any hesitation. The first amendment is in clause 1, omitting tlie first day of October, and substituting the first day of December, as the date on which the Act shall come into operation. The second amendment is in clause 10, from which it is proposed to omit the word “ seventeen.” and insert “ eighteen.” We had fixed seventeen as the age at which telegraph messengers should cease to act hi that capacity, and should retire from the service if no other occupation could be found for them. The Senate have raised the age to eighteen, and have thus given the lads another year in which they may act as telegraph messengers. At the end of the clause it is proposed to insert the words “ but may be eligible to be appointed to some other position in the public service.” This means that if, at the time a lad reaches the age of eighteen, there is a vacancy in some other branch of the service for unskilled youths, he is to have a chance for it.

Mr Page:

– I thought that was understood.

Mr DEAKIN:
BALLAARAT, VICTORIA · PROT; LP from 1910

– The provision did not exist in the Bill, but I do not think there is any harm in inserting it. The next amendment accepts all that is contained in the definition of a newspaper in clause 26a, except the amendment that was inserted at the instance of the honorable member for Bourke. I doubt if it is worth while insisting finally upon that, as there are other means of attaining the same end. The next amendment is in clause 27, in which we proposed to omit the words “seditious and blasphemous.” The word “ blasphemous “ has been given up by the Senate, but they desire to retain the word “ seditious.”

Mr WATSON:
BLAND, NEW SOUTH WALES · ALP

– Oh, no. We cannot agree to that.

Mr Conroy:

– Do the Government intend to agree to that amendment?

Mr DEAKIN:

– If the committee desires to insist upon its amendment, it can do so, but I do not consider the matter of great importance.

Mr Watson:

– We have not yet seen the schedule of amendments, and as it is difficult to understand what the effect of an amendment is without having it before us in print, I suggest that we should wait until the schedule of amendments can be circulated amongst honorable members.

Mr DEAKIN:
BALLAARAT, VICTORIA · PROT; LP from 1910

– It seems to me that, with two or three exceptions, we might accept all the amendments of the Senate. If honorable members prefer to wait until the schedule is before them we can adopt that course. As I stated, in clause 27 the Senate propose to retain the word “ seditions.” The amendment in clause 78 is a purely verbal one, omitting the words “which were” and “before the commencement of this Act,” and inserting further on in the clause the words “ in force at the commencement of this Act.” The next amendment is in the new clause following clause 88, which was inserted on the motion of the honorable member for Kennedy, to enable the Postmaster-General to take over any private telephone line at six months notice. The Senate have accepted that provision, with the condition that the action shall be taken by the Postmaster-General with the consent of Parliament. There is no objection to that. It is also proposed to insert the word “acquired” after the word “ erected,” so that if the PostmasterGeneral ever takes over a private telephone he shall have the right to maintain it. That, of course, is a necessary provision. The next amendment is in clause 92, giving power to officers to refuse to transmit objectionable messages, in which we have proposed to omit the words “ a person employed in a telegraph office,” and insert “postmaster.” The Senate now proposes in lieu of postmaster to insert - “ person employed under the authority of the PostmasterGeneral.” In clause 93 we inserted a new paragraph enabling the GovernorGeneral to make regulations providing for the payment by the receiver or by the Government of any State instead of the sender of the rate payable on any postal article. The Senate have now amended that so as to provide that the payment may be made by the Governor or by and other person instead of the sender, thus enabling business firms and friendly societies to make such arrangements as they may desire with the Postmaster-General regarding the transmission of postal articles. This will meet the views of the honorable member for Maranoa, at whose instance the paragraph was inserted. In the schedule of amendments made by this House to which the Senate have disagreed, the Senate object to the words in clause 3 extending the definition of “indecent or obscene matter” which were inserted on the motion of the honorable member for Tasmania, Mr. Piesse. They consider that the words “indecent or obscene matter “ are sufficient, and that they will cover all the indecent advertisements which it was the special desire of the honorable member for Tasmania to preclude from passing through the post. The next amendment to which exception is taken is the omission of the word “ through “ from clause 83. This clause relates to the carrying of telegraph wires through private buildings, and the word “through” was omitted, but the Senate urges that it should be allowed to stand, because in tunnelling it may be necessary to pass underground through a man’sproperty or through a cellar, and because the expense of working an underground system of telegraphic and telephonic communication would be greatly and unnecessarily impeded if the department were not permitted to carry wires through private buildings. The next amendment is in reference to the question in which -the honorable member for Parramatta and others took a great deal of interest,, .and relates *to tlie power of the department to carry its wires .through streets w,here the municipal authorities have .ornamental trees growing. This House limited that power by striking out the provision -that -the department should have the right to Sop off “the branches of trees without giving any compensation. The object of this -was to require that the department should compensate the local bodies for any trees that were injured or destroyed. The -Senate, however, adhere to the view that it is necessary, in the public interest, to give the department power to cut down and lop, and that it should be indemnified for any reasonable action taken to insure the proper working of telephone lines. The department will still be required -to consult the municipal authorities, and to meet their views as much as possible, but they are not to be called upon to pay damages. The last amendment to which objection is taken is the proposal to omit the words “ unlawfully or maliciously” from clause 126, relating to injuries to telegraphs. The Senate urge that the importance of maintaining a telegraph system inviolate is so great that no person -interrupting communication by cutting or breaking wires or otherwise should be excused on the ground that he did not act unlawfully or maliciously.

Progress reported.

page 5994

PAPER

The Clerk laid on the table

Return to the order of the House, dated 3rd October, showing the actual cost of cane-cutting per ton in Queensland.

page 5994

PACIFIC ISLANDS LABOURERS BILL

Second Reading

Debate resumed (from 10th October, 1901, vide page 5955), on motion by Mr. Barton -

That the Bill be now read a second time.

In one of Mr. Thynne’s letters, in which he presents results inseparable from the abolition of kanaka labour, he says-“So far there are two alternatives ; the substitution of other coloured labour, and the extinction of the industry.”

I wish to emphasize those words because the position which is really taken up - not on the surface, but substantially and funda-mentally - by the planters is, “ We shall have to give up the industry unless we are permitted to use inferior labour.” I think that ought to be distinctly understood to be the issue. Apart altogether from what I have said, if we were driven to face that issue, the evidence is overwhelming that we are not confronted with those alternatives at all. There is no reason, according to the evidence of witnesses who are relied upon. by the sugar- planters - evidence that is convincing” enoughs - why we should not pass this Bill. My doubt- really is as- to whether we ought not to go further than this measure provides. I am satisfied to take the Bill, because it appears to meet with general assent. But I cannot see why we should not stop the importation of kanaka labour at once. I am not satisfied with the Bill in my own mind as a matter of pure reasoning, but I see that, the sentiment animating the Government is that it is not altogether unfair to postpone the cessation of the traffic for two years, or until the 31st March, 1904, after which no more kanaka labour-is to be introduced into Australia under any circumstances. That is a small period in the life of the continent, but it is a definite one, and I am prepared to accede to it, especially as the Government have taken care to diminish the evil as we go along. What is the position with regard to this question ? The honorable member for Melbourne said that the crux of it was, “Can this industry be carried on with white labour? “ He appealed to the manifesto of Sir Samuel Griffith. In the first place the manifesto was published, as I understand, at a period when circumstances external to the sugar traffic, and circumstances which are, unfortunately, common to Australia, involving depression and severe commercial stricture, prevailed all round. For a temporary purpose, for a moment of urgency, the Government saw fit, in that particular crisis, to relax the then existing kanaka law. But the urgency of Queensland in 1892 is not the urgency of the Commonwealth in 1901, and the period that was then looked forward to by the Queensland Parliament has practically passed. Apart altogether from that consideration, if the matter came up in the Queensland Parliament, I do not see that the Queensland sugar planters could rely with reason on the argument then used. At page 8, volume 67, of the Queensland Hansard of 1892,I find the manifesto set out at length. In that manifesto, Sir Samuel Griffith makes this clear and assuring statement - at the very moment, itwill be understood, when he wasadvocating and proposing to carry a Bill to relax the kanaka labour law -

It has been proved that in Queensland cane can be grown by white labour. I am aware that this position is still disputed, but it is admitted by most of the more liberal-minded planters with whom I have been in communication.

That is convincing in my mind. At a later stage Sir Samuel Griffith goes on to say that there is a danger of the kanaka coming into competition with white labourers in other occupations. These are most important statements to make in a manifesto of this kind, statements which must force themselves upon our consideration. The debate upon the Bill which he introduced, and which has since become law, was contributed to by many honorable members of note, the late Mr. Salkeld amongst them, and I find the statement made that in many occupations the kanaka labourers do come into actual competition with white men. Before I pass from this manifesto, I wish to emphasize what I call the third ground of

Sir Samuel Griffith’s original objections to kanaka labour. He did not abandon that ground in his manifesto, nor has he ever done so. It is that -

The permanent existence of a large servile population amongst us, not admitted to the franchise, is not compatible with the continuance of our free political institutions.

Speaking of this and other objections, he said in his manifesto - “ I recognise the force of these reasons as fully as ever.” I trace in this manifesto the honest expression of a most profound conviction on the part of that great Queensland statesman, that even at the moment when he felt the extraordinary circumstances of Queensland demanded extraordinary action, he was still, as ever, profoundly impressed with the necessity of making his proposed measure only a temporary one, and of taking strong steps at as early a date as possible to put an end to an acknowledged and a growing evil. In the course of the same debate, I find the strongest evidence of an unabated and engrossing conviction on the part of Queensland people, that this kanaka traffic was a cancer which must be eradicated. How do I make that discovery ? We have had the overpowering weight of all the quotations which the Prime Minister has given us. They go as far as 1885, but in 1888 we have a document, not of a fleeting nature, not a mere statement made at a public meeting, which might be explained away, but an authoritative and considered expression of opinion, and a pledge, by Sir Thomas Mcllwraith, as to his views. That gentleman knew what he was talking- about. In the letter which he wrote to the press on that occasion he pledged himself solemnly and publicly to a certain policy, and I think it ought to be placed on record in our Hansard. At page 148, vol. 67, of the Queensland Hansard for 1892, Mr. Glassey is reported to have spoken as follows : -

Sir Thomas Mcllwraith who, by the way, was a member of the Government at the time–

Mr Fisher:

– He was then leading the Opposition.

Mr ISAACS:

– Yes ; but in 1892 he was the Colonial Treasurer in Sir Samuel Griffith’s Government.

Mr Wilkinson:

– But when he wrote that letter he was leading the Opposition at a general election.

Mr ISAACS:

– This letter was read in the Queensland Legislative Assembly in 1892, at a time when Sir Thomas McIlwraith was second in command in the Griffith Government. Mr. Glassey said : -

Sir Thomas McIlwraith was most emphatic in his declaration on the subject of coloured labour. In the manifesto whichhe issued to the electors of North Brisbane, to contradict the statements which had been made by the Chief Secretary, he said : -

Now comes the letter, and I think it speaks trumpet-tongued as to the honest opinion of Queensland statesmen, when they felt themselves untrammelled by considerations of financial urgency of an extraordinary nature -

Gentlemen, - With a view of showing you the absurdity of the statements made by my opponents I now pledge myself to the following if I am returned to power : - Not to allow the introduction of coolie or other coloured labour ; not to allow the introduction of Chinese ; not to pay the survey fees of the Transcontinental Syndicate ; not to introduce or support a Transcontinental Railway Billor scheme ; to oppose a land tax ; to encourage local industries by protection.

I am gentlemen,

Your obedient servant,

Thomas Mcilwraith.

– Yes ; Eli Whitney. By means of the cotton gin it was found that the negro slave could multiply his work infinitely, and it put cotton on the market to a much greater degree than before. That sent up the price of slaves at once, and made the evil more difficult of eradication than ever it was before. We do not know what the future has in store for us. We do not know how invention will turn. It may turn in a direction which will involve the extension of sugar-cane planting in Queensland, and the use of these kanakas, or their resultant product, in some way which will accentuate the evil, may extend vested interests in opposition to the principles of humanity, and put us in a worse position for dealing with the difficulty than we occupy at present. I propose that we should deal with this matter at once ; that we should not wait for a future time which may bring more difficulties than facilities for doing what is required. I can see no reason why any postponement should be granted. I cannot absolve our Australian people from blame in this matter. I think we are greatly to blame. There have been already, as it seems to me, three eras in the treatment of kanaka labour. In the first era there was an open violation of the rights of the kanaka by kidnapping. The Imperial Statute of IS72 (on its very forefront) has the charge perpetuated that it was by reason of the criminal offences committed upon the Pacific Islanders that that measure was passed. That was the first era. The next era was marked by the inconsiderate treatment of the kanakas by the sugar planters, which resulted in an enormous number of deaths - 66 per 1000 from 1885 to 1890. I get that evidence from the Queensland debates at page 173. It appears from the Registrar-General’s returns that, from 1885 to 1890 inclusive, the number of islanders in the State each year, added together, made a total of 5,577. During the six years 3,689 of these men died, or at the rate of 66 per 1,000. That was leaving out of consideration the year during which there was a visitation of measles and the year before it, so that those were normal years. The third era is the present, during which the death-rate of the kanakas, though very much less - less than it was by more than 50 per cent. - is still abnormally high. I find from the 1901 report of the immigration agent in connexion with the Pacific Island immigration, presented to the Queensland House of Parliament, and dated 4th June this year, that, independenly altogether of 940 labourers who returned to their homes during the year 1900, and who, no doubt, carried with them the seeds of disease and death, the mortality on this continent was extremely large. There were 9,324 labourers in the State, and of these 274 died. Now, if we say, roughly speaking, 5 so that we may calculate it mentally, that among 9,000 there were 270 deaths, that is equal to 30 per 1,000. The general mortality in Queensland, I find from “ Coghlan,” page 258, is less than 13 per 1,000, and that includes, of course, the Chinese and other Asiatics. The normal mortality of Queensland, therefore, is less than that of Victoria, showing that Queensland is really a healthy country. Thus we find that 14 deaths per 1,000 among the kanakas are’ < due practically to the causes attendant upon the sugar-cane work. That is a tremendous mortality when we consider it in conjunction with the diseases from which the kanakas may possibly recover, and the other troubles they have, and I think that if we have any regard for the welfare of these unfortunate beings - these inferior beings who are dragged, so to speak, at the chariot wheels of our progress - we ought, out of consideration for them alone, to abolish this traffic, and at the earliest moment possible. I am reminded by the honorable member for Darling Downs that if we take the percentage of deaths, and even assume that it has not recently been diminished, but has been at this reduced rate during the ten years since the reorganization of the laws, and that there have been 140 deaths per annum among these islanders occasioned by this traffic alone, we find that, roughly speaking, 1,400 deaths lie at our doors. This is an appalling result. When we are told by men whose words can be relied on, that white labour can do this work, and when we see that the sugar industry is not retrogressing, but is progressing, I cannot frame any reason in my own mind that would be satisfying to any humane conscience why we should delay as desired the definite, final, and, I hope, irrevocable solution of this monstrosity. It has been stated that the planters are entitled to notice, but what notice can they have more than they have had for the last 40 years 1 Year after year they have had warnings, and Parliament after Parliament has legislated against them, and kindly and considerately, and fattoo generously in my opinion, has the path been graded for the disappearance of the kanaka. I have had placed in my hands the words uttered by our kite honored colleague, Mr. W.-H. Groom, formerly the member for Darling Downs, who, in his speech in 18S9 in the Queensland Assembly, pointed out what was well understood, namely, that the abolition of the kanaka was in contemplation at no distant date. He says -

I have found prevailing among a large section oE the inhabitants of the North the feeling that kanaka labour is merely a stop:gap for coolies.

That shows that as far back as 1889 the planters understood perfectly well that the kanaka had to .go. There is no indication that they have made any preparation for it, but there is this indication, that when they were free from tlie trammels of the law - I do not say the present men - they did not hesitate ,to steal away the islanders from their homes, regardless of tlie consequences, and the Imperial Government had to stigmatize such action as a crime, and furnish the Queensland authorities with power to stop it. Then came the force of public opinion, unexpressed, but decidedly felt, which compelled the planters -to desist from their wholly inconsiderate treatment of the kanakas, which led to the mortality of 66 per 1,Q00, so that the death rate to-day, although abnormal, .is marvelslously smaller. Now, the time has come when public opinion must be -formulated in the direction in which it has been expressed articulately at the polls, .not only in Queenslaud, but in all the other States, that the kanaka trade must definitely be put an end to. I do not hesitate to say that this traffic is a reproach to us at the present moment, and I should be wanting in my duty if I did not express myself as I have done, and if I did not do all in my power -to wipe out this blot as soon as possible. I can.give no-ear whatever to.the direct proposal for delay, nor to the other proposal for delay which takes tlie shape of the appointment” of a commission or a select committee. I think that the matter is perfectly plain to all the people of all the States, and I believe that when we have passed this Bill, and carried it stringently into operation, we shall have simply done our duty. Now, with regard to the measure itself, it is proposed that after the 31st March, .1904, no Pacific Island .labourer shall enter any part of Australia. The Queensland Acts, as explained by the Prime Minister, are to be left in full operation, except so far as they are controlled and restricted by this measure. The responsibility of the limited administration which will be left to them, will lie upon the Queensland authorities, and what we say is that in the meantime, from the moment this Bill is passed until tlie 31st March, 1904, no Pacific Islander shall enter Australia except under licence. That licence is to be granted by the Queensland Government, but they are not to have power to issue licences at their own sweet will, and are to be restricted by the diminishing provisions of the Bill. Therefore, it seems to me that the termination of this business is very nearly at hand. They may bring in these islanders until the 31st March, 1904, but no licences are to be granted after the 31st- December, 1903, which is to be the final point of permission, and unless the planters make three years’ agreements from-that time they will not be able to keep the men as long as 1906. There is no necessity to make out the agreements for one year, but there is an almost .absolute necessity from the point of view of the planter to make the agreements for more than one year. Therefore the argument that has been used in connexion .with the limitation of ‘the period of the agreement to one year is divested of all reason. Clause 8 is one of the most important in -the Bill. We know that under the terms of the Constitution, after the imposition of uniform duties, the intercourse between the States .with regard to persons as well as goods is to be absolutely free, and I welcome the provision that is sought to be made by tlie Government in clause 8 against the danger that would otherwise exist in regard to the rest of the States. After the imposition by law - not merely by the proposal of the Tariff that we have before us, but by Act - of the uniform duties, in the absence of any other provisions, these islanders would, under the provisions df the Constitution, be at liberty to wander all over Australia. But by sub-section (26) of section 51 of the Constitution, -power is given to legislate for any race as to which we desire to make special provision. I have been anxious on this matter, and the Attorney-General has been good enough to permit me to consult him on the subject. I believe that clause 8 will, upon the whole, render impossible such a disaster as permitting those coloured aliens to wander at liberty over the length and breadth of Australia. Up to the 31-st December, 1906, Pacific Island labourers, supposing all other conditions are complied with, may be lawfully employed in Queensland, under labour agreement, but they are not allowed, up to that date, to wander about, even in Queensland, nor to be there, unless they are actually employed under agreement. A kanaka is not to be let loose to roam about and come into competition with white men, even in Queensland, and certainly not in the rest of Australia; nor is he permitted to. remain in Australia, up to the 3 1st December, 1906, unless actually employed under a Pacific Island agreement. Sub-clause (2) provides that practically under no circumstances after ‘that date is a Pacific Islander to be allowed to continue in Australia. There may be some question as to the form which that provision has taken, but, on the whole, I commend the Government none the less for that provision than for the other provisions of the Bill. The Government have foreseen, and, on the whole, practically provided against, what would otherwise be a great danger to us all. Australia is under a debt to the Government for carefully and fairly meeting this great question. VVe should hasten to support them in this work, and, when the desire formulated in this Bill has been carried out, I believe we shall have approached more closely than even before, and more closely than ever we could have hoped to approach but for federation, to that great ideal which the colonies set before them - one people-one destiny.

Mr WILKINSON:
Moreton

– The case for Queensland has been sufficiently strongly put on this question -without my going over ground which has already been trodden. But there are one or two aspects of the question which do not appear to have been dealt with. The Australian Commonwealth, and the State of Queensland in particular, will no doubt ‘feel very grateful for the weighty consideration that has been given to this matter by the parliamentary representatives of the Commonwealth. Such a speech as we have just listened toby the honorable and learned member for Indi must convince the most prejudiced persons on the other side that this matter is not being decided without due and weighty consideration. On this question of the abolition of Polynesian immigration and its employment in Queensland, I take up a somewhat stronger position than even that taken up by the ‘Government to-day. But I believe that the proposals of the Government are a most reasonable compromise ; and, after all the evidence we have had brought to bear, showing that this traffic has been considered a matter of temporary convenience for many years past, I cannot see how there can be any objection to those proposals, even on the part of the most earnest advocate of the continuance of this traffic. _ Here I should like to make reference to a vote I gave a few nights ago. That vote was called in question, but I must say that I do not think that even the honorable member for Maranoa can question my desire for a “ white Australia.” My desire, however, is to have a “ white Australia” brought about as quickly as possible. I do not Want to see 500 Japanese rushed into ‘the country by Burns, Philp, and Company, while we are waiting Imperial sanction to any Bill we may pass. I want to see finality as -early as possible. I’f we think afterwards that our rights of self-government have been infringed or interfered with, we -can attend ‘to that matter later on. First of all, let us see that we preserve our Commonwealth against the introduction of these people. In reply to an interjection I said that I should be able to answer my constituents on this question, and so I shall. I do not need to fear them.

Mr SPEAKER:

– I must ask the honorable member to confine his remarks ‘to the provisions of the Bill.

Mr WILKINSON:

– Had it not been for the rules of the House I should have explained my vote, or, possibly, I might have claimed that right as a -matter of privilege. However, I have no desire ‘to go any further in the matter. All I want to do is to assert that my ‘action -all through has been consistent, and is consistent still. My desire is. at the earliest possible moment, to have a “ white Australia,” and to keep from our shores all coloured labourers of a lower degree of civilization than our own. That is the motive which actuated me in the beginning, and it is the motive which actuates me Still. This is not a matter of to-day with me. I have been stumping Queensland for tho last twelve or thirteen years on the question. I can tell those honorable members who advocate the continuance of the traffic, that I have stood up in the streets of Mackay itself, and for two or three hours held forth against the kanaka traffic. There the toast of the day used tobe “Down with Griffith,” because he attempted to abolish the traffic. But shortly after Sir Samuel Griffith made that attempt, I stood up in the streets of Mackay, and in the presence of hundreds of the people who are most affected, I spoke on this subject, and my remarks were received as heartily there as they were in the southern parts of the State. The honorable member for Brisbane sought to impress on the House that he was returned for an electorate which comprises constituencies represented by labour members in the local Parliament. In contradistinction to that, I want to point out that the electorate I represent returned nine members to the Parliament of Queensland, and every one of these is supporting the Philp Government to-day. There are 72 members returned to the Queensland Parliament, and the Philp Government have a majority. Yet when the whole of these constituencies were polled we found that three-fourths of the members returned to the Federal Parliament were in favour of a white Australia. Under these circumstances can much weight be attached to the argument of the honorable member for Brisbane 1 Then in the federal electorate of Darling Downs, which was the latest polled in Queensland, only two of the State Parliament representatives are sitting in opposition ; all the rest are Ministerial supporters. Yet with the whole weight of the Government of Queensland opposed to him, the honorable member for Darling Downs was sent here to advocate a “ white Australia.” There can be no question as to the opinion of Queensland, or as to the opinion of the Federal representatives of Queensland. All that the supporters of the kanaka traffic are asking for now is time, and they have been asking for that for the last 20 or 30 years. I have been as long, and perhaps a little longer, a resident of Queensland than the honorable member for Brisbane ; and though [ was a very young lad when the honorable member came to the State, I was not without a certain amount of observation. I can remember when the first coolies were introduced for the purpose of being used in cotton-growing. I have seen them engaged in the work in Northern Queensland, and I have seen them buried there without any more ceremony than is observed in burying a dog. I know of what I am speaking just as much as does the honorable member for Brisbane. As to these kanakas being harmless and docile creatures, I would like to read a letter I have received from a gentleman who was an eye witness of the scenes he describes. I wrote to him for this information, knowing that he had been present, and this is what he sent to me -

In June 1884, at the annual race meeting held in Mackay, between 7th and 14th of that month, a fight between kanakas and whites occurred. In reply to your first query, I saw the first missle thrown by a kanaka, who had been refused a drink by one of the barman at the booth ; then a fusilade of bottles came out of tlie adjacent canefield. Two or three whites got scalp wounds, and were foolish enough to stand and throw the bottles back at the kanakas. After about ten minutes of this kind of work, the whole of the whites, both on foot and horse-back, made out on to the open course, and the kanakas followed them ; and as soon as the blacks were on tlie open, the whites charged them, the horsemen using their stirrup irons or riding whips, and a large number of kanakas were left Vying all about the course wounded ; their brains were oozing out of their heads, anil with each dying breath they vomited blood. Leaving that scene, I followed the whites as they broke into Raymond’s paddock, and there was a large number of kanakas lying bruised and bleeding amongst the cane, whilst the owner was very near frantic at the way the cane was being knocked down. From there I made my way towards Raymond’s house, and there were a couple of white men who had followed a kanaka into the house and pulled him out, and gave him a good hiding, he having thrown a missile at a woman riding along the road. The owner took the names of the two , whites, and they were afterwards summoned and imprisoned for breaking into Raymond’s house. Two supposed ringleaders of the kanakas were also arrested, and they were tried and sent to goal for a couple of months. What led to the fight ? For some time previous to the races, the Tanna boys had resolved amongst themselves that they were as good as the white men, and they determined to test the question at the races, viz. , they would have grog the same as the whites, and, when refused, the fun began. Who commenced the riot ? - The kanakas. Were any whites injured ? - Yes. Three were injured sufficiently to require their wounds dressing ; but not seriously. Were any kanakas killed V - Yes ; saw eight; myself. Besides this, J. McLean, who is now working at the State Nursery, Mackay, carried a large number away to the Kanaka Hospital, and Burton, the undertaker, buried the eight. Was there any inquiry ? - No, not to my knowledge. Everything was. hushed up, except that the Government organ, the Mercury, Said that three kanakas. had been killed, so far as they had been officially informed The then member for the district, and Minister of Lands, H. Black, got on the top of the booth, with his two chilren, for safety. I have sent you this very hurried description, and hope you will pardon the erratic way it is written, but if necessary will give you further particulars after the recess.

That description is furnished by an eyewitness who, from his pugnacity, I know must have taken a pretty active part in the fight. Speaking further of the docility of the kanaka, I should like to refer honorable members to the number of undiscovered murders and other crimes which have occurred in Northern Queensland. Up to 1896 no fewer than seventeen murders had been committed, the perpetrators of which had not been traced.

Mr Deakin:

– Over how long a period?

Mr WILKINSON:

– I cannot say. The inference drawn from this fact is that the kanakas, who resemble each other very closely, rush out of the cane-fields and commit outrages, the authors of which it is thus impossible to trace. Despite all attempts to Christianize him the kanaka is still a savage. We cannot eradicate his savage instincts in one or two generations. I have in my mind a kanaka whom I have known for over 30 years. He is a member of the Salvation Army and beats the drum. He stands in the streets and exhorts the white people to repentance, and thinks that he is better than the Europeans. But he is a savage none the less. During the course of this debate the reason has been given why the white people permit certain low classes of women to inhabit the towns in which these kanakas are congregated. I have not been sparing in my denunciation of the Chinese quarters of Melbourne and Sydney, but there are canker spots in Queensland just as there are elsewhere. Where the kanakas are brought here without their women we may depend upon it that there will be a degree of immorality which we in our civilization do not desire to see perpetuated in Australia. Some honorable members have asked for an extension of the period during which the planters shall be able to employ kanakas, in order that the planters may have an opportunity of accommodating themselves to the new set of circumstances. I admired much of that was said the other day by the honorable member for Wentworth. But he pleads for time. I should like to ask that honorable member, as well as the honorable member for Kooyong and the honorable member for Oxley, whether, if they saw one of their loved ones suffering from a cancer, they would delay the surgical operation which would be necessary to cut the cancer away? Certainly not ! They would permit the operation to be performed, and afterwards by tender nursing would endeavour to heal the wound which the knife had made. That is what the Government propose to do. They desire to cut away this cancerous growth from the sugar industry, and afterwards, by offering practically a bonus for sugar grown by white labour, they hope to heal the wound which has been made. They have no desire to kill the sugar industry, but merely wish to get rid of an evil which threatens the life of the Commonwealth. I am proud that I gave a vote the other night in support of a Government which I know to be earnest in its endeavour to bring about a white Australia. I am not a bit ashamed of that vote. The evils regarding the recruiting traffic have already been referred to. Some honorable members say - “ Let us continue the recruiting for five years “ ; others plead for an extension to seven years ; and others again favour limiting the period to ten years. I am pleased to admit that the evils of recruiting have been very much diminished of late years. But they have not been entirely abolished, nor can they be. Where many men - some of them utterly unscrupulous - are out upon the ocean plying a trade which brings them gain, we cannot keep them all honest. We may send inspectors to the islands, but we cannot always get honest inspectors. I have in my hand a letter from a man who has been on the “ black-birders.” He writes-

Looking at this question honestly in the face, one can only come to the conclusion that greed and selfishness are at the bottom of the matter.

The author of this letter is now resident in a sugar district in Southern Queensland. He continues -

I have the journal of a gentleman who was three years sailing amongst the South Sea Islands. He was on a religious mission, and he had time to make observations at each island he visited. There was food everywhere in abundance, and, as the weather is nearly always warm, clothes are very little used. The natives require to labour very little. Fishing, or the planting of a few yams, is about all the work they do. Those who come to Queensland may make a little money, but it is of little use in the islands, so that when about to return they generally expend it in clothes and knicknacks for their friends and relations. The question naturally arises, “ If the islanders have all they require in their own islands, why do they come to Queensland ? “ Is it to improve their position - to take home money with which to buy land and houses ? The thing is absurd. The schooners engaged in this blackbirding carry men who are called recruiters. They make arrangements with the chief for so many men or women, and, of course, the chiefs have to get presents. This a recruiter, is a bit lavish over it when he is sure of a good number. Then the relations have to be provided with presents, and, of course, all the grand tilings which the islanders are to get when they arrive in Queensland are not forgotten, but, of course, the hoe and cane-fields are not mentioned. But, to satisfy those who are not engaged in growing cane in Queensland by kanaka labour, the Queensland Government step in and say that all vessels engaged in this business must carry a Government agent. Simply a farce ! He is supposed to explain to the islanders what they are coming or being brought to Queensland for, and the wages they are to get, &c. Now, the cost of keeping one of these vessels at sea is from £70 to £90 per month, according to size, &o. and no time must be wasted in getting a full ship ; and if the Government agent is in the way there is one way he can be got rid of. The golden key can open a door when others fail, and I suppose human nature is the same on the high seas as on land. Then, as I told you in a previous letter, there are many kanakas in this State, who, when -they left their island homes, did not know what part of tlie world, they were being brought to. The old plan was to heave the schooner to, well off the land, get the islanders to come on board for trade, &o. ,. throw pig iron into the canoe and sink it, and make all sail away with all those on board.

We know that that was the practice in the old times. Proceeding, the writer says : -

We have islanders here who were brought to this country against their will, when they were quite young lads. They have no wish to return, and if they were sent outof the country it would be as great a hardship to them as it was when they were first brought here.

– That is so. If, instead of working in the heat of the day, those engagedin the industry were to adopt the system in force in some parts of Europe, and work in the cool of the morning and the evening, they would avoid the great heat which is supposed to bethe chief objection to the employment of white men in these localities. Having regard to the assistance which it is going to receive from the Commonwealth Parliament, there is no reason whatever why this industry should be destroyed because of the abolition of kanaka labour. I am sure we are going to give it that assistance, and that theindustry will survive the passing of this measure. There is no country which does not possess some territory which cannot be utilized. I have no desire to see the sugar industry of Queensland injured, but, if it came to be a question between its abolition and its perpetuation at the cost of. a white Australia, I should say - “Away with the industry, even if it represents seventy millions instead of seven millions of capital.” Every country has its deserts, its mountain ranges, and its swamps, and if any portion of Queensland territory is found to be unfit for occupation by white races let it remain as it is. That is the position I take up, for the poet’s lines are as true to-day as when they were written -

Illl fares the land, to hastening ills a prey, Where wealth accumulates, and men decay.

If we admit races to our country which will contaminate the blood that has peopled the world, which has come forth from the northern parts of Europe, andfrom Great Britain particularly, to cultivate and gladden the waste places of the earth - if we allow any deterioration in that blood - then, I say that, even though wealth may accumulate, our race may well decay.

Debate (on motion of Mr. Higgins) adjourned.

page 6007

POST AND TELEGRAPH BILL

In Committee (Consideration of Senate’s amendments) :

Motion proposed -

That the committee agree to the Senate’s amendments in amendments Nos. 2 and 8.

Mr DEAKIN:
AttorneyGeneral · Ballarat · Protectionist

– I have already explained these amendments. The first alters the date on which the Bill shall come into operation from the1stOctober to 1st December next, and the second alters the age at which telegraph messengers shall cease to be employed in the department from seventeen to eighteen years.

Mr MAUGER:
Melbourne Ports

– I am not going to offer any opposition to the motion, but I think it is a very great pity that the change from seventeen to eighteen years has been made. These youths will be employed in the department until they are eighteen years of age, and it will then be too late for them to learn any trade. While I do not want to hinder the passing of this measure, I think this amendment is an indication that honorable members of another place are not aware of the seriousness of their proposal.

Amendments agreed to.

Motion proposed -

That the committee agree to the Senate’s amendment in amendment No. 13.

Mr WATSON:
Bland

– Notwithstanding the statements of the honorable member for Coolgardie, who seems to always become very much irritated at the mere mention of protection, I hope the Government will stand by the former decision of this committee. I do not see that there is any force in the argument that we should give way to the Senate.

Mr. SYDNEY SMITH (Macquarie). I hope the Government will not insist upon any alteration in the clause as amended by the Senate. When this matter was discussed in the committee previously, the question of free-trade and protection was unnecessarily raised by the Government supporters. It was not right to introduce an amendment importing the fiscal issue into a purely machinery Bill of this sort. The AttorneyGeneral led honorable members to believe that he would accede to the Senate’s amendment upon our amendment, and many honorable members have left the chamber believing that no difficulty would be raised in regard to it. For that reason alone I think the Government ought to give way in this matter.

Question put. The committee divided -

Ayes……… 21

Noes………. 20

Majority…… 1

Question so resolved in the affirmative.

Amendment agreed to.

Motion proposed -

That the committee insist upon its amendment, No. 6, disagreed to by the Senate.

Mr DEAKIN:
Protectionist

– I propose to ask the Senate to reconsider this matter, because, although they do not consider it necessary to insert the words proposed by us, the provision is found in all the State Acts, and if it is not included in this Bill there may be considerable doubt as to whether the restrictions now provided for can be any longer imposed. It is desirable that the States should not be placed under any disability in attempting to prevent papers containing undesirable advertisements from being transmitted through the post.

– I find that according to the clause, any person who commits a breach of the provision is guilty of an indictable offence, and liable to imprisonment, provided that, if it appear to a justice of the peace, on the examination of the person charged, that it is not expedient in the ends of justice that it shall be prosecuted as an indictable offence, the case may be heard and determined in a summary way, and the penalty is not to exceed ?25.

Mr Isaacs:

– What is the “examination” of a man charged with the offence?

Mr DEAKIN:

– I suppose that is intended to refer to the statement made by the person charged. I am assured that this is a constant matter of practical difficulty, and unless some such threat is held over those who have the management of vehicles of. height in and around our great cities, it will be impossible to prevent a repetition of these offences.

Motion agreed to.

Reported, that the committee had agreed to some and disagreed with others of the Senate’s amendments.

Resolved (on motion of Mr. Deakin) -

That the Prime Minister, the Attorney-General, and the Minister for Home Affairs be appointed a committee to draw up a reason for not agreeing to the amendments made by the Senate on amendments Nos. 16, 19, and 20 of the House of Representatives.

Mr. DEAKIN brought up the following reason :

As to the Senate’samendments to amendments Nos. 16, 19, and 20 - Because of the difficulty of defining “ sedition.”

Reported adopted.

page 6010

MOTION OFWANT OF CONFIDENCE

Mr REID:
East Sydney

-I hope I shall have the indulgence of the House in giving notice of motion at a time when it is out of order to do so. I postponed giving notice in the interests of public business, and now, with the concurrence of the House, I beg to give notice that I shall on Tuesday next move -

That this House cannot accept the.financial and Tariff proposals submitted by the Government - (I. ) Because they would place the finances of the Commonwealth and the States upon on unsound and extravagant basis ;
1. because they fail to adjust the burdens of taxation and the advantages of the free list in an equitable manner, revealinga marked tendency, which this House regrets to observe, to press upon necessaries of life and appliances used in our farming, mining, and pastoral industries more heavily than they do upon many articles of luxury ; (III.) because they would in their operation destroy the stability of the revenue, by making imposts for national purposes a source of undue profit to a few individuals, and a- few favoured industries, at the expense of the whole community.
That the foregoing resolution be conveyed by address to His Excellency the GovernorGeneral.

page 6010

ADJOURNMENT

Motion of Want of Confidence

Mr BARTON:
Minister for External Affairs · Hunter · Protectionist

– I move -

That the House do now adjourn.

Under any circumstances, such a notice of motion as that just presented would render it necessary for me to move the adjournment of the House. I am glad, however, that the right honorable gentleman has taken a course which enables me to concur with him in saving the loss of a day. I trust that the debate on this motion - which, of course, is entitled to full discussion - will be concluded next week, so that, whateverthe result may be, we may proceed with the business of the country.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

House adjourned at 3. 55 p.m.

Cite as: Australia, House of Representatives, Debates, 11 October 1901, viewed 22 October 2017, <http://historichansard.net/hofreps/1901/19011011_reps_1_5/>.

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House of Representatives11 October 1901

PAPER

SUPPLY BILL (No. 4)

Mr REID:East Sydney

Mr POYNTON:South Australia.

Sir George Turner:

Mr POYNTON:

Sir George Turner:

Mr POYNTON:

Sir George Turner:

Mr POYNTON:

Sir George Turner:

Mr HIGGINS:NORTHERN MELBOURNE, VICTORIA

Sir George Turner:

Mr HIGGINS:

Sir George Turner:

Mr HIGGINS:

Sir George Turner:

Mr HIGGINS:

Sir George Turner:

Mr HIGGINS:

Sir John Forrest:

Mr HIGGINS:

Mr Wilks:

Mr HIGGINS:

Sir George Turner:

Mr HIGGINS:

Sir George Turner:

Mr HIGGINS:

Sir George Turner:

Mr HIGGINS:

Sir George Turner:

Mr HIGGINS:

Sir George Turner:

Mr JOSEPH COOK:PARRAMATTA, NEW SOUTH WALES · FT; ANTI-SOC from 1906; LP from 1910; NAT from 1917

Sir Geo rge Turner:

Mr JOSEPH COOK:PARRAMATTA, NEW SOUTH WALES · FT; ANTI-SOC from 1906; LP from 1910; NAT from 1917

Sir Geo rge Turner:

Mr JOSEPH COOK:PARRAMATTA, NEW SOUTH WALES · FT; ANTI-SOC from 1906; LP from 1910; NAT from 1917

Mr Deakin:

Mr JOSEPH COOK:PARRAMATTA, NEW SOUTH WALES · FT; ANTI-SOC from 1906; LP from 1910; NAT from 1917

Sir William Lyne:

Mr JOSEPH COOK:PARRAMATTA, NEW SOUTH WALES · FT; ANTI-SOC from 1906; LP from 1910; NAT from 1917

Sir George Turner:

Mr JOSEPH COOK:PARRAMATTA, NEW SOUTH WALES · FT; ANTI-SOC from 1906; LP from 1910; NAT from 1917

Sir George Turner:

Mr JOSEPH COOK:PARRAMATTA, NEW SOUTH WALES · FT; ANTI-SOC from 1906; LP from 1910; NAT from 1917

Sir William Lyne:

Mr JOSEPH COOK:PARRAMATTA, NEW SOUTH WALES · FT; ANTI-SOC from 1906; LP from 1910; NAT from 1917

Mr CHAPMAN:Monaro · Eden

Sir George Turner:

Mr CHAPMAN:

Mr Wilks:

Mr CHAPMAN:

Mr Tudor:

Mr CHAPMAN:

Mr A McLEAN:GIPPSLAND, VICTORIA · PROT

Mr CHAPMAN:

Mr HUME COOK:BOURKE, VICTORIA · PROT

Sir George Turner:

Mr HUME COOK:BOURKE, VICTORIA · PROT

Sir George Turner:

Mr HUME COOK:BOURKE, VICTORIA · PROT

Sir George Turner:

Mr HUME COOK:BOURKE, VICTORIA · PROT

Mr Watson:

Mr HUME COOK:BOURKE, VICTORIA · PROT

Sir George Turner:

Mr HUME COOK:BOURKE, VICTORIA · PROT

Sir George Turner:

Mr HUME COOK:BOURKE, VICTORIA · PROT

Mr Tudor:

Mr HUME COOK:BOURKE, VICTORIA · PROT

Sir George Turner:

Mr HUME COOK:BOURKE, VICTORIA · PROT

Mr G B EDWARDS:SOUTH SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES · FT

Mr WATKINS:NEWCASTLE, NEW SOUTH WALES · ALP; FLP from 1931

Sir George Turner:

Mr WATKINS:NEWCASTLE, NEW SOUTH WALES

Mr KIRWAN:Kalgoorlie

House of Representatives
11 October 1901

Mr REID:
East Sydney

Mr POYNTON:
South Australia.

Mr HIGGINS:
NORTHERN MELBOURNE, VICTORIA

Mr JOSEPH COOK:
PARRAMATTA, NEW SOUTH WALES · FT; ANTI-SOC from 1906; LP from 1910; NAT from 1917

Mr JOSEPH COOK:
PARRAMATTA, NEW SOUTH WALES · FT; ANTI-SOC from 1906; LP from 1910; NAT from 1917

Mr JOSEPH COOK:
PARRAMATTA, NEW SOUTH WALES · FT; ANTI-SOC from 1906; LP from 1910; NAT from 1917

Mr JOSEPH COOK:
PARRAMATTA, NEW SOUTH WALES · FT; ANTI-SOC from 1906; LP from 1910; NAT from 1917

Mr JOSEPH COOK:
PARRAMATTA, NEW SOUTH WALES · FT; ANTI-SOC from 1906; LP from 1910; NAT from 1917

Mr JOSEPH COOK:
PARRAMATTA, NEW SOUTH WALES · FT; ANTI-SOC from 1906; LP from 1910; NAT from 1917

Mr JOSEPH COOK:
PARRAMATTA, NEW SOUTH WALES · FT; ANTI-SOC from 1906; LP from 1910; NAT from 1917

Mr JOSEPH COOK:
PARRAMATTA, NEW SOUTH WALES · FT; ANTI-SOC from 1906; LP from 1910; NAT from 1917

Mr CHAPMAN:
Monaro · Eden

Mr A McLEAN:
GIPPSLAND, VICTORIA · PROT

Mr HUME COOK:
BOURKE, VICTORIA · PROT

Mr HUME COOK:
BOURKE, VICTORIA · PROT

Mr HUME COOK:
BOURKE, VICTORIA · PROT

Mr HUME COOK:
BOURKE, VICTORIA · PROT

Mr HUME COOK:
BOURKE, VICTORIA · PROT

Mr HUME COOK:
BOURKE, VICTORIA · PROT

Mr HUME COOK:
BOURKE, VICTORIA · PROT

Mr HUME COOK:
BOURKE, VICTORIA · PROT

Mr HUME COOK:
BOURKE, VICTORIA · PROT

Mr G B EDWARDS:
SOUTH SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES · FT

Mr WATKINS:
NEWCASTLE, NEW SOUTH WALES · ALP; FLP from 1931

Mr WATKINS:
NEWCASTLE, NEW SOUTH WALES

Mr KIRWAN:
Kalgoorlie

Sir WILLIAM LYNE:
Minister for Home Affairs · Hume · Protectionist

Mr HUME COOK:
BOURKE, VICTORIA · PROT

Mr PAGE:
COWPER, NEW SOUTH WALES · FSU; CP from 1920

Mr E SOLOMON:
FREMANTLE, WESTERN AUSTRALIA · FT

Mr KING O’MALLEY:
TASMANIA, TASMANIA · IND; ALP from June 1901

Mr JOSEPH COOK:
PARRAMATTA, NEW SOUTH WALES · FT; ANTI-SOC from 1906; LP from 1910; NAT from 1917

Mr JOSEPH COOK:
PARRAMATTA, NEW SOUTH WALES · FT; ANTI-SOC from 1906; LP from 1910; NAT from 1917

Sir GEORGE TURNER:
BalaclavaTreasurer · Protectionist

Mr MAHON:
Coolgardie

Mr WILKS:
Dalley

Mr DEAKIN:
AttorneyGeneral · Ballarat · Protectionist

Mr DEAKIN:
BALLAARAT, VICTORIA · PROT; LP from 1910

Mr WATSON:
BLAND, NEW SOUTH WALES · ALP

Mr DEAKIN:
BALLAARAT, VICTORIA · PROT; LP from 1910