Senate
1 May 1939

15th Parliament · 1st Session



The Senate, on the8th December, 1938, adjourned till a day and hour to be. fixed and to be notified by the President to each honorable senator.

The Senate met at 3 p.m., pursuant to the notification of the President.

The President (Senator the Hon. J. B. Hayes) took the. chair, and read prayers.

page 23

FORMATION OF PAGE MINISTRY

MINISTERIALCHANGES.

Senator McLEAY:
Minister for Commerce · South Australia · UAP

. -by leave - I desire to inform the Senate that, immediately following the death of the Right Honorable J. A. Lyons on Friday, the 7 th April, His Excellency the Governor-Generalappointed the Right Honorable Sir Earle Page, G.O.M.G., as Prime Minister of the Commonwealth. His Excellency also confirmed Ministers in their existing portfolios.

I desire also formally to announce to the Senate the following ministerial changes which had taken place prior to the death of Mr. Lyons : -

The resignation of the Right Honorable R. G. Menzies, K.C., M.P., of the offices of Attorney-General and

Minister of State for Industry was accepted by His Excellency the Governor-General on the 20th March, 1039.

The Right Honorable W. M. Hughes, K.C., M.P., Minister for External Affairs, was on the same date appointed by His Excellency to be Attorney-General and Minister of State for Industry.

Mr. J. N. Lawson, M.P., resigned his appointments as Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry.

page 24

FORMATION OF MENZIES MINISTRY

Ministerial Representation in the Senate.

Senator McLEAY:
Minister for Commerce · South Australia · UAP

by leave - Consequent on the resignation of the Right Honorable Sir Earle Page as Prime Minister, His Excellency the GovernorGeneral commissioned the Right Honorable R. G. Menzies to form a ministry. The Ministry, which was sworn in on: the 26th April, 1939, is as follows:-

Prime Minister and Treasurer - The Right Honorable Robert Gordon Menzies, K.C., M.P

Attorney-General and Minister for Industry - The Right Honorable William Morris Hughes, K.C., M.P

Minister for Supply and DevelopmentThe Right Honorable Richard Gardiner Casey, D.S.O., M.C., M.P.

Minister for Defence- - The Honorable Geoffrey Austin Street, M.O., M.P

Minister for External Affairs - The Honorable Sir Henry Somer Gullett, K.C.M.G., M.P

Minister for Commerce - Senator the Honorable George McLeay.

Minister for the Interior - Senator the Honorable Hattil Spencer Foll.

Postmaster-General and Minister for Repatriation - The Honorable Erie John Harrison, M.P

Minister for Trade and Customs - The Honorable John Norman Lawson, M.P

Minister for Health and Minister -for Social Services - The Honorable Sir Frederick Harold . Stewart, M.P

Vice-President of the Executive Council, Minister for Civil Aviation and Minister assisting the Minister for Defence - The Honorable James Valentine Fairbairn, M.P.

Minister in charge of External Territories - The Honorable John Arthur Perkins, M.P.

Minister assisting the Treasurer - The Honorable Percy Claude . Spender, K.C., M.P.

Minister assisting the Minister for Commerce - Senator the Honorable Philip Albert Martin McBride.

Minister in charge of “War Service Homes - Senator the Honorable Herbert Brayley Collett, C.M.G., D.S.O., V.D.

Minister assisting the Minister for Supply and Development - The Honorable Harold Edward Holt, M.P.

I desire also to announce the representation of departments in this chamber. In addition to being Minister for Commerce, I shall represent the Departments of the Prime Minister, Attorney-General, Industry, Treasury, External Affairs, and Supply and Development. Senator Foil, in addition to being Minister for the Interior, will represent the Departments of Trade and Customs and Defence. Senator McBride will represent the Departments of the Postmaster-General, Health, Social Services and Civil Aviation. - Senator ‘ Collett, in addition to being Minister in charge of War Service Homes, will represent the Department of Repatriation. He will also attend to matters affecting external territories in this chamber.

page 24

DEATH OF THE RIGHT HONORABLE J. A. LYONS, C.H

The PRESIDENT (Senator the Hon. J. B. Hayes). - It is with very deep regret that I announce the death of the Right Honorable J. A. Lyons, Prime Minister. I desire to inform the Senate that, upon receipt of advice of the death of the right honorable gentleman, I conveyed to Dame Enid Lyons, on behalf of honorable senators, an expression of sympathy, pending the more formal resolution of the Senate.

Senator McLEAY:
Minister for Commerce · South Australia · UAP

– As you, Mr. President, have already announced, the former Prime Minister, theRight Honorable Joseph Aloysius Lyons, died in Sydney on the 7th April, 1939. His death has left a void in our hearts, and many years will elapse before the memory of him will be dimmed. The news of his death, coming as it did so suddenly, was received by the nation with feelings of greatest grief, in which the peoples of other countries shared. Shortly before his death he had presided over momentous meetings of Commonwealth and State Ministers, and, during the course of the journey to Sydney to fulfil a public engagement, he contracted the illness which afterwards proved fatal. I shall not dwell on the circumstances of that illness, or the deep concern of the Australian people when first they learned of its serious nature, or the wave of sorrow that swept across Australia at the news of his death. It is all so recent that no words of mine are required to describe what is so generally known.

On an occasion such as this it is proper, however, that we should recall to mind some of the principal facts of the public career of our late Prime Minister. His record of public service is a long and distinguished one. Entering Parliament in 1909 as member for Wilmot in the Tasmanian House of Assembly, he continued to represent that electorate on his election to the Commonwealth Parliament in 1929. He was a Minister of the Crown for lengthy periods in both Parliaments. From 1914-1916, he was Treasurer, Minister for Education and Minister forRailways in the Parliament of Tasmania ; he was Premier, Treasurer, and Minister for Railways from October, 1923, to March, 1924; Premier, Treasurer, and Minister for Mines from March, 1924, to August, 1927; and, from August, 1927, to June, 1928, Premier and Treasurer. In the Commonwealth Parliament, Mr. Lyons, in addition to being Prime Minister from January, 1932, to the date of his death, held the following portfolios for various periods: Postmaster-General and Minister for Works and Railways, Acting Treasurer, Treasurer, Minister for Commerce, Minister for Health, Minister for Repatriation, Vice-President of the Executive Council, and Minister for Defence. Such a record of service indicates the extent to which the late Prime Minister had entered into the public life of Australia. His Majesty the King had recognized Mr. Lyons’s great services to Australia and to the British Commonwealth by appointing him a Privy Councillor in 1932, and by making him a Companion of Honour in 1936.

In recalling his inestimable services for the welfare of Australia, we do not forget his sterling personal qualities, which won for him a sure . place in the hearts of all those who were privileged to come in contact with him. A man of the people, he knew the aspirations of the people and he remained ever sensible of those aspirations and sympathetically disposed to aid their fulfilment. High office did not spoil him, and he remained to the end the same Joe Lyons as he had been popularly referred to throughout the years. A deeply religious man, he was faithful to the principles of his Church, and both in his private and public life he was ever actuated by Christian motives. I mourn his passing. Opportunities of knowing him more intimately came my way during recent months, and I found that to know the man was but to ‘ increase the regard I had entertained for him. But whilst the loss to Australia of one of her noblest sons is great, the loss to his helpmate, Dame Enid, and to their- children is irreparable. We sympathize with them in their bereavement, and hope that they will receive all the consolations that it is possible to give in a time- of such great sadness.

Before concluding this humble tribute to my late leader may I add that, as in the case of Wordsworth’s Happy Warrior, he was one -

Who comprehends his trust, and to the same

Keeps faithful with a singleness of aim:

And therefore does not stoop, nor lie in wait

For wealth, or honours, or for worldly state.

I move -

That this Senate expresses its deep regret at the death of the Right Honorable Joseph Aloysius Lyons, Companion of Honour, for more than seven years Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia, places on record its appreciation of his distinguished public service, and tenders to his wife, Dame Enid Lyons, her family, and all relatives, its profound sympathy in their sad bereavement.

Senator COLLINGS:
QueenslandLeader of the Opposition

– On my own behalf, and on behalf of every member of the Opposition, I second the motion. Once again at the reassembling of the Senate we arc brought face to face with the toll that death takes of those who are engaged in the work of government. That that work becomes increasingly responsible as the days go by is evidenced by the fact that we rarely reassemble after a recess without the proceedings commencing in an atmosphere of great solemnity. Public nien are entitled to a far greater measure of sympathy than is usually shown to those who are engaged in work of such great responsibility and importance that it tends to shorten life. In the face of death we forget our “ isms “ and our creeds, and join hands and hearts as members of the great human family; at all times and in all lands “ one touch of nature makes the whole world kin.” As has been stated by the Leader of the Senate (Senator McLeay), the late Prime Minister had qualities which endeared him to all with whom he came in contact. Of those qualities probably the most outstanding were his kindliness and friendliness and a willingness to work and serve according to his lights. The Opposition freely acknowledges that the late Mr. Lyons never shirked responsibility. It may be excused for taking some pride in the fact that for two-thirds of his long political career the late Prime Minister served as a member of the party which now comprises the Opposition in this chamber. Those outstanding qualities to which the Leader of the Senate has referred were developed while the right honorable gentleman was a member of the party to which we on this side belong. It has been written -

The evil that nien’ do lives after them.

We should do well to remember the inescapable corollary that the good that men do also lives on after they have gone, and we should strive to ensure that the good that we do far outweighs the evil. On such an occasion the following lines are appropriate : -

Isn’t it strange that princes and kings

And clowns that caper in sawdust rings

And common folk like you and me

Are builders of eternity?

To each is given a bag of tools,

A shapeless mass and a book of rules,

And each must make ere life lias flown

A stumbling block or a stepping stone.

To Dame Enid Lyons and her family, members of the Opposition, both individually and collectively, have already tendered their heartfelt sympathy - poor words, perhaps, when loving hearts are torn with grief, but charged with simple eloquence such as mere oratory can never convey. In the Litany of the Booh of Common Prayer we pray -

That it may please Thee to preserve all that travel by land or by water, all women labouring of child, all sick persons, and young children; and to shew Thy pity upon all prisoners and captives; . . . that it may please Thee to defend, and provide for, the fatherless children, and widows, and all that are desolate and oppressed.

Let us live that prayer to the full extent of our opportunities, and the world will be happier for all those who are bereft.

Senator ABBOTT:
New South Wales

– With the concurrence of my colleagues, Senators Johnston and Cooper, I associate the Country party with the motion made by the Leader of the Senate (Senator McLeay), and supported in such eloquent terms by the Leader of the Opposition (Senator Collings). One could not witness those great gatherings in Sydney and elsewhere in Australia, and see the spontaneous sympathy and sorrow of the people, without realizing that a great man, a great friend, and a great Australian had passed. In the city of Sydney, I saw a vast concourse of people in the park outside St. Mary’s Cathedral, and dense throngs filled the lanes leading to Man of War steps whence the body of the late Prime Minister was conveyed to his native State. One could not but be moved, knowing that every heart that day was beating in reverent sorrow, and in deepest sympathy with Dame Enid Lyons and her family, and realizing that a great man and a great gentleman had passed to eternity. I may be permitted to quote an epitaph, which I think ought not to be lightly applied unless truly deserved. All honorable senators will agree, I believe, that these words of Shakespeare, from Julius Caesar, can be applied appropriately to the late Prime Minister :

His life was gentle, and the elements

So mixed in him that Nature might stand up.

And say to all the world, “ This was a man ! “

Senator HERBERT HAYS:
Tasmania

– It is with feelings of the deepest sorrow that I rise to support the motion before the Senate. The words of the three leaders who have spoken adequately express our feelings on the occasion of the passing of this great Australian, and the sorrow of members of the Senate is shared by the people generally. For 28 of the 30 years in which the late Prime Minister served Tasmania and the Commonwealth with the utmost zeal, and, may I add, with conspicuous success, it was my good fortune to be associated with him, first as one of the six members who represented the division of “Wilmot in the Tasmanian legislature, and afterwards when he became Treasurer and, later, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth. It is well known to the people of Tasmania that Mr. Lyons represented Wilmot faithfully and well, and was always a staunch advocate of the interests of that State. It is not necessary for me to do more than add my tribute to the sterling worth of the great man who has passed, for the expressions- of regret at his death have been general throughout the Commonwealth. Great as were the tributes paid to his memory in the capital cities, no greater recognition of his worth could have been shown to a public man than that offered in his own town of Devonport. Although the normal population of this town is not over 5,000, it is estimated that between 20,000 and 25,000 people assembled there to pay their last respect to the memory of this great Australian. With bowed heads they demonstrated their deep regret at the passing of one who had served them well. It is the wish of all of us that Dame Enid and her family may find some consolation in these sincere expressions of sympathy.

The lines of Longfellow seem most appropriate on this occasion -

Lives of great men all remind us

We can make our own sublime.

And, departing, leave behind us

Footprints on the sands of time.

Question resolved in the affirmative, honorable senators standing in their places.

page 27

DEATH OF MR. F. M. J. BAKER, M.P

Senator McLEAY:
Minister for Commerce · South Australia · UAP

– I move -

That this Senate expresses its deep regret at the death of Mr. Francis Matthew John Baker, member for Griffith, places on record its appreciation of his meritorious public service, and tenders its heartfelt sympathy to his widow and daughters in their bereavement.

By the death of Mr. Baker, as the result of a motor car accident in Brisbane a few weeks ago, the House ofRepresentatives has lost one of its youngest members. The late Mr. Baker had been a member of the Commonwealth Parliament since 1931 when he was elected as member for Griffith. He had won the admiration of all by reason of the energy and devotion he displayed in carrying out his parliamentary duties. In order to perform these duties the more efficiently, he had entered on a course of legal studies, and it is not too much to say that he gave promise of rising to further heights in the public life of this country. A keen debater, he fought hard for the cause he had espoused. The loss to Mrs. Baker and her small daughters is great. We extend to them our sincere sympathy.

Senator COLLINGS:
QueenslandLeader of the Opposition

– I can say truthfully that I knew the late Mr. Baker from his early childhood. I know how and why he entered public life. I know, as the Leader of the Senate (Senator McLeay) has said, how enthusiastically and energetically he carried out his public duties, and I know how great a loss has been suffered by my party, and by Australia, through the sudden cutting off of this young life. I can cite one little incident - though perhaps it was not so little after all - which indicates the nature of the inspiration which sent Frank Baker into Parliament. It may be said that he entered public life because of his resentment of injustice. He was a public servant, and a very young man at that, not then married, when, because of his political activities, it was .sought to banish him from Brisbane to a place in the far outback. The injustice of the proposal was obvious. Young Baker came to see me, and asked my advice. I said to him, “ “Well, you have to make the decision. You either accept the transfer, and knuckle under to injustice, or you refuse it, and have to leave the Service “. He said, “ I think I shall refuse it, and I will fight for a seat in Parliament, and win it if possible. Then some day I may be able to get a credit entry to balance this debit in the ledger “. . He resigned, contested a seat in the National Parliament, and won it, to become the youngest mem’ber of the House of Representatives. Moreover, he won at his first attempt. That was the spirit that actuated Frank Baker in all that lie did.

The Leader of the Senate has, I am sure, expressed with great sincerity the feelings of all honorable senators on the Government side of the chamber. Those sentiments are shared by every member of the Opposition in this chamber and in the House of Representatives. To Mrs. Baker, known to most of us because of her frequent visits to Canberra with her husband, and to her two lovely little girls, it is natural that we should extend our sympathy. Indeed, it would be very difficult and ungracious to withhold it. On can hardly realize what the loss of her husband means to this young woman. I think that the loss is felt even more acutely in such a case, than when the loved one has passed his prime; when, in fact, he has lived his life. Young Baker had undoubtedly a future before him. He was a student of law, and keen in his work, and there is little doubt that, but for this unfortunate accident, he would have made his mark in the public life of the country. At the time he met his death he was returning from a meeting connected with his parliamentary duties. Now his widow and children are left to mourn their loss, and to face a future of difficulty and loneliness, the hardship of which we can all appreciate. I second the motion, and tender to Mrs. Baker, on behalf of every member of the Opposition, our very sincere sympathy.

Senator COOPER:
Queensland

– With the concurrence of my fellow members of the Country party, Senator Abbott and Senator Johnston, I desire to associate my party with this sad motion. Although the late Mr. Baker and I were opposed politically, I always looked on him as a personal friend, and I feel sure that he had greatly at heart the interests and welfare of this country. I had been talking to Mr. Baker only a few hours before the occurrence of the unfortunate accident which resulted in his death. We were both returning from the funeral of a- distinguished member of the Queensland Parliament. During our conversation, one of us happened to remark that he wondered who would be the next to be taken. Before 24 hours had elapsed I was reading in the newspapers that Mr. Baker had been killed in a motor car accident on the previous night.

To Mrs. Baker and her two young daughters it is impossible to express in words my sorrow and my sympathy. The sudden death of a young husband in such circumstances must be a terrible shock, and 1 can only express to that young widow and to her two children deep sympathy in their’ sad bereavement.

Question resolved in the affirmative, honorable senators standing in their places.

page 28

DEATH OF MR. W. WATSON

Senator McLEAY:
Minister for Commerce · South Australia · UAP

– I regret to announce that Mr. William Watson, a former member of the House of Representatives, died on the 21st December last. Entering the Commonwealth Parliament in 1922 as member for Fremantle, he was again returned at the general elections in 1925. He did not stand for election in 1928, but in 1931 he successfully re-contested the Fremantle electorate. He retired at the expiration of the Thirteenth Parliament. Of pleasing and generous, disposition, he won the affection of members, and we regret his passing. On behalf of honor- able senators, I desire to convey to bis widow our deep sympathy in her bereavement. I move -

That this Semite expresses its deep regret at the death of Mr. William Watson, a former member for Fremantle in the House of Representatives, places on record its appreciation of his meritorious public service, and tenders to his widow its deep sympathy in her bereavement.

Senator COLLINGS:
Queensland

– I second the motion. Mr. “Watson was a member of the Parliament during the time that I have been a member of it. He was not of my political faith ; in fact, it would have been difficult to put a political label on him. He was of a kindly, genial and generous disposition. One could not pick a quarrel with Mr. Watson, for it always takes two to make a quarrel, and he would never make one. Those of us on the Opposition side of the chamber who knew him liked him because of the very kindly and friendly qualities, which he possessed in large measure. We extend our sympathy to those whom he has left behind. His children are now grown up in years, but they must, I am sure, feel the loss of £0 fine a father.

Senator E B JOHNSTON:
Western Australia

– On behalf of the Country party senators, and on my own behalf, I join in the tributes paid this afternoon to the memory and work of the late Mr. William Watson. I had the privilege of his friendship for many years. He was a remarkable man. He held the Fremantle seat in the House of Representatives for two periods entirely by reason of his own magnetic personality, and without any party endorsement or financial assistance.When he retired from political life it was of his own accord and not in consequence of defeat at an election. The late Mr. William Watson was a very generoushearted and public-spirited Western Australian. He was not only trusted by the people of Fremantle, whom he represented, and among whom he lived, but he was also very popular personally with the industrial community of that ‘port. No appeal for persons in distress ever went unheeded by him. He was a very practical friend in time of need to a great many people, particularly at a time when a severe industrial disturbance occurred in the port. Our sympathy goes out to Mrs. Watson, who is still a well-known figure in Fremantle, and also to the other members of the family.

Question resolved in the affirmative, honorable senators standing in their places.

page 29

DEATH OF MR, W. W. KILLEN

Senator McLEAY:
Minister for Commerce · South Australia · UAP

– Another former member of the House of Representatives has passed away since we last met. I refer to the late Mr. William Wilson Killen, who was a member for the division of Riverina from 1922 to 1931. Mr. Killen brought to bear on the debates in the other chamber his extensive knowledge of matters relating to the pastoral and allied industries. He will be remembered for his probity, sincerity, and fairness. To his widow and family, I desire to convey our sincere sympathy in their sad bereavement. I move -

That this Senate expresses its deep regret at the death of Mr. William Wilson Killen, a former member for Riverina in the House of Representatives, places on record its appreciation of his meritorious public service4 and tenders to his widow and family its deep sympathy in their bereavement.

Senator COLLINGS:
QueenslandLeader of the Opposition

– I had not the privilege of personal acquaintance with the late Mr. Killen, but here again, on the occasion of the passing of one who gave good service to this country, we, of the Opposition, support the remarks made by the Leader of the Senate and join with honorable senators opposite in tendering our deep sympathy to the bereaved widow and family.

Senator ABBOTT:
New South Wales

– On behalf of the members of the Country party in the Senate, and on my own behalf, and, also, as a representative of New South Wales in this chamber, I support the motion. I had the happiness of personal friendship with the late Mr. Killen. As has been already said, he was a gentleman who gave most useful public service to this country. He was a very valuable guide and counsellor in all matters affecting the welfare of the primary producers. He was deeply interested in all movements for the progress of Australia. I had the privilege of being associated with, him in the New States movement in New South Wales and had special opportunities to appreciate his good qualities. He was a man of the highest ideals, as those privileged to know him while he was a member of this Parliament fully realize. Like that other great Australian whose death we mourn this afternoon, he left behind him a light which may well be a beacon to guide those who remain in the public life of this country.

Question resolved in the affirmative, honorable senators standing in their places.

page 30

DEATH OF THE HONORABLE F. CLARKE

Senator McLEAY:
Minister for Commerce · South Australia · UAP

– One of the few remaining members of the first Parliament of the Commonwealth recently passed away at an advanced age. I refer to the Honorable Francis Clarke, who died on the 18th April. Entering the New South Wales Legislative Assembly in 1893, he remained a member of that chamber until 1898, when he resigned. He was again elected in 1900, and retained his seat until his election to the House of Representatives in 1901 as member for Cowper. He was unsuccessful at the general elections of 1903. Mr. Clarke continued his association with public affairs and was a member of the Royal Commission on the Customs Tariff 1904-1907, and of the Northern Territory Commission of 1913. It is fitting that when death calls those who have played their part in moulding the destinies of Australia, we should remember them and recall some of their more notable public activities. We are appreciative of their efforts, and we deem it a duty to record our regret- at their passing. On behalf of honorable senators, I extend to the members of the late Mr. Clarke’s family our sincere sympathy in their bereavement. I move -

That this Senate expresses its deep regret at the death of the Honorable Francis Clarke, who was member for Cowper in the House of Representatives in the first Commonwealth Parliament, places on record its appreciation of his public services, and tenders to the members of his family its deep sympathy in their bereavement.

Senator COLLINGS:
Leader of the Opposition · Queensland

– I second the motion. I agree entirely with the Leader of the Senate that it is our privilege, as well as our duty, to acknowledge the meritorious’ public service rendered to this country by the late Mr. Francis Clarke. I join with the Minister in tendering our sympathy to the widow and family in their bereavement.

Senator ABBOTT:
New South Wales

– On behalf of the Country party, I support the motion. Mr. Clarke, as has been said, was for several years a member of the Legislative Assembly of New South Wales. As a young man I often listened” to the deliberations of that chamber when the late honorable gentleman was a member of it. A more interesting fact connected with his public life was his association with the first Commonwealth Parliament. Very few of the original members are still with us. One, in the person of the Right Honorable Sir George Pearce, sat in the President’s gallery this afternoon. Another is the Right Honorable W. M. Hughes, who is Attorney-General in the present ministry. Sir Isaac Isaacs is a third of the few remaining stalwarts who guided the destiny of Australia in the first Commonwealth Parliament. It is therefore fitting that we should honour and pay respect to the memory of the late Mr. Clarke as one who assisted to lay the foundations of the Commonwealth of Australia which, we believe, will one day become a great nation.

Question resolved in the affirmative, honorable senators standing in their places.

page 30

ASSENT TO BILLS

Assent to the ‘ following bills reported : -

Australian Soldiers’ Repatriation Bill 1938.

Seamen’s Compensation Bill 1938.

Trade Agreement (Switzerland) Bill 1938.

Apple and Pear Organization Bill 1938.

Apple and Pear Export Charges Bill 1938.

Primary Produce Export Charges Bill 1938.

Apple and Pear Publicity and Research Bill 1938.

Apple and Pear Tax Assessment Bill 1938.

Apple and Pear Tax Bill 1938.

Newsprinting Paper Bounty Bill 1938.

War Pensions Appropriation Bill 1938.

Financial Relief Bill 1933.

Customs Tariff (No. 2) 1938.

Customs Tariff (No. 3) 1938.

Customs Tariff (No. 4) 1938.

Excise Tariff (No. 2) 1938.

Loan Bill (No. 2) 1938.

Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 1938-39.

Defence Equipment Bill 1938.

States Grants (Fertilizer) Bill (No. 2) 1938.

States Grants (Fertilizer) Bill 1938.

Supplementary Appropriation Bill 1936-37.

Supplementary Appropriation (Works and Buildings) Bill 1936-37..

Sales Tax Exemptions Bill 1938.

page 31

SENATE OFFICERS

The PRESIDENT:

– I have to inform the Senate that, owing to the retirement of Mr. G-. H. Monahan from the office of Clerk of the Senate, the following changes have been made in regard to the officers in attendance in the Senate: - Mr. R. A. Broinowski, to be Clerk of the Senate; Mr. J. E. Edwards, to be Clerk Assistant ; Mr. R. H. C. Loof, to be Usher of the Black Rod and Clerk of Committees.

page 31

PAPERS

The following papers were presented : -

Audit Act - Finance - Treasurer’s Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the year ended 30th June, 1938, accompanied by the Report of the Auditor-General.

Commonwealth Bank Act - Balance-sheets of Commonwealth Bank of Australia and Commonwealth Savings ‘ Bank at 31st December, 1938, and Statement- of the Liabilities and Assets of the Note Issue Department at 31st December, 1938; together with Auditor-General’s Reports thereon.

Arbitration (Public Service) Act - Determinations by Arbitrator, &c. -

No. 30 of 1938 - Meat Inspectors’ Association, Commonwealth Public Service.

No: 31 of 1938- Amalgamated Postal Workers’ Union of Australia.

No. 32 of 1938 - Fourth Division Postmasters’, Postal Clerks’ and Telegraphists’ Union.

No. 1 of 1939. - Postal Electricians Supervisors and Foremens’ Association, Postmaster-General’s Department, Commonwealth of Australia.

No. 2 of 1939 - Australian Postal Electricians’ Union.

No. 3 of 1939 - Federated Public Service Assistants’ Association of Australia.

No. 4 of 1939 - Professional Officers’ Association, Commonwealth Public Service. .

No. 5 of 1939 - Commonwealth Public Service Clerical Association.

No.6 of 1939 - Federated Public Service Assistants’ Association of Australia.

Canned Fruits Export Charges Act - Regulations amended - Statutory Rules 1938, No. 114.

Commonwealth Bank Act - Treasurer’s Statement of the Combined Accounts of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia and Commonwealth Savings Bank at 31st December, 1938, certified to by the AuditorGeneral.

Commonwealth Public Service Act -

Appointments - Department of -

Commerce -R. Brownell, C S. Kentwell, and P. D. M. Scott.

Interior - J. W. F. Barbour, W. A. Boekenstein, B. A. Brogan, C. I. Dimant, W. M. F. Gamble, N. M. Hannaker, H. Or. Hannam, F. C. Hargrave, E. L. Miller, G. J. Mylne, A. J. W. Pate, G. M. Pike, R. H. Shaw, and C. D. Spottswood.

Postmaster-General - I. H. Robertson. Treasury - E. K. Heath, and M. A. Whitehead.

Regulations amended - Statutory Rules 1938, No. 113; 1939, No. 4.

Customs Act and Commerce (Trade Descriptions) Act - Regulations amended - Statutory Rules 1939, No. 10- No. 12.

Dairy Produce Export Control Act - Regulations amended - Statutory Rules 1938, No. 118.

Dried Fruits Export Charges Act - Regulations amended - Statutory Rules 1939. No. 17.

Income Tax Assessment Act - Regulations amended - Statutory Rules 1939, No. 6.

Patents Act - Regulations amended - Statutory Rules 1939, No. 1.

SalesTax Assessment Acts (Nos. 1 to 9) - Regulations amended - Statutory Rules 1938, No. 117.

Science and Industry Research Act - Regulations amended - Statutory Rules 1939, No. 15.

States Grants (Fertilizer) Act (No. 2) - Regulations - Statutory Rules 1939, No. 25.

Wheat Industry Assistance Act - Regulations - Statutory Rules 1939, No. 16.

Wine Grapes Charges Act - Regulations amended- Statutory Rules 1939, No. 11.

Wine Overseas Marketing Act - Regulations amended - Statutory Rules 1939, No. 24.

Air Force Act - Regulations amended - Statutory Rules 1938, No. 120; 1939, No. 21.

Commonwealth Railways Act - By-laws - No. 79 - No. 80.

Customs Act - Regulations amended - Statutory Rules 1939, No. 9- No. 22.

Defence Act - Regulations amended, &c. - Statutory Rules 1938, No. 122; 1939, No. 7- No. 13- No. 18- No. 31.

Defence Act and Naval Defence Act - Regulations amended - Statutory Rules 1938,

No. 116- No. 121; 1939, No. 28.

Excise Act-Regulations amended - Statutory Rules 1939, No. 5.

Lands Acquisition Act - Land acquired at - Amberley, Queensland - For Defence purposes.

Balhannah, South Australia - For Postal purposes.

Cloncurry, Queensland - For Defence purposes.

Darwin, Northern Territory - For Administrative purposes.

Darwin, Northern Territory - For Defence purposes.

Deloraine, Tasmania - For Defence purposes.

Edwardstown, South Australia - For Postal purposes.

Fremantle, Western Australia - For Defence purposes.

Georgetown, Tasmania - For Defence purposes.

Gladstone, Queensland - For Defence purposes.

Glenunga, South Australia - For Postal purposes.

Kalgoorlie, Western Australia - For Defence purposes.

Karumba, Queensland - For Defence purposes.

Laverton, Victoria - For Defence purposes.

Maylands, Western Australia - For Defence purposes (2).

Melbourne, Victoria - For Postal purposes.

Mount Isa, Queensland - For Postal purposes.

Nanneella, Victoria - For Postal purposes.

North Stockton, New South Wales - For Defence purposes.

Point Lonsdale, Victoria - For Postal purposes.

Port Kembla, New South Wales - For Customs purposes.

Rockhampton, Queensland - For Defence purposes (3).

Rottnest Island, Western Australia - For Defence purposes.

Swansea, New South Wales - For Postal purposes.

Sunnybank, Queensland - For Postal purposes.

Sydney, New South Wales - For Postal purposes.

Tallangatta, Victoria - For Postal purposes.

Tintinara, South Australia - For Postal purposes.

Toowoomba, Queensland - For Defence purposes.

Wagga Wagga, New South Wales - For Postal purposes.

Nationality Act - Return showing the number of persons to whom certificates of naturalization were granted during the year 1938 and the countries whence the applicants came.

Naval Defence Act - Regulations amended - Statutory Rules 1939, No. 3 - No. 19 - No. 26- No. 27- No. 29- No. 30.

Northern Territory Acceptance Act and Northern Territory (Administration) Act-

Ordinances of 1938 -

No. 16 - Motor Vehicles.

No. 17 - Amendments Incorporation.

No. 18 - Birds Protection.

No. 19 - Registration.

Ordinances of 1939 -

No. 1 - Marine.

No. 2 - Income Tax.

No. 3 - Public Service.

Income Tax Ordinance - Regulations amended.

Port Augusta to Port Pirie Railway Act, Commonwealth Railways Act, and Lands Acquisition Act - Land acquired at Hundred of Pirie, South Australia - For Railway purposes (G).

Seat of Government Acceptance Act and Seat of Government (Administration) Act-

Ordinances of 1938 -

No. 34 - Maintenance Orders (Facilities for Enforcement).

No. 35 - Ordinances Revision.

No. 36 - Seat of Government (Administration) (No. 2).

No. 37 - National Capital Development.

No. 38 - Industrial Board (No. 3).

No. 39 - Plant Diseases (No. 2).

No. 40 - Rabbit Destruction.

No. 41- Motor Traffic.

Ordinances of 1939 -

No. 1 - Hospital Tax.

Public Health Ordinance - Regulations amended -

Public Health (Meat) Regulations.

Public Health (Dairy) Regulations

Public Health (Piggeries) Regulations.

Public Health (Infectious Diseases) Regulations.

Meat Ordinance - Regulations amended. Nurses Registration Ordinance - Regulations amended.

Public Parks Ordinance - Recreation Reserve Regulations amended.

Building and Services Ordinance - Regulations amended -

Canberra Building Regulations.

Garbage Regulations.

Canberra and Jervis Bay Electri city Supply Regulations.

Pounds Ordinance - Regulations amended.

Mining Ordinance - Regulations amended.

Trading Hours Ordinance - Regulations amended.

Liquor Ordinance - Regulations amended.

Apiaries Ordinance - Regulations amended.

Education Ordinance - Regulations amended.

Spirits Act- Regulations amended - Statutory Rules 1939, No; 8.

Papua Act - Ordinances of 1938 -

No.15 - Navigation.

No. 16 - Superannuation (No. 2).

War Service Homes Act - Regulations

Amended - Statutory Rules 1939, No. 32.

Post and Telegraph Act - Regulations amended - Statutory Rules 1939, No. 14.

Quarantine Act - Regulations amended -

Statutory Rules 1939, No. 20.

page 33

SPECIAL ADJOURNMENT

Motion (by Senator McLeay) agreed to-

That the Senate, at its rising, adjourn until Tuesday, the 16th May next, at 3 p.m., unless the President shall, prior . to that date, by telegram or letter addressed to each Senator, fix an earlier day of meeting.

page 33

ADJOURNMENT

Motion (by Senator McLeay) agreed to -

That, as a mark of respect to the memory of the deceased, the Senate do now adjourn.

Senate adjourned at 4.5 p.m.

Cite as: Australia, Senate, Debates, 1 May 1939, viewed 22 October 2017, <http://historichansard.net/senate/1939/19390501_senate_15_159/>.