Senate
21 February 1945

17th Parliament · 3rd Session



page 5

PROCLAMATION

The Senate met at 3 p.m., pursuant to the proclamation of His Royal Highness the Governor-General.

The President (Senator the Hon. Gordon Brown) took the chair.

The Clerk read the proclamation.

page 5

GOVERNOR-GENERAL’S SPEECH

page 5

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE

GOVERNOR-GENERAL entered the chamber, and, being seated, with the President on his right hand, commanded that a message be sent to the House of Representatives intimating that he desired the attendance of honorable members in the Senate Chamber forthwith, who being come, with their Speaker,

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS was pleased to deliver the following speech : -

Members of the Senate and Members of the House of Representatives:

You have been called together to deliberate upon matters of importance to the well-being of the Commonwealth.

Governor-General and CommanderinChief in and over the Commonwealth of Australia. I hope that the period of my office will see the termination- of the dreadful struggle in Europe and in the Pacific. I am eager to renew my association with the Australian people and to learn much of Australia and her institutions while I am here.

Philippines were completely defeated and the Japanese Fleet has been driven back to home waters. Command of the sea rests with the Allies, who also have absolute air superiority from carrier and land-based aircraft. With the establishment of air and naval bases in the Philippines, Japanese communications through the China Sea will become precarious. When the British Pacific Fleet is deployed, the combined naval strength of the United Nations will be overwhelming.

Australian naval units operating under United States control have participated ia practically every amphibious operation since the tide of war turned. Their work in the recent operations for the re-occupation of the Philippines has been outstanding.

Fleet. She has also maintained the supply of large quantities of food for Great Britain. All this has imposed a severe strain on Australian economic, industrial and man-power resources and has involved sacrifices and burdens for the civil population. Nevertheless the willing endurance of these sacrifices is the most effective manner of shortening the struggle and ensuring the earliest possible return to more normal conditions of life through the earliest possible victory.

His Royal Highness the GOVERNORGENERAL and members of the House of Representatives having retired,

The President again took the chair and read prayers.

page 13

DEATH OF MR. SAMUEL DENNIS

Senator KEANE:
Minister for Trade and Customs · Victoria · ALP

– I regret to announce to the Senate the death of a former member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Samuel Dennis, who died in Melbourne on the 28th January last. The late Mr. Dennis was elected to the House of Representatives for the divi sion of Batman, Victoria, at the general elections in 1931, and represented that division until 1934. I move -

That the Senate expresses its deep regret at the death of Mr. Samuel Dennis, former member of the House of Representatives for the division of Batman, places on record its appreciation of his meritorious public service and tenders its sincere sympathy to his widow and members of his family in their bereavement.

Senator McLEAY:
Leader of the Opposition · South Australia

– On behalf of the Opposition, I second the motion and join with the Minister for Trade and Customs (Senator Keane) in expressing sincere regret at the passing of Mr. Dennis and in extending to his widow and the members of his family our deepest sympathy.

Senator LECKIE:
Victoria

– The late Mr. Samuel Dennis was probably not well known to many honorable senators in this chamber, but he was an old friend of mine, and I take this opportunity to pay a tribute to his memory. No man was more highly esteemed in the districtin which he lived than was the deceased gentleman. He was active in all matters affecting his district and in various forms of philanthropic work. He was a member of the House of Representatives for only a short period, but his sterling qualities must have earned for him the respect of all his colleagues. I offer my condolences to the members of his family in their great loss. Victoria, and indeed the whole of Australia, is the poorer for the passing of a man who did his duty in ail circumstances.

Senator GIBSON:
Victoria

– It was my privilege to know the late Mr. Samuel Dennis well. He was a fine citizen, who represented his district on the local council for many years. He was also a member of the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works. The deceased gentleman devoted a great deal of time and energy to the service of the public, and it is only fitting that we should pay tribute to his memory in this Parliament. I greatly regret that we have been called upon to pass this motion, and I extend my deepest sympathy to his widow and family who mourn his loss.

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

page 14

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL

Senator KEANE:
Minister for Trade and Customs · Victoria · ALP

by leave - I desire formally to announce that His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester, accompanied by Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester and their two children, Prince William and Prince Richard, arrived in Australia on the 2Sth January, 1945.

His Royal Highness was sworn in as Governor-General and CommanderinChief in and over the Commonwealth of Australia at Canberra on the 30th January.

page 14

LIBERAL PARTY OE AUSTRALIA

Senator McLEAY:
Leader of the Opposition · South Australia

by leave - I wish to advise the Senate that members of the party which I have the honour to lead in this chamber, wish from henceforth to be regarded as members of the Liberal party of Australia.

page 14

MINISTERIAL CHANGES

Senator KEANE:
Minister for Trade and Customs · Victoria · ALP

by leave - T formally announce that, consequent on changes which have been effected in the organization of Commonwealth departments of State, the Ministry is now constituted as follows: -

Prime Minister and Minister for Defence- The Right Honorable John Curtin

Minister for the Army (and Deputy Prime Minister) - The Right Honorable F. M.- Forde.

Treasurer - The Honorable J. B. Chifley

Attorney-General and Minister for External Affairs- The Right Hon- or able H. V. Evatt. LL.D., D.Litt., K.C.

Vice-President of the Executive Council - The Honorable J. A. Beasley.

Minister for the Navy, Minister for Munitions and Minister for Aircraft Production - The Honorable N. J. 0. Makin.

Minister for Trade and Customs - Senator the Honorable R. V. Keane.

Minister for Labour and National Service - The Honorable E. J. Holloway

Minister for Air and Minister for Civil Aviation - The Honorable A. S. Drakeford

Minister for Commerce and AgricultureThe Honorable W. J. Scully.

Minister for Supply and Shipping - Senator the Honorable W. P. Ashley.

Minister for Post-war Reconstruction and Minister in charge of the Council foi- Scientific and Industrial Research - The Honorable J. J. Dedman. -

Minister for the Interior - Senator the Honorable J. S- Collings.

Minister for Transport and Minister for External Territories - The Honorable E. J. Ward

Minister for Health and Minister for Social Services - Senator the Honorable J. M. Fraser.

Minister for Repatriation and Minister in charge of War Service Homes - The Honorable C. W. Frost.

Minister for Home Security and Minister for Works - The Honorable H.- P. Lazzarini

Postmaster-General - Senator the Honorable D. Cameron.

Minister for Information - The Honorable A. A. Calwell

The members of the War Cabinet are -

Mr. Curtin, Mr. Forde, Mr. Chifley, Dr. Evatt, Mr. Beasley, Mr. Makin, Mr. Drakeford and Mr. Dedman

Ministerial representation in the two chambers will be as follows: -

In the House of Representatives -

The Right Honorable F. M. Forde will represent the Minister for Trade and Customs.

The Honorable J. A. ‘ Beasley will represent the Minister for Supply and Shipping.

The Honorable E. J. Holloway will represent the Minister for Health and Minister for Social Services.

The Honorable H. P. Lazzarini will represent the Minister for the Interior.

The Honorable A. A. Calwell will represent the Postmaster-General.

In the Senate -

Senator the Honorable R. V. Keane will represent the Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Treasurer, the Minister for Postwar Reconstruction, and the Minister in charge of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research.

Senator the Honorable W. P. Ashley will represent the Attorney-General and Minister for External Affairs, the Minister for the Navy and Minister for Munitions, the Minister for Labour and National Service and the Minister for Information.

Senator the Honorable J. S. Collings will represent the Minister for Transport, the Minister for External Territories, the Minister for Home Security and the Minister for Works.

Senator the Honorable J. M. Fraser will represent the Minister for the Army and the Minister for Commerce and Agriculture.

Senator the Honorable. D. Cameron will represent the Minister for Air and Minister for Civil Aviation, the Minister for Aircraft Production, the Minister for Repatriation and Minister in charge of War Service Homes.

page 15

HOUR OF MEETING

Motion (by Senator Keane) agreed to-

That the Senate, at its rising, adjourn to to-morrow, at 2 p.m.

page 15

ASSENT TO BILLS

Assent to the following bills re ported : -

Commonwealth Observatory Fund Bill 1944.

United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation Bill 1944.

States Grants (Brought Relief) Bill 1944.

Aluminium Industry Bill 1944.

Wine Export Bounty Bill 1944.

Financial Agreement Bill 1944.

page 15

DEATH OF EX-SENATOR MAJORGENERAL CHARLES FREDERICK COX

The PRESIDENT (Senator the Hon Gordon Brown:
QUEENSLAND

– I have received from Mrs. Cox a letter of thanks and appreciation for the resolution of sympathy and condolence passed by the Senate on the occasion of the death of ex-Senator Major-General Charles Frederick Cox.

page 15

GOVERNOR-GENERAL’S SPEECH

The PRESIDENT:

– I have to inform the Senate that Ihave received a copy of the Opening Speech delivered by His Royal Highness the Governor-General to both Houses of the Parliament.

page 15

LEAVE OF ABSENCE

Motion (by Senator James McLachlan) - by leave - agreed to -

That leave of absence for six weeks be granted to Senator Allan MacDonald on account of ill health.

page 15

PAPERS

The following papers were presented : -

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

No. 29 of 1944 - Commonwealth Storemen and Packers’ Union of Australia ; and Commonwealth Naval Storehousemen’s Association.

No. 30 of 1944 - Commonwealth Store- men and Packers’ Union; and Commonwealth Naval Storehousemen’s Association.

No. 31 of 1944 - Commonwealth Foremen’s Association.

No. 32 of . 1944 - Federated Engine Drivers’ and Firemen’s Association of Australasia; and Arms, Explosives and Munition Workers’ Federation of Australia.

No. 1 of 1945- Plumbers and Gasfitters Employees’ Union of Australia.

No. 2 of 1945 - Professional Officers’ Association, Commonwealth Public Service.

Canned Fruits Export Charges Act - Regulations - Statutory Rules 1945, No. 5.

Commonwealth Public Service Act - Appointment - Department of the Treasury - C. Campbell-Smith.

Commonwealth Railways Act - By-law No. 85.

Commonwealth Shipping Act - Australian Commonwealth Shipping Board - Cockatoo Island Dockyard - Balance-sheet and Liquidation Account, together with Auditor-General’s Report thereon, for year ended 29th February, 1944.

Customs Act - Customs Proclamations - Nos. 612, 614-618.

Customs Act and Commerce (Trade Descriptions) Act - Regulations - Statutory Rules 1944, No. 177.

Defence Act - Regulations - Statutory Rules - 1944, Nos. 170, 171, 180, 185. 1945, No. 6.

Electoral - Referendums - Statistical Ke turns in relation to the submission to the electors of a Proposed Law for the alteration of the Constitution, entitled “ Constitution Alteration (Post-war Reconstruction and Democratic Rights) 1944”; together with Summaries of Referendums, 1906-1944. High Commissioner Act - Regulations -

Statutory Rules 1944, No. 172. Lauds Acquisition Act, or Lauds Acquisition Act and National Security (Supplementary) Regulations - Land acquired for - Commonwealth purposes -

Adelaide River, Northern Territory.

Albany, Western Australia.

Albury, New South Wales.

Amberley, Queensland (2).

Bendigo, Victoria.

Broken Bay, New South Wales.

Bulimba, Queensland.

Camden, New South Wales

Camooweal, Queensland.

Cecil Plains, Queensland.

Ceduna, South Australia.

Charters Towers, Queensland (2).

Colac, Victoria.

Corowa, New South Wales.

Darwin, Northern Territory.

Dubbo, New South Wales.

Eagle Farm, Queensland.

Laverton, Victoria.

Lidcombe, New South Wales.

Maribyrnong, Victoria.

Muswellbrook, New South Wales.

Normanton, Queensland.

North Ryde, New South Wales.

Oakey, Queensland.

Orange, New South Wales.

Penshurst, Victoria.

Port Melbourne, Victoria.

Truganina, Victoria.

Warracknabeal, Victoria.

Woolloomooloo, New South Wales Postal purposes -

Adelaide, South Australia.

Bowen, Queensland.

Brisbane, Queensland.

Carmila, Queensland.

Dalby. Queensland

Gretna, Tasmania.

Hartwell. Victoria.

Hunter’s Hill, New South Wales.

Hurstville, New South Wales.

Melbourne, Victoria.

Morwell, Victoria.

Newtown, New South Wales.

South Melbourne, Victoria.

West Maitland, New South Wales (2).

Wonthaggi, Victoria. Telephonic purposes - Manilla. New South Wales.

National Security Act - National Security (Agricultural Aids) Regulations - Orders -

Hay. straw and chuff (New South Wales).

Hay, straw and chaff (Victoria).

National Security (Agricultural Machinery) Regulations- Order - Agricultural

Machinery (No. 4). National Security (Apple and Pear Acquisition ) Regulations - Order - Apple and pear Acquisition 1944-1945. National Security (Building Operations) Regulations - Order - Building operations (Northern Territory). National Security (Capital Issues) Regulations - Orders - Exemptions ( 2 ) . National Security (Emergency Control) Regulations - Orders -

Papua and New Guinea (Administration) (No. 3). Thursday Island Compensation Board ( Cancellation ) . National Security (Food Control) Regulations - Orders - Nos. 11-17. National Security (General) Regulations - Orders -

Chain manufacture. Control of - Elastic materials (No. 2).

Essential materials (Nos. 11, 12). Machine tools (No. 3). Overseas communications (otherwise than by post). Overseas postal communications. Overseas postal communications (Prisoners of war). Packages (No. 2). Feminine outerwear. Fish (Estimates and returns).

Fishing industry secondary operatives (Registration ) - Revocation.

Heating and cooking appliances (Control of manufacture) - Revocation. Heating and cooking appliances (Retail sales) - Revocation. Knitted goods. Male outerwear.

Navigation (Brisbane River and Moreton Bay - small craft) (No. 2). Navigation (Control of public traffic) (No. 5). Prohibited places (10). Protected areaShirts, collars and pyjamas. Steam boilers (No. 2).

Taking possession of land, &c. ( 1 07 ) . Traffic on road. Use of land (29). Wireless stations control. Woven underwear. National Security (Man Power) Regulations - Orders- Protected undertakings (124).

National Security (Maritime Industry) Regulations - Orders - Nos. 48, 49.

National Security (Prices) Regulations - Declarations - Nos. 149-153. Orders- Nos. 1747-1899.

National Security (Rationing) Regulations - Orders - Nos. 50-72.

National Security (Shipping Coordination ) Regulations - Orders - Nos. 70-80.

Regulations - Statutory Rules - 1944,Nos. 166, 167, 168, 169, 174, 175, 176, 187, 188, 189, 190, 191, 192. 1945 Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 11 13.

National Security (Supplementary) RegulationsStatement of Australian Banking Statistics for the five quarters ended 31st December, 1944.

Naval Defence Act - Regulations - Statutory Rules 1944 Nos. 182, 183.

Navigation Act - Regulations - Statutory Rules 1944, No. 178.

Post and Telegraph Act - Regulations - Statutory Rules 1945, No. 10.

Quarantine Act - Regulations- Statutory Rules 1944, No. 184.

Science and Industry Endowment Act - Report by Auditor-General on the accounts of the Science and Industry Endowment Fund for year 1943-44.

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

Ordinances -

No. 10 of 1944 - Police Superannuation.

No. 11 of 1944 - Trustee.

No. 1 of 1945 - Careless use of fire.

No. 2 of 1945 - Racecourses.

Regulations -

No.6 of 1944 - (City Area Leases Ordinance).

Women’s Employment Act - Regulations - Statutory Rules 1944, No. 179.

Senate adjourned at 3.56 p.m.

Cite as: Australia, Senate, Debates, 21 February 1945, viewed 22 October 2017, <http://historichansard.net/senate/1945/19450221_senate_17_181/>.