House of Representatives
14 April 1915

6th Parliament · 1st Session

  1. House of Representatives
  2. 6th Parliament
  3. 1915

Mr. Speaker took the chair at 3 p.m., and read prayers.

page 2290

MEMBERS DECEASED. NEW MEMBERS

Mr. SPEAKER informed the House that he had received returns to. the write issued for the election of members to serve in the House of Representatives for the electoral division of Bendigo in the place of the Hon. John Andrew Arthur, deceased, indorsed with the certificate of the election of Alfred John Hampson, and for the electoral division of Grampians in the place of Edward Francis George Jolley, deceased, indorsed with a certificate of the election of the Hon. Charles Carty Salmon.

Mr. Hampson and Dr. Carty Salmon made and subscribed the oath of allegiance as members for the electoral districts of Bendigo and Grampians respectively.

Mr FISHER:
Prime Minister and Treasurer · Wide Bay · ALP

– This is a fitting opportunity for making reference to the serious losses which the House has suffered since we last met. It is not often that a Speaker has to announce two deaths on the one occasion, and those deaths preceded within so short a space by a third - that of the late Mr. Arthur, whom we so greatly deplore. Since the adjournment we have lost Mr. Jolley, a member of great promise, who represented Grampians, and Mr. Howe, an older member, who represented Dalley. I wish, on behalf of this House, and in conjunction with my right honorable friend, the Leader of the Opposition, to express to the relatives of these gentlemen our sincere sympathy with them in their sad bereavement, and the hope that they may be sustained by those Powers which are always gracious in times of great trial. I trust that it may be long before we have again such a record. I desire also to welcome back, with the greatest cordiality, the Hon. Carty Salmon, who is an old member of the House, and whom I am glad to see back, although he differs in his political views from the members of our party. I welcome, too, the new member for Bendigo, who has served in the Parliament of Victoria. I am sure that I voice the feeling of all members in offering a hearty welcome to these gentlemen, and in wishing them every success in the conduct of the national duties to which they have now devoted themselves.

Mr JOSEPH COOK:
Parramatta

– I join with my right honorable friend, the Leader of the Government, in voicing the deep regret that we all feel at the untimely decease of two members of the House. How long the procession of deaths will continue to move thus rapidly one cannot tell, but the visits of the great enemy of us all have been paid so frequently of late as to have become positively tragic. However, these members have done their work, and have gone hence to complete it, perhaps, elsewhere. They have contributed their modicum of public service in an honorable way towards the building up of the reputation, the credit, and the resources of this great Commonwealth. Happy shall we be if, at the end, it be found that we have done our level best to continue this work, and to give effect to our best aspirations for the land in which we live. I congratulate the two new members on their election to the House. I wish them good health and good luck, and trust that they may render the best of service while they remain with us. I congratulate, too, the honorable member for Corio on his restoration to good health after a very severe illness. I am glad to see him back again in his place.

page 2291

ASSENT TO BILLS

Assent to the following Bills reported : -

Australian Notes Bill.

Commonwealth Bank Bill.

Defence Bill.

Estate Duty Bill.

Estate Duty Assessment Bill.

Invalid and Old-age Pensions Appropriation Bill.

Iron Bounty Bill.

Land Tax Bill.

Land Tax Assessment Bill.

Loan Bill.

Loan Bill (No. 2).

Public Works Committee Bill.

Treasury Bills Bill.

War Loan Bill.

War Pensions Bill.

page 2291

PAPERS

The following papers were presented: -

Contract Immigrants Act - Return for 1014, respecting contract immigrants admitted or refused admission into the Commonwealth, &c.

Immigration Act - Return for 1914, showing - (a) Persons refused admission to the Commonwealth; (b) Persons who passed the dictation test; (c) Persons admitted without being asked to pass the dictation test; (d) Departures of coloured persons from the Commonwealth.

Inter-State Commission - Decision of the Inter-State Commission in the case of the Commonwealth of Australia, plaintiff, and’ the State of New South Wales and the Inspector-General of Police for the State of New South Wales, defendants (seizure of wheat case) .

Patent Medicines - Report from the Select Committee of the House of Commons, together with the Proceedings of the Committee, Minutes of Evidence, and Appendices.

Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works -

Report, together with Minutes of Evidence and Appendices, on the question of the construction of a main sewer for the City of Canberra.

Report, together with minutes of Evidence and Appendix, relating to the proposed storage and regulating reservoir, Upper Queanbeyan River.

Petroleum in Papua - Report by Arthur Wade, D.Sc, &c.

Postmaster-General’s Department - Fourth Annual Report, 1913-14.

Ordered to be printed.

Audit Act - Treasury Regulations amended - (Provisional) - Statutory Rules 1914,.

No. 191.

Statutory Rules 1914, No. 84.

Statutory Rules 1915, Nos. 21, 23.

Commonwealth Bank Act - Commonwealth Bank of Australia - Aggregate balancesheet at 31st December, 1914, together with Auditor-General’s report thereon.

Customs Act - Proclamations prohibiting exportation (except under certain conditions) of -

Arms, &c. (dated 12th November, 1914). Rubber and graphite (dated 12th November, 1914).

Acaroid resin, &c. (dated 14th December, 1914).

Whale oil - Crude and refined (dated 21st January, 1915).

Vessels, boats, &c. (dated 29th January, 1915).

Leather (dated 18th February, 1915).

Cancelling proclamation prohibiting importation of -

Newspaper entitled Ghadr, &c. (dated 18th March, 1915).

Proclamations prohibiting importation of - Certain seditious Indian publications (dated 18th March, 1915).

Defence Act -

Factories ( Govern ment) - Conduct and Management of., and Employment of Persons - Regulations Amended (Provisional) - Statutory Rules 1914, No. 178.

Financial and Allowance Regulations Amended (Provisional) -

Statutory Rules 1914. Nos. 179, 180, 186.

Statutory Rules1915, Nos. 15, 20, 30, 33, 34.

Military Forces - Regulations Amended (Provisional ) -

Statutory Rules 1914, No. 181.

Statutory Rules 1915, Nos. 26, 35.

Universal Training - Regulations

Amended ( Provisional ) - Statutory Rules 1915, No. 27.

Dominions Royal Commission (Imperial) - Natural Resources, Trade, and Legislation of certain portions of His Majesty’s Dominions - Minutes of Evidence - Taken in South Africa, 1914.- Parts I. and II.

Elections -

Bendigo Election, 6th February, 1915-

Detailed Return of Voting.

Grampians Election, 20th February, 1915 - Detailed Return of Voting.

Electoral Act and Referendum (Constitution Alteration) Act - Regulations Amended- Statutory Rules 1915, No. 40.

Estate Duty Assessment Act - Provisional Regulations - Statutory Rules 1915, No. 14.

Fisheries - Fishing Experiments carried on by F.I.S. Endeavour -

Zoological results, Vol. II., Part 5.

Biological results, Vol. II., Part 2;

Vol. III., Part 2.

Inscribed Stock Act - Dealings and Transactions during year ended 30th June, 1914.

Iron Bounty . Act - Provisional Regulations - Statutory Rules 1.915, No. 17.

Lands Acquisition Act -

Regulations Amended (Provisional) -

Statutory Rules 1915, No. 11.

Land disposed of -

Old King’s Warehouse on the Customs Reserve, Quay Lane, Rockhampton, Queensland - Leased to A. W. Kirby and Company Limited.

Grazing Sights of portion of Rifle Range at Echuca, Victoria - Leased to George Frederick Cleland and Henry Little.

Land acquired under, at -

Arncliffe, New South Wales- For Defence purposes.

Balaklava, South Australia - For Defence purposes.

Bathurst, New South Wales - For Defence purposes.

Baulkham Hills, New South Wales - For Defence purposes.

Bulli, New South Wales- For Defence purposes.

Cobden, Victoria - For Defence purposes.

GlenInnes, New South Wales - For Defence purposes.

Horsham, Victoria - For Defence purposes.

Trymple, Victoria - For Postal purposes.

Junee, New South Wales - For Defence purposes.

Kew, Victoria - For Defence purposes.

Leederville, Western Australia - For Defence purposes.

Leichhardt, New South Wales - For Defence purposes -

Dated 30th January, 1915.

Dated 18th March, 191 5.

Millicent, South Australia - For

Defence purposes.

Moonta, South Australia. - For Defence purposes.

Mullumbimby, New South Wales - For Defence purposes.

Murwillumbah, New South Wales - For Defence purposes.

Narrogin, Western Australia - For Defence purposes.

Petersburg, South Australia - For Defence purposes.

Port Augusta, South Australia - For Railway purposes -

Dated 21st January, 1915.

Dated 10th March, 191 5.

Quambatook, Victoria - For Postal purposes.

Sea Lake, Victoria - For Postal purposes.

Subiaco, Western Australia - For Defence purposes.

Tamworth, New South Wales - For Defence purposes.

Willyama (Broken Hill), New South Wales - For Defence purposes.

Wyalong, Now South Wales - For Defence purposes.

Naturalization Act-Return of number of persons to whom naturalization certificates were granted during 1914.

Naval Defence Act - Regulations Amended (Provisional) - -Royal Australian Naval Reserve (Sea-going) - Statutory Rules 1015, No. 4.

Northern Territory - Ordinances of 1915 -

No. 1 - Licensing.

No. 2 - Birds Protection.

Papua - Ordinances of 1914 -

No. 7 - Lands Acquisition.

No. 12 - Marriage.

No. 14 - Pearl, Pearl-Shell, and Bechedemer.

No. 16 - Supplementary Appropriation Ordinance 1913-1914, No. 3.

No. 17 - Education.

No. 19- Excise Tariff.

Post and Telegraph Act -

Regulations Amended (Provisional) -

Statutory Rules 1914, Nos. 152, 173, 177.

Statutory Rules 1915, Nos. 1, 10, 16, 32.

Regulations Amended -

Statutory Rules 1914, Nos. 151, 162-165, 169, 183, 184.

Statutory Rules 1915, Nos. 2, 3. 13, 19, 20, 36.

Public Service Act -

Appointments of -

Promotions of -

Regulations Amended -

Statutory Rules 1914, No. 187. (Provisional) - Statutory Rules 1915, Nos. 7, 8, 38.

Statutory Rules 1915, Nos. 6, 12, 37.

War, European -

Diplomatic Correspondence respecting, published by the Belgian Government.

European Crisis - Letter of 31st July, 1914, from the President of the French Republic to the King, and His Majesty’s reply of 1st August, 1914.

Temperance - Despatch from His Majesty’s Ambassador at Petrograd enclosing a Memorandum on the subject of the Temperance Measures adopted in Russia since the outbreak of the European War.

Turkey - Correspondence respecting events leading to the rupture of relations with Turkey.

Further correspondence regarding gifts from the Oversea Dominions and Colonies.

South African Union - Rebellion - Report on the outbreak of, and the Policy of the Government with regard to its suppression.

Trading with the Enemy - German Marine Insurance Companies - Grant of Licence to W. and J. Lempriere to certify to claims for general average, &c.

War Precautions Act -

Regulations Amended (Provisional) -

Statutory Rules 1915, No. 28.

Aerial Navigation Regulations (Provi sional) - Statutory Rules 1915, No. 31. Wireless Telegraphy Act -

Regulations Amended (Provisional) -

Statutory Rules 1914, No. 155.

Regulations Amended - Statutory Rules 1914, No. 170.

Wireless Telegraphy Act and Telegraph Act -

Regulation ( Provisional ) - Statutory Rules 1914, No. 156.

Regulation - Statutory Rules 1915, No. 9.

page 2293

QUESTION

FRUIT FOR ENGLAND

Interference with Shipping.

Mr TUDOR:
Minister for Trade and Customs · YARRA, VICTORIA · ALP

– Whether there will be any further interference with the shipping it is, of course, impossible for me to say, because the transport of troops is, I understand, the first consideration at the present time. However, every effort will be made that the shipment of fruit and trade generally will be interfered with as little as possible. The vessels which are used for the transport of troops, and other defence purposes, are loaded with produce as far as is practicable, and the British Government have asked us to give meat preference over every other commodity. Unfortunately, there has been a great interference with shipping, not only here, but in every part of the world. The

Transport Committee, which is formed of representatives of the Defence Department and the Department of Trade and Customs, are doing their best to accommodate shippers, and to see that every State gets its fair share of space in proportion to its production.

page 2294

QUESTION

WHEAT ACQUISITION ACT

High Court Decision

Mr PIGOTT:
CALARE, NEW SOUTH WALES

– Is it the intention of the Government to appeal against the recent decision of the High Court in reference to the Wheat Acquisition Act of New South Wales?

Mr HUGHES:
Attorney-General · WEST SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES · ALP

– I have not decided to recommend the Government to appeal. I understand that a deputation interested in the matter were desirous of waiting on me in Sydney, but I was, unfortunately, unable to see them. I should be very glad to hear what those interested have to say before finally deciding whether I shall recommend the Government to appeal.

page 2294

QUESTION

DREDGE FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Mr BOYD:
HENTY, VICTORIA

– Is it the intention of the Defence Department, in sending the Naval Defence Department Dredge No. 19 to Western Australia, to send an escort for the protection of the lives of the crew, seeing that many dredges which have been sent overseas have been lost in transit?

Mr JENSEN:
Assistant Minister · BASS, TASMANIA · ALP

– I do not think that it is the intention of the Department to send an escort; but accompanying the dredge will be a steam hopper barge of good tonnage, which will always be a stand-by.

page 2294

QUESTION

IMPORTATION OF MAIZE

Mr BURCHELL:
FREMANTLE, WESTERN AUSTRALIA

– Is the Minister of Trade and Customs in a position to say whether the Government are prepared to make a rebate to the State Government of Western Australia in connexion with the recent importation of 6,000 tons of maize ?

Mr TUDOR:
ALP

– It will be well known, perhaps, to members that the Government announced their intention to remit the duty on oats, straw, hay, and certain other products on account of the conditions under which Australia was suffering during; the recent adjournment. While the Government had no power to remit the duty directly, itwas their intention to put a sum on the Estimates to recoup the importers. The Cabinet gave serious consideration to the question of putting maize on the same footing as the other products I have mentioned; but, in view of the fact that, according to information obtained from the States, the production of maize in Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria is this year equal to that of other years, the Government could not recommend that step to be taken. The question was considered on several occasions by the Cabinet, but it was not considered advisable to remit the duty.

page 2294

QUESTION

MENA CAMP

Hospital Complaints

Mr MATHEWS:
MELBOURNE PORTS, VICTORIA

– I have received three communications complaining of the accommodation and food supplied in the hospital at Mena Camp; and I should like to know whether the Minister will make inquiries with a view to having some remedies applied ?

Mr JENSEN:
ALP

– Several communications, through private persons, have come to the Department in this regard, and the Minister is looking into the matter with a view to doing everything possible to meet the requirements of our soldiers in Egypt, and seeing that they have every comfort possible.

page 2294

QUESTION

FEDERAL CAPITAL

Mr AUSTIN CHAPMAN:
EDEN-MONARO, NEW SOUTH WALES

– Will the Minister of Home Affairs tell us what progress is being made at the Federal Capital; and also whether the squabble between the departmental officers and Mr. Griffin, which has caused so much delay, has been settled ? Is there any likelihood of Parliament being removed to the Capital this side of the Day of Judgment?

Mr ARCHIBALD:
Minister for Home Affairs · HINDMARSH, SOUTH AUSTRALIA · ALP

– The work at the Capital site is being proceeded with steadily and surely, and great progress has been made. I am not aware of any misunderstanding between the officers of the Department and Mr. Griffin ; indeed, I do not know what my honorable friend is driving at.

page 2294

QUESTION

VICTORIA BARRACKS

Quotations for Stonework

Dr MALONEY:
MELBOURNE, VICTORIA · ALP; FLP from 1931; ALP from 1936

– I desire to ask the

Minister of Home Affairs -

  1. Were quotation forms issued re the recent stone work at the Victoria Barracks, and, if so, to whom were they issued, and by whose authority.
  2. Were any quotation forms refused to any applicants, and, if so, to whom?
Mr ARCHIBALD:
ALP

– The information I have is -

  1. Quotations have been invited for the first portion of the stonework from the basement to the ground level for -

    1. the supply of the whole of the stone required in the rough, and for
    2. the supply of the small portion required to be dressed for lintels, string courses, &c., and alternately in the rough. and are receiving consideration. The quotations were invited from the various quarrying firms under the authority of the Works Director, Victoria.

  2. No. Not to any bond fide applicant. It has been explained to me, however, that in one case a gentleman applied for a copy of the particulars, but, as he was not prepared to state whether he desired to submit a quotation, the departmental information was not made available.

page 2295

QUESTION

MEAT EXPORT TRADE

Mr SHARPE:
OXLEY, QUEENSLAND

– Has the Minister of Trade and Customs noticed in the report of the Commissioner who inquired into the meat export trade the reference to the slaughtering of young female stock in Australia, and for the purpose of preventing this slaughter, will he communicate with the State Governments with the object of having legislation passed on the lines of the law now in force in South America ?

Mr TUDOR:
ALP

– On the 15th December, 1914, I promised to have inquiries made in regard to the slaughter of cows and calves at export meat works. The following figures have been obtained in regard to the question : -

Returns are now being obtained monthly, beginning January, 1915, as to the number of cows of breeding age, cows past breeding age, spayed cows, heifers, and female calves slaughtered for export. The only returns yet available are the following for Queensland, for January and February, 1915 : -

In reply to a deputation from an agricultural society, Idrew attention to these figures, and the seriousness of them, and I now promise the honorable member that I shall bring the matter before the notice of the State Governments, because the States alone can take action in the direction of passing the necessary legislation.

Mr RODGERS:
WANNON, VICTORIA · LP; NAT from 1917

– Is the Minister aware of the fact that in the coastal districts of Victoria, where the seasons have never previously failed, hundreds of dairy cows have been slaughtered because their lives could not be preserved, owing to what is now known throughout Australia as “ Mr. Fisher’s little drought”?

Mr TUDOR:

– I am aware that, unfortunately, the conditions have been such that numbers of dairy cows have had to be slaughtered.

Mr RODGERS:
WANNON, VICTORIA · LP; NAT from 1917

– Are they included in your return ?

Mr TUDOR:

– No; the only returns for this year that have come to hand are from Queensland. The Victorian figures only cover the period up to December last, and at that time I do not think the farmers in Victoria were killing dairy cows.

page 2295

QUESTION

MILITARY REMOUNTS

Mr PATTEN:
HUME, NEW SOUTH WALES

– As in country parts of New South Wales there are certain gentlemen who state that they are the official buyers of horses for the Defence Department, but apparently do not possess any authorization which will prove their statements, I ask the Assistant Minister of Defence whether the Defence Department arms its official buyers with any evidence of their bond fides, so that sellers may know that these gentlemen are accredited buyers for the Department ?

Mr JENSEN:
ALP

– The Defence Department has its own officers, who proceed through the several States purchasing horses. There are many private agents who correspond with different sellers of horses, and the horses secured by their efforts are rounded up at certain towns on certain days. The officer of the Department then goes to those towns and buys the horses. The Department has no cognisance of anything that takes place between the agents and the sellers. It is only responsible for the actions of its own officer.

Mr Patten:

– Is that officer armed with an authority?

Mr JENSEN:

– Undoubtedly.

page 2296

QUESTION

INVALIDED SOLDIERS

Mr PALMER:
ECHUCA, VICTORIA

– Will the Assistant Minister of Defence se© that the relatives of members of our Expeditionary Forces who may be invalided home are communicated with as soon as information comes to hand ? I have a letter with me which shows that people have not been so informed.

Mr SPEAKER:

– Order !

Mr JENSEN:
ALP

– The course adopted by tho Minister o£ Defence is that which he thinks the wisest course to pursue at the present juncture. To give information to parents immediately on the arrival of some of those who have been returned from Egypt might not b© wise. The honorable member, however, can be assured that most of the parents are so informed.

page 2296

QUESTION

RECIPROCAL TRADE

Mr FINLAYSON:
BRISBANE, QUEENSLAND

– Owing to reports having been received in regard to the revival of a steam-ship service between Sydney and San Francisco, will the Minister of Trade and Customs push on his arrangements for a reciprocal Tariff between Australia and Canada, so that trade may be encouraged in that direction ?

Mr TUDOR:
ALP

– I have noticed in the press the intention to revive the trade referred to. The matter of a reciprocal Tariff between Canada and Australia has been under consideration for some time, and I hope that there will be an early settlement of the question.

page 2296

QUESTION

DEPARTMENTAL ACCOUNTS

Mr JOHN THOMSON:
COWPER, NEW SOUTH WALES

– Have the Government appointed a special officer to investigate the accounts of some of the Departments? If so, who has been appointed, and what is his rate of remuneration ; also, how long is the appointment likely to continue?

Mr FISHER:
ALP

- Mr. Robert McCheyne Anderson was appointed to go through the accounts of the Defence Department, and he has made his report, which I am glad to say is a very satisfactory one. The Government have retained his services in order that lie may investigate in the same manner the accounts of the Department of Home Affairs and the Post and Telegraph Department. Mr. Anderson is an accountant of the highest standing in Australia, and we have got good work from him. He has been paid £7 7s. a day, which covers all travelling expenses, except railway fares, for his work in the past, but for his new work he will be paid £1 ls. a day extra when away from home.

page 2296

QUESTION

FEDERAL CAPITAL

Dr MALONEY:
MELBOURNE, VICTORIA · ALP; FLP from 1931; ALP from 1936

– Will the Minister of Home Affairs say whether it is a fact that single men get firewood free at the Federal brick works in New South Wales ? If so, will he arrange that married men have the same privilege extended to them?

Mr ARCHIBALD:
ALP

– No distinction is made between the single and married men engaged on the works. In cases where a mess house is provided for the men, firewood is also made available, but this concession does not extend to either single or married men who elect to live apart from the mess house.

page 2296

QUESTION

PACIFIC ISLANDS MAIL SERVICE

Mr GLYNN:
ANGAS, SOUTH AUSTRALIA

– Will the Minister of External Affairs inform the House what matters are to be inquired into by the honorable member for Herbert and the honorable member for Lang, who, according to the press, have been appointed a Commission to visit the New Hebrides, Lord Howe, and Norfolk Islands in connexion with the mail contract? Will any of their inquiries relate to the alteration of the voyage consequent on the existing state of war?

Mr MAHON:
Minister for External Affairs · KALGOORLIE, WESTERN AUSTRALIA · ALP

– The statement which has appeared in the press in regard to the appointment of a Commission, comprising the honorable member for Herbert and the honorable member for Lang, to visit the islands referred to, is quite correct. The Government have received a great many complaints - some, I think, were received when the honorable member for Angas was in charge of the External Affairs Department - concerning the manner in which the mail contractors are carrying out their obligations. The mail contractors are also traders, and one complaint is of unfair treatment to shippers of cargo to Australia and of goods to the islands. The complaints have been continuous over a number of years, and in Sydney recently they were brought under my notice by a deputation. In the circumstances, it being difficult to obtain reliable advice otherwise, it was found necessary to appoint this Commission to make an unbiased and exhaustive inquiry.

page 2297

QUESTION

COMMONWEALTH STRATEGIC RAILWAYS

Mr KELLY:
WENTWORTH, NEW SOUTH WALES

– Will the Prime Minister inform the House of the location of the strategic railway or railways to which he has made reference in the press iti recent months?

Mr FISHER:
ALP

– Investigations are being made by a qualified surveyor in regard to possible routes for the proposed strategic railways. The question of policy is one which must come formally and directly before the House. As soon as information of value from qualified authorities is available, it will be given to the House.

Mr Kelly:

– You could get the information from State officers without sending out special men.

Mr FISHER:

– I think not. The more investigation we have in a matter of that kind the cheaper will the work be carried out.

Mr KELLY:

– In view of the fact that his previous answer seems to indicate that a flying survey is now being made by the surveyor over some stretch of country between Adelaide and Brisbane, I would like to ask the Prime Minister whether he will lay upon the table of the House the instructions given to the surveyor, in order that the House may be aware of the approximate route which it is proposed to take.

Mr FISHER:

– Yes; an explanation will be given of this matter. Primarily it is a defence matter, and the route should be the best route in all the circumstances. The Government have no interest in any particular route, and will be glad to lay any information before the House.

page 2297

QUESTION

FEMALE TELEPHONE ATTENDANTS AND NIGHT DUTY

Mr SHARPE:

– Will the PostmasterGeneral say whether it is the intention of his Department to compel girls employed in telephone exchanges to do night duty when they are bitterly opposed to that class of work ?

Mr SPENCE:
Postmaster-General · DARLING, NEW SOUTH WALES · ALP

– I am not aware of any proposed compulsion of the nature referred to by the honorable member. The telephone girls in Adelaide are doing the night duty at their own unanimous request, and the system is being given a trial there. So far it is working very satisfactorily indeed.

page 2297

QUESTION

TARIFF AND THE INTER-STATE COMMISSION

Mr POYNTON:
GREY, SOUTH AUSTRALIA

– Will the Minister of Trade and Customs say whether it is possible for members to obtain the report of the Inter-State Commission on the Tariff in time to allow them an opportunity of perusing it before discussing the new Tariff in this Chamber?

Mr TUDOR:
ALP

– I have received from the Inter-State Commission copies of the evidence taken by that body in regard to a number of items, but I have not received any report or recommendation dealing with any item of the Tariff.

Mr Poynton:

– Have you asked for a report ?

Mr TUDOR:

– I asked six months ago.

Mr Richard Foster:

– Will you ask again ?

Mr TUDOR:

– I will.

Mr POYNTON:

– Will the Minister make available to honorable members copies of the evidence he has received from the Inter-State Commission ?

Mr TUDOR:

– Yes.

page 2297

QUESTION

AUSTRALIAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES

Mr GREGORY:
DAMPIER, WESTERN AUSTRALIA

– Will the Assistant Minister of Defence have prepared a return showing the callings or occupations of members of the Australian Expeditionary Forces?

Mr JENSEN:
ALP

– The preparation of such a return would entail considerable work; but I will confer with the Minister of Defence, and give the honorable member a definite answer to-morrow.

page 2297

QUESTION

LIVERPOOL MILITARY CAMP

Mr ORCHARD:
NEPEAN, NEW SOUTH WALES

– Is the Assistant Minister of Defence aware that the flat at the Liverpool Military Camp was recently under water ? As this is the second occurrence of the kind within a few months, will the Department, in order to preserve the health of the troops, issue instructions to the military authorities in New South Wales to undertake a system of drainage, or some other preventive means ?

Mr JENSEN:
ALP

– Yes.

page 2297

QUESTION

MAIL CONTRACTORS AND THE DROUGHT

Mr RICHARD FOSTER:

– Will the Postmaster-General take into’ consideration the position of mail contractors, who, in consequence of the drought, are paying from £10 10s. to £11 per ton for chaff, and are not earning enough money from the Department to pay for horse feed ! Is the Minister prepared to make any concession to such contractors while the existing high price of chaff is maintained ?

Mr SPENCE:
ALP

– I have already had this matter under consideration, and am in communication with a number of the contractors. We are going as far as we possibly can in the circumstances to assist the contractors.

page 2298

QUESTION

LETTERS DESPATCHED TO EGYPT

Mr McWILLIAMS:
FRANKLIN, TASMANIA

– I desire to ask the Postmaster-General if there has been brought under his notice the very great delay that exists in the delivery of letters which are despatched from Australia to the troops in Egypt?

Mr SPENCE:
ALP

– I shall be glad if the honorable member can send along some specific case.

Mr Joseph Cook:

– There are plenty of them. One Department blames the other. Defence says it is the Post Office ; the Post Office says it is Defence.

Mr SPENCE:

– I am not aware that there is anything to complain about, but if some specific instance can be brought under my notice, I shall be glad.

Mr JOSEPH COOK:

– I should like to ask the Attorney-General if he heard the reply ofhis colleague just now that he was not aware that there were any postal troubles in Egypt with regard to the despatch of lettersto the troops? I should like to ask him what he did when I brought the matter under his notice some time ago?

Mr HUGHES:
ALP

– The honorable gentleman mentioned the matter to me, and I brought it before my colleagues, the Minister of Defence and the PostmasterGeneral. The Postmaster-General’s Department supplied a statement to the effect that they had carried the letters in accordance with instructions supplied to them by the Defence Department, and I understood - I am speaking from memory - that an officer of the Department was in charge of those mails. The point that the right honorable gentleman discussed with me was resolved in this way: that after the troops had been diverted from their original destination to Egypt the mails had gone on,but since that was ended there was no further bother, and no complaints. I have investigated one or two that were brought under my notice, but all complaints arose prior to the notice being given to the Postmaster-General’s Department to arrest the mails and keep them in Egypt.

page 2298

QUESTION

CURTAILED POSTAL FACILITIES

Mr PATTEN:

– I should like to ask the Postmaster-General if he will give generous consideration to, and offer some relief to, those towns and people of New South Wales whose postal facilities have been curtailed owing to the limited railway service decided uponby the Commissioners of the New South Wales railways? Some time ago they had a daily service, now they have only a tri-weekly service, to their great detriment and inconvenience.

Mr SPENCE:
ALP

– I do not know what the honorable member expects. Certain conditions affecting the country generally have affected the running of the trains which carry our mails. I do not know whether they expect us to put on coaches and run them separately, apart from the running of trains; we are doing our best to fit in the postal facilities with the limited railway service, but I do not think we can be expected to take the place of the railways.

page 2298

QUESTION

OODNADATTA TO PINE CREEK RAILWAY

Mr LIVINGSTON:
BARKER, SOUTH AUSTRALIA

– I would like to ask the Prime Minister, in view of the early development of the Northern Territory, if ho will take into consideration at once the starting of the railway line from Oodnadatta to Pine Creek?

Mr MAHON:
ALP

– The honorable member’s question is one which has already been under the consideration of the Government. We recognise its importance, but urgent matters arising out of the war necessarily have prior attention. I can, however, assure the honorable member that this project is not being lost sight of.

page 2298

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

Mr FISHER:
Prime Minister and Treasurer · Wide Bay · ALP

– I ask leave of the House to make a statement.

Mr SPEAKER:

– Is it the pleasure of the House that the Prime Minister have leave to make a statement?

Honorable Members. - Hear, hear !

Mr FISHER:

– May I say, by way of preliminary, that, for greater accuracy, I will read the statement? The purpose of my putting it into writing is to give a clear and definite statement of the financial position existing at the present time, and covering the period of the adjournment.

On the 18th December last, when moving that this House should adjourn until to-day, I stated that while I hoped Parliament would not have occasion to meet before that date, the critical situation of war might render an earlier meeting necessary. I am glad to say that such a, course has not been necessary. The Empire has now been at war for eight months. We have seen many changing phases of the greatest struggle of history. There is no cause for dissatisfaction with the record to date. During these eight months the Navy has realized our highest hopes. Great Britain has succeeded in asserting an almost complete command of the sea. Britain has pushed forward great preparations for a land campaign in Europe. The military resources of the Empire have proved far larger and more quickly available than were thought possible. We have held during a terrible winter an important portion of the French lines in the West, and indeed have made progress; we have achieved considerable local successes in other parts of the world; we face the opening of Spring with the highest hopes for success in this great struggle for freedom.

Australia has not been neglectful of her duty to the common cause. It may be that the immunity afforded Australians by the command of the seas possessed by the Allies has perhaps prevented our people from realizing to the fullest extent the terrible nature of the struggle in which they, with all other parts of the Empire, are engaged. But we must remember that they have been called upon to face, besides the war, the trials of an unfavorable season. Notwithstanding this, Australia has despatched for service at the front and has in camp preparing for active service there a grand total of 70,101 troops of all ranks, comprising 2,074 officers and 68,027 men of other ranks, with 30,946 horses and 3,098 vehicles. Of this total 43,146 men of all ranks have already been sent abroad; 24,976 are preparing to leave; 1,522 have already seen service in German New Guinea, where a garrison of 457 still remains; and I am more than pleased to be able to announce that, approximately, 80 per cent, of the forces sent abroad have been Australian born. I regret to say that the forces have suffered slight loss. There have been 99 deaths in the force sent abroad and 20 casualties in the force of occupation in German New Guinea. I attach a table showing the position in detail.

Australian Imperial Force. The following units and reinforcements have been despatched for service in Europe: -

The casualties have been, to date, ninety-nine deaths.

Now in training in camps: -

Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force. This force was raised and despatched for service in German New Guinea. It consisted of - The above served from 15th August, 1914, to 4th March, 1915, and is now disbanded. The casualties were - German New Guinea is now occupied by a later unit, despatched on and after 28th November, 1914, consisting of - The unchangeable policy of the Government is to train, equip, and transport to the seat of war every available man fit to help defeat our enemies. The equipment of such an army has naturally been a task of the greatest magnitude, calling for every ounce of energy that can be exerted. In the matter of woollen material and blankets, practically the whole of the output of the woollen mills throughout the Commonwealth is required to equip tha Expeditionary Forces. Twenty-two mills have been requisitioned and are working up to their full capacity, and in many instances overtime is being worked in the endeavour to execute orders at the earliest possible date. Orders are now running with the different mills for altogether over 2,000,000 yards of cloth for jackets and greatcoats and cord for breeches, for over 1,250,000 yards of flannel for shirts, ica, and for nearly 250,000 blankets. These supplies are required before the end of the current year to equip the Expeditionary Forces, together with reinforcements and replacements. With regard to clothing, applications have just been invited throughout the Commonwealth from firms willing to make up material into garments for the Department, and orders have been placed with, altogether, 124 firms for a total of 636,210 garments of various kinds. Arrangements have been made for the supply of nearly 1,000,000 pairs of boots by 31st December, 1915, distribution being made amongst firms throughout the Commonwealth, while master tanners have been required to guarantee sufficient supplies of leather for all military purposes. This effort on the part of Australia in the short space of eight months is a subject for gratification. It stands on a parity proportionate to population with what is being accomplished by our great sister Dominion of Canada. But this is not all. The Royal Australian Navy has continued to perform the good work which it has carried out since the outbreak of war. I had the pleasure, when in New Zealand recently, of hearing everywhere expressions of appreciation at the part played by the Australian Navy since the outbreak of war, and of thankfulness for the protection it afforded to New Zealand in a time of great danger. It is a fact that the superior naval force presented by the Australian Fleet Unit was to a considerable degree responsible for driving the German Squadron from the Pacific to its doom at the Falklands in the Atlantic. The Australian Navy has done effective work, and the Government has been at all times in close touch with the Admiralty. The officers and men are generally fit and well, and it is a remarkable tribute to the efficiency of the ships and the care bestowed on them by the crews that since the outbreak of war they have never been in. dockyard hands for any serious defect. Fifty-three vessels have been taken up as transports by the Government, six interned German steamers have also been utilized as transports and officers and crews provided for them by the Naval authorities. Twelve interned German steamers have been requisitioned for use as cargo ships, and full crews provided for them. These cargo ships, which are controlled by the Navy Office, have done much to relieve the congestion consequent on the requisitioning of so many steamers for military purposes. In order to protect trade routes and to embarrass the movements of enemy vessels, the Government was reluctantly compelled to impose considerable restrictions on coal export. This has entailed some hardship on the coal trade, which, however, has generously responded to the requirements of the situation. Work is proceeding at Henderson Naval Base, where 217 men are engaged. At Flinders Naval Base 333 men are employed. Engineering data is being obtained at Port Stephens and Albany. At Cockatoo Island, works authorized in Estimates are in hand. It is expected that the cruiser *Brisbane* will be launched and the destroyers fully completed this year. Railways. It is estimated the EastWest Railway will be completed in less than two and a half years' time, and there are reasons to believe that the same gauge from Kalgoorlie to Perth will be in existence before that time has elapsed. The Government have had under consideration the question of a strategic railway for greater security and defence, which, joining the East-West Railway in the neighbourhood of Port Augusta, will link up the capital cities of Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane. They have made arrangements for a preliminary investigation of a proposed route. As soon as the report is received, Parliament will be advised. Financial Position of the Commonwealth. In the Budget Speech of 3rd December, 1914, the financial position of the Commonwealth was dealt with at length. It seems desirable, however, that a further statement should be laid before honorable members, showing the action which has been taken up to date, and summarizing the position. It will be remembered that the estimate of expenditure out of revenue totalled £37,583,715, including special expenditure consequent upon the war, amounting to £11,742,050. The Treasurer proposed that the expenditure should be provided for as follows: - Ways and Means. Surplus brought forward from previous years, £1,222,401; estimated revenue of 1914-15, including revenue under the new Tariff and increased Land Tax, as well as new Probate and Succession Duties, amounting in all to £23,273,000; Treasury bills to be issued for war purposes, £1,242,050; Treasury bills to be issued for other revenue purposes, £1,346,264; loan from British Government for war purposes, at £1,500,000 monthly, for seven months, £10,500,000. Total of estimated expenditure provided for, £37,583,715. Receipts. The following is a comparison of the receipts estimated for the year, and the actual receipts up to 28th February, 1915: - There were unusual difficulties in framing the estimates of revenue, but I am pleased to be in a position to state that, according to present indications, the Estimates of revenue for the year will be found satisfactory on the whole, because, though there probably will be a shortage, its amount is not likely to cause serious embarrassment. The Customs and Excise revenue to 31st March, 1915, amounts to £11,181,000, which may be compared with £11,353,000 received in the same period of the previous year. We estimated that in the whole year we should receive £717,000 less than in the preceding twelve months, but in the nine months the decrease has been only £172,000. While it is too early, as well as unwise under present circumstances, to commit oneself to a definite forecast, it may be stated that the estimate of Customs and Excise revenue for the year is likely to be exceeded; but, even so, the excess will not be as much as has sometimes occurred under less disturbing conditions. We expected the Post Office to return in the whole year £55,000 more than it did in the previous year. Up to 31st March, 1915, the total revenue was £3,423,000, being an increase of £37,000 above the amount collected for the same period in 1913-14. It seems, therefore, that Post Office revenue is coming in at about the expected rate. Up to 31st March, 1915, we collected probate and succession duties amounting only to £804. For manifest reasons it is almost impossible to make a reliable estimate of revenue from this source. As the Commonwealth duties are levied on the estates only of persons who died after 21st December, 1914, and as some time necessarily elapses before the amount payable in any case can be ascertained, it was not expected that prior to 31st March there would be any considerable revenue. From information now in our possession, however, it would seem that the estimate of £1,000,000 for this financial year was too high, and we do not expect to collect, before 30th June, more than £100,000. The land tax this year promises a larger amount of revenue, but I am doubtful if the estimate will be realized. Expenditure. The following was the state of the Expenditure Accounts on 28th February last: - Since the Budget Estimates were framed no further estimate of expenditure has been made, but it is known that the war expenditure will exceed . the estimate. Such excess will be met out of the proceeds of an additional loan granted by the British Government. To this loan further reference will presently be made. We shall require £3,500,000 more than is set down in the present Estimates for expenditure in connexion with the despatch of Expeditionary Forces. {: .speaker-F4S} ##### Mr Joseph Cook: -- That sum will be needed before the end of the year? {: .speaker-F4N} ##### Mr FISHER: -- Before the end of the financial year. The expenditure is one at which I am sure honorable members will not quibble. The increase has been caused by the increase in the number of troops despatched, and was not covered by the Estimates laid before Parliament. There were two courses for me to follow - to bring down a Bill giving the necessary authority for what is proposed, or to bring down further estimates. I have mentioned the matter to the Leader of the Opposition, and I have decided to bring down fresh estimates covering the proposed expenditure. As already stated, the total receipts for the eight months are £20,9"87,057 ; and the expenditure for the same period is £21,836,070. From this it will be seen that we have expended in excess of the receipts in the eight months the amount of £849,013. We were able to pay away more than the actual receipts of the period because we began with a surplus brought forward amounting to £1,222,401. In framing the Budget it was found necessary to raise money by the sale of Treasury-bills in order that the estimated expenditure might be met. The estimated requirements were: - On 28th February, 1915, we had already sold Treasury-bills amounting to £2,995,000 to cover the deficiency referred to. The Treasury-bills were bought by the Australian Notes Fund; that is to say, funds were created by the issue of notes, and these funds were used for the purchase of the Treasury -bills. The amount is in excess of the estimate of £2,588,314, but an improved financial position has since enabled us to reduce the amount of Treasury-bills outstanding to £2,795,000, and when the land tax is received at the end of the year we expect to reduce it further. In the estimated total expenditure of £37,583,715 already referred to, provision was made only for the services which are usually paid for out of revenue. In addition, the Treasurer estimated that he would spend in the year the amount of £2,162,580 on the transcontinental railway, land in the Federal Territory, conduits, and other services which are usually paid for out of loan funds. Up to 28th February, 1915, there was expended on these loan services £1,301,482. In order to raise the necessary loan funds, the Treasurer sold to the Australian Notes Fund, Commonwealth Inscribed Stock and Commonwealth Treasury-bills. Imperial Loan. The estimated receipts during this financial year include £10,500,000, being seven monthly instalments of the £18,000,000 which the British Government has agreed to lend to the Commonwealth. This loan was granted in order that war expenditure might be met. The first instalment was received on 15th December last, and in each month since an instalment has been paid, making a total to date of £6,000,000. The Commonwealth is to pay to the Imperial Government on the £18.000,000 the rate of interest at which that Government itself has borrowed. The period of the loan is indefinite, the date of repayment being a matter which is to be agreed upon between the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Government of the Commonwealth. It is understood that the British Government is making the loan to the Commonwealth out of the proceeds of a loan of £350,000,000 raised by the British Government. This loan is repayable between 1st March, 1925, and 1st March, 1928. The price of the issue was £95 per cent., and the rate of interest 3£ per cent. Until the date at which the Commonwealth has to repay the loan has been fixed, it is not possible to calculate the effective rate of interest. It will be a little more than 4 per cent. Since the date of the Budget it has been decided to increase the strength of the Expeditionary Forces, and the amount of £18,000,000 will not suffice. The British Government has, therefore, agreed to lend us a further amount of £6,500,000 for war purposes, making a total of £24,500,000 to be received by the Commonwealth up to 31st December, 1915. In addition, the British Government has agreed to lend us before the date named the amount of £3,500,000, in order that Commonwealth works already in progress may be continued. Assistance to States. Before the British Government agreed to lend the amount of £18,000,000, it was the intention to meet the war expenditure out of the Australian Notes Fund, but money for the war having bean obtained in the manner previously referred to, wo were able to use the resources of the Notes Fund for loans to the States for public works. Accordingly, on the 5th November, 1914, the Commonwealth Treasurer entered into an agreement with the States that the Commonwealth should lend and the States should borrow the following sums : - The money is to be available in London and in Australia, and the amount borrowed is to bear interest at the rate which it costs the Commonwealth of Australia to raise money for its own purposes, but such rate is not to be less than 4 per cent, per annum. In the agreement the States engage not to borrow otherwise during a period of twelve months from the date of the agreement, except for renewals of existing loans falling due, but the States are permitted to sei] Treasury Bonds over the counter to an amount not exceeding sales in a normal year. As the precise rate of interest payable by the Commonwealth to the British Government is not yet known, we cannot at present state exactly what interest the loans to the States will bear. It would seem that the amount will be slightly more than 4 per cent. Each monthly instalment of the loan to a State will be repayable by the State to the Commonwealth two years after the date at which the instalment was paid to the State. The Commonwealth Treasury is making its advances to the States out of the Australian Notes Fund on or about the 15th of each month. Each monthly instalment amounts to £1,500,000, and the first instalment was paid in December. Previously Victoria had received £350,000, and South Australia £100,000, but these sums will be deducted from the instalments payable to these States in a future month. Agreement with Banks. The Australian Notes Fund could not have been used in the manner indicated without the assistance of the banks, which have agreed not to present notes at the Treasury for gold until the close of the war. The right is reserved to the banks, however, to make use of the Australian notes for banking purposes. The agreement does not compel any bank to hold any particular amount of Australian notes. It may pay the notes away to its customers or to its other creditors. The Treasurer on his part has agreed with the banks that the increased issue of Australian notes is to be considered an emergency issue, which is to be redeemed in gold at the close of the war. The banks have further undertaken to lodge gold in the Commonwealth Treasury amounting in all to £10,000,000, and to take Australian notes in exchange for the gold. Up to date the Treasurer has called upon the banks for 3,000,000 sovereigns, which have been placed in the Treasury vaults, and are now part of the reserve for the redemption of Australian notes. The agreement with the banks provides further that the Treasurer shall, if required, make advances to the banks in Australian notes, the banks to deposit in gold one-third of the amount of the notes advanced, and to give a deposit receipt at 4 per cent, per annum for the balance. Deposit receipts are to be payable in twelve months after the end of the war, and the banks have the option of redeeming the same at any time before maturity. Deposit receipts amounting to £241,000 have been received from the banks under this arrangement, and the banks have exercised their right to redeem the deposit receipts to the extent of £40,000, the amount outstanding being £201,000. Australian Note Issue. On 12th April, 1915, the Australian notes in circulation in the hands of the banks and the public amount to £26,664,323; in addition, up to that date, the Treasury had received interest on investments of the Notes moneys. Such interest, after deducting all expenses of the note issue, amounted to £601,460. The total Note Funds at that date, therefore, amounted to £27,265,783. These funds, on 12th April, 1915, had been disposed of as follows : - Loans to States, being instalments of total loan of £18,000,000, viz. :- Commonwealth Employment. During the recess, the Ministry have given special attention to the necessity for providing relief to the labour market, both skilled and unskilled labour, owing to the increase in unemployment consequent upon the closing down in certain directions of private industries. With this object in view, practically the whole of the works voted by Parliament were put in hand immediately the Estimates were passed, including a large number of drill halls, rifle ranges, military depots, and additional buildings in connexion with the Aviation School at Point. Cook ; additional buildings at the Royal Australian Naval College, Jervis Bay ; at the Royal Military College, Duntroon, and at the factories for the equipment and manufacture of munitions of war. On the East-West Railway, where the road-head is now at 216 miles 66 chains in the west, and at 232 miles in' the east, approximately 3,000 men are employed in construction, traffic, &c. Drought conditions and consequent shortage of water prevented even larger operations. The Defence Department is employing no fewer than 1,922 temporary men. In the Federal Capital Territory approximately 650 men are employed, and 't is expected the number will be increased very shortly by another fifty or more. On the Pine Creek-Katherine River railway some 340 men are employed. On Federal works in Victoria approximately 1,160 men are receiving employment ; and on Federal works in New South Wales approximately 1,300 men. We have made a start with construction of works by day labour under our own supervision in Queensland, and will soon be employing quite a number of men. In South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania, Federal works are being pushed on with under State supervision, and as much employment as possible is being given. Commonwealth Bank. The Commonwealth Bank has been of great service to the Commonwealth during the war crisis. It granted to the Government an overdraft in London during August last i»f £100,000, and during September £130,000, at a time when all the banks in England, except the Bank of England and the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, were observing the moratorium. At the request of the Minister of Defence, the Bank also arranged to provide funds to pay for purchase of horses for the Expeditionary Forces throughout Australia, pending the passing of a Supply Bill, which arrangement enabled the Departmental officers to immediately proceed to purchase and pay for horses without waiting for Supply to be passed. At the same time the Commonwealth Bank agreed to assist the State Governments in London with their financial arrangements. The Bank also assisted four banks in three different States in -Australia and in London, and arranged to assist another if necessary. At a time when the other banks in London were strictly observing the moratorium, the Commonwealth Bank did not do so. It assisted a large number o'f Australians resident in England and visiting there. Passengers who have since returned are loud in their praise of the action of the Bank during the crisis. It need hardly be added that the prestige of the institution has thus been considerably strengthened. The Bank continued uninterruptedly to negotiate in London bills on Australia, and many merchants in this country were glad of its assistance in transferring funds to London. The Bank has on behalf of the Treasury continued to redeem Australian notes and silver in London, and owing tothe despatch of the Expeditionary Forces this phase of its transactions has assumed comparatively large proportions. * It has helped, during the war, and still can help, stranded Australians at almost all places outside the actual theatre of war, a fact which may be interesting to many of our people in this country. I am glad to pay tribute to- the excellent work of the Bank's Governor in the crisis. He rendered good service in the negotiations for assisting banks, savingsbanks, and States, and is still assisting the Treasurer with these and similar matters. I should like to refer to the assistance rendered by this institution to Government and semi-Government bodies in Australia at low rates of interest during the past twelve months, when the money market had become restricted owing to the war and other conditions. Since the 30th June, 1914, the Bank has made the following advances: - {: .speaker-KNF} ##### Mr MASSY-GREENE:
RICHMOND, NEW SOUTH WALES · LP; NAT from 1917 -- Can you give the total of the advances to fanners? {: .speaker-F4N} ##### Mr FISHER: -- The Commonwealth Bank has one standard rate for overdrafts to the small man and to the big man. All these loans have either been made, or are in course of payment, and nearly the whole amount has been lent at a maximum rate of interest of 4^ per cent. , and in the case of municipalities, &c, is generally repayable by half-yearly instalments of principal and interest covering periods of from ten to thirty years. At the same time the Bank has continued to deal with applications for advances from constituents throughout the Commonwealth on normal lines, and practically every application has been granted where a proper and ample security hasbeen forthcoming. The rate of interest charged on ordinary overdrafts has been kept at 6 per cent, throughout ; whilst for advances to churches, charities, societies- and unions. &c, who do not distribute their profits amongst their shareholders, the rate is 5 per cent. On the 1st March, 1915, the Bank had 924 overdrawn accounts in the Commonwealth, of which 740 had balances under £1,000, and 184 over £1,000. These advances are distributed over the whole of Australia and Tasmania, and are all amply secured. In addition to its own staff the Bank has, by arrangement with the Federal Land Tax Commissioner, tho assistance of the Federal land tax appraisers and valuers throughout the Commonwealth in arriving at the proper valuation of securities offered. In order that the Commonwealth Bank may develop in accordance with the ideas of business which have been found peculiarly adaptable to Australia, it is necessary that it should be represented by direct branches in as many centres ils possible throughout the Commonwealth, and this may be accomplished either by opening new branches as desired - which is an expensive and slow process - or alternatively absorbing another bank or banks. The Bank at present has branches at the following centres: - And also a branch at London, and arrangements are now well forward for opening branches at many other important centres throughout the States. The balance still at debit of profit and loss at the 31st December, 1914, was £23,566 16s. lid., but it is to be remembered that all payments for furniture and fittings were charged to profit and loss, and not debited to a " capital account." As regards the Savings Bank Department of the Bank, it has continued to progress steadily, despite the war crisis, and between the 30th June, 1914, and 31st, December, 1914, the balance at credit of depositors in this Department increased by £1,362,000, an average of well over £50,000 per week, whilst the number of accounts during the same period increased by 31,666. The steady weekly increase in this Department still continues, the total of 192,530 depositors' balances as at 29th March, 1915, having increased to £6,552,661, as against 174,809 depositors with balances of £6,007,975 on 31st December, 1914. The Savings Bank in London was established primarily for the benefit of Australians or intending Australians, and generally to assist emigrants leaving England for Australia, and has been almost exclusively made use of in this respect. Other persons are not encouraged to deposit with the Savings Bank Department in London, and several suggestions that the Bank should receive deposits from the public throughout Great Britain have been declined. At the time of its establishment the British Post Office Savings Bank was consulted in the matter, and took no exception whatever to the establishment of this portion of the activities of the Commonwealth Bank of London, and the friendliest reciprocal arrangements still exist with the British Post Office Savings Bank, and also with the New Zealand Post Office Savings Bank throughout that dominion. Agencies of the Savings Bank Department are now established at well over 2,000 post-offices throughout the Commonwealth, and arrangements are now in course of preparation for the opening of many hundred more agencies at additional post-offices Immediately training camps were established for the Australian Expeditionary Forces arrangements were made for Savings Bank officers from the Commonwealth Bank to visit these camps on pay days, and to open Savings Bank accounts for the soldiers, the money being available either in Australia or in England, and some thousands of the soldiers gladly availed themselves of the facilities that were afforded. At most of the camps permanent agencies of the Savings Bank have now been established, in order to meet the convenience of the men. As soon as it became known that the troops were to be quartered at Cairo, arrangements were made for the Bank's agents at the centre to- cash cheques and pay withdrawals on Savings Bank accounts, and also to enable cable remittances being forwarded direct from Australia to Cairo, and in cases where lodgments represent military pay, they are forwarded either by cable remittances or through the Savings Bank Department free of any charge for exchange. The facilities made available in this way have been generally availed of by friends and relatives of the men who are with our Expeditionary Forces. Extensive arrangements are also being made to enable the members of the Forces to receive remittances and cash their cheques throughout Europe, as may be necessary, and also to forward remittances in local currency to men who are at the actual theatre of war, where banking facilities may, for the time being, be nonexistent. {: .speaker-KFJ} ##### Sir John Forrest: -- Where did you get all that information? They would not give me any. {: .speaker-F4N} ##### Mr FISHER: -- There is provision in the Statute for getting information from the Bank. The Season. It is pleasing to be able to mention the widespread rains that have within the past few days benefited the Southern States of Australia. The rains of November and December which broke the long dry spell of the winter and spring of 1914 covered most of Southern Australia, but whilst the rains were continued in the Western State during January and February, over all Southern, Central and Eastern Australia there was a return to the dry conditions. At the close of March, however, there were useful rains in parts of New South Wales. During April monsoonal influences have greatly relieved the situation by moderate to heavy rainfalls generally throughout the agricultural belt of South Australia and the whole of Victoria and Tasmania. This re-awakening of monsoonal activity is an indication that the period of drought has broken, when we may expect a return to more normal conditions. I can only add that I have no regret for my frequently-uttered public statements of optimism with respect to the possibilities of Australia; and I ask those honorable members who are not acquainted with the whole of our great continent to reserve their opinions about its possibilities until they know something about it. No one has greater sympathy for the distressful sufferings of those who produce from the soil than myself and my colleagues. {: .speaker-KXG} ##### Mr Watt: -- You now take away the adjective "little" from the drought? {: .speaker-F4N} ##### Mr FISHER: -- No. It is still a "little" drought compared with that of 1902-3. Over a very considerable part of Australia the drought has been a3 bad as I saw in 1902-3 - perhaps worse; but to speak of it as an Australian calamity in the sense in which the drought of 1902-3 was is not correct, and is certainly not patriotic. {: .speaker-KZT} ##### Mr RODGERS:
WANNON, VICTORIA · LP; NAT from 1917 -- Does not the world know that we are importing wheat and fodder ? What is the use of humbugging ? {: .speaker-KFP} ##### Mr Richard Foster: -- The figures are against the Prime Minister. {: .speaker-F4N} ##### Mr FISHER: -- No. Our flocks and our herds are largely with us, whereas in 1902-3 our flocks were devastated to the extent of 50 per cent., and our herds, with the exception of those in the great Gulf country, were almost wholly wiped out. We have a land that stands out, taking one season with another, above other lands in its production, which, notwithstanding droughts, is greater than that of any other country in the world. I move - >That the paper be printed. {: .speaker-F4S} ##### Mr Joseph Cook: -- I presume, after the eloquent optimistic statement of my friend, he will have no objection to our considering this matter a little. {: .speaker-F4N} ##### Mr Fisher: -- No. Will it suit the convenience of the honorable member to proceed to-morrow ? {: .speaker-F4S} ##### Mr Joseph Cook: -- Yes. Debate (on motion by **Mr. Joseph** Cook) adjourned. {: .page-start } page 2308 {:#debate-27} ### HOUR OF MEETING Motion (by **Mr. Fisher)** agreed to - >That the House, at its rising, adjourn until 3.30 p.m. to-morrow. House adjourned at 4.30 p.m. .

Cite as: Australia, House of Representatives, Debates, 14 April 1915, viewed 22 October 2017, <http://historichansard.net/hofreps/1915/19150414_reps_6_76/>.

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