House of Representatives
25 June 1941

16^th Parliament · 1^st Session

QUESTION
- PENSIONS OF . SOLDIERS’ DEPENDANTS
POWER ALCOHOL COMMITTEE
- Report
QUESTION
- NESTLE AND ANGLO-SWISS CONDENSED MILK COMPANY (AUSTRALASIA) LIMITED
QUESTION
- DEPARTMENT OF LABOUR AND NATIONAL SERVICE
QUESTION
- RADIO RESEARCH LABORATORY
QUESTION
- CASE OF MR. P. R, HENTZE
QUESTION
- PRICE OF SUPERPHOSPHATE
QUESTION
- EQUIPMENT OF AUSTRALIAN FORCES
PRISONERS OF WAR
QUESTION
- PRODUCER-GAS UNITS
QUESTION
- MUNITION WORKERS’ HOMES
QUESTION
- AUSTRALIAN CONSOLIDATED INDUSTRIES LIMITED
QUESTION
- IN TERNATIONAL SITUATION
QUESTION
- BOOT MANUFACTURERS
HOUR OF MEETING
QUESTION
- ABBCO BREAD CASE
QUESTION
- PETROL RATIONING
QUESTION
- MORATORIUM FOR CIVILIANS
QUESTION
- TAXATION OF LOANS
QUESTION
- TECHNICAL TRAINING
QUESTION
- TINNED MEATS
NATIONAL FITNESS BILL 1941
- Second Reading
MINISTERS OF STATE BILL 1941
- Second Reading
SUPPLY BILL (No. 1) 1941-42
- Second Reading
PROFITS’ TAX FREE AD LIB
- Dear Sir,
- The Secretary,
- Goondiwindi District Hospitals Board, Goondiwindi
- Dear Sir
- State Superintendent
- Signed: Applepears
- Dear Mr. Baker,
MEN
- Apply Mr. A.L. Halt,, 292 Exhibition Street
GUARANTEE
ADJOURNMENT
- Case of Mr. P. R. Hentze - Australian
PAPERS
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
- Bauxite
- Defence Forces: Allowances to Members of Parliament; Position of Judge Drake-Brockman
- Australian Broadcasting Commission : “A.B.C. Weekly”; Publication of Programmes ; Listeners’ Licences
- Canberra: Inspector of Building Scaffolding
- Militia Training: Payment of Compensation

Mr. Speaker (Hon. W. M. Nairn) took the chair at 2.30 p.m., and read prayers.

page 364

QUESTION

PENSIONS OF . SOLDIERS’ DEPENDANTS

Mr FORDE:
CAPRICORNIA, QUEENSLAND

– Because of the increase of the cost of living since the rate of pension in respect of dependants of soldiers was fixed, “will the Treasurer, when framing the budget, . consider . the raising of the rate?

Mr FADDEN:
Treasurer · DARLING DOWNS, QUEENSLAND · CP

– The question touches a matter of policy, which will be considered by. the Government.

page 364

POWER ALCOHOL COMMITTEE

Report

Mr SPENDER:
Minister for the Army · WARRINGAH, NEW SOUTH WALES · UAP

– I lay on the table the following paper : -

Power Alcohol - Report of Committee of

Inquiry, l7th May, 1941. and move -

That the paper be printed.

Debate (on motion by Mr.Forde) adjourned.

page 364

QUESTION

NESTLE AND ANGLO-SWISS CONDENSED MILK COMPANY (AUSTRALASIA) LIMITED

Mr SPENDER:
UAP

– by leave- On the motion for the adjournment’ of the House last Thursday, the honorable member for Melbourne (Air. Calwell) made certain, references to Nestle and Anglo-Swiss Condensed Milk Company (Australasia) Limited. I have received from the Minister for Supply and Development (Senator McBride) a statement .on tlie matter which. sets out that the factors which concern the Government are: - (1) The procuring of such requirements of milk as are needed, for the fighting services at home and abroad ; and (2) payment for such supplies at a rate which is determined as being reasonable.

In regard to the first factor, the Department of Supply and Development has already firm demands for S00,000 cases of tinned milk for delivery between August, 1941, and June, 1942. At present only two companies in Australia are capable of producing milk to the quality required for despatch to the fighting services overseas, namely, the Nestle company and the .Federal company. These two companies supply in accordance with their output; consequently the majority of the deliveries will come from the Nestle organization, which is the larger.

The Maffra company has not been able to supply milk to the standard required, although repeatedly requested by the Contract Board to improve the quality of its product with a view to the receipt of orders. 3JV determination has yet been reached in regard to the rate that will be paid for sweetened mill? required as from the 1st July, 1941. The whole question of the rates to bc paid for canned milk has (been under consideration by the finance branch of the Department of Supply and Development for some months, but what rate of profit shall be allowed has not yet been determined. The price, however, will be based, on actual factory costs, plus those margins which, in the opinion of the expert accountants attached to the department, may be regarded as satisfactory. The reference to « price of 25s. doubtless relates to a decision to pay this price for deliveries for the limited period between April and June, 1941.

It is interesting to note .that the lowest selling price for Nestle’s sweetened milk at the moment is 30s. a case, less maximum wholesale discounts of 10 per cent. and 2i per cent. It will be observed that, even- at 25s. the price to the Government would be very considerably less than the lowest price charged to the wholesale trade with the approval of the Prices Commissioner.

The tentative price which is being paid by the Government for unsweetened’ condensed milk. is IDs. a case, as against the lowest wholesale price on the open market of 26s. a case, less 10 per cent, and 2-£ per cent.

In regard to the appointment of Mr. Spencer, the position is that the extremely large requirements necessitate a complete and careful review of the capacity of industry. As only two companies are producing the quality of milk required, the greater part of the supplies being produced by the Nestle company, aird a.s Mr. Spencer has an unequalled knowledge of the manufacturing industry in. Australia, his appointment was an obvious corollary to the determination of the Government to ensure that the industry should be so. organized as to meet the demand. In order, however, that J ho dairying industry, which was equally concerned from the viewpoint of primary production, should be represented on this small advisory committee, the- Minister for Commerce was requested to appoint a representative of the Dairy Produce Board to work with Mr. Spencer ns a member of the committee. It is emphasized that the committee is purely an advisory one. It furnishes its advice to the Defence Foodstuffs Committee, which operates under the Minister for Supply and Development and, in cooperation with the ‘Contracts Board, is responsible for the placing of orders and the procuring of supplies of foodstuffs for the fighting services.

Sight has not been lost of the subject of fuel. The chairman of the. Liquid Fuel Control Board, has been called into conference, and through the local Dairy Produce Petrol Rationing Committee and the .State Liquid Fuel Control Board exercises control over war transport.

The opening of the Nestle factory at Maffra was in accordance with the determination of the Government to ensure that every effort would bs made to meet the requirements of the defence services. While this factory, which was capable of producing the large quantities of condensed milk so urgently needed, was lying idle, the Government could have been accused of inertia. Bearing in mind that the oilier factory at. Maffra cannot produce supplies of the required standard, , it is obvious that the step taken by the Government to ensure that the equipment available would be utilized in the production of milk for the defence services was the only one which could reasonably be taken.

The honorable member for Melbourne, mayrest assured that, in the first place, the Government will see that milk for the fighting services is provided. Secondly, it will see that the price paid for this milk is based on actual cost of production, plus the small margin which may be regarded as reasonable for supplies to the defence services. It is happy to utilize the services of the best brains in both the canning and production industries in order to ensure that Australia’s capacity to supply is mobilized to meet the extraordinary demands that are -being made upon it.

page 366

QUESTION

DEPARTMENT OF LABOUR AND NATIONAL SERVICE

Mr BARNARD:
BASS, TASMANIA

– I ask the Minister for Labour and National. Service: Is it a fact that the head-quarters of the Department of Labour and National Service arc. to be transferred to Melbourne? If so, how does the honorable gentleman reconcile this action with the statement that he made, both in and out of Parliament, when appointed to this portfolio, that the head-quarters of the new department would be at the National Capital?

Mr HOLT:
Minister for Labour and National Service · FAWKNER, VICTORIA · UAP

– It is not a fact that the head-quarters of the Department of Labour and National Service are to be transferred in the manner- suggested by the honorable member. From the 15 th July some additional officers of the Secretariat of the Department of Labour and National Service will be located at Melbourne. This step has been dictated primarily by the constant need for communication with the service departments and the Departments of Munitions and Supply. At present such relations are maintained only by unwarranted waste Of time and money, which results in a slowing of the war effort, and a drain on departmental efficiency. The transfer’ of these additional, officers from Canberra will react to the benefit of trade union officials, employers and other members of the public who are at present called upon to travel long distances for consultation with the department. Head-quarters will remain at the present Melbourne offices of the department, 4th floor, Royal Bank Chambers, but in view of the transfers of officers from Canberra, and of the expansion of the work of the department, particularly of the Welfare Division and the proposed Man-power Board, and because of the existing congestion in the Royal Bank Building, further space is being taken in Century House, Swanstonstreet. At the same time, but independently of these moves, the existing Munitions Employment Bureau is being moved from its’ present quarters to the ground floor of Vaughan House, corner of Queen and Little Collins streets. The present space occupied at Canberra will be filled by the expanded Reconstruction Division, to which additional appointments are being made. Honorable members are familiar with the arrangement now operating in Sydney where a branch of the department has been established. Some expansion of activities there also can be expected.

page 366

QUESTION

RADIO RESEARCH LABORATORY

Mr RYAN:
FLINDERS, VICTORIA

– Has the Minister seen a report in the Melbourne press, of a statement alleged to have been made by Professor P. H. Laby, concerning radiolocation of aircraft, and the closure of a radio research laboratory in Melbourne? If so, will he give the facts concerning this laboratory, and inform the House as to what Australian work is being carried out in association with the British authorities on radio-location, and the manner of its control?

Mr HOLT:
UAP

– by leave - I have seen certain of the reports to which the honorable member doubtless refers, and regret that misleading inferences may be drawn from the remark alleged to have been made by Professor Laby. A Radio Research Board was establishedby the Council ‘ for Scientific and Industrial Research in 1927, its members being Professor - now Sir John - Madsen, Sir

Harry Brown, Professor Laby, and Commander Creswell. Mr. D. McVey has more recently taken Sir Harry Brown’s place, and Commander Newman now represents’, the Navy. Professor Laby resigned some days ago. Excellent research work has been carried out for many years, three-quarters of the cost being borne by the PostmasterGeneral’s Department, and one-quarter by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research. The Universities of Sydney’ and . Melbourne generously provided accommodation. Some time before the outbreak of war, the British Government made available to the Commonwealth Government particulars of certain devices then undergoing development, and requested Australia’s collaboration in future work. These devices are of a secret nature, and no details’ can be published at present. It will suffice to say that a Radiophysics Board was set up to take charge of the work, its personnel being Sir . John Madsen, chairman, the Chief of . the Navy Staff, the Chief of the General Staff, the Chief of the Air Staff, the chief executive officer of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, and the Director-General of Posts and Telegraphs. In the absence of Sir John Madsen, the duties of chairman are discharged by Professor F. W. G. White, of New Zealand, with which dominion intimate liaison has been set up, and is in this way being maintained and extended. Much research and constructional activity have followed. Close contact is ‘being established with appropriate authorities abroad. I regret that I cannot at this stage give the honorable member fuller details of an excellent example of Empire collaboration in science and radio-engineering.

Most of the trained personnel attached to the Radio Research Board, both in Melbourne and Sydney, has naturally and properly been absorbed by the war work of the Radiophysics Board, in whose laboratory, under the control of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research,- a staff of physicists is now employed. Facilities in other Common wealth and. State organizations are also heavily involved in the construction programme. The work of the Melbourne branch of the Radio Research

Board has for months past been carried out by only one investigator working in a room in the Physics Department. of the University. I need only say thatas the small staff of the Radio Research Board became absorbed in work elsewhere, the Council for . Scientific and Industrial Research sought advice from the Board, and from the Department of Defence Co-ordination regardingwar work which might be undertaken in Melbourne. No practical proposals were received. In the middle of June, the investigator resigned, in order to accept an industrial appointment, and early last week Professor La by informed an officer of the Council for Scientific . and Industrial Research that the room was being used by others, and that it would,be desirable either to lock up the more expensive apparatus under seal or to remove it. The latter action was taken. ‘ There has been no communication on the matter with the administrative authorities of the University of Melbourne, whose attitude has been consistently helpful and understanding.

page 367

QUESTION

CASE OF MR. P. R, HENTZE

Mr WARD:
EAST SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES

– Yesterday, the Prime Minister, in refusing to make available the ‘file in connexion with the case of M r. P. R. Hentze, said that matters of national security were involved. I now ask him whetherhe is satisfied with the decision reached in that case, and whether he can point to anything on the file which affects national security?

Mr MENZIES:
Minister for Defence Co-ordination · KOOYONG, VICTORIA · UAP

– What I said yesterday, and what I repeat to-day, is that the file mentioned by the honorable . member was compiled by the security officers of the Commonwealth. It contains confidential reports from confidential source.?. It would be most undesirable in the public interest that filesso compiled should he made available for inspection except by those whose duty it is to pass judgment on them.

page 367

QUESTION

PRICE OF SUPERPHOSPHATE

Mr PROWSE:
FORREST, WESTERN AUSTRALIA

– In view ofthe fact that the damage clone to Nauru Island by an enemy raider has resulted in an increase of the price of phosphoric rock, and thus also of superphosphate, will the

Commonwealth Government defray the extra cost, seeing that it is due to enemy action ?

Sir EARLE PAGE:
Minister for Commerce · COWPER, NEW SOUTH WALES · CP

– This unavoidable increase of the price of superphosphate is being very carefully considered by the Government.

page 368

QUESTION

EQUIPMENT OF AUSTRALIAN FORCES

Mr SHEEHAN:
COOK, NEW SOUTH WALES

– Is the Minister for the Army prepared to make a statement regarding the equipment available to members of the Australian Imperial Force in Tobruk?

Mr SPENDER:
UAP

– In view of press statements on the subject of equipment I shall, later in the day, make a statement in regard to the equipment of the Australian Imperial Force in Greece, in the course of which I shall make some reference to Tobruk.

page 368

PRISONERS OF WAR

Camp at Cowra.

Mr.BREEN. - Can the Minister for the Army . state whether it is intended to abandon the recently constructed camp at Cowra for the accommodation of prisoners of war? What was the cost of constructing this camp?

Mr SPENDER:
UAP

– At present there is no intention of abandoning the camp at Cowra, which, I understand, will be used as a centre for distributing men to other camps.

– Has the Minister for External Affairs any additional information about the international situation other than what has been published?

Sir FREDERICK STEWART:
Minister for External Affairs · PARRAMATTA, NEW SOUTH WALES · UAP

– No. There is nothing to add to the statement made by the Prime Minister yesterday.

page 369

QUESTION

BOOT MANUFACTURERS

Date of Prosecution

Mr WARD:

– Last week the AttorneyGeneral indicated, in reply to a question, that he hoped to be able to announce within a day or two the date on which prosecutions in connexion with the boot scandal would be heard by the High Court. When does he expect to be able to announce that information?

Mr HUGHES:
Attorney-General · NORTH SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES · UAP

– The case against Fostar’s will be listed for hearing in the High Court as soon as the winter vacation of the court expires. It is to be hoped, therefore, that the hearing of the case will be commenced by the end of July..

Mr WARD:

– In view of the urgency of. prosecutions of firms charged with fraudulent practices or profiteering, will the Attorney-General ask the High Court Bench to curtail its winter holiday by at least a few months in order to expedite the hearing of the cases?

Mr HUGHES:

– I shall ascertain whether that is possible.

page 369

HOUR OF MEETING

Motion (by Mr. Menzies) agreed to -

That the House, at its rising, adjourn until to-morrow at 10.30 a.m.

page 369

QUESTION

ABBCO BREAD CASE

Mr ROSEVEAR:
DALLEY, NEW SOUTH WALES · LANG LAB; ALP from 1936; ALP (N-C) from 1940; ALP from 1941

– Has the Attorney-

General received any information as to when the Royal Commissioner, who inquired into the Abbco bread case will complete his report?

Mr HUGHES:
UAP

– No.

page 369

QUESTION

PETROL RATIONING

Personal Explanation

Mr JAMES:
HUNTER, NEW SOUTH WALES

– I desire to make a personal explanation on a matter in respect of which I have been misrepresented. Last week I addressed to the Prime Minister a question. From the right honorable gentleman and the Minister for the Army, evidently in collaboration, I received a reply. My question in effect was: Could not the buses that now ply from the West Maitland railway station to the Rutherford and Greta military camps be diverted to another service in order to save petrol?

Mr SPEAKER:

– Does the honorable member claim that he himself has been misrepresented. ?

Mr JAMES:

– Yes. I suggested that the railway service from Newcastle, which now terminates at West Maitland, should be extended to Greta. If that were done, I said, the buses could be transferred to take men from Swansea via Belmont to the John Darling, Burwood and Durham collieries. At present, the miners are either driving their own vehicles or travelling in hired cars to their employment, and my suggestion would result in the saving of a substantial quantity of petrol. To-day, I received from the president of the Miners. Federation the following telegram : –

Serious situation developed John Darling, Burwood..Rhondda.Bloomfield collieries with petrol rationing. Suggest Minister defer date allow present ration to continue until transport arrangements be made by the department for miners.

Mr SPEAKER:

– I am still waiting to learn in what respect the honorable member himself has been misrepresented.

Mr JAMES:

– I have been misrepresented, in that the published report of the reply to my question stated that I had said that the buses should be used to transport the miners from West Maitland to Greta. . That was grossly inaccurate, because miners do not travel to work from West Maitland to Greta. What I said was that, if the buses which, are carrying troops from, the West Maitland Railway Station to the camps were transferred to the mine-fields, the need for miners to use their- own motor vehicles in order to travel from their homes to the collieries would be eliminated. Will the Minister now consider that suggestion?

Mr SPENDER:
UAP

– I regret if any misapprehension has taken place. I shall be glad to place the honorable member’s representations before the Minister for Supply and Development in order to ascertain to what degree they can be acceded to.

page 370

QUESTION

MORATORIUM FOR CIVILIANS

Mr MAKIN:
HINDMARSH, SOUTH AUSTRALIA

– Will the Prime Minister be prepared to consider the desirability of extending to civilians affected by war conditions a limited moratorium in order to protect them from unfair pressure by creditors ?

Mr MENZIES:
UAP

– Several honorable members have directed my attention to that matter in the last few days. I now have it. under consideration, and I shall discuss it with Cabinet at the earliest opportunity.

page 370

QUESTION

TAXATION OF LOANS

Mr CLARK:
DARLING, NEW SOUTH WALES

– What action does the Treasurer propose to take, particularly in the next budget, to tax income from the £50,000,000 worth of bonds now free of tax and to deal with the income from other bonds the taxation of which is restricted ?

Mr FADDEN:
CP

– The composition of the budget is under consideration, and all matters likely to affect the financial resources of the community will be taken into account..

page 370

QUESTION

TECHNICAL TRAINING

Mr MORGAN:
REID, NEW SOUTH WALES

– I ask the Minister for Labour and National Service whether the Commonwealth and the States have reached an understanding as to whose responsibility it is to undertake the technical training of youths in order to accelerate the war effort? If it has been agreed that the responsibility is that of the States, will the Commonwealth provide sufficient finance with which to build and equip technical schools?

Mr HOLT:
UAP

– The only responsibility accepted by the Commonwealth in consultation with the States is for the training of technical workers for the munitions industry, from which men under the age of 21 years are excluded. The Commonwealth finds the money with which to pay the men while they are being trained, for. certain equipment which is used in their training, and for the extension ‘of buildings in order to provide greater accommodation with which to meet the needs of an expanded training scheme. Technical training, as such, remains, and is accepted as. the responsibility of the State governments.

page 370

QUESTION

TINNED MEATS

Mr CONELAN:
GRIFFITH, QUEENSLAND

– Has the attention of the Minister for Trade and Customs been drawn to the severe criticism by the Auditor-General of Queensland of the cost of tinned meats for Australian troops in Malaya and Singapore, which cost this country £40,000 more than similar goods supplied for the British troops cost the British Government? If so, what action is to be taken against the firm responsible?

Mr HARRISON:
UAP

– My attention has not been drawn to such criticism; but if the honorable gentleman will place his question on the notice-paper he will be supplied with a full answer.

page 370

NATIONAL FITNESS BILL 1941

Motion (by Sir Frederick Stewart) agreed to -

Thathe have leave to bring in a bill for an act relating to national fitness.

Bill brought up, and read a first time.

Second Reading

Sir FREDERICK STEWART:
Minister for Health and Social Services · Parramatta · UAP

– by leave - I move -

That the bill be now read a second time.

This bill makes provision to ensure the continuity and permanence of a movement with which I have been closely associated since its inception on a Commonwealthwide basis in 1939. I believe that there never was a time when there was a greater need in this direction than exists at present. We are expending a tremendous amount of money and thought in ensuring the fitness of our mechanical elements of defence, but I am old-fashioned enough to believe that, however efficient our mechanical aids may be, unless we also have a fit personnel in Australia, they will not avail ns very much. This is an age of machines and mechanized warfare, but behind the machines, in the shops and on the battlefield, there must be fit men and women to man them, and, above all, provision to ensure the continued fitness of the children and young folk to whom we will hand on that heritage for which we are now fighting. Whilst we are now preoccupied with national fitness in- order to survive, we must not forget the ultima’te goal of fitness in order to enjoy life.

The national fitness movement, as a truly national project, was begun in 1939 by Senator Foll, who appointed a council of persons selected on account of their association with sports movements in the, different States. A conference of State Ministers for Education, which met in Sydney, endorsed the movement, and the representative Commonwealth council met in January, 1939. The movement developed, and it was my privilege to be associated with the decision of the Commonwealth Government, in July, 1939, to provide a total sum of £100,000 to be expended over five years. The annual, allocation of this money was as follows : - £1,000 to each of the State governments for organizing purposes, and the following amounts to the universities : - Sydney, £2,000; Melbourne, £2,000; Brisbane, £1,500; Adelaide, £1,500; Perth, £1,500; Hobart, £1,000. The balance was left in the hands of the Commonwealth Minister for Health. State governments were invited to form State .councils. A State council was already in existence in New South Wales. The other governments followed the example of the New South Wales Government, and State councils were appointed on the following dates: - Victoria, the 10th February, 1939; Queensland, the. 12th ‘August, 1939; Western Australia, the 14th March, 1939 (approximately) ; South Australia, the 20th October, 1939; Tasmania, August, 1939 (approximately). The .Commonwealth money was allocated for two main purposes - (a) organizing expenses.; (b) subsidies to universities for the establishment of diploma courses. All States have appointed organizers, and all of the universities have accepted the conditions. In Queensland, New South Wales, Vic toria, and South Australia, diploma or certificate courses have been established. In Western Australia and Tasmania it was decided to provide scholarships for selected persons to attend courses at other universities. The movement has been enthusiastically taken up in every State. It has found expression in police boys’ clubs, the formation of municipal centres, country permanent camps, and summer schools for the training of group leaders, combined activities with such bodies a3 the Young Men’s Christian Association, &c, and the formation of a youth hostel association.

The enthusiasm with which the movement was adopted encouraged the Commonwealth Council for National Fitness, at its last meeting in November, 1940, to express itself in these terms -

While the success achieved in each State lias been noteworthy, it has recently become very apparent that the national importance and value of this movement lias not been adequately recognized or expressed.

The council expresses its strongly held opinion that there is an imperative and immediate need to use the vitality of this national fitness movement as one means for securing a high Ideal of national service. Central stimulus is necessary. Commonwealth direction . and encouragement is desired and expected, mid Commonwealth assistance must be given if the enthusiasm now available is not to reach iia maximum and then fade away to nothing.

Some satisfactory organization by which the Commonwealth gives evidence of its intention to foster this active enthusiasm is necessary if this movement is to be recognized as :m integral par,t of whatever form of organized national service is adopted. That it is a vigorous movement, and that it can be capitalized as a vehicle for carrying national efficiency and national unity to a high plane, should be recognized.

The council also expressed strongly its view that a central focus was essential for all purposes of co-operative action. The constitution of the council was changed subsequent to the third session : instead of being directly nominated by the Minister, the council is now composed of the Commonwealth Minister for Health, the Minister for Labour and National Service, the Director-General of Health, and one nominee from each of the State councils. The newly constituted council met on the 9th and the 10th May, 1940, and in November, 1940, held a very valuable joint session with the National Health and Medical Research Council.

This bill contemplates the maintenance and development of this national movement adapted to the needs and local enthusiasms in each State, in association with related activities’, and in close cooperation with the National Health and Medical Research Council. I have before me notes relating to similar acts adopted in the United Kingdom and New Zealand in 1939, and to a bill which recently came before the United States of America Congress. In these countries the movement has been enthusiastically furthered along parallel lines. The fund in the bill now before the House will consist at first of the £20,000 per annum allocated under the original grant, and any moneys later appropriated by Parliament . or gifts specially made for this purpose. In the United Kingdom, the grant approved under the relevant act amounted to £1.468,000 in 1939. On a population basis, the Australian equivalent would be about £200,000 per annum - ten times the present amount. I commend this bill to the favorable consideration of honorable members.

Debate (on motion by’ Mr. Forde) adjourned.

page 372

MINISTERS OF STATE BILL 1941

Second Reading

Debate resumed from the 24th June (ride page 324), on motion by Mr. Menzies -

That tha bill bc now read a second time.

Mr CURTIN:
Leader of the Opposition · Fremantle

– In his recent prospectus of tie contemplated strengthening of the national war effort, the Prime Minister intimated that the Government desired to increase the number of Ministers of State, and since then the right honorable gentleman has .brought down this bill. This measure proposes that there shall be nineteen honorable members associated with the Cabinet instead of the present number of sixteen. The Prime Minister directed attention to the fact that, whilst the Ministers of State Act provides for a maximum of eleven Ministers, the provisions of the National Security Act have been invoked since the outbreak of war in order to enable that number to be increased to twelve. As the result we now have twelve Ministers of

State and four Assistant Ministers, and the total amount voted by Parliament for distribution among Ministers of State for the current .year is £18,600. Thi3 bill provides that the total appropriation under the Ministers of State Act shall be increased by £2,650 in a full year, making the total amount available £21,250. It also proposes to amend the Act so that every member of the Cabinet shall become a Minister .of State. It must be obvious to every body, from the amount of money which we are asked to vote over and above that which the law now provides, that it is not intended that the salary already paid to any Minister shall be increased ; nor is it. intended that by the addition of three members to the Cabinet appointments shall be made which will correspond to three additional full Ministers. Each of the new Ministers will administer a department which, owing to the nature of its work, requires the constant supervision . of one man. Doubtless there will be a rearrangement of portfolios and ministerial responsibilities. The Opposition is agreeable to the passage of this measure. It recognizes that the economic functions of the State are constantly widening in scope, so that a great number of problems which were unknown prior to the outbreak of war now come before the administration and require ministerial supervision and direction, and the formulation of policy. Obviously our country is so vast and its conditions so different in various parts that although our population is only 7,000,000,. the responsibilities of government are as exacting as they would be if we had a population twice as large.

In addition to the normal responsibility of government, there is at present a new and complicated responsibility in consequence of the war. As the war has excited many special problems which require quick action, it appears to the Opposition to be imperative that there should be not only a spreading of ministerial duties, but also a fixing of responsibility in respect of particular duties. I can understand the wisdom of abandoning the term “ Assistant Minister “ in favour of “ Minister of State “. There is no need for the country to pay excessively for this variation of administration, and the Government doe3 not ask for a large addition to the total Cabinet fund. The Prime Minister stated in his secondreading speech yesterday that it is not intended to increase the salary of any Minister who is now receiving the full ministerial emolument. The right honorable gentleman also said that of the three additional Ministers to be appointed one would deal with aircraft production. It may be asked: “Why aircraft production and not tank production?” Responsibility must be fixed for the production of particular items in our munition programme. I have no doubt whatever that it is intended that the Minister of Aircraft Production shall in fact be what we have hitherto known as an Assistant Minister, but that the responsibility in the total munitions programme for aircraft production shall be assigned to the member of the Cabinet to whom will be allocated this portfolio. Responsibility, it seems to mc, is a better term than portfolio, lt may well be. that in a little while, when the work of aircraft production is properly in train and has advanced sufficiently, a Minister will no longer be required to remain in charge of it. He may then be transferred to tank production. .

These are practical problems which, in their nature, suggest to us, first, that the strain on certain Ministers must be lightened so that their work may be clone satisfactorily; and, secondly, that the responsibility for certain phases of our requirements shall be assigned to and fixed by a particular Minister who will therefore be better equipped to answer questions in Parliament, and to deal with what has to be done, or with what i3 intended to be done in that particular direction, than the honorable gentlemen who have previously had to do some of the work I have in mind.

I regard this bill as a development of our governmental machinery for the purpose of making the war effort of the country more efficient. There does not appear to me to be any inten tion to establish, permanently, a governmental machine of this size. The rights of Parliament are being safeguarded and Parliament itself will still have the duty to determine the size of the Government from time to time, and the amount of financial provision that will ‘be necessary, for this measure is to continue in operation only for the period that the National Security Act remains in force, which, as honorable members know, will be for the duration of the Avar and twelve months thereafter. As the rights of Parliament are being safeguarded in this way, and a3 it seems to me that some additional Ministerial help should be provided, I shall agree to the passage of the bill.

Mr BEASLEY:
West Sydney

. - I do not think that it will be considered out of place for me to observe that I shall not be satisfied with the Cabinet changes that are about to be made to meet the requirements of the country and to satisfy the clamour of the public for a greater war effort and an increased production of munitions unless the Ministers appointed under the provisions of this bill have at least some knowledge of the departments which they will be required to administer, and will also have sufficient strength of character and determination to do what the country demands shall be done. I have thought for a long time that there is too great a tendency on the part of the Government to delegate its powers and responsibilities to boards, commissions, committees and tribunals that are not directly responsible to the Parliament. If, therefore, the effect of this measure is found to be a restoration to the Parliament of the control it should exercise and a preventing of the delegation of parliamentary powers to outside bodies, its passage will have served a useful purpose. I do not make these observations in any personal sense, but I have noted, from time to time, that statements emanating from . Ministers tend, more and more, to be merely echoes of the ideas and determinations of interests, and frequently vested interests, that have been given far too much control, in my view, over the war effort of the country. The general public seems to be of the opinion that in many instances its affairs are not safe in the hands of the Government because of this delegation of responsibilities. If that policy be continued, the Government will soon be in the hands, not of the occupants of the treasury bench, but of people not answerable to Parliament and obscure from the parliamentary view. I, therefore, consider it necessary to say that if the Ministers to be appointed will undertake and discharge with determination and courage the work which the Prime Minister (Mr. Menzies) indicated in his broadcast speech last week must be done, and if the effect of this bill is to restore to Parliament the measure of control that it should exercise oyer our war effort, then the situation will be more satisfactory than it has been; but if the Government continues to coast along in the manner that has marked its progress so far, the appointment of . two or three additional Ministers will effect no real change in the conduct of public business.

I am anxious that the power of government shall remain in the hands of the cabinet over which Parliament has supreme authority. I am. totally opposed to a continuance of the practice of delegating wide powers to boards, commissions and c’.her authorities not directly answerable to the Parliament. There has been altogether too much of this kind of thing. To-day important duties that should be discharged directly by the Government are actually in the hands of people beyond the reach of Parliament and not answerable to Parliament. That situation should be corrected, and if. it be remedied a better feeling will be engendered in the public generally, particularly the workers, many of whom are suspicious - in some instances more than suspicious - -of the nature of the control that is being exercised over them. If all of this be done it may !be said that the prospectus of the Prime Minister in this respect is heading in the right direction.

Mr BECK:
Denison

– I have no quarrel with the bill, which has been explained by the Prime Minister (Mr. Menzies), and has received the support of the Leader of the Opposition (Mr. Curtin). But I draw attention to the fact that when the present Government was formed seven portfolios were allotted to representatives of New South Wales, four to representatives of Victoria, two each to representatives of Queensland and South Australia, and one to a representative of Western Australia. .Tasmania was excluded. Those who represent Tasmanian constituencies have no desire to be parochial in their outlook. Lately the names of prospective additional

Ministers have been freely mentioned, and if the prediction is well-founded, Tasmania will once again be left out in the cold. If that is to be the case, I lodge a most emphatic protest against the treatment meted out to my State. Some mem’bers and senators from Tasmania have had very lengthy parliamentary experience. I see no reason why every State should not be represented ministerially in this National Parliament. I definitely assert that every State should have, such representation. When last year I sought election to this Parliament I made it a plank of my platform that I would support whatever government was returned only so long as it remained a national government. Is the present Government a truly national government, seeing that it completely ignores every claim by Tasmania for representation in the Ministry? If Tasmania is to receive no consideration I shall be obliged to return to that State at the week-end to ascertain exactly what stand I should take.

Mr. BRENNAN (Batman) [3.34’J. - The subject-matter of the bill is worthy of a little more detailed examination than, judging, by appearances, it is likely to receive.

I do not propose to follow the example set by the .honorable member for Denison (Mr. Beck),, by taking a purely local view; that does not interest me in the slightest degree. But from other points of view, the matter demands some consideration and criticism.

Ministers alone. Honorable, members assemble here unwillingly, and leave gladly.

Mr Menzies:

– A horse that sat all the time would not be of much use.

Mr BLACKBURN:

– The more work under fair conditions that a horse has to do, the better for the animal. The more work that the harness has to do, the quicker it wears out. Whatever the Government . thinks is necessary to improve its capacity- for administering the affairs of the nation should be granted ; but I doubt whether the proposed increase of the “number of the Ministers of State will have that desirable effect.

Sir CHARLES MARR:
Parkes

– All honorable members will agree upon the necessity for increasing the number of Ministers of State iri order to enable Cabinet efficiently to perform the duties that devolve upon the Government in war time. Ministers are devoting to affairs of. State considerably more of their time than was demanded- of them in peace. The honorable member for West Sydney (Mi-. Beasley) rightly emphasized the need for criticism of inordinate delays which have occurred in making decisions, and of the delegation to boards and committees of responsibility that rightly belongs to Parliament. In this manner Parliament has virtually relinquished its control of finance. The Government should appoint a committee similar to the Finance Committee of the House of Commons, which subjects to vigilant investigation and scrutiny all matters concerning the raising and spending of funds in the United Kingdom. Far too many bottle-necks are retarding our war effort. Although Ministers may be overworked, the extraordinary delays that occur in replying to urgent communications andin making important decisions are inexcusable. As a representative of an electorate in New South Wales, I have had bitter experience in endeavouring to get boards and committees in Melbourne to make expeditious decisions. My subsequent remarks are designed to illustrate the necessity for a delegation of authority to make decisions in each State, instead of being obliged to await a decision from Melbourne. To my knowledge, at least ten firms in New South Wales are alleged to be manufacturing munitions, but their plant is practically idle. Last November, one of them was instructed not to accept any civil work in order to concentrate upon defence orders. Tq date, it has not received a single Government order. That firm has a plant valued at £100,000.

Mr Menzies:

– Will the honorable member give to me privately the name of that firm?

Sir CHARLES MARR:

Sir CHARLES MARR:

– I do not know the gentleman.

M r. Be as ley. - He is a hack who is always appointed to committees.

Mr Sheehan:

– What about Sir Ernest’ Fisk ?

Sir CHARLES MARR:

– I can say nothing but good about Sir Ernest Fisk, who is one of the brainiest, men in the Commonwealth. Provided that members of the Ministry make decisions, and make them properly, I have no objection to conceding the Prime Minister’s desire for further Cabinet assistance.

Mr CALWELL:
Melbourne

.- My leader has said that there ought to be nineteen Ministers of State; I accept his judgment upon the matter, and propose to vote for the bill. But I consider that the Prime Minister (Mr. Menzies) probably erred when he included in the measure a clause limiting its duration to the period of the war and six months after its conclusion. If there be justification in time of war for a Cabinet of nineteen Ministers, there will be justification for a Cabinet of similar size in the period of reconstruction which will follow the war.

Mr Menzies:

– The honorable member is probably right, but. I believe that Parliament ought to have the opportunity to deal with that matter when it arises.

Mr CALWELL:

– If the intention is to terminate this legislation, as is now proposed, in order that Parliament may reconsider the position, I do not offer any objection; but, if we are to have anything of a new social order after the war, nineteen Ministers will not be too many to consider the various phases of our social and economic. life.

Mr Menzies:

– Personally, I agree, but my view is that Parliament should have the chance to deal with that matter when it arises.

Mr CALWELL:

– In that case I shall not strongly disagree with the Prime Minister. Possibly, before the war ends, we shall have in operation, in addition to child endowment, which will begin on the 1st July next, a social benefits system on the lines of that operating in New Zealand. I hope that, as the war progresses and as the needs of the community become better understood by the- Commonwealth Government, it might even be possible for the Commonwealth to take over the railways systems of Australia.

Mr Brennan:

– What about socialism in our time?

Mr CALWELL:

– I have lived long enough not to be too optimistic about the amount of socialism that we shall get in our time, but I hope for an instalment of it which will emulate New Zealand’s performance. We shall certainly be nearer to socialism if we have a scheme enacted by this Parliament which will provide for all the social contingencies and vicissitudes to which humanity is heir.

A great deal of important legislation is held up because there is no opportunity for members to give their full consideration to it. A comprehensive bill to deal with all phases of life insurance and to protect, holders of policies, both ordinary and industrial life is, for instance, long overdue. Some States have such legislation and others have not. New South Wales, for instance, the biggest State, from the point of view, of population, has no protective insurance legislation at all. I hope that when nineteen Ministers are appointed, the Prime Minister will be able to direct one of them to prepare an insurance bill which should be passed by this Parliament with very little discussion if it follows the lines of the report of the Victorian royal commission. That commission was unique in that every recommendation made by it’ was given effect to by the Victorian Government within several years of the presentation of its report-

Reference has been made to the numbers of boards and commissions which are operating under the laws of the Commonwealth Parliament. I asked a question on that- matter on the 23rd May last, and I have just been supplied with the reply. The portion of that reply germane- to this debate is that there are 74 boards and 4 commissions now functioning under Commonwealth legislation. It may be possible for the new Ministers to take over from some of those boards, which should then be disbanded. I am not in a. position to criticize adversely, but there is evidence that whilst some of them are doing good work, the functions of others would be better vested in Ministers of the Crown directly responsible to Parliament.

A few weeks ago, at the invitation of the Minister for Supply and Development (Senator McBride), I went through the munitions factory at Maribyrnong with the honorable member for Corio (Mr. Dedman )) the honorable member for Wannon (Mr. McLeod), and Senators Cameron and Keane. A good deal of criticism has been levelled at bottle-necks which allegedly exist in that’ establish^ ment and at its failure to produce all the -munitions of war that it ought. Much of the criticism is not justified, if it is directed at the officers whom I had the pleasure to meet. There are difficulties, of course, and I do not gloss them over. I found, for instance, that in one section with a staff of 1,600 men there had been 1,300 changes in eight months.’ Many of the men engaged there had been lured away by luxury trades or had resigned on the grounds of ill health or for some other reasons and were now in what might be termed nonessential industries. They were either first-class technicians or had added skill. Some of them had actually been trained under the Commonwealth technical training scheme at public expense and had been put to making munitions .subsequently, but had accepted offers to go elsewhere. I do not, of course, blame people for accepting better offers of employment, but private enterprise should not be allowed to affect adversely the war issue.

Mr Scullin:

– Did the whole of the 1,300 go out of munitions production?

Mr CALWELL:

– In eight months 1,300 of a staff of 1,600 men changed.

Mr Rosevear:

– They did not all go out of the munitions industry.

Mr CALWELL:

– I do not know how many went . into other branches of the munitions industry or how many went into the luxury trades, but at the Maribyrnong factory, where there are 20.000 hands, there are in this one section 1,600 more or less highly .skilled hands. In that section a high degree of skill is required. I am not in a position to, say whether the plant of that establishment can be duplicated immediately in order to provide employment for the 1,300 who have gone, but there is plant in Melbourne on which those people could be employed in making munitions because that plant is already - making something .which, perhaps, is not necessary in time of Avar. An additional Minister would be able to iron, out that difficulty, and, generally, the increase of the number of Ministers may enable the Government to tackle more effectively problems which, confront the community in the matter of adequate supplies of equipment . for the defence of this country and for the assistance to the British Commonwealth of Nations against ‘ nazi-ism and fascism. I hope that the Government

Wi 11 seriously consider increasing the size of the Parliament. In my opinion it is necessary not only to have additional Ministers in order to transact the business of the nation, but also to have a greater number of members of Parliament in order that greater attention may be given to- the needs of individual electors.

Some electorates in the most populous States- of’ the Commonwealth embrace from 61,000 to 75,000 voters. The introduction of child endowment will make the lot of- the average member of this Parliament considerably harder than it is at present. I have the privilege and the honour to represent what is probably the poorest constituency in the Commonwealth. The passage of social legislation of any kind affects my electors very much, and they come to me for advice upon these things and all manner of problems. I suggest to the Prime Minister that the population of any Commonwealth electorate should not exceed 40.000. If that were so, honorable members would be able to give a great deal more attention to the needs of individual constituents than they are capable of giving at the present time. In the Parliament of New South Wales there are fifteen Ministers and the Legislative Assembly has a membership of90. In Victoria there are twelve Ministers, and the Legislative Assembly has a membership of 65. In this Parliament, where the House of Representatives has a membership of 74, we shall have nineteen Ministers when this bill is passed.

Mr Fadden:

– The nineteen Ministers will include a number of senators.

Mr CALWELL:
MELBOURNE, VICTORIA · ALP

Sir Charles Marr:

– That is a fair thing.

Mr WARD:

– Yes. It would be unfair to restrict the parliamentary allowance of honorable members to £500 a year without restricting outside sources of income, because the parliamentary allowance is mere pin-money to some honorable gentlemen, who receive large sums annually by virtue of their occupancy of company directorates and their shareholdings in wealthy firms. The honorable member for Wakefield (Mr. Duncan-Hughes) recently made a speech in which he condemned the increase of the number of men engaged in postal services. He said that at this timewe should not be talking about the extension of such services. These men are performing useful work. But he has no objection to an increase of the number of Cabinet Ministers. I agreewith the honorable member for Batman (Mr. Brennan) that even if there is extra work to be done by the Cabinet, members of this Parliament should hot expect extra payment for performing it. Has the Government not been lecturing theworkers’ about the need for an all-in

Avar effort and sacrifices by every member of the community? In this bill it proposes that approximately £3,000 a year shall be added to the cost- of Government. That figure does not include the enormous increase of expenditure mentioned by the honorable member for Lilley (Mr. Jolly) whichwill be incurred by the appointment of additional ministerial secretaries, typists, messengers, &c. If it be necessary to appoint additional Ministers, let the members of the Governmentshow that their actions are as good as their words and accept additional duties in an honorary capacity. The Prime Minister and his colleagues could accept a little less remuneration in order to spread the present ministerialallowance over the new Ministers.

Mr Fadden:

– Does the honorable gentlemanwant people towork for nothing ?

Mr WARD:

– No. I have always advocated in this Parliament that people should be given decent livingwages. Apparently the Treasurer (Mr. Fadden) believes that there should be one economic law for Cabinet Ministers and another for pensioners. He says that 21s. 6d. a week is enough for any pensioner, irrespective of how high the cost of living may soar. But, in his view, the remuneration of Cabinet Ministers is an entirely different matter, and they -must receive special payment for their services.

Mr Fadden:

– There will be no extra remuneration of present Ministers. The honorable gentleman is misleading the House.

Mr.WARD. - One of the great troubles of this country is that the real wealthproducers receive the lowest return for their services, whereas those who do the least work receive the greatest remuneration. How can the Treasurer justify his contention that 21s. 6d. a week is enough for a pensioner to live on, even with the increased cost of living, and at the same time say that the number of Cabinet Ministers cannot be increased unless Parliament is prepared to provide for the : new Ministers a salary over and above what. they receive by way of parliamentary allowances? Members of Parliament receive an allowance for their services as such, and in view of the appeals that members, of the Government have made to other people- from time to time to make sacrifices in . order to assist the nation’s - war. . effort, I submit that . -honorable members, whether they are . chosen as members of the Cabinet -or . not, should . be - . prepared to give their full, . time to the services of . the country without additional remuneration. It cannot be said. that men in receipt of a salary of £1,000 a year are working for nothing. Apparently the Government desires to increase the size of the Cabinet in order to appease certain discordant elements inits own ranks. It, seems that the thing for a member of the Government parties to do in order to secure a position in the Cabinet is to embarrass the Government. Certain honorable gentlemen have made nuisances of themselves on various committees, and the committees on which they have served have made reports which have embarrassed the Government. The members of these committees have then asked that the reports should be printed and their recommendations implemented. This has been unpalatable to the Government which is, therefore, proposing that, the size of the Cabinet shall be increased in order that such discordant elements may be absorbed. The honorable member for Barker (Mr. Archie Cameron) knows very well that the way to get into the Cabinet is to become a discordant element. He did so and obtained a portfolio. But because he remained a discordant element he soon found himself out of the Cabinet again.

Mr Curtin:

– His trouble was that he resigned from one party and was not sure whether he was eligible to join any other party !

Mr WARD:

– That may be an added reason why the honorable gentleman is to-day outside of the Cabinet.

The Labour party is of the opinion that if additional cabinet Ministers are needed they should be appointed; but I suggest, that the Government should abandon its proposal to increase the total amount of the Cabinet fund. The proposed new Ministers should be prepared to act without additional remuneration. The Government will not be justified in dipping into the public purse for an additional amount of nearly £3,000 in order to provide added remuneration for the three new cabinet Ministers it is proposed to appoint, particularly as, in my opinion, the appointments are to be made mainly in order to appease certain discordant elements among its supporters. Unless the provision for an increase of the total amount of the Cabinet fund is eliminated from the bill the Government will lay itself open to severe criticism. The people of Australia are intelligent. They have acquired the habits of reading and of reasoning, and they are not, therefore, likely to accept the very weak argument which the Prime Minister has advanced in support of this bill.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Bill read a second time; and passed through its remaining stages without amendment or debate.

page 386

SUPPLY BILL (No. 1) 1941-42

Second Reading

Debate resumed from the 24th June (vide page 328), on motion by Mr, Fadden -

That the bill be now read a second time.

Mr MARWICK:
SWAN, WESTERN AUSTRALIA · CP

.- As this will probably be the last occasion before the introduction of the budget that honorable members will have to engage in a general discussion of matters of concern to their constituents, I wish to direct attention to a proposal I made in March last that a select committee should be appointed to inquire into the increased cost of superphosphate. The superphosphate position in Australia is becoming desperate, due to the lack of shipping and the destruction of certain works at Nauru. The greatly increased cost of superphosphate is also adding considerably to the difficulties of producing many primary products which are just as essential to our war effort as are munitions. I therefore sincerely trust that the Government, will take the first opportunity to announce that it intends to act as the Government of New Zealand has done in connexion with superphosphate, and that it will carry the additional costs at present being imposed on users.

I regard it as the responsibility of the Government to do everything within its power to develop possible sources of supply of superphosphate within Australia. At Dandaragan, in Western Australia, about 100 miles north of Perth and 22 miles from the railhead at Moora, there is a bed of copralite underlying which is a stratum of highly impregnated phosphatic rock. The copralite bed is approximately 3 feet deep and the impregnated rock approximately 7 feet deep. The bed stretches for a distance of about 22 miles, but its width is as yet unknown. The Government of Western Australia is at present testing these resources, and in the near future it may - require some assistance from the Commonwealth Government to assist it to make further investigations.

Adjacent to this locality are more than 40 caves, known as the Namban Caves, which also deserve the closest investigation. Some of these were examined in 1908 by Dr. Goeizel, a noted Norwegian geologist, who stated in his report that the caves contained thousands of tons of guano. These potential resources also should be examined. Another form of phosphatic rock, or guano, is known to exist on numerous islands lying off the coast of Western Australia from Esper ance to the Kimberleys. It may be news to some honorable members that up to 1904 a total of 120,000 tons of what was at the time the richest grade guano in the world had been exported from these islands to Germany, the United States of America and Belgium. Between 1S76 and 1SS6 a quantity of 23,177 tons of guano on which royalty was paid to the Government of Western Australia was shipped abroad from Browse Islands, 40 miles off the Western Australian coast near Derby. It is known, however, that for every ton of guano that was legitimately removed, possibly three or four tons was. stolen. On this no royalty was paid. I have been privileged to visit this locality. I have also visited the Lacepede Islands, from which 37,226 tons of guano was removed between the years 1876 and 3879. No doubt since then the deposits have been replenished and large quanti-ties of guano could be obtained from this source to-day. Between 1S83 and 1915, 56,000 tons of guano was removed from the Abrolhos Archipelago, and approximately 20,000 tons was also removed during the same period from the Montebello, Barrow, Bernier, Dorrie, Dirk Hartog, Bedout, Carnac, Beagle, Jones, and Stewart Islands, and from the Black . Hawk Beef. All of these islands are along the north-west coast of Western Australia, but substantial deposits of guano are also known to exist to the south-west, near Esperance, in the Recherche group of islands and elsewhere. Some of these islands have been denuded of their supplies of what is known as “live” guano, but others could still be exploited. All of them, I believe, would yield large quantities of “ dead “ guano, which under existing conditions could be used with advantage in the manufacture of fertilizers.

Mr Wilson:

It is contemptible that candidates for election to this Parliament should canvass the votes of unfortunate- invalid and old-age. pensioners with the promise of an increased pension, I urge the Government to treat these people as the workers are treated, by appointing a tribunal that will adjust pensions according to the standard of living enjoyed by every other section of the community, and thus place pensioners beyond the influence of politicians. It is high time that a system was devised which would remove pensions from the arena of party politics.

Recently I asked when a munition factory would be built in Western Australia, and yesterday received the reply that it would be completed and in production in nine months. I appeal to the responsible Ministers to endeavour to reduce that . time by one-half. Nine months is a long time to look ahead, when Australia is so seriously in need of arms and ammunition. I sincerely hope that when the building is completed the machinery will be speedily installed and will immediately begin production. There are no big building contracts in Western Australia, as ‘there are in the eastern States; consequently builders should be available. If they are not, they could be withdrawn from private construction and engaged on this more important work. I also, maintain that the tools that are needed to turn out small arms could be made in like manner. I urge the Government to give Western Australia an opportunity to contribute to the manufacture of small arms in this country.

Mr McLEOD:
Wannon

.- I wish to bring before the House and the Government a vital and urgent matter which has affected the country areas of Victoria for the last twelvemonths. The aggregation of population in the cities must eventually affect the whole of the economy of Australia, city and country alike. In every centre which has a population of from’ 10,000 down to 6,000 persons, there is a large number of empty houses, and the business community is keenly feeling the effect: One of the principal reasons for the loss of population by country areas is the establishment of industries in the cities. I- agree with the observation that Australia may yet- he a theatre of war; consequently, action should be taken immediately to establish, war industries in country centres, and thus afford- relief to the over- burdened cities. The human erosion at present occurring in the country must have an adverse effect on our economy. The position can and must be altered. I have taken to Melbourne deputations from every large town in my electorate, but invariably we have come up against a blank wall. The honorable member for Parkes (‘Sir Charles Marr) complained that when he asked a Minister to inspect a certain factory, the Minister sent his private secretary. The honorable member was fortunate to get even that much- attention. “When wre make representations to the authorities, we are told that something will be done, and! then three, or four months goes by before anything happens. Then we may be in> formed that, if there is an extension of industry our representations will receive sympathetic consideration. We some- times he.ar about the apathy of. the people towards the “war effort, but the people in the country are heart-broken at their treatment. They do not. ask that shells be made in country, centres where there are no precision instruments, but they do suggest that forging work might be done in factories, which for years’ -have been engaged in the production of. agricultural implements. I have been through munition factories in Melbourne, and have seen men engaged on forging work which might well be done in the country. I know of one man who wrote to- the Department of Supply asking for blue prints ‘ of i gas producer units,, he haying heard that the Government wanted them constructed in quantities-. The department wrote back saying that it did not think that the work could be done in the country. I do not know whether those in charge of the department believe that people in the country are not intelligent enough- to do work of this- kind. Apparently there is a prejudice against country people. This undue concentration of .population in the cities is creating all sorts of problems. In Melbourne there i3 an acute housing shortage, and the workers are being’ forced into slums. Very little has been done so far in Australia in the way. of air-raid precautions organization, and if ever our cities are bombarded from the air. or. from the sea, the situation will be much worse because of the concentration of population. Perhaps the concentration of- industry was iii some degree necessary at the beginning of the war, but there is no reason to-day why it should be continued. In the technical school at Stawell there were twelve idle lathes which are now worked only one shift a day in the training of young men. ‘ I suggest that the work should be increased to two shifts a day, and also that an annexe for the production of munitions be established there. In the same town there is a factory building which was offered to the Government for the making of munitions, but the offer was refused. The effect of all this on the morale of. the people is very serious1. Theyfeel tha.t they are not wanted when all their offers to assist are turned down. They cannot put any money into war loans, but they could work if the opportunity were given to them. This problem of decentralization has been in the forefront of. politics for .many years. W e are told that it is more economic to produce in the cities, but that is not so, because rents for factories are much lower in the country than in the metropolitan areas. Recently, I asked the manager of a woollen mill in a country town whether he. was under any disadvantage as compared with mills operating in the city. He told- me that he was: not, because even the higher rail freights which , he had to pay were more than compensated for by lower rents.

The flax-growing industry has now been established in various parts of Victoria, and in my district flax fibre mills have been set up which treat the flax- to approximately the same stage as wool when it is scoured. However, a private firm is now erecting a spinning and weaving mill in Collingwood, of all places - perhaps the population of that . suburb is not dense enough already - and the final processing of the flax will be carried on there. This should not be permitted. New industries of that kind should have to obtain a licence from the Government, which would then be in a position to insist that they be established in country districts. Thus, the entire processing of flax, from the dressing of the fibre right through to the making of canvas, would be carried on in the areas where the flax is grown. An additional . advantage would be that the workers would be housed in the country under ideal conditions. Recently I read a report is sued by the Political and Economic Planning Committee in England to the effect that it is not economic to have great concentrations of industry in the cities because traffic and housing problems are thereby created. Even in Melbourne munition workers have, in some instances, to travel over twenty miles to their work, and they are receiving special petrol allowances because of this. There are many thousands of skilled workers in the country who are at present making no contribution to the war effort.

I hope that the recommendations of the Power Alcohol Committee will be adopted. The committee has found that with wheat at 3s.6d. a bushel, power alcohol can be produced at a cost of 2s. a gallon. I submit that distilleries for the production of power alcohol from wheat, should be established in the wheatgrowing areas. If certain interests have their way the distilleries will, I know, be placed in the cities, but that tendency should be resisted. We should endeavour in every way possible to decentralize our activities. Melbourne is the only port in use between Adelaide and Sydney. I live 60 . miles from a port, but my wool is railed 200 miles to Melbourne. Why are these things permitted to go on? I have here, sheaves of letters from municipal councils, and associations of various kinds throughout the country, urging me to remind the Government of the need to set up industries in country towns, in order to prevent the drift of population, and to save established industries from ruin. If the present drift be not stopped very soon, we shall have a tremendous problem on our hands, and the whole economy of Australia will be disturbed.

Sitting suspended from 5.28 to 8 p.m.

Mr McLEOD:

– The Government should immediately inquire into the necessity for establishing industries in country centres. This matter is too important to disregard. If technical officers conduct the investigation, country towns from which the populations are now drifting will be saved.

Farmers awaited the Prime Minister’s speech last week with keen interest. Many of them expected to hear a declaration that the Government proposed to nationalize finance and important industries such as coal, iron and steel. Unfortunately, their hopes were “speedily shattered. Practically every primary producer requires relief from the burden of interest. The serious position in Western Australia, which the honorable member for Forrest (Mr. Prowse) described, is typical of the plight of the farming community throughout the Common- . wealth. Recently, the representative of a large insurance company informed me that farmers were securing loans by offering their policies as security. That illustrates the desperate position of the farming industry.

The treatment meted out by the Government to primary and secondary industries is inconsistent, and the farmer realizes it. Many manufacturers are producing war materials on a cost plus basis; they are guaranteed their profit over and above the cost of production. Such a system is wrong; it outrages my Scottish sense of fairness. The higher the cost, the greater the profit, even if the manufacturer goes slow on the job. Regarding the acquisition of wheat or wool, however, primary producers are not consulted and have only minor representation upon the controlling bodies. Farmers are practically bankrupt. Most of the money in circulation is concentrated in the great cities. Denied of relief from the burden of interest, farmers ask hopelessly “ Does it matter what becomes of us?” They are resigned to the fact that sooner or later, they will lose their properties. Discouraged by seasonal setbacks and trammelled by financial fetters, some of them have already abandoned their holdings. Although one-half df the wheat harvest is absorbed in the payment of interest, no attempt has been made to control tlie exorbitant rates. Personal experience has taught, me the impossibility of farming profitably when the property Is subject to a ‘mortgage bearing 6 per cent, interest. In my opinion, interest rates should be controlled by the nation through the. Commonwealth Bank, but as a first step, the institution must be restored to its original position. The granting of long term loans at low rates of interest is necessary for the purpose of rehabilitating primary producers. Fore1 closure on a practical farmer is unnecessary because his asset - the land - offers excellent security. Until interest rates are reduced, however, even the “best farmers will encounter difficulties. T,he Commonwealth Bank should take, over all mortgages and grant to the farmers a measure of relief- by charging only 3 per cent. That would represent a first step towards alleviating their lot. Men pay mortgage interest upon every acre. Now, the. Government has restricted, the acreage that farmers may sow. Such a policy, in my opinion, goes against all laws of nature. In my first speech in this chamber, I warned the Government that presently a shortage of- wheat may occur.

The present position indicates that’ my prophecy may shortly be proved. At any time, wheat is an asset. It can be exchanged for money, or for other commodities. The last thing that- the Government should, do is to restrict acreage under production, unless, at the same time, it takes the logical course pf reducing interest rates. Unfortunately, no such suggestion has been made. When hankers, oppose my contention, I reply that I object to their . denying to me the right, after refusing to grant me financial accommodation, to ask the Commonwealth Bank to take over my sound security. The people are clamouring for reform of the great interest “ racket “.

Comparatively few fanners are debtfree. Those who are in that position are able to make a profit by selling wheat at the present price of 3s. 10d. f.o.b. Others, like myself, are compelled to take a risk -with the season and almost overstock their properties in order to meet the tremendous interest bill. That condition of affairs is general throughout the primary industries. Reform must be introduced in a sensible manner. My proposal does not involve “wild cat” finance. I do not criticize the existing banking system; I merely object to the form of control. At any time the banks can, at will, create, a boom or a slump. Financial stability must be ensured by restoring to the national institution control of the banking structure. It is not in the interests of a country to harass its producers, but the Commonwealth is dominated by great banking institutions, international in their ramifications and interlocked with all. of our heavy industries.

The honorable member for Wakefield (Mr. Duncan-Hughes), urged that economies should be- effected in the Post- in assterGeneral’s Department. Why the honorable member singled out. that department, I do not know. My experience is that any citizen who can extract money -from the department is pretty clever. Probably the honorable member contemplated a- reduction of staff. The department, which’ is making a profit of £3,000,000 a year, is used first, to produce revenue, and secondly, to render . service to the community. As in our grandfathers.’ day, many country districts receive only, two mails a week. When they apply foi’ an additional mail a week, the department refuses the request on the ground- of economy. The excuse is that all available finance must be diverted to the war effort. At my home I receive mails every Friday and Monday. Persons residing in metropolitan areas have two or. three. deliveries a day. Although life and business now are vastly different from what they were 40 years ago, the mail service has never changed: War or no Avar, the Post Office should render better service to country residents.

T,h’e department indulges in petty and vexatious “economies. A clerk informed me that he would use a iiib for. twelve months, and when he applied- for. another, he would be asked to explain what he had done with the old one. The honorable member for Wakefield is on unsound ground when he charges, the Postal Department with not being economical. Contractor officers are employed under conditions of “ sweated “ labour. . They are obliged to work long hours. A justifiable complaint by country residents relates to the opening of rural telephone exchanges. .Telephone services between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. :will not foe- provided unless the revenue fi-om the exchange reaches a certain figure. Many districts with small populations cannot conform to that requirement. To-day, the drift from country districts to the cities increases that difficulty. When a’ country dweller arrives home at 6 p.m., he is unable to make a call unless he pays an opening fee. of ls. 6d. That is unfair. The postal department should not inconvenience the population simply iri .order to make bigger profits. To economize at the expense of country people is unjust. Surely a request for three mails a week for outback centres is not asking too much!

From time to time, the Prime Minister has made oblique reference to the coming “ new order “. If the Government be sincere, now is the time to initiate reforms. When the war is over, the right honorable gentleman’s promise will probably be forgotten. Under the present, social order, which the Government supports, a huge interest bill is accumulating which, at the conclusion of hostilities, the creditors will expect to be met. There will be a lowering of the standard of living if they have their way. Through this Parliament the people will have to control the key industries and, above all, finance. It will be our duty then to clear from the cities the terrible slums in which the children are reared under conditions which to me, as a man who has spent his life in the open country, are revolting. I have seen fruit rotting on trees barely twenty miles from Melbourne, and the children of industrial suburbs going without. A system which allows that sort of thing to continue is indefensible. Even those who would try to uphold the present system must give way; they must recognize that they would benefit from a new system, and that if the present system be continued, they will go down when it founders, as it must. Unless the Government seizes the present ‘ opportunity to bring about urgent reforms, there will be such a reaction against it at the next election, even among the primary producers, who for. years, have foolishly supported it,, that-it will -be overwhelmed by Labour, -which - will take office pledged to give effect to the measures which the people not only, need, but- also demand.

Mr FRANCIS:
Moreton

.- I take the opportunity presented by this discussion on Supply to bring to the notice of the Treasurer (Mr. Fadden) an anomaly which is seriously affecting our war effort. The anomaly exists in the coalmining industry of Queensland, and so serious is it that I shall devote my whole time to it, to the exclusion of a number of other subjects about which I could usefully speak. The Government is organizing an all-in effort in the production -of war materials - an effort to ensure that there shall be no waste energy, no duplication of effort, and no overlapping of undertakings. . As part of its war organization, the Government established a Coal Board, presided over by Mr. Justice Davidson, and consisting of representatives of the mine-owners, miners, transport and other organizations, the function of which is to organize the production and distribution of coal in Australia. When addressing the Central Council of the Miners’ Federation at Newcastle recently, the chairman indicated that there was an acute shortage of coal in Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania, and that the States of Queensland and New South Wales could produce sufficient coal to meet their own requirements. The essential services and heavy industries of Victoria and South Australia were dependent on coal supplies being shipped from New South Wales at the rate of between 70,000 tons and 80,000 tons a week, whilst 2,000 tons a week was needed to meet Tasmania’s requirements. Mr. Justice Davidson appealed to members of the council to see that there was continuity, of production on all the coal-fields, and emphasized the need for every ton of coal produced, and the necessity to have the coal ready when shipping space was available. Efforts are to be made by the Coal Board * to build up coal supplies and dumps in certain special areas and country towns as a reserve in order to safeguard against interruption of the war effort. The Treasurer and the Blouse need not be reminded of the difficulties which confront this country because of the great shortage of shipping. Nevertheless, in spite of that shortage, the statement of the .chairman of the Coal Board that Queensland can produce all its own coal requirements, and the urgent necessity for greater supplies of coal to be produced in New South Wales for Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania in order to meet their war requirements, large quantities of. coal from New South Wales are being shipped to Queensland. What would be an economic blunder in peace-time is an unforgiveable sin when we are at war. When essential industries in the southern States are crying out for coal, a criminal waste of labour, time and shipping space is allowed to continue. Queensland possesses not only an abundance of excellent coal, but also competent mine-workers ready and anxious to supply coal to the State. But the miners of Queensland are working only part-time in some mines - in many instances, only a few -days a week. Intermittency is the rule rather than the exception. If Queensland were allowed to supply its own coal requirements, ships carrying coal to Queensland could be diverted to the southern States, and Queensland miners would have the opportunity to obtain more regular employment. The existing state of affairs indicates gross mismanagement and. lack of proper supervision. What is the Coal Board doing? Little credit is reflected on its management of the coal industry. Is the Government satisfied with’ the position? The Government must call for a- report from the Coal Board and require it to take such action as will ensure that the mismanagement and criminal waste shall be discontinued. If reserves of stocks of coal be necessary to the safe conduct of all industries connected with essential war services, and the production of munitions and all other war equipment, then let the coal industry work full time and give employment to the unemployed mineworkers and reopen idle mines.. I urge the Government to treat this matter as urgent and take steps to ensure that the Coal Board does the job of work for which it was created. The facts which I have placed before the Treasurer were mainly taken by me from the Queensland Times, Ipswich, a newspaper which has always had the highest possible reputation for straightforwardness- and honesty in journalism.

Mr Fadden:

– It circulates in my electorate.

Mr FRANCIS:

– And throughout mine. The greatest confidence can be placed in the accuracy of its reports. The Coal Board must either do better and stop this colossal waste, or be dispensed with.

Mr MORGAN:
Reid

.- I listened! with interest yesterday to the speech of the honorable member for Boothby (Dr. Price), and’ whilst I’ compliment the honorable member on his maiden effort in this House, I confess that I was surprised at some of his remarks, particularly those about what he -was pleased to describe as “ the destructive criticism of members of the rank and file in this House”. If the honorable member runs true to form .and is as outspoken in this House as he. was’ before he was elected, he will not be a “ yes “ man. The rank and file members are the watchdogs of the. people. Ministers are too busy to be able to watch for details and only the rank and file members are able to be sufficiently observant to perceive and have rectified things which should not go on. Millions of. pounds is being expended on annexes and in subsidies without binding agreements or sufficient governmental supervision. Only yesterday, I directed the attention of the Minister for Air (Mr. McEwen) to the fact that hundreds of skilled men are engaged- at the Richmond aerodrome on. menial work. An aircraftman told me that there were one thousand skilled men in the Air Force at Richmond aerodrome, with only five aircraft to overhaul; and that’ they were disgusted at being paid, as skilled workers for doing virtually nothing. The last, war provided- a classic example of the need- for strict supervision of- governmental expenditure. For nearly a year during that war, a military officer named Major Howell-Price drew pay every week for a non-existent battalion. He collected about £100,000, and it was only because be over-reached himself in his private life that he was discovered. Discovery of that sort of thing is the job for the members of the rank and file.

Was advanced, have not been supplied to me, and I assume that no formal agreements have been made. Not only should agreements be signed, but also men independent of the companies . concerned should be nominated as directors by the Government in order to watch the interests of the people.

Not so much money as in former years is to be provided for the Department of Health this year. The total appropriation for the department is £27,750. A mere matter of £20,000 is to be expended on the national fitness scheme. In view of the importance of national health, that is a paltry sum. The Minister for Labour and National Services (Mr. Holt) said the other day that investigations had proved that the working of employees for long periods of overtime lowered their efficiency. He added that consideration was being given to the desirability of reducing overtime on munitions production to the greatest possible degree. Rut there are other factors to be considered. The Government should also pay attention to the rest and comfort of munition employees between working times, but it has no scheme for the housing of munition workers. Last December the Minister for Health and Social Services (Sir Frederick -Stewart) announced that in the near future he would bring down a comprehensive housing scheme for munition workers and others, but, nothing has since been heard- of it. It is a sorry state of affairs when munition workers have to live under conditions which oblige thorn to use beds in relays because sufficient accommodation is not available for them in the centres where they work. Last year Australia spent more than £36,000,000 on intoxicants, and more than £25,000,000 on tobacco. I do not wish to moralize, but it is surely amazing and a travesty on our ‘financial system that we can find- over £60,000,000 for liquor and tobacco- the former goes down the sewer, and the other goes up in smoke - and not a penny for. housing facilities for munition workers and the community generally! It must bo remembered, too, that the houses would remain after the war while nothing remains of the liquor and tobacco. The Government could. easily provide £20,000,000 for a housing programme by drawing upon the credit resources of the nation, through the Commonwealth Bank and without the necessity for any further taxation.

I regret also that although wo have been nearly two years atwar the Commonwealth Government has so far declined to undertake the responsibility of the technical training of youths. If the war lasts for several yearswe shallbe in urgent need of the services of the youths who to-day should be undergoing technical training, for theywill have to play their part in providing munitions for the fighting forces. Complete facilities should be available in our technical colleges for the thorough training of youths.

It lias been said that the State governments should undertake this responsibility, but the .plain fact is that the State governments cannot find the money for the purpose. Thousands of applicants for technical training are being turned away from our colleges because facilities are not available. Neither the building accommodation nor the equipment available is adequate for the calls being made upon them. There is also a serious shortage of machine tools in the munitionmaking industries. This is so serious that the authorities have actually seized the technical equipment of many of the colleges. They have gone farther in some instances, for .they have also commandeered the machines made by the boys to replace the original equipment taken from the colleges. It is time, that the Government realized its obligations in this matter and accepted complete responsibility not only for the technical training of youths, but also for the provision of adequate equipment and accommodation. Only by training our young people shall we be able to maintain a strong, healthy and virile community and so ultimately win the war.

Mr DEDMAN:
Corio

.- I should not have participated in this debate but for certain remarks made by the honorable member for Boothby (Dr. Price). I compliment the honorable gentleman on the. clear way in which, from his point of view, he .put the case for the Keynes plan; but I consider that his remarks should not be .allowed to pass without a definite declaration that the Labour party will emphatically resist any attempt to apply the plan to Australia. Mr. Keynes is, essentially, a capitalist economist. He was described by the honorable, member, for Boothby as a. liberal economist.

Dr PRICE:
BOOTHBY, SOUTH AUSTRALIA · UAP

– I said he was a radical.

Mr DEDMAN:

– Liberal and radical mean exactly the same thing in the political sense. The old Liberal party of Great Britain was called the radical party. The people who label themselves liberal or radical and yet continue to maintain that the present system of society should be preserved arc a greater danger to the community than people of the old conservative type. These so-called liberals say, in effect: “If you alter the present system of society in this little way and that little way, you will make it amenable to the people at large”. I do not believe it. I do not believe, either, that under the capitalist system of society we can ever rid the world of war. I declare, with a full sense of responsibility, that I do not believe that we can win the war under the capitalist system. To achieve victory we shall have to resort, in a very large degree, to socialism.

While the Keynes plan may have had some merit in relation to Great Britain it has no merit .whatever in relation to Australia. An economic plan which may suit one country may be entirely inapplicable to another. Certainly the economic conditions of Australia arc entirely different from those of Great Britain. According to the honorable member for Boothby, Mr. Keynes argued, first, that since the outbreak of war the supply of food and services to the community of Great Britain had been decreased. I say emphatically that no such decrease has occurred in Australia. In this country 75 per cent, of the commodities which the working class usually buy are available in greater quantity now than they were before the war, because ships arc not ‘available to export them. I have in mind such primary products as butter, meat, dried and canned fruits, wheat and wool. In fact, I could include the majority of the items of the cost of living regimen. So the first premise of the Keynes plan in relation to Great Britain is entirely false in relation to Australia.

The second premise on which the plan is founded is that the purchasing power of the people has increased owing to Government spending for war purposes. To some slight degree that contention may be true in respect of Australia, but, as the Deputy Leader of the Opposition (Mr. Forde) has pointed out, the Government has failed to expend about £36,000,000 of the moneywhich it has obtained from the public for the prosecution of the war. Assuming that that money had not been obtained by loan or by taxation, it would, in the ordinary course of events, still have been in the hands of the community. A man who has lent, say, £1,000 to the Government for war purposes, would, in the ordinary course of events, have invested it in housing or in some other way, and thus the money would have remained in the hands -of the community and have been available as purchasing power. The same argument may be used in relation to taxation. So, it may be said that the second premise of the Keynes plan does not hold to anything like the same degree in Australia as in Great Britain. :

For these reasons, I contend that it would be utterly wrong for the Commonwealth Government to apply the Keynes plan in this country. If the plan were adopted here the result would be that every section of the people engaged iri primary production would find itself faced, with absolute ruin. Things are bad enough as they are, but if the Keynes plan were adopted all. the primary producers would be in the same position as the apple and - pear growers are in.

What is the position in respect of the apple and pear industry ? The Government, by a process of rationing and price fixation, has prevented the full supply of apples and pears from being dade available to the consuming public; and. we have had the spectacle . of ‘ thousands of eases of perfectly good apples and pears being ploughed under the ground. Rather than allow the community at large to enjoy the benefit of’the bountiful supply of apples and pears which nature and’ the work of the orchardists have made available, the Government has practically ordered the destruction of the fruit. Every section of primary producers would find itself in the dame position as the apple and pear growers if the Key nest plan were applied in this country.

I have a further objection to the plan which may be associated with the statement, made by the Prime Minister (Mr. Menzies) in his speech last Tuesday week to the effect that we must mortgage the future of this country. The honorable member for Werriwa (Mr. Lazzarini) dealt at some length with that aspect of the subject and I shall not enlarge- on it except to say that the Keynes plan and the Prime Minister’s statement that we must mortgage our future both constitute a subtle attempt on the part of anti-Labour interests to inveigle the public into believing that this war may be p”aid for by a future generation. I have said previously, and I repeat now, that the real cost of this war must be borne by the present generation. It will be through the sweat, toil, blood and sacrifice of the people of today that the war will be won. No hocus pocus, whether associated with the Keynes plan or with the Prime Minister’s statement, can blind us to this basic fact. The plain truth is that the. Keynes plan is an endeavour to lead the public, into believing ‘ that by some process of monetary manipulation future generations may be left to pay for. the war. This is. an additional reason why I oppose the plan.

I call the attention of honorable members to the following extract front an article by Mr. Isles, which appeared in The Economic Record for December, 1940 :-

Tlie difference in the direct rs iti fi pcs which would lie imposed by thu Key dch plan and the tax method is. of course, largely illusory. Under the Keynes plan the individual would be called upon to lend to the Government much the same amount as under the tax’ method he would be called upon to contribute in taxation; and after the war he would lie repaid out of taxation or out of a capital levy.

Those remarks substantiate my ease. One of the objections to the original Keynes plan - for the plan was changed after its original conception - was that as these compulsory savings of the public would be made available after tlie war for spending it would lead to inflation. It was an after thought by Mr. Keynes that the capital levy should be introduced. in order to make the plan palat- able to the workers of Great Britain. Last night when I mentioned this aspect of the subject to the honorable member for Boothby by way of interjection, he replied that we could deal with that when peace was secured. I shall not discuss the merits or demerits of a capital levy. Tlie whole question arose for discussion in Great Britain during the last war, when an immense body of public opinion was in favour of a capital levy, but immediately after the war all thought of it was abandoned; consequently the redistribution of wealth which was so vitally needed, and would have alleviated the position in Great Britain^ was never effected. Without agreement with respect to the principle uponwhich the money advanced should be - repaid, the Keynes plan would not be complete..

The other method by which. this . writer on economics . proposes- that the . money should be repaid, is. taxation. If taxation were imposed for its. repayment after the war, the bulk of it would, be paid by the workers,; because, previous to. the-, outbreak’ of the present war, 80 per- cent, of the amount raised by taxation in this country was contributed by means of indirect taxes, the bulk of which falls on the workers. Consequently, under the Keynes plan the workers are asked to agree to an immediate sacrifice, and are promised repayment after the war; but they themselves would be taxed in order to make that repayment. For the very strong reasons I have given, I reject any idea the Government may have in mind for the imposition of this plan on Australia. I warn the Government that any attempt to impose it will be resisted to the utmost by the Australian Labour pa rty.

I said in my earlier remarks that Keynes is a capitalist economist, and that I do not believe that this war can be won under the capitalist system. Radical changes in our economy will have to be made before this country can put forward its best war effort. The Prime Minister proposes to take certain action in order to mobilize the resources of this country. As a matter of fact, some steps have already been taken, . although not in a very drastic form. The effect of the Government’s fiscal measures ever since the outbreak of the war, and of its petrolrationing scheme, has been to force certain people out of their peace-time employment and into Government employment, either in the making of munitions or as recruits to one or other of the fighting services. Up to date, that has been the whole of the reason for the Government’s programme. It proposes to accelerate and aggravate that, form of economic conscription by certain means. In the situation in which this country finds itself to-day, it is vitally necessary that men shall be transferred from their peace-time occupations to some form of war service; but the method by which the Government, has done that in the past, and proposes to do it in the future, is to my mind entirely inequitable. Take the position of the proprietors of motor garages and service stations. The result of the petrol-rationing scheme has been to force a very large number of these individuals out of their ordinary means of existence, and in many instances the whole of the equity they had in the goodwill of the business has been . lost. They have sacrificed the whole of their means of livelihood. It is true that, if the Government’s programme has operated correctly, they have probably been absorbed -in other branches of industry. But is it fair that one section of the community should be forced out of its ordinary means of livelihood, while other sections continue to enjoy their peace-time means of livelihood, in many cases with increased profits? As the Government proceeds with this programme, which I. can best describe as the complete rationalization of industry, certain professions, trades and kinds of business must be diverted from their ordinary peace-time operations; and as that occurs, certain other sections of the community will gain thereby. There is absolutely no equity in such a programme. Take, for example, the curtailment of the building industry. A large number of men is engaged in that activity, including architects and other professional men. What is to become of all -the architects in Australia when the building programme is reduced to zero? All cannot be employed in “Government enterprises; consequently, many men with high professional qualifications will be’ forced out of employment. A whole range of business men will lose their ordinary peace-time employment and will be left without any goodwill or equity, while other sections of industry, such as the Broken Hill Proprietary Company Limited, the breweries, the entertainment industries, and industries that cater for recreation, will increase their profits.

Sir Charles Marr:

– And General Motors-Holdens Limited.

Mr DEDMAN:

-And General MotorsHoldens Limited.

Mr ARCHIE CAMERON:
BARKER, SOUTH AUSTRALIA · CP; LP from 1944; LCL from 1951; LP from 1954

– Cameron. - The honorable member appears to be constructing a neworder.

Mr DEDMAN:

– I am merely pointing out that the programme envisaged . by the Government would be grossly inequitable in- its incidence on the community at large.

The sales tax has been increased on a very large number of items, with the result that the purchasing power of the community has been lessened. A small one-man business which, prior to the imposition, of the sales tax, was just able to make a living, for the proprietor,-, is to-day closed down because of decreased turn-over, whilst firms like Coles and Woolworth’s - I am sorry that the honorable member for Henty (Mr. Coles) is not present to hear what I have to say - may well be the gainers by reason of that fact. Consequently, the Government could make the burden equitable throughout the community only by determining that, for the duration of this war, profits, interest, or rent shall not accrue to . any . individual but shall be taken by the Government. I cannot see how this war can be won with a continuance of the capitalist system of production, because that system . maintains that rewards must be paid in the form of interest, rents and profits.

Dr PRICE:
BOOTHBY, SOUTH AUSTRALIA · UAP

– Would the honorable member put in concentration camps all the persons he had ruined ?

Mr DEDMAN:

– The system operated by the Government which the honorable member supports is at present ruining thousands of businesses. It has helped to build up a series of monopolistic concerns, and at the end of the war, ‘if, its programme be continued in its present form, there will be no one-man businesses but only huge integrated concerns like Coles, Woolworth’s, the Broken Hill Proprietary Company Limited and the brewery combine. For ‘ that reason the Government should decide here and now that, for the remainder of the war, it will not agree, to the payment of any rewards by way of interest, rent, or profit.

Mr McCall:

– What about the man who has retired from business life?

Mr DEDMAN:

– I would make an exception in his case. Any person who is incapable of work should be permitted to retain income derived from interest, rents or profits. The fundamental truth is, that this war will be won by hard work, not by the receivers of interest drawing from the pool maintained by the rest ofthe community. I am not proposing the ruin of any person who at present receives income from rent, interest or profits; if physically incapable of earning an income otherwise, he would continue to receive sufficient’ for a. comfortable existence, but if capable of doing , a job of work, it would be far preferable to compel him by fiscal measures to help to win this war than to impose, the Keynes plan and ruin thousands of primary producers, simultaneously reducing the standard of living of the workers of this country.

I have said much more than I had intended to say in regard to finance, but I felt that I could not allow the opportunity to pass without challenging the statements- of the honorable member for Boothby. In my opinion, the wealthy section of the community is not contributing to this war nearly so much as it . should I- recently asked the Treasurer a series of questions, and the answers I received showed that in Australia 57 per cent., of the money necessary to prosecute the war has been obtained from loans, and only three-tenths of 1 per cent, of the amount expended has been obtained in the form of free gifts by the wealthy section of the. community. This is a disgraceful state of affairs. The Treasurer would not say how much had been contributed by the private trading banks. The other clay, according to a report in a Melbourne newspaper, the Treasurer made the fantastic statement that those persons who had contributed gifts for war expenditure should be asked to make no claim in their taxation returns for a remission of tax in . respect to those gifts. In other words, those members of the community who had been generous enough to give freely were to be asked to give a little more, whilst others, who had not seen fit to make any contribution at all, were not to be asked to give anything. That is the most ridiculous suggestion that I have ever heard.

I listened with very great interest to the complaint of’ the honorable member for Wakefield. (Mr. Duncan-Hughes) about the increasing of the number of persons employed in the postal department, from 24,000 to 28,000. I wonder whether he is aware that, in the banking services of the Commonwealth, 24,000 persons are employed to-day. When we compare the very great service rendered to the community by the Post Office with the very poor service rendered by the banks, we must, agree that there are far too many persons engaged in the business of banking in Australia. Colin Clark, one of our most noted Australian economists, has written a book entitled Conditions of Economic Progress, in which he examines the national income and the productivity of different nations and of various sections of the community within each nation. At page 183 of this book he has the following to say about those engaged in the business of finance in Australia : -

Australia has the dubious distinction of having one of the highest proportions of population engaged infinance.

An Honorable Member. - The idle rich !

Mr BAKER:

– Yes. People in outback centres have no transport conveniences such as trains, trams or boats. Doctors, clergymen, dairymen, wheatgrowers, wool-growers, cattlemen, fruitgrowers and travellers arc unable to perform their daily tasks unless they are granted an adequate supply of petrol. In my opinion, they should not be stinted. The possibilities of not only molasses, but also coal, shale, wheat, potatoes and other sources, should be examined and developed. Recently, a person ‘ whom I consider to be a reliable authority informed me that twenty lorries loaded with soldiers left Victoria Barracks, Paddington, for Ingleburn Camp. When the officer in charge arrived at his destination, he discovered that he had left the identification papers at the barracks. Thereupon the twenty loaded lorries returned to Paddington, the officer obtained the missing papers, and the column returned to camp, a total distance of approximately 80 miles. That is not a Gulliver tale; it is not a fiction of De Rougemont. I do not think, that even Dumas pere could have imagined such a happening.

The following letter from the secretary of the Lavellebranch of the Queensland Dairymens Organization illustrates the necessity for the granting of a more liberal supply of petrol to persons residing in remote areas : - 14th May, 1941.

I have been instructed by the above organization to ask you to support us in the following: - We have approached the Liquid Fuel Board. A copy of letter which I enclose will explain matters in full, also the following that dairymen be allowed to hold our tickets till such time as we can purchase in drums (bulk). Dairymen with milking machines would be able to save petrol by having our supplies carted by our cream carrier on his return.

The Government should give special attention to this matter.

I protest strongly against the restriction of the acreage that may be sown for the production of wheat. Only those farms whereon wheat has been grown for the past four years may be registered, and, in future, the acreage for production will be limited to the average acreage over the last four years. “Some farmers, after applying for registration, proceeded to plant their crops; but two or three months later they received notice that their application had been rejected. Those men now face ruin. The Government should take action to alleviate their lot.

Queensland produces insufficient, wheat to satisfy the needs of its population. In 1933-39, 465,000 acres was under crop; and the yield totalled 8,852,763 bushels, an average of eighteen bushels an acre. In the following year, 300,459 acres was sown, yielding 6,594,915 bushels, an average of18. 3 bushels an- acre. Queensland contends that it should be permitted to sow at least 500,000 acres of. wheat. Another objection to the present system is that only those farms which are at present registered for wheat production can in future be used for that crop. Such a short-sighted policy overlooks the fact that some young men will desire to become wheat-farmers, whilst many returned soldiers from the present war will probably wish to engage in the industry. Such persons will be unable to obtain a holding, unless they go cap in hand to farmers who possess large registered areas. Possibly they will have to pay an exorbitant price for the land. Thus another monopoly is being brought into existence. .

The restriction of wheat- production in Australia is absurd. Following this world-shaking war, especially since Russia became a participant, Europe will experience a terrible famine. At the conclusion . of hostilities, the date of which, we hope, is not remote, hundreds of millions of people will be starving. Australia will have to rally to. their assistance, because we cannot let them die of hunger. Bearing in mind that responsibility, I contend that the Government should establish three years’ reserve of wheat. Our wheat is stored in grain sheds alongside railway lines. If enemy bombers come to this country they will move inland by following the rivers and railways, and in that event they will certainly bomb our grain sheds, which are mostly constructed of galvanized iron and would be more easily hit than the proverbial haystack. Wheat should be stored in underground silos of reinforced concrete rendered airtight. Proof that we are in danger of restricting our wheat-growing is afforded by the fact that, whereas in 1939-49, 195,000,000 bushels of wheat was harvested in the Commonwealth, in 1940-41 the harvest amounted to only 63,000,000 bushels, a shortage of 132,000,000 bushels in one year, in the face of which this Government, is so short-sighted that it is restricting the. acreage to be sown with wheat. That is tragic. It is a Frankenstein development which will surely destroy the Government.

– There is no robbery in the Commonwealth Bank, and certainly none in the Post Office. Those enterprises are social activities and we want to bring other enterprises into line with them. There is nothing wrong with the Commonwealth Bank except that the “ Tragic Treasurer “ hamstringed it in 1922 and changed it from what we wanted it to be, namely, the people’s bank to the bankers’ bank. The Labour party will restore it to the position of usefulness which its founder Mr. King O’Malley intended it to occupy.

Tlie honorable member for Boothby (Dr. Price) gave his blessing in full measure to compulsory saving according to the Keynes plan. I shall read what the Queensland Worker had to say about compulsory saving in its issue of the 17th June -

Menzies and Fadden, wi th practically the full strength of their army of half-baked expert economists, their antediluyian bankers, and their troglodite political camp followers, are out hot-foot after the working-class standards of living in this country, and they are being cheered and sooled on with all their offensive effrontery by all classes of exploiters and their propagandist agencies.

The Monopoly Press, in spite of the alleged rationing of newsprint, is never nt a loss to find unlimited space for the boosting of more of less snide schemes, which have long since been- familiar in Germany and in Nazidominated countries, for the filching away of working-class standards, and which, be i.t said to our shame, arc now being applied to the heroic workers of Great Britain, even’ to the point of starvation.

Professor Julian Huxley, writing on the subject of “Health for Ali,” in the January issue of Picture Post, save that ‘of every ten people in Britain, at least four are - undernourished, and of every ten children about seven are under-nourished.’ Of working-class mo tilers, he says, half are. in a definitely bad state of health, and only about a quarter arc really well.”

Yet this very day we have had put before us a bill to deal with national fitness. No national’ fitness could be got through the Keynes plan or through the capitalist system which starves women -and children. The system must be changed and it will be changed without the leave of this Government, for it is -breaking down from its own rottenness. The article in the Worker continued -

page 406

PROFITS’ TAX FREE AD LIB

In this connexion, too, it is no.t infra dig to point out that the total profits of 323 companies publishing accounts in Britain in 1941 had up to March 15 accumulated £74,241,000 as against £70,409,000 in 1939; many of these were after income tax and other taxes had been, deducted.

All that happened under the nice capitalist system about which we heard so much from the honorable member for Boothby. It is useless for the Treasurer to protest that a compulsory savings scheme is not a stunt to tax the workers, or for the alleged experts of the ‘Tory press to hold up its hands in horror at a suggestion that it is. The Worker continued -

It is sufficient to know that his proposals are to be based upon the Keynes plan and to contemplate the unhappy position of tlie slowly starving British workers to realize that it is just another low-down shot at the living standard of the people.

I have not the- time in which to read the whole of the article, but I commend it to honorable members. How much could the man on the basic wage have taken from him as a compulsory loan when he already cannot maintain his wife and- children in the face of ever-rising prices? The compulsory savings scheme is merely another device to make the worker pay for the war as well as fight.

I am much perturbed at the threat to close down non-essential industries. In that policy there is danger.. It will lead to unemployment and misery. It is another attempt to ..develop economic conscription. If non-essential, industries are. to be closed down I trust that private banking will be regarded as a nonessential industry and that under national security regulations the private banks, those caterpillars of the Commonwealth, will be closed down. I see no greater reason to close down a garage than to close down a private bank; indeed, I see much less.

I now approach the subject of the pressure which is being brought to bear on our young men to enlist. Men in the militia camps are forced to enlist in the Australian Imperial Force.

Mr BAKER:

– Moral, industrial and brutal! The other day I received the following letter about an address which was delivered by a man named Smyth, who might more properly be described as “ Schmidt “ .-

You may be interested in .the enclosed press report of an address delivered by Dr. J. Smyth on the 11th instant and which was reported in the Warwick Daily News of the 12th June, 1941, of the following day. It was delivered at a “ send-off “ to some recruits. Not only did it offer an insult to main’ Australians, but in true Nazi fashion it belittled Parliament, parliamentarians and religion. The speaker is a local doctor who secured his title “ Major “ in the last war.

This is what the gallant major said about the young men -

They are hiding behind something, whether it is the claptrap of some lily-livered politician or some church-produced military genius of such a high standard that he says,

Don’t go away from Australia to defend Australia, but do it on her own door mat”.

I do not know whether that gallant ma jor was, as Disraeli said, intoxicated by the exuberance of his own verbosity or in some other way, but, certainly, he was not in his right mind. There is too much of the bludgeoning of young men to go to war. To any young man who has reached the age of reason and can see his way and where his duty lies, I say, “ Go, boy. and we hope that you come back I lift my hat to you;”but there is no law to compel men to go, whatever theconscriptionists on the other side of the House may think” to the contrary. This Government is conscriptionist, but it does not dare to come out into the open and say so, although two or three of its supporters who have no finesse are more outspoken. Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings !

I now come to the subject of apples and pears. I have received the following letter from Mr. Warwick Piddington, secretary ‘ of the Goondiwindi District Hospitals Board : - 4th April, 1941.

Dear Sir,

Some time ago when all the publicity was being given out that the Apple and Pear Acquisition Board would supply “apples and pears” free of charge for the fruit to public hospitals, I made an application to them’ to be supplied. After a long delay, possibly caused through my addressing the letter to Canberra, I received the following reply: -

New South Wales Apple and Pear Acquisition Committee. 4th Floor, Daking House, Rawson-place, Sydney. “ 24th March, 1941.

The Secretary,

Goondiwindi District Hospitals Board, Goondiwindi

Dear Sir

I acknowledge your letter of the 7th instant addressed to the Apple and Pear Acquisition Board, Canberra, and -wish to advise that fruit is made available to hospitals and similar institutions free of charge, but the cost of cases, packing, freight and cartage must be borne by the recipient.

Unless special permission is given the fruit must not bo re-sold, but must be consumed by the inmates of the institution, in your case the patients of the Goondiwindi Hospital.

Trusting this information will be sufficient for your requirements.

Yours faithfully,

ARTHUR Stevenson,

State Superintendent

Immediately on receipt of this letter I wrote stating that I would pay cost of packing, freight, cartage and cost of case and requested they send to ‘ Boggabilla. Railway Station “, Boggabilla, a. weekly order comprising - 1 case eating apples,1 case eating pears ( weekly ) . 1 case cooking apples (fortnightly).

In my letter I accepted their instructions that the fruit would only be- served to patients and staff of the institution and same would be honoured to the last letter.

After a, lapse of eight or ninedays and no answer being received much less fruit, I wired Sydney and asked when it was likely that the fruit would be received, I received the following reply:- “Refer your order to Queensland committee Box621J, Brisbane.

Signed: Applepears

A Mr. Donaldson, State Secretary for Queensland, was immediately called on the phone, and he gave me to understand the situation as follows: - “No surplus fruit in Queensland, cannot take labour away from other jobs to pack fruit for hospitals, only surplus now is practically in Tasmania..”.

The press of Australia must be making reckless statements that the surplus fruit is being fed to pigs, is . being ploughed into the ground to make manure, &c. Their statements as to the good that is being done by supplying hospitals and charitable institutions must need looking into,- our order to receive the benefits of the surplus for the sick and nursing staffs has met with nothing but evasion.

All through the New England District great belt of apple and pear bearing country, it would only be a few miles to rail them to Boggabilla.

I will look to you sir. to see that if it is possible that fruit can be supplied to this hospital you will do so.

It’s no doubt a. tragedy that offering to pay the expenses of fruit cartage, packing and case, the fruit cannot be given to help sick children who need it so much, but according to press reports dumped to pigs.

PIDDINGTON.

I again took up the matter with the Assistant Minister (Mr. Anthony) whom I am glad to see present in the chamber. Prom him I received the following reply : - 14th May, 1941.

Dear Mr. Baker,

Further in reference to your personal representations on behalf of Goondiwindi District Hospital Board (Mr. Warwick Piddington,

Secretary), in regard to the supply of apples and pears for use in the institution, I wish to advise that I have received the attached letter from the Apple and Pear Marketing Board.

You will note the board’s advice that, with the exception of fruit infected with fruit fly and codling moth, all Queensland supplies have been absorbed, and that there is no surplus that would enable distribution on a large scale to be made to hospitals, &c.

Additional costs involved would preclude any possibility of fruit being brought from the southern States for free distribution.

When I received that letter I felt that it was at such moments as these one needs minties-. I became inspired, and re-wrote the above letter as a very rough parody on Mark Antony’s Oration. Perhaps the Assistant Minister (Mr. H. L. Anthony), would like to hear it. With apologies to Shakespeare, here it is -

Friend, Warwick Piddington,

Lend me your ears

I mean to bury apples, not to make them

Available to patients needing them.

Midst plenty, scarcity must be maintained.

The apples that men grow are not to eat;

They shall be dumped, or given to the pigs;

So, let it be with- pears.

Mr CALWELL:
Melbourne

.- I congratulate the honorable member for Maranoa (Mr. Baker) on his eloquent speech, and particularly his literary peroration.

Under the Prime Minister’s Department I notice the item, “ High Commissioner’s Office, London “,- in respect of which it is proposed to appropriate the sum of £14,370; and under the Department of External Affairs appears the item, “High Commissioner’s Office, Canada “, in respect of which we are asked to vote the sum of £2,980. I suggest that in the presentation of Estimates in the future,, these two items should be grouped under either the Prime Minister’s Department or the Department of External Affairs. Probably, it would be more appropriate to group them, under the latter department; because in the course of time, no doubt, we shall be asked to appropriate sums in respect of High Commissioners to South . Africa and- a High Commissioner to New Zealand, and provision will probably ‘be made in the next Supply Bill, or in the budget, for an Australian legation in China, and, perhaps,, in other countries. I notice that the Australian Legations in America and Japan are provided for under the Department of External Affairs.

I direct the attention of the House to the flagrant and disgraceful manner in which the Parliament and people of Australia’ are treating the. aborigines’. Even during my short experience in this chamber, I have heard many questions directed to the Government on this matter. The honorable member for Bourke (Mr. Blackburn) particularly, has inquired about the Government’s intentions towards the Half-caste aborigines, and full-blooded aborigines who do not follow a nomadic existence but live as best they can according to civilized’ standards. A body known as the Aborigines UpliftSociety makes strong appeals from time to time for justice to the aborigines. In a document Headed, “Do you know? “, that organization raises a number of points to the discredit of the white -race, and reveals injustices which this generation should remedy by treating the remnants of an unfortunate people with a better sense of justice than we have hitherto displayed.

Mr Drakeford:

– We should treat them as human beings.

Mr CALWELL:

– That is so. To-day, however, we sometimes- treat them as though they had no reason to exist at all. It, seems to be fashionable in some quarters in this country to wish that the aborigines would die out in order that we could aid ourselves of the trouble of looking after them. That, feeling, arises from a troubledconscience because of our sins against these people. The black crimes of the early settlers of this country in regard to the murder of aborigines constitute- one of the most disgraceful chapters in the history of any country. The pamphlet issued by the Aborigines Uplift Society makes the following points : -

Do you- know -

That the aborigines -once owned the whole of Australia, that it afforded them a full living, and they were expropriated wholly without their consent or compensation?

That no regular provision was made for the despoiled natives, -who were left to die by starvation, or killed off when they resented their . despoiling. That the natives so killed off included women and children?

In parts of Australia to-day white men still despoil black women, and the white man’s Government does not always do all that it might do in order to protect . these women.

That the better parts of. Australia, where there are few or no aborigines to-day -were more densely populated than the less . favoured, and therefore less coveted parts ? Therefore the fact that there are few aborigines in Victoria and Tasmania merely means that a better -job was made of their extermination. This can also be said of a considerable . part of New South Wales and parts of each other State.
That, therefore, the land you now occupy has not a clear title in fact, and the more. land you own and the greater its value, the more yon are in debt to the despoiled race? Your land has a taint of human blood on it which can. only be cleared- by your personal recog- nition of your responsibility, and. the discharge of your personal obligations of honour. The fact that you did not personally take part in the expropriation and extermination of natives does not clear you while you hold the land so obtained. This is a most serious personal responsibility (in law and morally you arc an accomplice after the fact).
That the despoiled race is poor and unhappy and many of the natives suffer privation and ill-health because of the ruthless method of the White occupation and the oppression they still experience?
That, though the natives have been’ systematically robbed of everything worth while (the dealing with the aborigines of Australia is said to be the blackest spot in the story of British colonisation) they are legally debarred from participation in all services provided by law for necessitous citizens - not only of white citizens, but people, of any other racial origin other than aborigines, if they happen to be Australian born or naturalised. Thus Chinese, Afghans, negroes and other races can and do enjoy old-age and invalid pensions, maternity bonus and other social services.

But aborigines, no matter how cultured, civilised and educated, cannot obtain these services. Aborigines who are earning wages are compelled to pay Income Tax, Unemployment Tax and all other taxation. Therefore they are compelled to pay for social services for others, but cannot enjoy them themselves.

Mr Drakeford:

– There is no worse chapter in German history.

Mr CALWELL:

– I agree that nothing that has been done by our enemies in this war or in the war of 1914-18 can equal the callousness of the treatment that the white race has meted out to the unfortunate aborigines of Australia. The Aborigines Uplift Society’s plea continues: -

Do you know all this?T hen there is but one honorable course open to you. You must discharge your full obligations to the native race by (1) Giving your support to the movement that seeks full amelioration for natives. You must support the plea “Justice for Aborigines “. Your support must be financial, for the land you occupy is not rightfully your own, and you must pay. for it to the rightful owners. You can do this by supporting the movement that seeks a full Australian status for aborigines.

It is incongruous that Ave should provide in our recently passed child endowment legislation that aboriginal women shall have the benefit of endowment if they are living in civilized conditions, whilst the same mothers are not entitled to receive the maternity bonus. When an aborigine becomes old, after having paid income tax, unemployment relief and other taxes while he was in employment, he is not able to obtain an old-age pension; nor can he always have the benefit of sustenance payments when he happens to be out of work.

Mr Marwick:

– That does not apply in Western Australia.

Mr CALWELL:

– I do not charge every State with having done these inhuman things, but the legislation enacted by this Parliament withholds invalid and old-age pensions and the maternity bonus from the aborigines. It would be a simple matter, even in time of war, for this Government to introduce a bill which would enable half-castes, . threequartercastes, and even full-blooded aborigines living in civilized conditions to secure equal benefits with the white race. It could do so within the next week. The people of New Zealand did not treat the Maoris so badly as we treated our aborigines, although there are some black pages in the history of the white man’s dealingwith the Maoris. The Maoris have demonstrated their capacity to earn a living under civilized conditions andto lead a good moral life. Their fighting capacity has been proved beyond any’ doubt in this Avar and the Avar of 1914- 18, and, incidentally, Australian aborigines and half-castes arewelcomed into the Australian Imperial Force. But if they do not happen to be granted a war. pension on their return they are not qualified, under existing legislation, to receive an old-age pension from the country forwhich they fought.

Mr Drakeford:

– They have all of the obligations and none of the rights of thewhite people.

Mr CALWELL:

– If theywere numerically strong they could achieve something for themselves. The condition of the aborigines stresses challengingly the fact that in our present materialist system of society the only people, to obtain justice are those who are strong enough to be dangerous to, those who would refuse them justice. Nobody in this country gets justice for the sake of justice alone. So we ought to put our treatment of the aborigines on a much higher moral plane than it has been heretofore. I ask the Assistant Minister’ (Mr. Anthony) to bring this matter before Cabinet at its next meeting. The Government could give us an opportunity to deal expeditiously with amending legislation which would commend itself to the ideals of justice and fair play, which are surely held dear by honorable members of this House, in the same way as we dealt with the child endowment legislation. If any honorable member wishes to investigate the truth of the statements which I have made, he’ has ample opportunity to do 80 in the Government offices of this nation. I have not mentioned in detail the shocking manner in which the aborigines were deliberately exterminated in Tasmania ; nor have I ‘dealt with the other ‘ occasions when . human . ghouls who wanted particular land poisoned natives with strychnine or killed them in other ways. I have not ransacked the pages of history in order to provide itemized evidence of the charges that can be successfully laid against the white race, but as a nation we must accept responsibility for all that has been done by our forebears. If we arc genuinely repentant for those sins of certain of our earliest citizens, we should take an early opportunity to demonstrate our sincerity. . So far as my own family is concerned,, and there are four generations in some branches of it Australian-born, I am proud that none of my relatives- had any hand in any of the disgraceful episodes to which I ref erred.

I endorse the strictures of the honorable member for Corio (Mr. Dedman) on the plan devised by Mr. J. M. Keynes, the English economist, for financing the British war effort on principles that have won acceptance in capitalist circles of Great Britain. I hope that the Commonwealth Government will not be foolish enough to try to foist the Keynes plan upon the Australian public. Mr. Keynes was described by the honorable member for Boothby (Dr. Price) as a radical, but he is radical only in name. Actually he is one of the old liberal school of economists which wishes to make capitalism work if possible. I know from my reading of the history of what we know in this country as “ the battle of the plans “ that during the depression Mr. Keynes was one of a group of leading English economists and financiers who signed a letter to the British press in which it was . urged that Australian securities . should be removed from the protection of the British Trustee Act. Mr. Keynes had lost interest in Australia, and did not care what happened to our securities. At that time Australian £100 stock was selling for £80 on the English market. I believe that the price fell as low as £70. In New York, Australian stock fell to an even lower figure. By urging that our stock should be removed from the protection of the British Trustee Act, Mr. Keynes showed that he was no friend of this country, and I shall strongly suspect any plan that he may put forward for our acceptance. The policy of the Labour party for financing the war is well-known and may be easily understood. If any honorable member desires to increase his education without expense he may apply to me for a copy of the constitution and platform of- the Australian Labour party, and I shall, supply it to him free. That offer is also extended to the Assistant Minister (Mr. Anthony).

Mr Anthony:

– I shall be glad to receive a copy of the document.

Mr CALWELL:

– I have no doubt that the Assistant Minister would greatly benefit by a perusal of it.

Mr Anthony:

– I am willing to exchange a copy of the platform of the Australian Country party for a’ copy of the platform of the Labour party.

Mr CALWELL:

– I do not think that that would be a fair exchange in any sense. I have no doubt that the Labour party will be in charge of the affairs of this country before many years pass and Australia will then become a better country.

I now wish to refer to certain methods of salesmanship that are being adopted here to the detriment of young white Australians which, call loudly for remedial action by the Government. Young men are being led by advertisement and other propaganda to believe that by accepting engagements to sell goods for particular firms, they will be able to carve out for themselves a niche in the commercial life of this country. It appears to me that the firms which I have in mind, and to some of which I shall specifically refer, are endeavouring to establish themselves by the adoption of some of the most objectionable, get-rich-quick methods in practice in the United States of America. Our present system of unrestricted production for profit is leading some manufacturing companies and warehouses to adopt all sorts of devices for increasing the consumer demand for certain goods and for the outwitting one another in sales methods. M.any firms now sell direct, to the public by means of travelling agents, and some of them manage to put all the burden of losses on their salesmen. The modus operandi is described in an advertisement which appeared in the Melbourne Age on the 14th May of last year. It read -

Wanted to start by Mar. 15, energetic, dependable man, to’ take oyer established round of customers, handling food, toilet and medicinal products, on a- profit-sharing basis. Customer introduction, training and assistance supplied. No deposit required. Character references needed. Preference given to married men. Apply Telson Manufacturing, Rooneystreet, Burnley.

In the same column the following ad vertisement appeared : -

page 411

MEN

Is your present income sufficient to meet all your wants? If not, would you like to become established in a business of your own which can yield profits of £1 a day and more? Lack of capital need not deter those interested f rom obtaining details, which will be supplied.

Apply Mr. A.L. Halt,, 292 Exhibition Street

Country applicants write for particulars.

When the prospective salesman made contact with one of these organizations he is supplied with a guarantee form which, in the case of the Telson Manufacturing Company Proprietary Limited, reads as follows : -

page 411

GUARANTEE

In consideration of the Telson Manufacturing Company Proprietary Limited a Company duly incorporated in the State of Victoria (hereinafter called the Company) at any time or times hereafter granting and extending unto………….. of………… . (hereinafter called the Buyer) credit for goods, I the undersigned do hereby unconditionally promise ensure and guarantee at all times due and punctual payment at Melbourne Victoria of any indebtedness to the Company not exceeding the sum of twenty-five pounds (£25) hereafter incurred and owing by the Buyerby reason of the sale to him by the Company of goods and payment of transport charges, if any; and I do hereby waive notice of any agreement between the Company and the Buyer and of delivery of goods to the Buyer and of any fault or delinquency whatsoever of the Buyer and all other notices of whatsoever nature and do consent to any and all extensions of time of payment by the Company.

This undertaking shallbe a continuing guarantee and shall remain in force for and cover all liabilities, not exceeding the sum of twenty-five pounds (£25) owing . by the Buyer to the Company at any. time during a period of one year from the date hereof without respect to residence or location of business of the Buyer.

These conditions were drafted, no doubt, by some slick lawyer, to absolve the company from any responsibility whatsoever. The young men are required to secure two guarantors before they are engaged by the company. The guarantee form provides in this connexion -

I hereby consent and agree that the Company may at any time it may see fit prior to the expiry hereof limit suspend or resume or discontinue the extension of credit or sales to the Buyer. 1 also agree that it shall not be necessary for the Company to first exhaust its remedies against the Buyer before proceeding to collect from me.

It then sets out -

It is understood and agreed that there are no conditions or limitations to this Guarantee except those written or printed herein at or before the execution hereof and that after execution, no alteration change or modification hereto shall be made except by consent of both parties in writing and that the terms and conditions hereof are and shall be binding upon my heirs executors or administrators and that any notices in any way affecting the rights of the Company must- be delivered by registered mail to it at its office at Melbourne, Victoria. .

During the depression years, I signed one such guarantee for a young married man with a family whom I knew, and his father also signed. The young man tried, very hard to sell. his wares, but eventually found that he was not earning a living and sent the goods back.” The company decided what it would accept and what it would not accept, and what it would place to his credit and what it would reject. It rejected quite a number of things it should have accepted, but as the guarantee gave it full discretionary power, its word was final and the young man’s father and I had to pay the balance. The depredations of that company are widespread, and as I indicated previously, there are two other companies - J. R. Watkins and Company and W. T. Rawleigh and Company Limited. The Telson Manufacturing Company Proprietary Limited has a nominal share capital of £25,000 in £1 shares. J. R.Watkins and Company has amongst other capital preferred capital stock of $2,500,000, comprising 25,000 $.100 shares. It did not even trouble to change its money from dollars into pounds sterling or Australian pounds. It is an American company, and yet its activities are entirely in Australia. A fixed dividend of 7 per cent, is paid on preference shares. W. T. Rawleigh and Company Limited has capital stock of $50,000, comprising 500 $100 shares. The directors of the Telson Manufacturing Company Proprietary Limited are Gibson Battle (12,497 shares), Irwin Hinds (1 share), Clarence Taylor (1 -share) and Bazil Caldwell (1 share), making a total of 12,500 shares. Gibson Battle has a capital of £20,000 in £1 shares, comprising 1,500 £1 preference shares, 6,000 £1 ordinary preference shares, and 12,500 £1 ordinary shares. The directors of Gibson Battle are Clarence Taylor (39 preference shares and 32;3 ordinary shares), Bazil Caldwell (34 preference shares and 366 ordinary shares), Harold ‘ Douglas Giddy (6,00.0 ordinary preference shares and 2,200 ordinary shares), Richard Raymond Hinds (1 ordinary share), and Irwin Hinds (1,427 preference shares and 1,940 ordinary shares). The totals- of these holdings are 1,500 preference shares, 6,000 ordinary preference shares, and 4,830 ordinary’ shares. The offices of the company are situated at 28 Rooney-street, E.l, Victoria, and84 William-street, Cl, Victoria. The secretary, is Ronald Francis Murray, of 143 Thomas-street, Hampton. The Harold Douglas Giddy mentioned in that list is identical, I believe, with Harry Douglas Giddy who is a member of the firm Wilson, Danby and Giddy, of Melbourne, and is the . opposite number in Victoria to W. J. Smith, of Australian Consolidated Industries Limited in Sydney. This same Harry Douglas Giddy, who has everything fixed by law so that he cannot incur any loss at all and has exploited so many young Australians by refusing to pay the basic wage, is a director of the Herald and Weekly Times Limited, the National Bank of Australasia Limited, and the Metropolitan Ice and Fresh Food’ Company, and if he is not actually a member, he is closely associated with the directorate of the Australian Newsprint Mills Proprietary Limited. Apparently, he is a man of the Wendell Wilkie type, who is getting very rich quickly, and is becoming associated with quite a lot of big organizations, such as private banking interests and monopolistic newspaper groups, which are operating to the detriment of the people of Australia.

Mr DEDMAN:

-. - He is the “giddy” limit.

Mr CALWELL:

– As the honorable member for Corio (Mr. Dedman) says, he certainly is the “ giddy “ limit, and in addition to that, or perhaps -because of that, he is probably a- prospective candidate for the United Australia party endorsement at some future date. The second company which I mentioned, J). R. Watkins and Company, has on its directorate, Ernest Leon King, Florida, United’ States of America ; Grace Watking King, Florida, United ‘States of America;. Durrand Charles- Alexander, Minnesota, United . States of America; Ralph Goodrich Boalt, Minnesota, United States of America ; and William Benson Watkins,. Minnesota, United States of America:. The Victorian agents since 1934 have been Norman Richard Edmonds until 1933, William’ Drewe Cherry until 1939, George Alexander Gardiner until January, 1940, and John Saville Eastwood from ‘April, . 1940. Eastwood is a former employee of ‘the Commonwealth Public Service. He left the Taxation Department to make more money outside by receiving big fees for showing taxpayers how to dodge their responsibilities in regard to income tax. He was able to do that through knowledge he ‘acquired while he was in the employ of the Commonwealth Government. Eastwood is also the Victorian manager of the company, and is located at 292. Exhibition-street, Melbourne. The company was formed in 1929 to export, sell and make Dr. Ward’s remedies, &c. The main office is overseas at No. 7 West 10th-street, Wilmington City, State of Delaware, County of Newcastle, United States of America. I ask the Assistant Minister to request his colleague the Treasurer (Mr. Fadden) to examine just what sums J. R. Watkins and Company is allowed to remit to the United States of America out of its ill-gotten gains made at a time when we want to build up our dollar reserves in order to prosecute a more vigorous war effort.

T. Rawleigh and Company Limited was formed in 1928 and transferred to Victoria in 1930. The directorate includes William Thomas Rawleigh, Freeport, Illinois, United States of America ; William James Trevillian, Freeport, Illinois, United States of America; James Reed Jackson, Freeport, Illinois, United States of America; George Thomas Creighton, Winnipeg, Manitoba - the only British subject so far - and Robert Frederick Koenig, Freeport, Illinois, United States of America. The Australian manager is John Weatherall Smith, of 19 Howard-street, Kew, Victoria, and the office is situated at 60 Dawson Street, Brunswick, . Victoria. The three firms mentioned require the following guarantees from credit dealers backed up by one or more property owners : Telson Manufacturing Company Proprietary Limited, £25.; J. R. Watkins and Company, £10. city and £75 rural; and W. T. Rawleigh and Company Limited, £30 city and. £100 rural. The first two companies advertise by means of “ free “ samples which the unfortunate salesmen find to be not so free after all. I ask the Minister to see that those people engaged in selling goods for the wealthy companies which I have mentioned - two of them are controlled overseas - are placed in the relationship of master and servant, or rather of employer and employee, and not of principal and agent. I also ask that all insurance agents throughout Australia, and all taxi drivers be placed in a relationship, which will, entitle them to claim the ‘basic wage for the work they do. The system under which a taxi driver leases his vehicle from the owner on a percentage basis is one that amounts to slavery, but, when the taxi drivers of Sydney went to the New South Wales Arbitration Court and asked for the basic wage, they were told that they were co-adventurers with the owners.

With regard to the insurance business, in which in some of the States, men still work for less than the basic wage when they cannot secure new business, much remains to be attended to by this Parliament before we can say that a fair deal is being handed out to those who give their labour and ability in an attempt to earn a living. If it be not constitutionally possible to remedy this position by legislation, it should be possible, to effect some change by means of a national security regulation. This Parliament should emulate the Parliament of Queensland, where sellers of insurance are in such a position that they can form trade unions and get a determination of their conditions by the Arbitration Court, In Victoria the big insurance companies have signed an agreement with, the Treasurer of that State that they will pay the basic wage to the insurance agents, the remuneration to be determined over a quarterly period. I believe that most large companies are honouring that promise, not only in Victoria but also in other States. The position is unsatisfactory, however, in the absence of legislation. If the Government will bring down the necessary measures next week the Opposition will assist to pass them into law immediately. The longer this matter is delayed the greater will be the stigma resting on this Parliament for failure to pass the remedial measures required.

Debate (on motion by Mr. Scully) adjourned.

page 413

ADJOURNMENT

Case of Mr. P. R. Hentze - Australian

Imperial Force: Equipment in Greece, Crete, and Libya - Potato Prices - Nutriment Contentof FLOUR; - Quality of Bread.

Motion (by Mr. Anthony) proposed -

That the House do now adjourn.

Mr WARD:
East Sydney

.- I again mention the case of Phillip Raoul Hentze, which I have been endeavouring to ventilate, and wish to impress upon tlie Government that I am not at all satisfied with the present situation regarding this matter. When I first addressed a question about it to the Minister for the Army (Mr. Spender), who happens to be a brother-in-law of this ex-internee, I was given an assurance by the Minister, which was unsolicited by me at the time, that I should be given permission to peruse the file relating to- the matter. The Minister no doubt was endeavouring to create the impression that the file contained nothing which could not be disclosed to any member of this Parliament. I waited for some days, and then asked whether the file was available. That question was again directed to the Minister for the Army, but. he did not reply. The Prime Minister (Mr. Menzies) came to his colleague’s assistance, and said that his attention had been drawn to the question asked by me and. to the reply given by the Minister for the Army and that he had decided that the file should not be made available to me’. Evidently the latter Minister was looking for a way out of the difficulty in which he found himself, and sought the aid of the Prime Minister, because the Prime Minister himself stated,., in reply to my question, - that it’ and the .reply given by the Minister, for the Army had been brought to his attention by that Minister.

T claim that an unsatisfactory state of affairs obtains with, regard to, not only this ‘ case, but also many others, and the people of Australia must be greatly concerned at the action of the Government “in claiming that national security is involved when members of the Opposition attempt to. secure’ information upon such matters. In what . way is national security involved when a member -asks to be allowed to peruse a “ file Concerning a matter about which he has asked” a question in the House? If my information be correct - and I have no reason to think otherwise - this file should contain information from the military intelligence authorities as to why in the first place Hentze was arrested and interned. I take it that those authorities did not act without some evidence to support their action. Having become satisfied that they had sufficient evidence on which to act, they interned Hentze, who, on the admission of the Minister for the Army himself, va3 subsequently released, after the Minister had been telephoned and had said that he knew the man. I think that members of this chamber will not be satisfied that all that the military intelligence authorities would want to know from the Minister would be whether he knew this man; they would certainly wish to know what he knew about him. I desire to bc informed as to what information they had to warrant his internment in the first place, and what additional light the Minister was able to throw on the matter which subsequently led to his release from internment. If the military intelligence authorities had information that Hentze had been in constant communication with prominent Nazis in Germany, would the national security be endangered by the Government admitting that fact?

After his release, Hentze was placed in an important position. I directed a question to the Minister for Commerce (.Sir Earle Page) with regard to the position be occupied, and asked whether it provided him with facilities to know the movements of Australian shipping. I was then told that the committee of which “Hentze was a., member - the Wool Appraisement Committee - is not one that would know of the movements of shipping, as that would be a matter for the Central Wool Committee. That is merely a quibble, for, as a member of the Wool Appraisement Committee, Hentze would be in touch with the Central Wool Committee, and it is quite possible that be would be moving in quarters where he might, become aware of Australian shipping movements. .1 am not here to judge this man. I did-not accuse him. All that I say is that the Military Intelligence must have had some evidence on which to act. Having acted, I want to know why its decision was reversed and Hentze was permitted to take up an important position on a committee and was thus provided with opportunities to secure valuable information in relation to movements of Australian shipping. These are matters which must be cleared up. Unsolicited, . the Minister for the Army gave me the assurance that the file would be available for my perusal. That undertaking has since been withdrawn by the Prime Minister. I repeat, that I want to know why such an air of secrecy surrounds this ‘ matter, and why members of this Parliament cannot be trusted to peruse a file with sufficient intelligence to decide how much of its contents could be made public. I do not know of one honorable member who, having viewed the contents of a file, would be so foolish as to disclose any’ information gained from it, publication of which would be of advantage to enemy countries. By referring to national security on every occasion, the Government is adopting convenient means to prevent the ventilation of many matters in this Parliament with a view to having the searchlight of public opinion thrown on the public actions of certain prominent men. If no member of’ the Government has anything to hide, let us see what the file contains: Let us examine the recommendations of Military Intelligence, and the evidence upon which they were based. Let us also see what evidence was subsequently secured which led to the release of Hentze. Although the Government may have sufficient numerical strength in this House to prevent either me or any other honorable member from having access to this file, I am perfectly satisfied that, if public opinion outside of Parliament could be tested, the fact would become apparent that its action in this matter has not the approval of the Australian comniunity generally. Therefore, the Government should reconsider its decision. If it fails to make the file- available, I can only conclude, as will many other Australian citizens, that it has something which it wishes to- cover up. If it has nothing to hide, I am entitled, as a member of this Parliament, particularly in view, of the assurances given by the Minister for the Army, to request that the file, be now made available.

Mr SPENDER:
Minister for the Army · Warringah · UAP

.- The honorable member for Cook (Mr. Sheehan) asked me this afternoon a question relating to the equipment of Australian troops. I indicated to him that I proposed to make a statement later in the clay in respect of the campaign in Greece, in view of the suggestion repeatedly made that the Australian troops were badly equipped, or very insufficiently equipped, in the operations in that area. Some of the statements that have been made, particularly if taken out of their context, are apt to leave in the minds of the people the impression that the Australian forces in Greece were called upon to fight only with . rifles against mechanized forces. Such statements can only have, and to my knowledge “ are having, an unsettling and disturbing effect upon the relatives of men who are serving overseas, as well as those who have enlisted to go overseas. Indeed, I am satisfied that they have had some adverse effect upon the recruiting of men for the Australian Imperial Force. It is well, therefore, that the House, and the public through the House, should be informed of the real position with respect to the equipment of our troops in Greece.

Before agreeing to dispatch Australian forces to Greece, the Commonwealth Government, in its communications with the British Government, laid the greatest emphasis on the requirement that our troops’ should be equipped to the maximum scale. The Prime Minister personally did so in London. Advices received from General Sir Thomas Blarney indicate that there has been substantial compliance with the requirements of the Commonwealth Government. It must be remembered at all . times that the Australian troops, sent to Greece were infantry troops. It should also be remembered that numerically they were greatly less than had been intended for those operations. This, as honorable members will . recall, was duo to the sudden need to meet the thrust of the Germans in Libya, a thrust which, it has been, clearly acknowledged,’ was unexpected by the British High Command.

The forces intended, to be sent to Greece were considered by . the highest military advisers of the British Government, in view of the nature of. the terrain in which they were called upon to operate, reasonably’ sufficient for the function which it was intended they should be called upon to discharge. This was their considered judgment, arrived at with a knowledge of the kinds of forces which Germany had at-, its disposal. It is proper, I think, to say at this stage that there can be no doubt that probably the most vital factor in. the defeat of our troops in Greece wasGermany’s overwhelming superiority.in the air.

Upon that I have no desire to add to what has already been said.’ ‘

To sum up : The plan was to hold a strong defensive line, through which there was only a limited number of entrances. “For this task, General Sir Archibald. Wavell and Sir John’ Dill,- Chief of the Imperial General Staff,” who’ were on the” spot when the decision was made,” ex- . pressed the view -that’ the” infantry divisions, together with the ‘ artillery and armoured support “they were to receive, “were sufficient to give; them “a reasonable fighting chance ‘to accomplish the task assigned to them. It is quite impossible, as honorable members will, I am sure, agree, to ask more in terms of battle possibilities.

Honorable members, in considering such statements as have been made alleging lack of equipment, will, I know, keep in mind the circumstances I have related. The real question is, whether our troops were, as an infantry division, properly equipped. As to this, the Government must depend upon the advice it has received from General Sir Thomas Blarney, General Officer Commanding the Australian Imperial Force, in the Middle East. Upon him, I am sure honorable members will agree,, complete reliance can be placed. The information received by the Government is that the condition on which it was stipulated our troops should be employed was, in regard to all essential equipment, fulfilled. In respect of such vital items as 25-pounder artillery and anti-tank 2-pounder guns, they were completely equipped. There were small deficiencies in certain items, which General Blarney makes quite clear were in no way sufficient to support the suggestion that our troops were not well equipped. As to the extent to which the issues of certain other items of equipment were less than full war establishment, our official advices reveal that, in the view of Sir Thomas Blamey, these were immaterial, mainly because of the nature of the country in which the operations were conducted:

Honorable members will realize that I am not free to deal in detail with each item of equipment. It is sufficient, in the light of what I have said, to give, as I have, the general summary of the man whois in charge of these forces and to say that, except in a few instances, our “troops in Greece were fully equipped.

The question of the honorable member for Cook was specifically directed to the operations “at Tobruk. One of the most important features of the campaign has been the gallant defence of Tobruk, where all the attacks of the enemy have so far been frustrated. The importance of Tobruk cannot be too greatly stressed as it’ offer’s a constant threat, to the enemy’s long line of communications, and he has been compelled to establish a strong force in order to keep the garrison from counter attack. All thatI desire to add at the moment is “ that, according to a despatch from” General Blarney which has only just come to hand, no anxiety as to the position there is felt.

I do not propose to add to what has been said by the Prime Minister (Mr. Menzies) as to the reasons why the file in respect of Mr. Hentze has not been made available. But in order to clear up certain misapprehensions I point out first that Mr. Hentze is not, as I understand it. a member of the Wool Appraisement Committee.. He is a minor employee of that body - an appraiser. Secondly, the Wool Appraisement Committee itself has, I believe, no association whatever with the Central Wool Committee in respect of shipping movements. With even greater emphasis it can be said that a minor employee of the Wool Appraisement Committee has no knowledge in respect of shipping. Thirdly, I am correct, I think, in saying that since the outbreak of war no recommendation to any Minister has been made for the reinternment of this man, although the war has continued for nearly two years. His internment was a matter of only two or three hours’ duration. I further say, in fairness to the man whose reputation and loyalty are at stake, and will be tested by the method referred to by the Prime Minister - reference to the chairman of the Aliens Tribunal, who will be asked to consider in detail the whole file, in order that the action to be taken in respect of this man may be determined - that he has on’ more than one occasion endeavoured to have himself . accepted for service overseas. This cannot be said of certain . persons who challenge the loyalty of other individuals.

Mr Ward:

– Perhaps his. offer to enlist was- like that of the Minister himself in the last war ; it was too late to enable him to get away. In this war the Minister has appointed himself a lieutenant-colonel.

Mr SPENDER:

– I have never referred to the fact that I was a member of the Australian ImperialForce in the last war because my service was only a matter of days. I do not think that the honorable member for East Sydney had the courage to enlist at all.

Mr Ward:

– The- Minister showed wonderful anticipation on that occasion.

Mr SPENDER:

– If the honorable member challenges: my association with the Australian Imperial Force in the last war, I dismiss it, because I have never . claimed more than that as a young man I did offer, myself for service overseas. I welcome the opportunity given through the reference to the chairman, of the Aliens Tribunal, to have determined whether or not there is any foundation for the allegations which have been made.

Mr HARRISON:
Minister for Trade and Customs · Wentworth · UAP

– Honorable members on ‘both sides of the House have asked questions, in regard to the control that may be exercised over the ‘ price of potatoes. The Commonwealth Prices Commissioner has made a special attempt to handle this vexed problem-, and because of the interest- that has been shown by honorable members generally, I now desire to say that owing to an enormous surplus, estimated to be approximately 100,000 tons, the potato market has been demoralized and the prices to growers are now generally unprofitable. In order to meet this position, of which there were indications, early in the year, the Commonwealth Prices Commissioner convened a conference of growers and merchants in. ‘Melbourne onthe 23rd February. He proposed, as a solution of the problem in the current year, the control of exports of- potatoes from Victoria and Tasmania. This conference, and a later one held in Brisbane in April, failed to arrive at an acceptable solution of the current year’s problem, although proposals for. future control, were discussed. Following these discussions, the Commonwealth Prices Commissioner proposed a scheme under which inferior grades would be kept off the market, the . grading for

No. 1 quality tightened up, and a very low price fixed for rejected potatoes. He discussed, these proposals with representatives of the Tasmanian Potato Marketing Board in Canberra shortly after Easter. Meanwhile, the Acting Premier of Victoria, had written to the Prime Minister urging that the - National Security Act should be used to fix potato prices at a reasonable level. The Acting Premier pointed out. that there were prospects of record crops in Victoria, and that unless supplies to the market were regulated and prices fixed, potato-markets would be glutted, prices would fall to unpayable levels, and many growers of potatoes would be ruined. I discussed this matter with Mr. Hogan, Minister for Agriculture in Victoria, in Sydney on the 16th April. I informed him that any action that the Commonwealth could take under its Prices Regulations would depend upon, the co-operation of the States in controlling deliveries to the market. In order, to secure the co-operation of the States, the Deputy Prices Commissioners in Victoria- and New South Wales entered into discussion with the Departments of Agriculture, whilst the Commonwealth Prices Commissioner visited Tasmania, and’ on Saturday, the 10th May, conferred with the Potato Marketing” Board there, and addressed a large meeting of potato-growers at Burnie. The Marketing Board submitted a proposal to the Prices Commissioner along- the lines that the Commissioner had already discussed with me. The Commissioner intimated his readiness to secure agreement among the States to implement such a scheme, -and emphasized the necessity for controlling deliveries to the market if a reasonable price were to be obtained.

The Commissioner again discussed this problem with me, and I concurred’ in his recommendation that a . conference of representatives of the Agricultural Departments of New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania and the prices authorities should consider ways and; means of’ controlling, the market in the interests of the growers. At this conference, which was held in Melbourne . oh the 2nd . and 3rd’ June, discussions were highly satisfactory, and in spite of- the enormous surplus disclosed in the latest estimates of the crop, a workable scheme was evolved.

On reviewing stocks available, it was foundthat the elimination of the inferior grades for human consumption would not be sufficient, and that it would be necessary to restrict deliveries, even of No. 1 grade, if reasonable prices were to be obtained. The objective was not a high price, but one that would not involve producers in heavy financial losses. The scheme outlined by the Commonwealth Prices Commissioner involves the following steps: -

Potatoes would be declared under the Prices Regulations in the States of Victoria and Tasmania. They are already declared in New South Wales and Queensland. ‘
There would be a Federal Potato Consultative Committee, consisting of two representatives from each of the three States, to be nominated by the Ministers for Agriculture. One of the two representatives from each State would be a grower.
This committee would recommend to’ the Prices Commissioner the proportion of potatoes which should be eliminated from the market for human consumption. The proportion would vary from time to time according to changes in supply and demand.
A . very low maximum price for human consumption would be fixed for the proportion ‘of the potatoes that was to be kept off the. market, and a much higher price would be fixed for potatoes that were permitted to go on the market. This would render it unprofitable for producers or merchants to market potatoes in excess of the proportion to be marketed for human consumption, as fixed from time to time by the Commonwealth Prices Commissioner.
The activities of merchants would be brought under strict control and their margins would be fixed. Any merchant dealing in potatoes in excess of the proportions fixed for human consumption would be declared immediately, and the whole of his transactions brought under rigid control. This would enable the scheme to be -effectively policed.
Retailers’ margins . would also be controlled as they are at present under a prices order, and retailers would be required to sell at cost to them, plus a permitted gross profit margin.
In New South Wales, all grades except No. 1 would be kept off the market. In Victoria, action would be taken under the National Security Act by the Victorian Government to regulate the supplies of potatoes on the market for human consumption in accordance with the proportions to be marketed as announced from time to time by the Commonwealth Prices Commissioner.
The position of Tasmania would be dealt with by regulating the shipments from Tasmania from week to week, and a local committee would be set up by the Commonwealth Prices . Commissioner- to regulate deliveries to the wharfs.

Surplus potatoes could be sold as stock feed at whatever price the market would permit. It was quite clear that it would “be futile to fix a minimum price for potatoes without regulating deliveries, and the action proposed would regulate deliveries and secure better prices for the growers without imposing exactions upon consumers. The response of the States to these proposals was as follows : - New South Wales agreed for the first time to eliminate all but No. 1 grade from its domestic market. Victoria agreed to cooperate fully in the scheme by using its own National Security Act in conjunction with the plans of the Commonwealth Prices Commissioner. Tasmania has unfortunately rejected the scheme. It was submitted to the Tasmanian Potato Marketing Board, which unanimously rejected the plan on the ground that it was too late in the season to implement it, and that more than one half of the Tasmanian crop had already been marketed. That view was endorsed by the Minister for Agriculture in Tasmania, and has been maintained in spite of urgent requests by the Commonwealth Prices Commissioner and the Victorian Government to the Tasmanian authorities.

Despite this reverse, the Prices Commissioner was still prepared to set up an authority to operate a scheme provided Tasmania would not be actively opposed to it. As a result of a. telephone conversation between the . secretary of the Prices Branch and the Minister for Agriculture in Tasmania it was found that the Minister was opposed to the establishment of a separate authority in Tasmania. In these circumstances, any action taken by the Commonwealth would be against the wishes of. the Tasmanian Potato Marketing Board, and the Minister for Agriculture, and would lead to a great deal of controversy at a time when government authorities were under great pressure on account of war work. In all the circumstances I have reluctantly decided that, in the absence of co-operation from Tasmania, the . Commonwealth cannot proceed further with the scheme. No one regrets that decision more than- I do, because the plight, of growers, not only in Victoria and- New South Wales, but also in the back districts in Tasmania, is very serious. The whole plan was devised to help those growers, and the fact that Tasmania . had already marketed: more than one half of its crop for the year could hardly be advanced- as an argument against seeking to protect the interests of growers who still have potatoes to market and- who are bound to experience unremunerative prices while the present glut of potatoes continues. If Tasmania is prepared to reconsider its decision the Commonwealth will be prepared to go on with the scheme as originally planned. I am. sorry that I have to speak at length on this matter, but it is incumbent upon the Government to explain the plans put forward by the Prices Commissioner from time to time with the idea of overcoming the difficulties that have been experienced in the past, and those likely to be experienced in the future. I again urge the Tasmanian Government to reconsider its decision. The plan has been explained to the growers of the three States concerned, and it is not outside the- bounds of possibility that Tasmania may yet agree to come in.

Mr Pollard:

– What period , of grace does the Minister propose to give the Tasmanian Government?

Mr HARRISON:

– I suggest that the Tasmanian Government ought to be able to notify us of its final decision within a few days. If it does not agree to cooperate, the Commonwealth must step out of the scheme.

Mr MORGAN:
Reid

.- On Thursday last, I discussed the subject of white bread, and referred to the widespread practice of millers in extracting vital nutriment from flour. The Minister for Health (Sir Frederick Stewart) said, that a. report had been presented by. the National Committee on Nutrition, and, in view of that ‘ report, no action was contemplated at present. The Minister subsequently wrote to me, enclosing a copy of a report which had been issued to the press. In view of the way in which that report has been misrepresented in the press, I propose to read it to-night. About two years ago I had the privilege of listening to an address by an eminent,’ physician in. which he stated that white’ bread constituted, a menace to the health of the community. He pointed out that in one country legislation had be.en passed to enforce the use of wholemeal bread, and that within a. year thedeathrate in the country had been reduced by 50’ per cent. It is important, particularly during time of war, to give attention to the health of the community, including that of the members of tie fighting forces. ‘ This matter becomes, -therefore, one of urgency. The report to which I have referred states -

It would.be unwise and premature to come to a decision regarding proposals for the fortification, with vitamin B1, of Australianmade bread, pending completion of the investigations now being made by the special committee appointed for this purpose by the National Health and Medical Research Council.

I am not concerned now- with the fortification of white flour, but with the extraction of the nutriment from flour, because of the greed of the millers. The report proceeds - “ Important factors to remember are - firstly, Australian wheat is considerably higher in vitamin B1- than wheat from any other part of the world; secondly,there is, at present, no evidence that the Australian community is suffering from even a partial vitamin B1. deficiency, or that it is necessary or desirable to fortify Australian flour; and, thirdly, millers and makers are cooperating actively in the scientific investigations, now being made, and there should be no difficulty in securing the uniform adoption of any recommendations of the committee.

The National Health and Medical Research Council, which is a thoroughly representative Australian body, considered this matter at its recent meeting in Canberra, and arrived at the following, conclusions : -

The council has noted the growing agitation for alterations to Australian flour for bread-making along the lines adopted by the British’ Government.”

If there is no reason for complaint, why is there this growing agitation for the adoption of the British practice? Not only has it been adopted in Great Britain, but it has also been adopted in the United States of America, South Africa, the Netherlands, and even by our enemy, Germany. ‘ Hitler sees that the German troops get bread of the best quality. The report- continues^-“ “ The .council wishes , to draw attention to the investigations it” initiated last November into the problem of the vitamin Bl content of the Australian diet. At. the time it was realized that at least twelve months would be required for this work, and in view of the nature of the investigations results cannot bc expected before the next meeting of the council.

In the meantime the council wishes to draw attention to the fact that there have only been minor changes - in the Australian diet during the past twenty years, and that whatever conditions exist to-day have existed for at least that period of time.
From information before the council it would seem that Australian white Hour contains appreciable quantities of vitamin Bl and that the amount present in white bread is such that it provides about one-third of the daily intake. It would appear that a high consumption of other carbohydrates, such as sugar, confectionery and biscuits, which contain but small quantities of vitamin Bl when compared with white bread, a.re more likely to influence the vitamin Bl content of the diet adversely than the white bread eaten.
The council considers that flour-millers, bakers and all other interested parties should not make any alterations to existing formulae of flour-milling or bread-making until the final findings of the council’s nutrition committee are available.”

Those conclusions differ from those contained in a booklet entitled Diet and Nutrition for the Australian People, compiled by the Nutrition Committee of the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia and published by Angus and Robertson Limited in conjunction with the Commonwealth Department of Health. On page 6 of the booklet the following statements appear : -

We have the evidence of many statistical and public health experts that the increase in the number of hospital patients is traceable to malnutrition. This increase in hospital populations is often mistakenly used as evidence of our advancement in medical care for the sick. Naturally, it is a sign of failure in the simpler aspects of living well. The high cost of increased hospital service might well be looked upon as a matter for adjustment in terms of better nutrition and health of the population. This country led the world in its social legislation when it attempted to fix a basic wage for -workers. As is well known, this wage is based upon a hypothetical family of two adults and three children. The dietary scale which was made the basis of the wage calculation in .1911 was drawn up in the absence of knowledge of vitamins. It was, however, revised by the Piddington Committee in 1!)20 when our dietary ‘knowledge was further advanced, and as yet even this scale * has* not been made the basis of wage decisions . . .

This, in effect, amounts to a failure to apply correctly the principle of the 1011 act which aimed at the establishment of a healthy, happy, efficient, and contented populace.

Dealing with white bread the Nutrition Committee reported -

To take bread alone we find that from 1840, when wholemeal bread was the staple food of Britons, an average daily consumption of 21 ounces ensured the intake of 000 units of vitamin B. To-day the smaller consumption of white flour freed of most of its source of vitamin B, provides only 120 units daily. It is more than probable that the “ purification “ of flour by modern refined milling baa played a large part in reducing the role of bread as a staple food.

Honorable members can see that modern milling processes and the greed of the millers have greatly reduced the value of bread as the staple food of the community. To show that eminent men in the community are aware of the position I propose to quote from an article which appeared recently in Smith’s Weekly. It is to the credit of that journal that it is prepared to conduct such a campaign to bring the facts of the matter prominently before the people. No newspaper would stake its reputation on such a matter if it were not certain of its grounds. The article reads: -

Gross exaggeration and misinterpretation by daily and weekly newspapers of a recent Australian National Health and Medical Research Council report has widely publicized the idea that “ Australian white bread is the best in the world “. Millers and bakers, who have been selling nutriment-robbed white bread to the public for ages, have been basking in the sunshine of such praise. But Professor Young, Professor of Bio-Chemistry Melbourne University, and one of the notable scientists who produced the report, has told Smith’s that the statement has not the slightest foundation in fact. “ The National council investigated some grades of Australian wheat,” said the professor, “ and found the vitamin B content to be very high, judged against world standards. If all of the wheat went into flour that flour would be as rich as any in the world and the bread made from it would be in the same position. Therefore, Australian bread made from white flour is probably as poor as that produced anywhere in the world “. Professor Young believes that malnutrition among poorer people who use white bread as their main item of diet, is due to lack of nutriment in the bread. He advocates general use of wholemeal, bread which contains all the nutriment of the wheat berry, including the germ. “ But, in the milling of white flour, most of the vitamins are taken out and also much of the mineral content. At most, only traces of vitamins are left in the white flour, nutriment is in the bran and pollard, which is used for feeding . pigs and fowls. Professor Priestly, Professor of Biochemistry, Sydney University, and many other famous Australian scientists agree. But I am strongly against the introduction of artificial vitamin B1 into white bread to bolster it up “, said Professor Young. “ A strong move is being made ‘by certain people to interest the Commonwealth Government in such a project. For one thing, it is not logical and it is artificial. Most important is the fact that . six types in the vitamin B series are taken away from white flour. They work best as a team. Restoring vitamin B1 and not B2, B3, and so on, would achieve little.

Solution to the whole problem of giving the people nourishing bread, does not lie in bolstering white flour with synthetic vitamins, but in turning the whole of the rich wheat berry into wholemeal flour and making bread from that.

Millers and bakers would object to that for technical and other reasons. But whether they do or not, the fact still remains that wholemeal is vastly superior to white bread.

It is idle to say that poor people can get the nutriment from other foods which they don’t get from bread. Recently, I made a test of my own diet. I eat anything I like which is more than a poor man can do. AndI found that the nourishment I was getting was dangerously near the borderline of poor nourishment.

England has been forced to legislate to make millers and bakers leave the nourishment in flour.

The Commonwealth Government must take similar action. Our nation is under a tremendous nervous and physical strain - particularly among workers who are working round the clock. Everything possible must be done to maintain health standards. Yet the main item of diet for the working class is nothing more than inflated paste.

The National Health Council has long urged the Federal Government to do something about lack of nourishment in bread, without result. We can no longer delay. Give the people a, bread that is a food.

I urge the Government to look very carefully into this matter. Even in Canberra we cannot get wholemeal bread. I havehere a sample of so-called wholemeal bread procured from the parliamentary dining room which on examination is found to be merely -coloured white bread. It is said by experts that bread of this kind undermines the cells not only of the body but also of the brain. I trust that this matter will be inquired into immediately. The Government should compel the millers to process flour in such a way as to ensure that the people receive the greatest nutriment from it.

Sir FREDERICK STEWART:
matta - Minister for Health and Social Services · Parra · UAP

– As indicated in the letter which I forwarded to the honorable member a few days ago, this matter has been under the constant attention of the health advisers of the Government who are much more competent to assess the merits of the issue than either the honorable member or myself. The Government is prepared to follow the recommendations of its technical advisers regardless -of whether they do or do not benefit those people to whom the honorable member has referred.

Mr Morgan:

– I am glad to have the Minister’s assurance on the subject.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

page 421

PAPERS

The following papers were presented : -

Lands Acquisition Act - Land acquired for Defence purposes -

Bathurst, New South Wales.

Chermside, Queensland.

Pearce. Western Australia.

Port Melbourne (near), Victoria.

House adjourned at 11.20 p.m.

page 421

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS

The following answers to questions were circulated: -

Bauxite

Mr Francis:

s asked the Minister representing the Minister for Supply and Development,upon notice -

Having regard to the substantial use of aluminium in aeroplane and munition production to-day, what steps, if any, have the Government taken to ascertain what deposits of bauxite exist in Australia, having particular reference to the bauxite deposits at Tambourine . Mountain, Queensland; and what steps, if any, have been taken by the Government to develop or encourage the manufacture of aluminium from such deposits?
Are there any technical reasons why aluminium cannot he manufactured from Australian bauxite; if so, what steps, if any, have been taken to overcome such difficulties, and have any steps been taken to establish a uniform process of manufacture from Australian bauxite?
Has any application been made directly or indirectly by any government organization or any individual to this Government on behalf . of the interests associated with the bauxite deposits at Tambourine Mountain for financial or technical assistance to develop these deposits ?

Mr Spender:
UAP

– The Minister for Supply and Development has supplied the following answers : -

The Government has appointed a committee to investigate the bauxite resources of Australia, and this committee has given special attention to deposits at the Tambourine Mountain, Queensland. The Government has also decided to develop the aluminium industry in Australia, including the production of ingot from Australian bauxite.
The technical aspects of production of ingot aluminium from Australian bauxite are at present being investigated.
Dr. Bradfield corresponded with my department during July to October, 1940, in regard to analyses of samples of bauxite obtained in Queensland. These analyses were carried out, but no proposals for the development of the deposits have been received.

Defence Forces: Allowances to Members of Parliament; Position of Judge Drake-Brockman

Mr Martens:
HERBERT, QUEENSLAND

s asked the Minister for the Army, upon notice -

What are the names of the members of the Federal and State Parliaments serving with the Military Forces since the declaration of war?
What amounts of pay and allowances have each received during that period, and at what rates?
What military position does Judge Drake-Brockman hold, and what is the amount of pay and allowances he has received since the beginning of the war?
What time has he spent on military duty since the war began?
Are there complaints by industrial unions that there is delay in hearing their applications in the Arbitration Court?
Does the absence of this judge delay the work of the court; if so, what remedy is proposed ?

Mr Spender:
UAP

– The answers to the honorable member’s questions are as follows : - 1 and 2. The names of the members of the federal and State Parliaments serving with the Military Forces since the declaration of war and the amounts of pay and allowances received by each such member are as follows : -

Judge Drake-Brockman holds the military appointment of Commander, 3rd Division, with the rank of Major-General. Since the outbreak of war to the 15th April, 1941, he has received the following military pay and allowances, viz.: - Camp, £309 7s.6d.; staff pay, £269 17s. 2d.; total, £579 4s. 8d. ‘
Shortly after the outbreak of war, Judge Drake-Brockman was granted leave of absence from the Arbitration Court to carry out his duties as Commanding Officer of the 3rd Division. This leave expired on the 3rd September, 1040. Since the 3rd January, 1941, Judge Drake-Brockman has been in camp, except for such periods as he has been engaged in his judicial capacity as a judge of the Arbitration Court or as chairman of the Coal Central Reference Board.

The Attorney-General has supplied me with the following answer to questions Nos. 5 and 6 : -

Last year, the National Security (Industrial Peace) Regulations were made with a view to removing certain limitations on the jurisdiction of the court and to enable the court to deal with industrial disputes more expeditiously. Three additional Conciliation Commissioners were also appointed and, since then, delays as to war-time industries have been reduced to a minimum. The National Security (Coal Mining Industry Employment) Regulations have removed any cause for complaint so far as the coal-mining industry is concerned. The Central Reference Board constituted under these regulations and of which His Honour Judge Drake-Brockman is chairman is dealing with disputes on the coalfields as they arise. The machinery for settling disputes has never worked so expeditiously as at present.

Australian Broadcasting Commission : “A.B.C. Weekly”; Publication of Programmes ; Listeners’ Licences

Mr Drakeford:

d asked the Minister representing the Postmaster-General, upon notice -

What is the amount of loss on the A.B.C. Weekly for the past twelve months?
What is the estimated amount that would have to be paid for efficiently advertising programmes throughout Australia in the event of the publication of the A.B.C. Weekly being discontinued?

Mr Collins:
Minister without portfolio assisting the Minister for the Interior · HUME, NEW SOUTH WALES · CP

– The PostmasterGeneral has supplied the following answers : -

For the twelve months ending 30th June, 1941, the loss on the A.B.G. Weekly is estimated at approximately £34,000.
It is understood that newspapers will continue to publish the programmes of the Australian Broadcasting Commission as news and will therefore not require payment at advertising rates. The honorable member will, however, be aware of the announcement made yesterday by the Postmaster-General to the effect that the Government had decided to allow the publication of the A.B.C. Weekly to continue for the present.

Mr Conelan:

n asked the Minister representing the Postmaster-General, upon notice -

Is it a fact that inspectors from his department, who are visiting homes to detect unlicensed wireless sets, are asking soldiers’ dependants to produce their licences, and informing them that, if unable to do so, action will be taken?
Are the homes and goods of soldiers safeguarded by the National Security Regulations? , ,

Mr Collins:
CP

– The PostmasterGeneral has supplied the following answers : -

In the ordinary course of their work, wireless licence inspectors are daily visiting the homes of all classes of citizens, but these officers have no authority to decide whether action shall be taken against an unlicensed listener. Their reports are submitted to senior officers who, after taking all relevant factors into account, decide on the course’ to be adopted to ensure compliance with the Wireless Telegraphy Regulations.
The Wireless Telegraphy Regulations apply uniformly to all persons in possession of wireless receiving equipment, and the administration of those regulations is not curtailed in any way by the National Security Regulations. ‘.

Canberra: Inspector of Building Scaffolding

Mr Barnard:

d asked the Minister representing the Minister for the Interior, upon notice -

Has an Inspector of Building Scaffolding been appointed in the Australian Capital Territory ?
If so, what are his qualifications for such a position?
Has he previously had any practical experience in such work?

Mr Collins:
CP

– The Minister for the Interior has supplied the following answers : -

Yes.
He is an architect.
Yes.

Public Service: Appointments; Seniority of Members in Defence Forces.

Mr Falstein:
WATSON, NEW SOUTH WALES

n asked the Prime Minister, upon notice -

Will he give consideration to setting up an independent tribunal to hear appeals against staff-appointments to, and promotions made in, the Commonwealth Public Service?

Mr Menzies:
UAP

– It is not considered that a special tribunal is necessary for the purpose mentioned. All appointments, other than of permanent heads of departments, to the Service are made by, or on the recommendation of, the Public Service Board. The great bulk of appointments are of candidates from competitive examinations, appointed in order of qualifying. Promotions are provisional in the first instance and notified in the Commonwealth Gazette. Selection is in the hands of the department concerned, with the right of appeal from officers to the Public Service Board, which has no part in the original selections, and which gives the final decision.

Mr BLAIN:
NORTHERN TERRITORY · IND

n asked the Prime Minister, upon notice -

In view of the fact that the Commonwealth Government is urging private employers to make up the difference in pay to men serving in the forces overseas, will he state what provision has been made for members of the Commonwealth Public Service in the Australian Imperial Force in regard to their public service seniority on return to Australia?
If no provision has been made to ensure that an officer of military age who enlists in the overseas forces receives seniority over another officer of military age not in a reserved occupation under the scheme finally decided, will the Prime Minister see that regulations are promulgated to ensure that seniority is given to public servants who have service abroad?

Mr Menzies:
UAP

– The answers to the honorable member’s questions are as follows : -

Seniority of officers of the Commonwealth Public Service is not affected by their absence with the Australian Imperial Force. On return to duty in Australia their seniority will be that which they would have had if they had not enlisted.
See answer to 1. No variation of the present regulations regarding’ seniority is proposed.

War-time Boards and Commissions.

Mr Menzies:
UAP

s.- On the 28th May, the honorable member for Melbourne (Mr. Calwell) asked the following questions, upon notice -

What additional boards or commissions have been appointed under the National Security Act or other legislation since the last general elections?
Who are the members of such boards or commissions and what salaries, honorariums or allowances (other than travelling allowances) do they receive?
How many (a) boards, and (b) commissions are at present functioning under the Commonwealth legislation ?
How many (a) boards, and (b) commissions are at present functioning under joint Commonwealth and State legislation?

I am now in a position to furnish the following reply: - 1 and 2. The information desired by the honorable member is set out in the following statement. Where no remuneration is shown, the work is being done by Government officials in connexion with or in addition to their normal duties, and - in the case of other personnel - in an honorary capacity. 3. (a) 74, (6) 4. 4. (a) Nil, (6) Nil.

Boards, Commissions, etc, Appointed 23rd September, 1940, to 28th May, 1941.

Royal. Commission on Abbco Bread Company Contracts,&c.

Royal Commissioner. - Honorable A.V. Maxwell, a judge of the Supreme Court of New South Wales.

Air Compensation Board. (Constituted under the Defence Impressment

Order made under the National Security (General) Regulations.)

W. K. Freeman (Chairman) - £3 3s. a day for each day of sitting.

Wing Commander W. S. Armstrong.

Flying Officer W. B. Forster-Joy.

Committee on Apple and Pear Industry.

Honorable J. A. Perkins, M.P. (Chairman).

Honorable Sir George Bell, K.C.M.G., D.S.O., V.D.

Honorable R. T. Pollard, M.P.

Senator J. McLachlan.

Senator J. M. Fraser.

W. Frost, M.P.

Alex. Wilson, M.P.

Automotive Engineering Panel.

R. Code (Chairman).
H. Street.
E. Batchelor.
A. Cavanagh.
J. Cleave.
Jeffries.
P. L. Ronaldson.
A. Pryke.

Commonwealth Coal Board.

Mr. Justice Davidson . (Chairman).

Honorable T. Armstrong, M..L.C.

. Nelson.
G. Denniss.
McKensey.
H. Tucker.
McCarthy.

Coal-mining Industry.

Central Reference Board (constituted under the National’ Security (Coal-mining Industry Employment) Regulations) -

His Honour E. A. Drake-Brockman, C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O., V.D.

Special representative of employers -

James Johnstone -£ 2 50 per annum.

Special representative of employees -

Charles Nelson - £250 per annum.

Other representatives of employers -

Stanley McKensey.

William Francis McNally.

Other representatives of employees -

George William Sweeney Grant.

John Kellock.

Henry Charles Morton.

Matthew Lydon.

Harry Dent Johnson.

Charles Ebenezer Mundy.

Thomas Bassett Ward.

Harold Ashton Fountain.

Robert Corry Pinkerton.

John Hastie.

Hugh Henry Sutherland.

Local Reference Boards -

Newcastle District - ‘

James Connell (Chairman) - £650 per annum rising with annual increments of £25 to £750 per annum - also acts as Chairman, Maitland Board.

Representatives of employers -

James Johnstone, see Central Reference Board.

John Falling.

Robert Wallace Davie.

Representatives of employees -

John Kellock.

William McBlain.

James Simpson. ‘

George Scott.

Thomas Rutherford. i

Thomas Bassett Ward.

Henry Charles Morton.

Matthew Lydon.

Harry Dent Johnson.

Coal-mining Industry - continued.

Local Reference Boards - continued.

Maitland District -

James Connell (Chairman) - see Newcastle District.

Representatives of employers -

James Johnstone, see Central Reference Board. i

Nathaniel Jocelyn Clark. n.,

Robert Wallace Davie.

Representatives- of employees -

John Kellock. ‘ ‘

William McBlain.

James Simpson. ,

Edmund Scalley.

George Herron.

Thomas Bassett Ward.

Henry Charles . Morton.

Matthew Lydon.

Harry Dent Johnson.

Southern District, New South Wales -

Frederick Charles Hickman (Chairman) - £500 per annum.

Representatives of employers -

William Francis McNally.

George Hindmarsh.

Representative’s of employees -

Ernest Richard Browne.

Frederick Lowden.

John Kearney.

Charles William Cooper.

Henry Charles Morton.

Charles William Laing.

Western District, New South Wales -

Roy Campbell (Chairman) - £262 10s. per annum.

Representatives of employers -

Kam Morton.

David Wilson Robertson.

Representatives of employees -

Bernard William Cunningham.

Thomas Hugh Schroder.

Roy Da vies.

Thomas Bassett Ward.

Henry Charles Morton.

William Harold Fitzpatrick.

Victoria -

George Austin Mooney (Chairman). Representatives of employers -

John McLeish.

John William O’Donoghue.

Representatives of employees -

Idris Williams.

John McVicars.

John Hedley.

George Hargreaves. -William Peter Evans.

George Edward Cross.

Queensland -

Francis Edward Walsh (Chairman)- £2 2s. for each sitting of board.

Representatives of employers -

John Fulton Walker.

Sydney Lyle Trewick.

William Thomas.

Representatives of employees -

Albert Edward Phillips”.

Frederick John Elson.

Martin Michael Miller. ‘

Coal-mining Industry - continued.

Local Reference Boards - continued.

Tasmania -

James- Purcelli Clark. (Chairman) - £2 2s. for each sitting ofboard.

Representatives of employers -

John- Duncan - Meish McGeachie.

William Robinson.

Representatives- of employees -

William Henry, Rees.

Walter Alfred Scales.

Joshua Hadfield.

George Hargreaves.

William Peter- Evans:

George Edward: Cross;

Copper and Bauxite. Committee.

Sir Colin Fraser (Chairman).

J. Horsburgh.

M. J; Martin.

A. J: Keast.

J.” M. Newman.

Dr. H. G. Raggatt.

Board, of - Inquiry, into Hire-purchase and Cash-order Systems.

H. W. Chancellor (Chairman)..

Honorable. J. B. Chifley, M.P.

C. McMahon..
S. Colman, C.B.E.

Man-power and Resources Survey Committee.

Honorable E. S. Spooner, M.P. (Chairman).

J. P. Abbott, M.C., M.P.

Honorable E. J. Holloway, M.P.

J. S. Rosevear, M.P.

S. Drakeford, M;P.

Commonwealth Marine War Risks Insurance Board.

Honorable Sir-. Owen Dixon, K.C.M.G. ( Chairman ) .

W. C. Balmford.

Professor D. B:. Copland, C.M.G.

S. Douglas. munitions’ Electrical Advisory Panel.
A. Gladwell (Chairman).

W.W: Cooper.

W. R. Richards.

H. C. Martin.

R. E. Banks.

H. W. Williams.

H. D. Brehaut.

S. H: Dods.

L. D. Wright.

S. H. Witt.

Major Billis.

Paper Industry War-time AdvisoryCommittee.

Northern section -

H. J. Hendy (Chairman)..

P. R. Wilkins (Secretary).

W. Nevill.

A. D. Stewart;

J. R; Firth.

G. H. Booth.’

F. Cooper.

E. W. C. Hughes-.

Southern section -

A. P. Kennan (Chairman).

A. S. Rundle- (Secretary).

D. W. Thorpe.

Paper Industry War-time Advisory Committee - continued.

Southern section- - continued.

J: R. D. Martin.

J: B-. Frame..

G. Anderson.

H. Bishop.

W. A. Jack.

J. Fielding.

F.’ R. Lindsay.

H. G: Brain..

R: Morris: (The various sections of the Paper Industry which nominate representatives- of the Advisory Committee have the right to change their representatives. )

Australian Shipbuilding Board.

The honorable F. P.Kneeshaw,. M.L.C. (Chairman).

Engineer Admiral. P. E. McNeill; C.B.

S. W. Griffith.

S. McAlpine.

Shipping Control Board.

Honorable. Sir Owen Dixon, K.C.M.G. (Chairman).

F. Murphy, C.M:G..

J.’ L. Webb. “

Tinplate Board.

D. J. Pilmer (Chairman).

E. J. Bowater.

A’. W. Fairley.

G. Massey.

R. P. Allen.

S. W. Gadsen.

F. B. Spencer:

Australian Tobacco Board.

To represent the Commonwealth Goverment -

J. A. Tonkin (Chairman).

Torepresent the growers- of Australian tobacco leaf -

E. A. Atherton;*

B. M. Wade.*

F. B. Darling.*

To represent manufacturers who use Australian . tobacco leaf -

C. W. Hyde.*

F.. W. Brown.*

R. C. Best.*

To represent persons engaged in the business- of selling Australian tobacco leaf -

T. A. M. Fancourt.*

J. L. Bower.*’

T. S. Ware.*”

Fee £2: 2s. a. day.for attendance at meeting or whilst engaged on . business of the board. (The majority of the members’do not accept fees).

Tobacco Manufacturers’ Advisory Committee.

R. J. A. Massie.

G. C. A.Bernays.

C. W. Stericker.

W. J. Burke.

Welding- AdvisoryGroup.

R. A. Holland” (Chairman).

B. N. Paton:

B. Osman.

G. C. Ellis.

Western Australian War Industries Committee.

Senator theHonorable H. B. Collett, C.M.G., D.S.O. V.D. (Chairman).

Curtin-, M.P.

Senator the Honorable J. Cunningham (acting in absence of Mr. Curtinon Advisory War Council work).

Professor F.R. E. Mauldron.

Wheat Industry StabilizationBoard.

Sir Clive McPherson, C.B.E. (Chairman). J.F. Murphy, C.M.G. - allowance £500 per annum.

H.McCullen - salary £1.000 per annum.

Patriotic fund boardshave been established in the various States and certain territories. The personnel of these boards includes officers ‘ of the staff of the Repatriation Commission.

Refugee Children.

Mr Collins:
CP

s. - Yesterday, the honor able member for Bendigo (Mr. Rankin) asked the following question, without notice: -

Is it a fact that the parents of refugee children, who have been sent to Australia from Great Britain, are being charged 10s. a week for the children’s upkeep in this country in spite of the fact that many of the people who have adopted these children have not asked for any payment, and have received none? If this be so, to whom is this money being paid? Is it being paid to any one in Australia, or to any organization in Great Britain?

The Minister for the Interior has furnished the following reply: -

The children- referred to by the honorable member came to Australia . at the. invitation of the Commonwealth Government in response to a widespread desire expressed. by the people of Australia to extend hospitality to them for the duration of the war. They are not refugee children; they are our guests, and are accommodated in private households in the various States of the Commonwealth. The whole of the cost of the maintenance of the children is borne by their Australian hosts. No contribution towards their maintenance is made by the parents of the children.

In the United Kingdom, the Children’s Overseas Reception Board was established by the United Kingdom Government for the pur- pose of administering the scheme at that end. The United Kingdom Government undertook to defray the whole of the cost involved in sending the children to Australia and will pay the cost of their return to Britain. Parents in the United Kingdom were required to pay to the Children’s Overseas Reception Board a weekly contribution towards the cost. No portion of these contributions is paid to the Commonwealth or to any person in Australia.

National Service of Members of Parliament.

Mr Spender:
UAP

r. - On the 20th June, the honorable member for Parkes (Sir

Charles Marr) asked the following question, without notice: - 1 ask the Minister for the Army whether, under the National Emergency Regulations, members of Parliament throughout Australia are exempt from national defence service? If so, will the honorable gentleman consider the amendment of the relevant regulation so that all members of Parliament will be eligible to serve, either in the Militia Forces in Australia or overseas?

I now inform the honorable member that under section 61 of the Defence Act members of Parliament are exempt from military service in time of war. There are, however, no restrictions upon voluntary enlistment of members of Parliament for Australian Imperial Force, or for light horse regiments in the Militia. Members may also offer services for fulltime duty for home defence. In view of this provision, the matter has not been dealt with in National Security Regulations.

Militia Training: Payment of Compensation

Mr Blackburn:

n asked the Minister for the Army, upon notice -

Is it intended to pay pensions in respect of the death or incapacity of any person rendering military service under Part IV. of the Defence Act 1903-39, where such death or incapacity is caused by an injury sustained byhim during his period of service or by a disease contracted by him during that period?

Mr Spender:
UAP

– Persons serving under Part IV. of the Defence Act are not eligible for pensions, but are paid compensation in accordance with section 57 of the Defence Act and the Military Financial Regulations. As mentioned recently, the question of compensation to members of the forces not covered by the Australian Soldiers’ Repatriation Act has been examined by an inter-departmental committee, and the matter will shortly receive the consideration of the Government. ‘ _

NEW ‘Guinea: Development: Petroleum Deposits.

Mr Wilson:

n asked the Minister dealing with External Territories, upon notice -

What is the Government’s policy in reference to mining, agriculture, land settlement by Europeans, and general development in New Guinea?
What assistance and/or encouragement is the Government, offering to those, other than the large nil companies, desirous of searching forpetroleum in New Guinea?
What is the Government’s policy in relation to oil search in New Guinea?

Mr Collins:
CP

– The answers to the honorable member’s questions are as follows : - *

It is, the policy of the Government to develop, to the fullest extent . the mining, agricultural and other resources of New Guinea;and to further the interests and welfare of the European, native and other inhabitants of the territory.
Any company incorporated or registered an the territory’ may participate in the search for oil in New Guinea, provided it complies with the laws of the territory. Under the Petroleum Oil Search Act 1936-40 it is competent for application to be made for financial assistance in certain circumstances in connexion with drilling operations in the territory. 3: The policy of the Government in relation to the search for oil in New Guinea is expressed in- the Petroleum (Prospecting and Mining) Ordinance 1938-39.

Man-power and ‘Resources Survey Committee.

Mr Blackburn:

n asked the Prime Minister, upon notice -

Has he received any report from the Man-power Committee?
Will he lay such report (including the transcript of evidence) upon the table of the Library so that honorable members may read it?
Will he cause such report to be printed and: circulated to honorable members?

Mr Menzies:
UAP

-. - The answers to- the honorable member’s questions ‘ are as follows-: -

First and second interim reports have been received, from the Man-power and Resources Survey Committee.
and 3. These reports are at present’ under -consideration - by the Government, and; it is not- proposed- to - lay. them on the table of the library nor. have them printed for circulation to members- at this stage.

Cite as: Australia, House of Representatives, Debates, 25 June 1941, viewed 22 October 2017, <http://historichansard.net/hofreps/1941/19410625_reps_16_167/>.

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House of Representatives25 June 1941

QUESTION

PENSIONS OF . SOLDIERS’ DEPENDANTS

Mr FORDE:CAPRICORNIA, QUEENSLAND

Mr FADDEN:Treasurer · DARLING DOWNS, QUEENSLAND · CP

POWER ALCOHOL COMMITTEE

Report

Mr SPENDER:Minister for the Army · WARRINGAH, NEW SOUTH WALES · UAP

QUESTION

NESTLE AND ANGLO-SWISS CONDENSED MILK COMPANY (AUSTRALASIA) LIMITED

Mr SPENDER:UAP

QUESTION

DEPARTMENT OF LABOUR AND NATIONAL SERVICE

Mr BARNARD:BASS, TASMANIA

Mr HOLT:Minister for Labour and National Service · FAWKNER, VICTORIA · UAP

QUESTION

RADIO RESEARCH LABORATORY

Mr RYAN:FLINDERS, VICTORIA

Mr HOLT:UAP

QUESTION

CASE OF MR. P. R, HENTZE

Mr WARD:EAST SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES

Mr MENZIES:Minister for Defence Co-ordination · KOOYONG, VICTORIA · UAP

QUESTION

PRICE OF SUPERPHOSPHATE

Mr PROWSE:FORREST, WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Sir EARLE PAGE:Minister for Commerce · COWPER, NEW SOUTH WALES · CP

QUESTION

EQUIPMENT OF AUSTRALIAN FORCES

Mr SHEEHAN:COOK, NEW SOUTH WALES

Mr SPENDER:UAP

PRISONERS OF WAR

Mr SPENDER:UAP

QUESTION

PRODUCER-GAS UNITS

Mr BERNARD CORSER:WIDE BAY, QUEENSLAND

Mr MENZIES:UAP

QUESTION

MUNITION WORKERS’ HOMES

Mr DRAKEFORD:MARIBYRNONG, VICTORIA

Mr FADDEN:CP

Mr DRAKEFORD:

Mr FADDEN:

QUESTION

AUSTRALIAN CONSOLIDATED INDUSTRIES LIMITED

Mr CALWELL:MELBOURNE, VICTORIA

Mr HARRISON:Minister for Trade and Customs · WENTWORTH, NEW SOUTH WALES · UAP

Mr Calwell:

Mr HARRISON:

QUESTION

IN TERNATIONAL SITUATION

Mr BEAZLEY:FREMANTLE, WESTERN AUSTRALIA · ALP

Sir FREDERICK STEWART:Minister for External Affairs · PARRAMATTA, NEW SOUTH WALES · UAP

QUESTION

BOOT MANUFACTURERS

Mr WARD:

Mr HUGHES:Attorney-General · NORTH SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES · UAP

Mr WARD:

Mr HUGHES:

HOUR OF MEETING

QUESTION

ABBCO BREAD CASE

Mr ROSEVEAR:DALLEY, NEW SOUTH WALES · LANG LAB; ALP from 1936; ALP (N-C) from 1940; ALP from 1941

Mr HUGHES:UAP

QUESTION

PETROL RATIONING

Mr JAMES:HUNTER, NEW SOUTH WALES

Mr SPEAKER:

Mr JAMES:

Mr SPEAKER:

Mr JAMES:

Mr SPENDER:UAP

QUESTION

MORATORIUM FOR CIVILIANS

Mr MAKIN:HINDMARSH, SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Mr MENZIES:UAP

QUESTION

TAXATION OF LOANS

Mr CLARK:DARLING, NEW SOUTH WALES

Mr FADDEN:CP

House of Representatives
25 June 1941

Mr FORDE:
CAPRICORNIA, QUEENSLAND

Mr FADDEN:
Treasurer · DARLING DOWNS, QUEENSLAND · CP

Mr SPENDER:
Minister for the Army · WARRINGAH, NEW SOUTH WALES · UAP

Mr SPENDER:
UAP

Mr BARNARD:
BASS, TASMANIA

Mr HOLT:
Minister for Labour and National Service · FAWKNER, VICTORIA · UAP

Mr RYAN:
FLINDERS, VICTORIA

Mr HOLT:
UAP

Mr WARD:
EAST SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES

Mr MENZIES:
Minister for Defence Co-ordination · KOOYONG, VICTORIA · UAP

Mr PROWSE:
FORREST, WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Sir EARLE PAGE:
Minister for Commerce · COWPER, NEW SOUTH WALES · CP

Mr SHEEHAN:
COOK, NEW SOUTH WALES

Mr SPENDER:
UAP

Mr SPENDER:
UAP

Mr BERNARD CORSER:
WIDE BAY, QUEENSLAND

Mr MENZIES:
UAP

Mr DRAKEFORD:
MARIBYRNONG, VICTORIA

Mr FADDEN:
CP

Mr CALWELL:
MELBOURNE, VICTORIA

Mr HARRISON:
Minister for Trade and Customs · WENTWORTH, NEW SOUTH WALES · UAP

Mr BEAZLEY:
FREMANTLE, WESTERN AUSTRALIA · ALP

Sir FREDERICK STEWART:
Minister for External Affairs · PARRAMATTA, NEW SOUTH WALES · UAP

Mr HUGHES:
Attorney-General · NORTH SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES · UAP

Mr ROSEVEAR:
DALLEY, NEW SOUTH WALES · LANG LAB; ALP from 1936; ALP (N-C) from 1940; ALP from 1941

Mr HUGHES:
UAP

Mr JAMES:
HUNTER, NEW SOUTH WALES

Mr SPENDER:
UAP

Mr MAKIN:
HINDMARSH, SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Mr MENZIES:
UAP

Mr CLARK:
DARLING, NEW SOUTH WALES

Mr FADDEN:
CP

Mr MORGAN:
REID, NEW SOUTH WALES

Mr HOLT:
UAP

Mr CONELAN:
GRIFFITH, QUEENSLAND

Mr HARRISON:
UAP

Sir FREDERICK STEWART:
Minister for Health and Social Services · Parramatta · UAP

Mr CURTIN:
Leader of the Opposition · Fremantle

Mr BEASLEY:
West Sydney

Mr BECK:
Denison

Mr ARCHIE CAMERON:
Barker

Mr BLACKBURN:
Bourke

Sir CHARLES MARR:
Parkes

Mr MENZIES:
UAP

Mr CALWELL:
Melbourne

Mr CALWELL:
MELBOURNE, VICTORIA · ALP

Mr JOLLY:
Lilley