Senate
20 October 1911

4^th Parliament · 2^nd Session

QUESTION
- DR. BASEDOW
QUESTION
- PORT DARWIN FARES
QUESTION
- OFFICE CLEANERS: HOLIDAYS
QUESTION
- TELEPHONE EXCHANGE
NAVAL AND MILITARY DECORATIONS BILL
TRADE UNIONS
POST AND TELEGRAPH RATES BILL
KALGOORLIE TO PORT AUGUSTA RAILWAY BILL
- Second Reading
ELECTORAL BILL
- Second Reading
PAPERS
ADJOURNMENT
- Resignation of Dr. Basedow. - Order of Business

The President took the chair at 10.30 a.m., and read prayers.

page 1666

QUESTION

DR. BASEDOW

Senator VARDON:
SOUTH AUSTRALIA

– Some time ago the Vice-President of the Executive Council, in answer to a question, promised to lay on the table of the Library the documents relating to the appointment and resignation of Dr. Basedow, in connexion with the Northern Territory. That has not yet been done, and I should like to know when it will be done.

Senator McGREGOR:
Vice-President of the Executive Council · SOUTH AUSTRALIA · ALP

– I shall remind the Minister of External Affairs that my promise has not yet been kept, and ask him to hurry up the production of the papers.

page 1666

QUESTION

PORT DARWIN FARES

Senator WALKER:
NEW SOUTH WALES

asked the Minister representing the Minister of External Affairs, upon notice -

Hashe noticed a paragraph in the Age of 17th October, 1911, referring to the prospective increase of passenger faresbetween other Australian ports andPort Darwin?
Ifso, what practical steps will the Government take to increase the facilities far persons to proceed to Port Darwin, and thus assist’ in attracting population to the Northern Territory?

Senator McGREGOR:
ALP

– The answers to the honorable senator’s questions are -

Yes.
Inquiries in regard to the matter are being made, but the Minister is not yet in a position to indicate what form action will take. The importance of the question is fully recognised.

Senator MILLEN:
NEW SOUTH WALES

– Has the Minister seen a further paragraph, dealing with the same subject, but giving fuller information? And, if not, will he take steps to bring under the notice of his colleague the paragraph to which I refer, and which appears under the head of.” Telegrams from Sydney “ in to-day’s newspaper?

Senator McGREGOR:

– I shall call the attention of my honorable colleague to the paragraph.

page 1666

QUESTION

OFFICE CLEANERS: HOLIDAYS

Senator KEATING:
for Senator Ready

asked the Minister representing the PostmasterGeneral, upon notice -

Is he aware that the female office-cleaners at the General Post Office, Hobart, Tasmania, only receive 251. per week, and that they are only allowed one week’s holiday every year, whereas other postal employes are allowed three weeks ?
Does not the provision that all postal employes over the age of twenty-one should receive £110 per annum apply to these cleaners, one of whom has four years’ service?
Considering the nature of the work of these employe’s, will the Minister recommend an improvement in their conditions?

Senator FINDLEY:
Minister (without portfolio) · VICTORIA · ALP

– The answers to the honorable senator’s questions are -

Yes; the rate having been increased from 20s. per week in November last. Some are allowed one week’s leave and some two weeks’ leave per annum, according to the length of time they have been employed. They are not permanent officials, and therefore the provisions of the Public Service Act do not apply to them.
No. These employes do not come under the provisions of the Public Service Act, and do not work as many hours as permanent employes.
In view of all the circumstances, the con ditions are considered reasonable.

page 1666

QUESTION

TELEPHONE EXCHANGE

Senator RAE:
NEW SOUTH WALES

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

Has he received a petition and several communications from the people of Collarenebri in the north-west portion of New South Wales, asking for a telephone exchange?
Has the Postal Department received many requests to establish telegraphic or telephonic communication between the town of Collarenebri and the nearest railway station at Collarenebri East, some ten or twelve miles distant?

Senator FINDLEY:
ALP

– The answers to the honorable senator’s questions are -

No.
Yes; and the terms under which the erection of the line could be proceeded with have been communicated to all concerned.

page 1666

NAVAL AND MILITARY DECORATIONS BILL

Motion (by Senator Pearce) proposed -

That this Bill be now read a third time.

Question put. The . Senate divided.

Ayes … … … 16

Noes … … … 7

Majority . … 9

Question so resolved in theaffimative.

Bill read a third time.

page 1667

TRADE UNIONS

Motion (by Senator St. Ledger) agreed to-

That there be laid on the table of the Senate a return showing -

(a) The number of trade unions registered under the State laws in the respective States. (b) The number of individuals coming within the jurisdiction of such legislation, (c) The occupations or industries in connexion with which such registration is made.

The number of registered industrial or ganizations(a) of employers, (b) of employes registered under the State Industrial Arbitration and Conciliation Acts, and (c) the industries in connexion with which such registration is made.

The number of organizations (a) of employers, (b) of employes registered in pursuance of the Commonwealth Conciliation and Arbitration Act of 1904 and Acts amending the same, and (c) the industries in connexion with which such registration is made.

page 1667

POST AND TELEGRAPH RATES BILL

Bill received from the House of Representatives, and (on motion by Senator Findley). read a first time.

page 1667

KALGOORLIE TO PORT AUGUSTA RAILWAY BILL

Second Reading

Senator PEARCE:
Minister for Defence · Western AustraliaMinister of Defence · ALP

– I move -

That this Bill be now read a second time.

– The cost was borne by the State Government, and I do not know what it amounted to. It was comparatively inexpensive, and, of course, was not of very much value for the purpose of estimating the cost of the railway. After the engineers-in-chief had reduced the estimate, in consequence of the detailed examination of the country, the taking of levels, and other necessary investigations, working drawings were ordered to be prepared. A vote of ^5,000 was passed on the Estimates last year for the payment of a staff to work up the details collected by the survey party. That material has been to a large extent worked through, and the task almost completed. A plan of the line has been plotted to a scale of 4 chains to the inch, and the longitudinal section to the horizontal of 4 chains to the inch, and vertical scale of 20 feet to an inch. The sharpest curves are of a 20-chain radius, and the steepest grade is one in eighty. As to the route of the line, I wish to quote from a report of the railway construction branch of the Department of Home Affairs, founded upon the surveyors’ report. On page 4, it is stated -

Commencing at Kalgoorlie the line follows the existing railway to Kanowna as far as Kurramia Siding, a little over 6 miles from Kalgoorlie; but as the grades of the existing line are steeper than that decided upon as a ruling grade for the transcontinental railway, some cutting down will have to be undertaken. After leaving the Kalgoorlie-Kanowna railway the line follows practically for a distance of some 40 miles the Westralia Timber Company’s tramway, bearing generally south-easterly for that length, and passing through the township of Bulong, about 23 miles from Kalgoorlie ; thence the line runs almost due east, adjacent to the 31st parallel of latitude to about 357 miles; thence it runs on a bearing of north 7g degrees east until the South Australian border is reached, at a mileage of 461 miles 77 chains $9 links in latitude 30 degrees 45 minutes south - boundary to Tarcoola. From the end of the Western Australian division, in latitude 30.45 degrees south the line runs in the direction of 10 degrees north of east across the Nullabor “Plain, cutting Cornish’s line in latitude 30 degrees 28 minutes south, and strikes the sandhill country about 170 miles east of the Western Australian border, passing 3$ miles south of Ooldea well.

I draw attention to the fact that from Nullabor Plain absolutely no sand hills exist at all. It is all good loam country.

Through the sandhills, about 100 miles, the general direction is easterly, and the line passes about a quarter of a mile south of Wynbring rock, 63 miles west of Tarcoola, and from there runs in a fairly direct course to Kychering, 23 miles west of Tarcoola, passing along the north side of Kychering hills, and continuing in a straight line to the western boundary of the Wylgena station, which is crossed at a point 3^ miles north of finding rock hole. After crossing the vermin-proof fence the line runs in an easterly direction to Tarcoola, S02 miles from Kalgoorlie, skirting the southern slope of the range on which the gold mines are situated. From Tarcoola to Port Augusta, about 263 miles by railway survey, the line runs through occupied pastoral country, including the Wilgena, Coondambo, Wirraminna, Pines, Oakden Hills, and

Yudnapinna stations. The line starting from Tarcoola runs easterly to near Wilgena ‘Hill, and continuing in a south-easterly direction over easy country, passes about r mile north of the Wilgena head station, 12 miles from Tarcoola. Running easterly from Wilgena the line skirts the south-west end of Lake Moolkra, and passing along the north side of the hill near Earea dam, where some gold mining has been done, leaving Kingoonya head station 1 mile to the north at 850^ miles, traverses easy country to 885 miles, half a mile south of Coondambo head station. After leaving Coondambo the line runs south of Lake Boomerang and north of Wirraminna head station to the south end of Lake Hart, with easy earthworks and light grades. From there to Eucolo Creek the line goes through country, including some swamps, sand rises, and gypsum banks.

I draw attention to the fact that that is the only point along the route where the sand is drifting sand. There is a mile and a half of it.

At Eucolo Creek it is ‘subject to a sand drift for about r£ miles between 931^ miles and 933 miles. From Eucolo Creek to Lake Windabout the line crosses an open stony tableland.

The report on this point concludes -

The line runs through sand which is light and mostly free from drift.

I wish now to direct especial attention to this question from the defence point of view. That is a very important phase of it. There is no doubt that a country like Australia is subject to attacks from sea. We have no land frontier. Therefore, we have to be in a position to direct our troops to any point in Australia that may be threatened from the sea. With the advent of wireless telegraphy, and with the increased speed of steam-ships, it is quite possible that we shall receive a very much longer warning of a .threatened attack than was hitherto possible. As honorable senators are aware, one of the proposals agreed upon at the recent Imperial Conference related to the extension of wireless telegraphy throughout the Pacific, and by means of a chain of stations lying to the north and north-west. By such means any movements of foreign ships coming to Australia would almost certainly be known to us by warnings communicated from elsewhere, and we should have information as to the point of our coast for which they were making. It is very essential that by means of internal lines we should be able to concentrate our forces at any point that might be threatened, to prevent a landing. The report from which I. have been quoting, dealing with this aspect of the matter, says- - It has more than once been- suggested that the” line opposite Eucla, at the head of the Bight, is too near the coast. The actual distance is about 60 miles, through country which, although carrying sufficient vegetation for stock, is of an unhospitable character, because there is no water to be obtained until the line is reached.

It will be seen from the map hanging upon the wall that the nearest approach of the line to the coast is 60 to 80 miles.

It would probably take a boat’s crew three days from the coast to reach the line. It is very doubtful whether there is the slightest danger of attack being made in the neighbourhood of Eucla. The character of the coast does not permit of ships lying close in in all weathers. Consequently, if heavy weather set in they would have to head right out into the Bight for safety, so that a boat’s crew which had landed might be cut off completely without doing damage of any consequence. It seems, therefore, extremely unlikely that an enemy would make any attempt to land.

– It was, but I can assure the honorable senator that the dinner did not prompt the speech. This speech was delivered after Lord Kitchener had had the opportunity of travelling all round Australia. It was made at the conclusion of his tour during which his mind had been concentrated for the whole time on the problems of Australian defence. Therefore, I should say he was never in a better position to deliver an opinion on the subject than he was when he uttered these words. He said -

In order to reach Western Australia we have just had a four days’ sea voyage. I only wish we could have come here by train, for your present isolation must be not only a great commercial and political disadvantage, but also might at any time become a serious source of military weakness. Your distinguished fellow citizen, Sir John Forrest, has, I know, often pointed this out, and he has advocated the construction of a trunk line on the 4-ft.8½-in. gauge to join Western Australia with the eastern States. I understand that this project is shortly to be taken seriously in hand, and I only wish to say how thoroughly I indorse Sir John’s opinion on the subject. It seems to me, gentlemen, that one of the greatest needs of Australia is , systematic, statesmanlike, and comprehensive railway extension.

Senator Givens:

– Is Sir John Forrest to get all the honour and glory in connexion with the whole thing?

Senator PEARCE:

– I do not care who gets the honour and glory so long as the line is constructed. I am satisfied that the people of Western Australia sufficiently showed recently that they possess an extraordinary amount of discrimination. Lord Kitchener went on to say -

Trunk lines opening up communication and developing the fertile districts in the interior of this vast country would undoubtedly stimulate more than anything else the growth of your population, as well as foster trade, and considerably increase your means of defence. At present Australia’s expenditure on railway construction appears to be often spasmodic as well as unduly influenced by purely local conditions, instead of being guided by a steady policy based on national requirements, organized and directed under a central controlling authority.

That sounds almost like heresy in view of the referenda results.

– That is so; it can be said of the line to Broken Hill. On the question of the character of the country, Mr. Deane’s report, from which I am quoting, says -

The first 70 miles of the railway traverses the main auriferous green-stone belt in which the gold-fields of Kalgoorlie is situated. From this point on for about 100 miles the country is granite, mostly covered with alluvial gravels and loam. At 175 miles from Kalgoorlie limestone is met with, and this continues to about 640 miles, where the sand-hills of South Australia are encountered.

Honorable senators will see that 810 miles of the country has absolutely no sand.

The sand-hill region is traversed for about roo miles. This consists of sand ridges with flats of varying widths lying between, and the soil on these Anls is generally excellent, and carries grass and saltbush, and other useful vegetation. The sandhills themselves, which seem to have, in all cases, a solid core, and are not mere sanddunes, are mostly covered with mallee and acacia scrub, with spinifex. Near Wynbring, 740 miles from Kalgoorlie, granite is again reached, and there is here an area of bare rock, from which water can be collected.

I may say that these bare rocks are an important feature of the interior of Western Australia. Before the Kalgoorlie water scheme was constructed, the whole of the water supply was collected from these bare rocks.

Senator Givens:

– They were the origin of the soaks.

Senator PEARCE:

– That is so; the Government made dams at the foot of the rocks, and the rocks acted as a roof and a catchment area for filling the dams. It would seem that, prior to the construction of the Kalgoorlie water supply, the drought experienced in Western Australia was practically the same as that which at the sam? time was being experienced in the east, because since the water was taken to Kalgoorlie the rainfall has never been so low as it was in those years. Since then there has been on the eastern gold-fields a rainfall of 16 inches, and the dams have never been empty, though many of them have been used for railway purposes. I mention this as indicating the importance of these rocks in providing a water supply for the railway.

Senator Millen:

– They indicate also a very shallow soil.

Senator PEARCE:

– They outcrop above the soil, but in the gold-fields districts of Western Australia, at a little distance from outcrops of rock, there is to be found from 30 to 40 feet of rich alluvial soil. The report continues -

At Kychering, 20 miles further on, there is a large extent of bare- rock, amounting to abou! 40 acres. At about 802 miles from Kalgoorlie Tarcoola is reached. Here the quartzite bands contain gold, and gold mining is becoming fairly prosperous. To the east of this, at Glenloth, some distance south of the railway, there is another promising gold-field. From a point west of Tarcoola to Port Augusta the country is occupied, having been taken up for sheep runs. The character of it generally is pastoral and of good quality. Around the salt lake beds which are encountered in this district there are low sandhills, which, however, after wet weather become covered with vegetation. Tablelands rising 200 or 300 feet above the rest of the country are also met with. On the top and sides of these nutritious herbage, chiefly saltbush, grows. The tablelands consist of a sandstone formation, more or less denuded, the surface of the land being covered with very hard sandstone fragments.

I omit a technical paragraph referring to various elevations, and the report goes on to say -

The soil of the country, extending from Kalgoorlie to Spencer’s Gulf, is for the most par good, and covered with vegetation consisting of various saltbushes, bluebush, grass, and other shrubs mostly edible, and trees of various kinds, such as mulga, blackoak, myall, mallee, and myoporum, with frequent bushes of sandalwood and quandong. The great drawback is the low average rainfall, which, except in a certain portion of the country to the east -of Kalgoorlie, extending from about 40 miles to 105 miles, which evidently is more abundantly provided, does not exceed 7 inches, or at most 8 inches.

Where water, however] is obtainable by boring or can be stored up in depressions or behind dams, and provided the country is not afterwards overstocked, its permanent suitability for occupation is undoubted.

Between Kalgoorlie and the edge of theNullarbor plain shallow bores have been put downs but in all cases the bed rock has been reached without sign of water. Over this area, . catchment dams ban bebuilt, or artificial catchments prepared. AtCardunia, 82 miles, and the granite ridge at 107 miles east of Kalgoorlie, there are good rock catches.

On the Nullarbor plain the State Government of Western Australia have carried out boring operations with success. At No. 3 bore, on the railway route, 344 miles from Kalgoorlie, water Was struck between 1,270 and1,344 feet in beds of fine and coarse sand with hard bands and granite boulders, with hard granite at the bottom. Thewater stands in the bore about 420 feet from the surface;there is a large supply, and it is of good quality, no salt, a little hard, but it is considered that it would be good water for boiler purposes.

Senator Millen:

– The statement is made that there is a good supply. Has there ever been a pump on it to test it?

Senator PEARCE:

– The fact that the water rises 700 feet seems to indicate that this bore is within the artesian basin. It is well known that the basin extends in that direction, and the south-eastern edge of it has never yet been definitely located. As this water rises, it is ah indicationof pressure, and probably the pressure is due to the water rising to the level of the artesian basin which extends over a great part of Australia.If this be so, this bore should supply a great deal of water before it is exhausted. There is evidence that the artesian basin receives a permanent supply from somewhere, but where it comes from is yet a matter of debate amongst geologists. The report continues -

No. 4 bore, at 419 miles 73 chains, was bottomed ongranite at a depth of 907 feet. After drawing 30,000 gallons, water stands at 402 feet from the surface; quality slightly brackish.

Among the sandhills artificial catchments alone seem possible; but beyond this area the rock catchments of Wynbring and Kychering offer opportunities - the latter isvery extensive, and the former is capable of great improvement by stripping. From Tarcoola east there seems little difficulty of conserving water. Where well water cannotbe obtained sites for damscanbe found.

BetweenKalgoorlie and Tarcoola the country isremarkablefortheabsenseofdefined watercourses, and it isevident that therain rarely comes , in heavy falls. On the Other hand,from Tarcoola eastwardwater frequentlyrunsinwell- marked channels, and although thereare no very largewater-courses, yetthey are sufficiently defined in many cases to require bridges consisting oftwo or more 10-ft. openings.

Whilst that is a description of the water supply, and the qualityofthecountry, the following from the same report is an indication of what might be possible in the way of agricultural and horticultural development : -

Between Bulong and the Western boundary of Wilgena run, which is11 miles west of Tarcoola, the country is unoccupied. The Only operations that are taking place are the collection of sandalwood forexport andsalmon-gum timber for the Kalgoorlie mines. These extend to about 40 to 50 miles along the line.

I think that refers to the wood line running from Kalgoorlie.

If water can be stored or otherwise provided, there is no doubt, about the suitability of the country betweenKalgoorlie and Tarcoola for carrying stock.

At this point I should like to say that if honorable senators will consult the map, they will notice a line running north of Kalgoorlie towards Leonora. A remarkable feature of the country through which that line goes is that whilst at Kalgoorlie bores have been put down for a. thousand feet without tapping any fresh water, before Leonora is readied, and in the country near the elbow formed where the line going north turns to the east,fresh water can be Obtained in ample supply in some places at a depth of only 20 feet. The country is flat, with a gradual rise towards Leonora. In apparently the same class of country as that line, to the north of Leonora, and running away up to the Murchison, there is splendid underground supply of water. Geologists have not yet been able to say where that Watercomes from, but the district has a lesser rainfall than the Kalgoorlie goldfield, sothat it is not a local supply. However, there it is in a vast area to the north of Kalgoorlie.I mention this here because ofthe existence of that water supply, although the country and grass is poorer than the Kalgoorlie country it has beentaken up for pastoral purposes, and to-day isstocked. It follows that if the country lying south of Kalgoorlie, which is better grass country, could be furnished witha water supply, it would undoubtedly be settled for pastoral purposes:

Senator Millen:

– Surely the Leonorarainfall does wot drop to . 7 inches ?

Senator PEARCE:

– Yes; it has a lesser rainfall than Kalgoorlie.

Senator Millen:

– I did not think it was as low as 7 inches.

Senator PEARCE:

– Yes ; the Murchison rainfall is lower than the Kalgoorlie rainfall. The rainfall decreases as one goes north from Kalgoorlie. The country and grass are poorer, and the timber is poorer; so much poorer, in fact, that on the Murchison gold-fields considerable difficulty is experienced in obtaining a supply of timber for mining purposes, whereas round Kalgoorlie there is plenty of timber. The report continues -

Dams can be made at selected spots, while in the centre of the Nullarbor or limestone plain sub-artesian water has been obtained by boring. Hitherto one great objection lo occupation has been the impossibility of getting stock away when feed becomes scarce and water gone.

The Nullarbor plains are of vast extent. They extend for about 200 miles in Western Australia right into South Australia for 100 miles, and from the coast to about 80 miles north of the railway. All the Nullarbor plain country is splendidly grassed. It is on the Nullarbor plains that the bore to which I have referred has been sunk, and it may well be urged that, in view of such a water supply,, it is probable, if not certain, that this area could be thrown open for pastoral purposes. But, as the report goes on to say, if it were ‘thrown open for pastoral purposes, some means would have to be provided to get the stock and produce to market, and this, railway would provide that means.

This condition will be entirely changed by the construction of the railway, as stock fattened in the winter, spring, and early summer can be taken lo market, and the reduced flocks could’ then easily be kept in condition over the summer.

Between Tarcoola and Port Augusta conditions will also very much improve by the construction of the line, and the pastoral industry already established will grow, and become much mare profitable. It would be a wise provision if leaseholders were compelled to limit the number of stock, as otherwise the tendency will be to eat out the country.

Those who have any knowledge of pastoral occupations in Australia will know that there is a tendency in good seasons to overstock our pastoral country. The report goes on to say -

Whether anything can be done in the way of agriculture remains to be seen. It has not yet been shown how small a rainfall will suffice for the nourishment of wheat and other crops. More rainfall observations are imperative, and it is of vital importance to determine al what time of the year the rainfall occurs. It would appear that falls amounting in the aggregate to seven inches while the crops are growing arc sufficient lo insure success, and if, as Mr. Hunt, the Commonwealth Meteorologist, tells me, there are parts of Western Australia where 90 per cent, of the year’s rainfall occurs in the months from April to October, there is considerable hope that some districts, with an extremely scanty rainfall, mav prove quite suitable for agriculture.

The mineral producing area is not extensive. From Kalgoorlie the gold-bearing area extends about 60 miles in an easterly direction. 1 refer honorable senators again to the map, and, if they will look at the line running east from Kalgoorlie, they will notice a short line running north to a place called Bullfinch. Most honorable senators have heard of it, and, perhaps, some of them may have heard of it to their sorrow. Within a few miles from Southern Cross, farming its to-day being carried on. If honorable senators will look at the transcontinental line, they will see that it runs very much nearer to the southern coast than Southern Cross is to the western coast, and if they refer to Mr. Hunt’s rainfall maps, they will notice that, although the rainfall does not go as far inland from the southern coast as from the western coast, it does extend sufficiently inland from the southern coast to warrant the assumption that agriculture will be possible on the Nullarbor plains. I know it will be urged that no data has been collected, and that is true a* regards the Nullarbor plains; but, if honorable senators will look to the west of the Nullarbor plains,, where some salt lakes are shown near Norseman, I may inform them that rainfall records have been taken for twelve years for that district j and a little to the east of south of Norseman a station owned by a Mr. Dempster has been occupied for forty or fifty years. Mr. Dempster has kept records during that time, and they show that in that country lying a little to the east and south of Norseman, there has been an average rainfall of over 12 inches per annum. It is reasonable to assume, therefore, that the country lying along the Great Australian Bight has a rainfall equal to. that which Mr. Dempster has proved in the country lying north of Norseman, and directly to the south of Kalgoorlie.

Senator Millen:

– - That must be qualified by a consideration of the direction from which the rain clouds come.

Senator PEARCE:

– There are many things which would qualify the statement, but I am saying that it is a reasonable assumption. Farming is carried on immediately south of Kalgoorlie, and within 60 miles south of Kalgoorlie. One of the arguments put forward for the construction of a railway from Esperance to Norseman is that it would throw open 140,000 acres of agricultural land with a proved rainfall, and capable of carrying farms. And, for the information of Senator Givens, I may state, that the Labour Government of Western Australia have announced their intention of constructing a railway from Kalgoorlie to Esperance. So much for the agricultural and pastoral possibilities. The report continues-

The mineral producing area is not extensive. From Kalgoorlie the gold-bearing area extends about 60 miles in an easterly direction.

After this the country, as far as minerals are concerned, is barren until the neighbourhood of Tarcoola is reached. Here, and at Glenloth, it is possible that considerable development will take place when the railway is there to encourage it. Al Mount Gunsen copper ores are found, but there has not been much progress so far.

I believe that there is an immense body of low grade ore at that point. The water

– Yes, a line, for instance, to the Government House in the new Territory.

Senator PEARCE:

Senator Millen:

– How often do they run ?

– Six thousand miles. Whilst Siberia is a cold country in winter, it is a very hot country in the middle of summer. It has the extremes of heat and cold. After Manchuria is passed, one has to cross 350 miles of desert as bad as the Sahara - rolling sand plains without a vestige of tree or shrub of any kind on them. Although we passed through the Gobi Desert in the middle of summer, yet we experienced no more than the ordinary discomfort of a hot day when travelling in any part of Australia, because the train is well fitted up, having been built specially to combat the discomfort of heat and dust. It is made up of large carriages, which are well ventilated in the roofs. All the appointments are good, and are well carried out. I experienced less discomfort on that train journey of ten clays than I have done on many a journey 1 have made by steamer across the Great Australian Bight. As to the estimated cost, this report, on page 20, says -

AM the items of the estimate have been under revision. Most of them remain approximately the same, except that the rates of labour having been increased, it is necessary to allow for this fact. The item water supply can now be reduced from ,£609,000 to £456,000, steam locomotives being used, or say to £350,000 if internal combustion engines are used instead.

The price of rails has risen since the last estimate was made, but as import duty is not now to be included, there will be very little difference - only about £7,000 extra.

Senator PEARCE:

– I will give the reasons presently. On the 24th June, 191 1, the Acting Prime Minister wrote to the Premiers of the various States suggesting a Conference of Engineers-in-Chief relating to the unification of railway gauges. Victoria did not concur for the reason that -

The question will be listed for consideration at the next Conference of the State Premiers and Ministers.

On that communication I have to make only this comment. Is this a question for Premiers to consider? Surely it is a question for engineers. It seems to me to be a strange method of dealing with a proposal with regard to unification of gauge, to notify that it will be dealt with at a Conference of Premiers ! Surely it ought to be settled apart from any political considerations. It ought to be determined by the technical knowledge of men qualified to discuss it and given a free hand to determine according to the merits. However, the Victorian Government said that they would not send their Engineer-in-Chief of Railways to a Conference of experts, but would send their Premier to a Conference of Ministers.

Senator Millen:

Debate (on motion by Senator Millen) adjourned.

page 1681

ELECTORAL BILL

Second Reading

Debate resumed from 19th October(vide page 1603), on motion by Senator Pearce -

That this Bill be now read a second time.

Bill at greater length. I am pleased that it has been submitted, and I hope that it will have a speedy and safe passage.

Senator WALKER:
New South Wales

– f think that most honorable senators will admit that a Bill of this kind especially should be above party. Its framers should consider the whole ‘ community, and not that section which is supposed to be on their side.

Senator O’Keefe:

– That is exactly what they did.

Senator WALKER:

– I am afraid that the Bill will introduce, if that has not already been done, the policy of “Spoils to the victors.” The first clause to which I wish to refer is that dealing with voting by post. Senator Millen commented yesterday upon the very large number of persons who will lose their opportunities for voting if this provision be carried. It will press very hardly on men and women who are in delicate health, and who are unable to leave their homes. It will especially affect women. Since yesterday, I have looked into the figures relating to the population of Australia, and I find that, roughly speaking, there are 120,000 Births in this country annually. We may say that, on an average, a mother is compelled to keep to her house about oneeighth of the year preceding and following the birth of a child. Consequently, one-eighth of the mothers of this country would be disfranchised by the abolition of the right to vote by post. In other words, out of 120,000 mothers 15,000 will be disfranchised under this Bill. Senator Henderson kindly drew my attention to a newspaper entitled the Labour Call. I propose to read a short extract from it headed “ A tribute to woman.” When I have finished, I shall ask honorable senators opposite whether they are paying a proper tribute to women “by depriving 15,000 women, at every election, of the right to vote by post. The passage, which I comm’end to my honorable friends opposite, reads as follows -

It takes a hundred men to make an encampment, but one woman can make a home. I not only admire woman as the most beautiful creature that was ever created, but I reverence her as the most redeeming glory of humanity, the sanctuary of all virtues, the pledge of all perfect qualities of heart and head. It is not just nor right to lay sins of men at the feet of women. It is because women are so much better than men, that their faults are considered greater. A man’s desire is the foundation of love, but a woman’s desire is bom of her love. The one thing in this world that is constant, the one peak that arises above all Clouds, the one window in which the light forever burns, the one star that darkness cannot quench, is woman’s love. It rises to the greatest height, it sinks to the lowest depths, it forgives the worst injuries. It is perennial of life and grows in every climate. Neither coldness nor neglect, harshness nor cruelty, can extinguish it. A woman’s love is the perfume of the heart. This is the real love that subdues the earth; the love that has wrought all miracles of art, that gives us music all the way from the cradle song to the grand closing symphony that bears the soul away on wings of fire. A love that is greater than power, sweeter than life, and stronger than death.

The PRESIDENT:

– Order ! I must ask the honorable senator what the extract which he has quoted has to do with the question before the Senate ?

Senator WALKER:

– It has a great deal to do with the question, sir. This Bill is going to disfranchise 15,000 women at every election. They will be deprived of their right to vote by post, a right which they have hitherto enjoyed. _ Honorable senators opposite profess to believe these fine things about women, and yet they think they are unworthy to be afforded an opportunity “to vote. The next clause to which I wish to direct attention is that with relation to fixing Saturdays for election purposes, and closing the poll at 8 o’clock. The Sabbath of our Hebrew fellowcountrymen ends at sunset on Saturdays. The sunset in some parts of Australia is as late as a quarter past 7. The hour mentioned in the Bill is 8 o’clock. I suggest that if elections are to take place on Saturdays, the time be extended to 9 o’clock. Another section of the community which should be considered is that of the Seventh Day Baptists, who also observe Saturday as their Sabbath. That denomination has increased extensively in New South Wales. For their sake, too, I think we should make some allowance. In fact, I cannot see that it is altogether wise to choose Saturday as election day on all occasions. The next matter which I propose to mention has regard to canvassers. Senator Millen proved pretty clearly last night that the large industrial unions of this country have organizers who are practically paid political canvassers. I hope the Government will see their way to introduce a definition clause by which an organizer, whether of an industrial association or otherwise, shall be considered at the time of an election to be a paid canvasser. Otherwise, a great advantage will be conferred upon one section of the community over another.

Senator McGregor:

– Would it not be better to say that the canvasser of an organization shall not be considered an election canvasser?

Senator WALKER:

– The last remark that I have to make is that there is a broad distinction between a politician and a statesman. By the time this Bill gets through Parliament, people will be able to make up their minds whether the authors of it are statesmen or mere politicians. I propose to quote definitions of “ Statesman “ and “Politician” from Webster’s and Chambers’ dictionaries. Chambers’ definition of a statesman is -

A man acquainted with the affairs of government ; one skilled in government.

Webster gives the following definition -

A man versed in the principles and art of government; especially one who shows unusual wisdom in treating Or directing great public matters; also, a man actually occupied with the affairs of Government and influential in shaping its policy.

Chambers’ defines a politician as -

One versed in or devoted to politics; a man of artifice and cunning.

Webster defines a politician as follows -

A politic person; a schemer; an intriguer. One versed or experienced in the science of government ; one devoted to politics ; a statesman. One addicted to, or actively engaged in, politics as managed by parties; often more or less disparagingly, one primarily interested in political offices or their profits; as, a mere politician. In modern usage politician commonly implies activity in party politics, especially with a suggestion of artifice or intrigue ; statesman now usually suggests broad-minded and far-seeing sagacity in affairs of State ; as, “ What makes Burke stand out so splendidly among politicians is that he treats politics with his thought and imagination.” “ He has . . . a loose, shifty expression of face, and one which gives you the impression of a thorough politician in the bad sense of the word.” “ Theideas which began the new Germany were due to this quiet, strong, faithful, persistent, selfrespecting statesman.”

Senator O’KEEFE:

– Undoubtedly it does. Will it not cover any newspaper which may happen to be supporting our side? Will it not, for instance, cover the Daily Post, in Hobart, or the Herald, in Adelaide - two straight-out supporters of the Labour party - just the same as it will cover the Age and the Argus, in Melbourne, or the Herald and the Telegraph, in Sydney, or the Register and the Advertiser, in Adelaide?

Senator St Ledger:

– No.

Senator O’KEEFE:

– Why not?

Senator St Ledger:

– Oh, you know why.

Senator O’KEEFE:

– There is no word in the provision which relates to a particular newspaper. At present there are some newspapers on the Labour side, and many newspapers on the anti-Labour side; very probably in the near future, there will be more newspapers on the Labour side. But even now this provision covers all news papers alike. Do my honorable friends intend to openly support anything in the shape of unfair tactics such as we charge against the newspapers which have been fighting us so bitterly but ineffectively, as the results have shown, during the last quarter of a century ? We have thriven on this kind of abuse.

There are there three classes of people for whom special provision is made in the existing law. I am astonished that the Minister of Defence, in introducing this Bill, gave not a single reason of any kind as to why this provision should be abolished. When an important measure like this is introduced, under which it is proposed to take out of (he existing law a provision of great importance, I think that, in common courtesy to the Senate, the Minister should tell us why it is proposed to make a drastic alteration ; but the Minister made positively no reference to the subject. All he did was to say that the Government intended to abolish postal voting, and introduce in place of it a more comprehensive system of absent voting. Now, what is this comprehensive system which is to be substituted ? It is provided in proposed new section 139 a that -

On polling day an elector shall be entitled to vote at the polling place for which he Is enrolled or at any prescribed polling place for the subdivision for which he is enrolled, or he shall be permitted to vote at any other polling place within the Commonwealth under and subject to the regulations relating to absent voting.

I come now to the next important proposal, that of compulsory enrolment. I am not going to say anything against compulsory enrolment. It is a very good thing so far as it goes, but we ought to be told why the Government do not propose its corollary, which is compulsory voting.

Senator Barker:

– That will come.

Senator VARDON:

– I am glad to hear that. I take it that that is authoritative, that the honorable senator has the authority of the machine to say that it will come?

Senator Barker:

– It will pass the machine.

Senator VARDON:

– This is one step, but, if we are going to carry compulsory enrolment in this Bill, why should we not also include in it provision for compulsory voting ?

Senator Barker:

– The machine cannot go just as fast as the honorable senator would like.

Senator VARDON:

– -Probably the bearings require oiling. Evidently the machine does not run fast enough for Senator Barker, who tells me that compulsory voting will come. I do not know why we should compel men to enrol, or why we should compel men to vote, but, if we are going to have compulsory enrolment, its concomitant is the compulsory vote.

Senator McGregor:

ADJOURNMENT

Resignation of Dr. Basedow. - Order of Business

Senator McGREGOR:
Vice-President of the Executive Council · South Australia · ALP

.- I move-

That the Senate do now adjourn.

I desire to inform honorable senators, and particularly Senator Vardon, that the correspondence relating to the resignation of Dr. Basedow as Chief Protector of Aborigines for the Northern Territory has been laid on the table of the Library, and is available for their inspection.

Senator Millen:

– Perhaps the VicePresident of the Executive Council will say whether it is proposed, when we meet on Wednesday, to proceed with, and complete, the second reading of the Electoral Bill, or to proceed with the Kalgoorlie to Port Augusta Railway Construction Bill?

Senator McGREGOR:

– In reply to the honorable senator, I may say that we intend to go on with the Electoral Bill, and its consideration will be followed by the Kalgoorlie to Port Augusta Railway Construction Bill. Honorable senators will recognise that, the Electoral Bill has yet to be considered by the House of Representatives, and it is advisable that measures which have to go before the House of Representatives after being considered here should be given precedence. Other work can be proceeded with here while those measures are being dealt with in another place.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Senate adjourned at 3.55 p.m.

Cite as: Australia, Senate, Debates, 20 October 1911, viewed 22 October 2017, <http://historichansard.net/senate/1911/19111020_senate_4_61/>.

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Senate20 October 1911

QUESTION

DR. BASEDOW

Senator VARDON:SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Senator McGREGOR:Vice-President of the Executive Council · SOUTH AUSTRALIA · ALP

QUESTION

PORT DARWIN FARES

Senator WALKER:NEW SOUTH WALES

Senator McGREGOR:ALP

Senator MILLEN:NEW SOUTH WALES

Senator McGREGOR:

QUESTION

OFFICE CLEANERS: HOLIDAYS

Senator KEATING:for Senator Ready

Senator FINDLEY:Minister (without portfolio) · VICTORIA · ALP

QUESTION

TELEPHONE EXCHANGE

Senator RAE:NEW SOUTH WALES

Senator FINDLEY:ALP

NAVAL AND MILITARY DECORATIONS BILL

TRADE UNIONS

POST AND TELEGRAPH RATES BILL

KALGOORLIE TO PORT AUGUSTA RAILWAY BILL

Second Reading

Senator PEARCE:Minister for Defence · Western AustraliaMinister of Defence · ALP

Senator Walker:

Senator PEARCE:

Senator Millen:

Senator PEARCE:

Senator Walker:

Senator PEARCE:

Senator W RUSSELL:SOUTH AUSTRALIA · ALP

Senator PEARCE:

Senator W RUSSELL:SOUTH AUSTRALIA · ALP

Senator PEARCE:

Senator Walker:

Senator PEARCE:

Senator Millen:

Senator PEARCE:

Senator Millen:

Senator PEARCE:

Senator Givens:

Senator PEARCE:

Senator Givens:

Senator PEARCE:

Senator O’Keefe:

Senator PEARCE:

Senator O’Keefe:

Senator PEARCE:

Senator Barker:

Senator PEARCE:

Senator Givens:

Senator PEARCE:

Senator Millen:

Senator PEARCE:

Senator Millen:

Senator PEARCE:

Senator Millen:

Senator PEARCE:

Senator Millen:

Senator PEARCE:

Senator Millen:

Senator PEARCE:

Senator Millen:

Senator PEARCE:

Senator Rae:

Senator PEARCE:

Senator Walker:

Senator PEARCE:

Senator Barker:

Senator PEARCE:

Senator Gardiner:

Senator PEARCE:

Senator Millen:

Senator Long:

Senator PEARCE:

Senator Walker:

Senator PEARCE:

Senator Millen:

Senator Walker:

Senate
20 October 1911

Senator VARDON:
SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Senator McGREGOR:
Vice-President of the Executive Council · SOUTH AUSTRALIA · ALP

Senator WALKER:
NEW SOUTH WALES

Senator McGREGOR:
ALP

Senator MILLEN:
NEW SOUTH WALES

Senator KEATING:
for Senator Ready

Senator FINDLEY:
Minister (without portfolio) · VICTORIA · ALP

Senator RAE:
NEW SOUTH WALES

Senator FINDLEY:
ALP

Senator PEARCE:
Minister for Defence · Western AustraliaMinister of Defence · ALP

Senator W RUSSELL:
SOUTH AUSTRALIA · ALP

Senator W RUSSELL:
SOUTH AUSTRALIA · ALP

Senator W RUSSELL:
SOUTH AUSTRALIA · ALP

Senator W RUSSELL:
SOUTH AUSTRALIA · ALP

Senator W RUSSELL:
SOUTH AUSTRALIA · ALP

Senator W RUSSELL:
SOUTH AUSTRALIA · ALP

Senator W RUSSELL:
SOUTH AUSTRALIA · ALP

Senator O’KEEFE:
TASMANIA · ALP

Senator W RUSSELL:
SOUTH AUSTRALIA · ALP

Senator HENDERSON:
Western Australia