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Senate
13 May 1914

5^th Parliament · 2^nd Session

QUESTION
- DEFENCE DEPARTMENT
QUESTION
- INSTRUMENT FITTERS’ CASE
QUESTION
- KALGOORLIE TO PORT AUGUSTA RAILWAY
QUESTION
- MILITARY FORCES AND INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES
QUESTION
- PRIVY COUNCIL’S JUDGMENTS
QUESTION
- DIRECTOR OF PHYSICAL TRAINING
QUESTION
- RAILWAY SLEEPERS
QUESTION
- PATENT ATTORNEYS
PAPERS
QUESTION
- GOVERNOR-GENERAL’S SPEECH: ADDRESS-IN-REPLY
DISTINGUISHED VISITOR
GOVERNOR-GENERAL’S SPEECH
QUESTION
- ADDRESS-IN-REPLY
THE CASE FOR DAY LABOUR
- Victoria
SPECIAL ADJOURNMENT

Defence Department 833

Senate.

Wednesday13, May

The President took the chair at 3p.m., and read prayers.

page 833

QUESTION

SenatorRAE. - In view of the reply which the Minister of Defence gave me last week, in which he stated that he had granted no exemptions from compulsory training except in certain deserving cases, I wish to ask the honorable senator whether he recollects having granted an exemption to a cadet named Dodds, the son of Mr. Leonard Dodds, a member of the Sydney Stock Exchange, notwithstanding the opposition of the Area Officer, the Brigade Major, and the District Commandant?

Senator MILLEN:

– I cannot remember the particular case, nor if an exemption was granted the circumstances which induced me to grant it. If the honorable senator will repeat his question to-morrow I shall place myself in a position to answer it.

Senator PEARCE:

asked the Minister of Defence, upon notice -

Has the Minister granted Messrs. Poole and Steel, Balmain, Sydney, an extension of time in their contract for supply of a dredger to July, 1914 (vide Minister’s reply to question No. 14, paragraph 4, on 16th April) ?

Senator MILLEN:

– The answer is -

Yes, to 31st July, 1914.

Senator PEARCE:

asked the Minister of Defence, upon notice -

When did the parts of the dredger constructed for the Defence Department by Fleming and Ferguson, Paisley, Scotland, arrive in the Commonwealth?
Has a commencement yet been made in putting this dredger together at Cockatoo Island Dockyard, Sydney (vide Minister’s reply to question 14, paragraphs 2, 3, and 4, on 16th April) ?
If no commencement has been made, when will it be commenced?

Senator MILLEN:
LP

– The answers are-

The parts of the dredger arrived at Sydney on 3rd April, 1914.
No.
No date can yet be fixed, owing to shortage of labour at Cockatoo Island.

Senator PEARCE:

asked the Minister of Defence, upon notice -

Has the Military Board yet recommended uniforms of a distinct pattern for the National Regiments proposed under new regulation 109a, Statutory Rule No. 32 of 1914?
If so, will the Minister lay a copy of the recommendation on the table of the Senate?
If the Military Board has made no recommendation, will the Minister say whether he proposes to continue the full-dress uniforms previously worn by these regiments?

Senator MILLEN:

– The answers are -

Yes, but all the details are not yet determined.
Yes, a copy will be tabled to-morrow.

They had a great programme, which they would give to the people when they were ready for it. They awaited the’ decision of the new Governor-General whether they would be allowed to go to the country or not.

And if so, was the honorable senator referring to the Teesdale Smith contract?

Senator McCOLL:

– No.

page 836

QUESTION

INSTRUMENT FITTERS’ CASE

Senator RUSSELL:

– Is the Minister of Defence in a position to announce the policy of the Government in regard to collecting the costs . of the Instrument Fitters’ Arbitration case, as promised by Senator Clemons last December?

Senator MILLEN:
LP

– I promised the honorable senator that I would endeavour to place myself in a position to answer his question.; but, having been absent in Sydney, and having returned only to-day, I have not had an opportunity. If he will repeat the question in the course of the week, I shall be prepared to answer it.

page 836

QUESTION

KALGOORLIE TO PORT AUGUSTA RAILWAY

Senator PEARCE:

– Is the VicePresident of the Executive Council in a position to-day to answer the question I put to him last week regarding the letting of contracts for excavations at the Kalgoorlie end of the transcontinental railway? The honorable senator promised to obtain information in reply to my question. I wish to know whether tenders were called for the contracts, and whether they were advertised in the press?

Senator McCOLL:
LP

– I have not yet received the information for which the honorable senator has asked.

Senator NEWLANDS:
SOUTH AUSTRALIA · ALP; NAT from 1917

– I ask the Minister representing the Minister of Home Affairs whether he will lay upon the table of the Library any agreements entered into between the Home Affairs Department and any section of the men employed in the construction of the Port Augusta to Kalgoorlie railway at the Port Augusta end?

Senator McCOLL:

– I will make inquiry into the matter from the Department of Home Affairs, and if there are any such agreements, and there is no objection, I shall endeavour to comply with the honorable senator’s request.

Senator RAE:

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

What portions of the South Australian section of the east to west Transcontinental Railway line have been surveyed by Departmental surveyors under the charge of Mr. J. Waters.?
Has his work been satisfactorily carried out?
Is lie aware that Mr. Waters had assembled at the head of his work a team of 50 camels, a large number of water canteens, tanks, tents and all equipment necessary to carry on the permanent survey to the West Australian border in an expeditious manner?
Is it a fact that the permanent survey has been completed to a distance approximately 200 miles ahead of the formation?
What is it intended to do with the aforementioned plant and equipment?
What justification is there on the plea cf urgency for letting a contract to Lawrence and Chalmers to survey a length of 110 miles of this line, commencing at the 322-mile post, when the construction work when completed to the further end of the Teesdale Smith contract will only reach the 106-mile post?

Senator McCOLL:

– The answers are -

From Port Augusta to 92 miles and from 210 miles to about 322 miles.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
They are now being used in connexion with water exploration.
It was anticipated that the survey of this portion of the line, being through difficult country, which required much exploration for suitable grades, would occupy a considerable time, and as it was necessary that the earthworks, owing to their magnitude, should be commenced well in advance of the platelaying, :the survey work was regarded as urgent, lt was considered that Messrs. Lawrence and Chalmers would be in a position to begin this work three or four months earlier than Mr. Waters, and his equipment would be available.

Senator RAE:

asked the .Minister representing the Minister of Home Affairs, upon notice -

When did Lawrence and Chalmers get the first contract for surveying on the Port Augusta to. Kalgoorlie railway line, for what distance was the contract, at what price per mile; and did such contract cover the portion of the line included in Mr. Teesdale Smith’s contract?
What deviations from the first permanent survey have been made in respect to Mr. Teesdale Smith’s contract, and by whose instructions were these deviations made, and were they made before or since the commencement’ of that contract?
Have such deviations increased or diminished the length of the formation, and have they increased or diminished the quantity of stuff to be excavated; anc], if so, what effect have they had (if any) on the . cost of the work?

Senator McCOLL:

– The answers are -

The first contract was let on 29th August, 1913, for a distance of 1.20 miles at £55 per mile for 40 miles and £35 per mile for 80 miles; the contract covered the portion of line included in the Teesdale Smith contract.
About 2J miles, after commencement cf contract, recommended by both the former and the present Engineer-in-Chief, and approved by the Minister.
The length of line is diminished, but the quantity of stuff to be- excavated and consequently the cost of excavation, has been increased, but the shortening of the line is. regarded as more than off-setting this extra cost.

page 837

QUESTION

MILITARY FORCES AND INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES

Senator RAE:

asked the Minister of Defence, upon notice -

Is it not a fact that, notwithstanding the resignation of Colonel Seely from his position as Minister for War in the British Cabinet, the Imperial War Office has intimated to the forces employed in Ireland that soldiers domiciled in Ulster will not be required to take an active part in any steps which might be necessary for the suppression of armed rebellion in that province?
If the answer to the foregoing question be in the affirmative, will the Minister favour similar regulations being issued to the Citizen Forces of the Commonwealth in application to the suppression of industrial disturbances?

Senator MILLEN:
LP

– As I have no other source of information than newspaper cables, I am not in a position to answer this question.

page 837

QUESTION

PRIVY COUNCIL’S JUDGMENTS

Senator READY:

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

Have the Government yet received copies of the Privy Council judgments on the Coal Vend case and on the Sugar Monopoly appeal I
If so, will the Government have copies printed and made available for senators as soon as practicable?

Senator MILLEN:
LP

– The answers are -

Yes.
Copies will be laid on the table of the Senate.

page 838

QUESTION

DIRECTOR OF PHYSICAL TRAINING

Senator BARKER:
VICTORIA

asked the Minister of Defence, upon notice -

When does Mr. Bjelke Petersen’s term as Director of Physical Training terminate?
Will the Minister for Defence continue to keep such an office in existence?
In the event of a re-appointment, will the Minister make it a condition that the appointee devote his services exclusively to the Department, and that he be debarred from competing in private practice with those engaged in the profession of physical training?

Senator MILLEN:
LP

– The answers are -

The agreement withhim terminated on 7th May, 1914. 2 and 3. The duties of the Director of Physical Training are chiefly of an advisory character, and the question as to how such duties can best be carried out in future is now under consideration.

Until this has been determined, it cannot be definitely stated whether the office of Director of Physical Training will be continued, or, if so, whether the duties will be sufficient to warrant the employment of a “full time” officer ; that is, ofan officer who will devote his services exclusively to the Department.

page 838

QUESTION

RAILWAY SLEEPERS

Senator READY:

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

Has the Government reconsidered the claims of Tasmania with regard to the supply of sleepers for the Transcontinental Railway?
Will the Government give Tasmanian firms an order for a quantity of sleepers at the prices last submitted to the Department of Home Affairs ?
If not, is the Government prepared to call for fresh tenders for a supply of Tasmanian timber sleepers?

Senator McCOLL:
LP

– The answers are -

Yes. 2 and 3. Tenders will be called, which will afford an opportunity to Tasmanian timbergetters to tender.

page 838

QUESTION

PATENT ATTORNEYS

Senator McDOUGALL:
for Senator Gardiner

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

Who are the members of the Patent Attorneys’ Examination Board?
What are the names, addresses, and occupations of the members?
Is the Department of Patents represented thereon; if so, what are the names of the representatives, and what are their scholastic, professional, and technical qualifications, and have they any legal training ?
How many candidates are examined bythe Board each year, and how much does the examination of each candidate cost the country?

Senator McCOLL:
LP

– The answers are - 1 and 2-

George Townsend, Esq., Patent Office, Melbourne, Commissioner of Patents and Registrar of Trade Marks and Designs;

G. Ferguson, Esq., Patent Office, Melbourne, Deputy Commissioner of Patents and Deputy Registrar of Trade Marks and Designs;
J. L. Avdall, Esq., Patent Office, Melbourne, Examiner of Patents;
B. Skertchly, Esq., Patent Office, Melbourne, Examiner of Patents;
S. Bayston, Esq., Collins-street, Melbourne, Patent Attorney;
Newell, Esq., Wynyard Square, Sydney, Patent Attorney ;
J. Spruson, Esq., Elizabeth-street, Sydney, Patent Attorney.
1. See answer to Questions 1 and 2.
2. The number varies fromyear to year. During 1913 there were six candidates examined. There is no cost to the country except the time, and occasional travelling expenses, of officers. On the other hand, each candidate has to pay an entrance fee of £2.

page 838

PAPERS

The following papers were pre sented : -

Audit Act 1901-1912. - Transfers of amounts approved by the Governor-General in Council - Financial Year 1913-14, dated 30th April, 1914 (two).

Inter-State Conference, Melbourne, MarchApril, 1914. - Report of the Resolutions, Proceedings, and Debates, together with Appendices.

Kalgoorlie to Port Augusta Railway Act 1911-1912. - Schedule of Passenger Fares during construction.

Return to Order of the Senate of 7th May, 1914-

Naval Defence : Strength of British Naval Complement in the Pacific.

page 838

QUESTION

GOVERNOR-GENERAL’S SPEECH: ADDRESS-IN-REPLY

Debate resumed from 8th May (vide page 798), on motion by Senator Oakes -

That the following Address-in-Reply be agreed to : -

To His Excellency the Governor-General.

May it Please Your Excellency -

We, the Senate of the Commonwealth of Australia, in Parliament assembled, desire to express our loyalty to our Most Gracious Sovereign, and to thank Your Excellency for the Speech which you have been pleased to address to Parliament.

The worst of it was that a lot of people voted twice. They had even resurrected the dead to vote. (Laughter.) The Ministry were trying to get to the bottom of it, but they had found that the party that passed the Electoral Act, and were responsible for the conduct of the election, had left as many doors open as possible for wrong-doing. They had practically shut every door that would. enable the mischief to be traced to its source.

Here is a distinct statement made by His Excellency, or rather by the honorable senator who sits in the vice-regal chair at Executive meetings when the GovernorGeneral is absent. Sitting as he does in the vice-regal chair, he should be fair and truthful every time he utters a word, and particularly should he utter the whole truth. On this occasion we find the honorable senator levelling au extraordinary charge against the people of the Commonwealth for having voted twice. The direct charge is that the Labour party had opened every door to wrong-doing, while they had closed every door to the discovery of how the mischief had arisen. Side by side with this very clear and definite statement I wish to read the official statement of what took place in the Commonwealth, not only by way of contradiction of Senator McColl, but in vindication of the purity of the Australian ballot and the straightforwardness of the people. Mr.. Oldham, who represents no party, tendered a memorandum which goes clearly to show that the honorable senator spoke before he was entitled to speak -

In response to the inquiry of the Hon. the Attorney-General as to whether the number of apparent cases of duplication of voting at the recent elections is in excess of the number of errors which officers might make in marking the certified lists of voters owing to misunderstanding or lack of care, I desire to state that it is somewhat difficult to give a definite reply.

While the average number of apparent duplications is less than three per 1,000 voters, it will be noted that in one Division (Ballaarat) the number reaches 175 in a poll of 32,818, and that in another Division (Macquarie) the number falls to 11 in a poll of 23,322.

A review of the Ballaarat lists discloses that many names which have been marked twice are followed on the rolls by identical or similar names which have not been marked. There is reasonable ground, in cases of this kind, for assuming that there have been errors in marking.

While a margin of between two and three errors per 1,000 voters would not appear to be excessive, having regard to the number of similar names appearing on the rolls, it could not, of course, be assumed that, where the average is either above or below, fraud either has or has not entered into the elections.

It is quite clear, on the strength of this impartial official inquiry made by Mr. Oldham, who represents neither the Fusion party nor the Labour party, that an ample vindication has been made of the electors throughout Australia °in voting on clean lines, notwithstanding the foul charges made against them by Senator McColl. The honorable senator has been indulging in language which has been far from the truth, and it is most regrettable that what he has said has had the effect of blackening the good name and fame of the electors of Australia in the eyes of those that are distant from the Commonwealth. We sometimes hear it said that the present generation is not equal to the generation that preceded it. We are sometimes seriously concerned to think that we may not be as good as our forefathers were, and it is a sad commentary upon. life in this country that a man who occupies one of the highest positions in the gift of the people should make statements. concerning them which have been flatly contradicted by an impartial umpire like Mr. Oldham. Happily we have had the character of the Australian people vindicated by a man who is independent of both political parties, and whose sole duty it was to make a searching inquiry into the irregularities alleged. He has found that the Australian electors at the last Federal elections were entitled to retain their good name for clean voting and a fair expression of their political opinions. So much for Senator McColl.

Senator Findley:

– Surely the honorable senator has not finished with him yet? Senator McColl made other incorrect statements ‘ about the Commonwealth Bank.

Senator LYNCH:

– I have said that the members of the present Government cannot reasonably expect commendation from me in connexion with most of the matters with which they have been concerned. I have to refer now to their conduct of the Commonwealth Bank, an institution established for the benefit of the Australian people. It is a bank of which every man in the Commonwealth, to the extent of the interest he manifests in public affairs, is a director. It was established by the Labour Government to give the trading and industrial community of Australia a financial institution of their own to which they might go for accommodation and financial assistance at a minimum of cost. It has, since its establishment, made- a remarkably good showing, and it might reasonably be expected that the Government of the day, no matter to what political party they belonged, would give it sympathetic treatment. .But what has been the position? We have had Senator McColl at work again. The honorable senator appears to have an unfortunate and incurable habit of saying things that will not stand the light of day. He said, concerning the Commonwealth Bank -

This bank, which was going to do such great things, was about £56,000 to the bad already, and was likely to grow worse.

That is a statement by an honorable senator who should be a very sympathetic director of this Australian institution. It is quite clear that in his case the wish was father to. the thought, and the honorable senator, instead of being friendly or even impartial in his attitude towards the Commonwealth Bank, has proved “himself to be the veiled enemy of that institution. He said that the position of the bank was likely to grow worse. But what is the actual position? Notwithstanding the honorable senator’s statement, the position of the bank to-day is that it shows a profit on the first year’s transactions of £1,547 9s. 4d. That is remarkably good showing for a bank with so short a career, with such scant assistance, and opposed as it was by the concentrated power of money throughout Australia. That in the circumstances, and at so early a period of its existence, the Commonwealth Bank should have a credit balance is a monument to the wisdom of the Labour party that established it, and to the management of the institution as well.

Senator McColl:

– Has the bank a credit balance to-day?

Senator LYNCH:

– I have given the credit ‘ balance on the latest showing, and no matter how the honorable senator may attempt to manipulate and juggle with figures, the fact remains that he has made a public pronouncement of distinct hostility to the bank. The balance-sheet proves that he was wrong, and that the wish he entertained was not realized. The balance-sheet has also exposed the honorable senator. It has pulled the mask away from him, and has shown him for what be is, namely, the enemy of the bank, and one who apparently is anxious to see its destruction brought about. The honorable senator is where he is by accident, but he is not there for any idle purpose, and he is certainly not there in order that he may take advantage of his public position to produce a wrong and injurious impression in the public mind concerning the Commonwealth Bank.

Senator Findley:

– If the honorable’ senator had said the same thing about a private bank he would not be at liberty.

Senator LYNCH:

– I was going to remark that if Senator McColl had said the same thing about a private bank he would find himself inside prison bars, instead of in this chamber. He knows that he can flog the people’s bank at will, and that the laws of the country are not framed as they should be to defend that institution as they defend private institutions. The honorable senator has taken a mean and cowardly advantage of his position to vilify the bank of which he is a director, by statements which he would not have dared to make regarding private financial institutions. Any person who has watched the career of the Commonwealth Bank, and realizes its power to do good in this community, and to bring about an easement of financial conditions-

Senator Millen:

– The interest rate has gone up since the Commonwealth Bank was started.

Senator Oakes:

– And private bank shares are higher now than they have been for some time past.

Senator LYNCH:

– Senators Millen and Oakes need not tell me these stories.

– Ministers are too busy trying to get out of the intricate position in which they find themselves placed to listen to my criticism. It is natural that they should not like to have the ghosts of the past brought before them. They do not care to have their utterances reproduced, or to hear them flatly contradicted by a certificated balance-sheet or the independent report of a man like Mr. Oldham. At every turn official reports are presented flatly contradicting the statements of Ministers.

page 844

DISTINGUISHED VISITOR

The PRESIDENT:

– I notice in the strangers gallery the Honorable the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Western Australia, and, by leave of the Senate, I invite him to take a seat in the chamber.

Honorable Senators. - Hear, hear !

page 844

GOVERNOR-GENERAL’S SPEECH

page 844

QUESTION

Five of the States declared that the Fisher policy should be indorsed, whereas one State did not.

Senator Oakes:

– Let the honorable senator make his calculation on a population basis for a change.

Senator LYNCH:

– On a population basis we secured an ample majority. But I wish to refer to the sleeper contract, and to show the sinuous policy of the Fusion Government in respect of that contract. The fact is that a contract was entered into with the Western Australian Government for the supply of 1,400,000 powellised karri sleepers. The Prime Minister was very much concerned about the fulfilment of that undertaking. The original contract provided that the delivery of the sleepers should commence in June, 1913, but, eventually, it was altered to provide that the first delivery should take place in November of that year. The Western Australian Government then set about making the necessary arrangements for fulfilling the terms of the contract. They found it necessary to lay down a large and expensive plant, and to connect that plant with the railways of the State. The work was one of herculean proportions, but Premier Scaddan and his colleagues faced it most courageously in their desire to keep faith with the Commonwealth Government. It is quite true that during the months of November, December, and January, no sleepers were delivered by the Western Australian Government, and up till that time, therefore, the contract was not observed.

Senator O’KEEFE:
TASMANIA · ALP

– - Did that circumstance delay the construction of the line’

Senator LYNCH:

– No; it did not delay the work of construction for one day, and there was never a prospect of it delaying the work even for an hour. I repeat that for the three months I have mentioned no karri powellised sleepers were supplied. Then, on the 28th of January of the present year - after some correspondence had passed between the Prime Minister and Mr. Scaddan - the former cancelled the contract. That step was naturally a very unwelcome one to the Premier of Western Australia seeing that his Government had expended no less a sum than £200,000 for the express purpose of supplying these sleepers. After the contract had been cancelled - on the 11 th February last - Mr. Scaddan sent the following wire to the Prime Minister -

As stated in my letter of 18th December, 1913, 13,410 sleepers will be delivered in this month (February), and, if required, the month’s deficiency can be made up by jarrah sleepers at our contract price. From February and onwards deliveries in contract quantities can be relied upon -

In that month it was computed by the Premier of Western Australia that there were three months’ supply of sleepers at the Kalgoorlie end of the line - sufficient to keep the work of construction going continuously until the end of May. In addition to that three months’ supply, the Prime Minister had the assurance of Mr. Scaddan that from February onwards continuous supplies could be depended upon - and the earlier shortage will be overtaken before such supplies are actually required for use. As regards the Port Augusta end, there are already ample sleepers cut in the Bunbury district ready for shipment under the 200,000 jarrah contract, and we have entered into shipping arrangements for the karri supplies as per contract for shipments commencing in April, and the non-delivery in January-March will be overtaken before these supplies are actually required for use at the Port Augusta end. In any event, we can supply jarrah sleepers to make up any deficiency.

He had an assurance that for every powellised karri sleeper which waa not delivered, a jarrah sleeper would be delivered at the contract price. Yet in the face of all these assurances the contract was cancelled. If honorable senators will refer to Hansard for last year, page 4660, they will see that on the 18th December the Vice-President of the Executive Council declared that there were then three months’ supply of sleepers at both ends of the line. In other words, there was a sufficient supply to carry the work on till the end of March. In such circumstances it is difficult to believe that the contract was cancelled because time was regarded as its essence. The reason advanced by the Prime Minister for his drastic action was that it was necessary in the public interest, and because the construction of the line was a matter of urgency. But what happened afterwards? We found the Assistant Minister of Home Affairs groping round in all directions for an excuse to justify, the cancellation of the contract. Speaking in the Masonic Hall on the 3rd February last, he stated that Mr. Fraser, an engineer in New South Wales, found from experimenting with the powellising process, that blue gum so treated had not been a success. But I would point out that blue gum and karri are very different timbers. The honorable gentleman also stated that the Powellising Timber Commission had advised thai the use of. 9-ft. sleepers should be abandoned, and that 8-ft. sleepers should be substituted for them. He affirmed as a further reason why the contract had been cancelled that the arsenic in the powellised sleepers was expected to produce bad effects on the hands of the workmen who were required to handle them.

Senator NEWLANDS:
SOUTH AUSTRALIA · ALP; NAT from 1917

– The length of the sleepers to be used was a very important matter in connexion with powellised sleepers.

Senator LYNCH:

Senator NEWLANDS:
SOUTH AUSTRALIA · ALP; NAT from 1917

– They have sacked six men up there.

Senator LYNCH:

– If sacking was part of a progressive policy, no doubt they could be regarded as one of the most successful Governments in Australia. They have sacked good men who went up there to map out the ground for them, and to bring before the people of the world the latent resources of the Terri. tory.- If it had not been for the presence of those men in that country, we should still be in utter ignorance. of its resources. If sacking and disorganization were the leading features of any Government, the Fusion Government -would go up top in my estimation. None of their proposals with regard to the Northern Territory have come to light, and the pressing need of the hour is to know what we can do with our tropical areas? What are the Government going to do? They frittered last session away, and they are going to fritter this session away. Notwithstanding the solemn promises that they made twelve months ago that something would be done to develop the Northern Territory, they simply bring down a proposal regarding preference to unionists as affecting 2,000 employes- in the Government service, and a Bill to enable the mistresses of Potts Point and Toorak to go into the kitchen and influence their employes. These are the burning questions which have engaged the attention of this misshapen Ministry up to date! The Northern Territory and the Tariff are to be left untouched. We were told -

Parliament will be asked to provide funds for trial surveys with the object of connecting by railway Port Darwin with Port Augusta, via Macdonnel Ranges, and with the eastern railway systems via Camooweal, which will open up the country for agricultural and pastoral settlement. Without these main lines of transit it will be impossible to complete our defences, or to adequately develop the resources of the Northern Territory. A scheme of immigration will be associated with these proposals.

Where is this scheme? Where is the framework of the measure to secure for this empty country a steady supply of sturdy immigrants ? Nothing in this direction was done last session, and nothing is likely to be done this session. Does any one mean to say that if the Government were in earnest-

Senator McGregor:

– Did not the Senate throw out those Bills?

Senator LYNCH:

– Their followers might have assisted to do so. I am only speaking on behalf of my own party today. So far as those measures are concerned, they have not yet seen the light of day, but the Government assure us that the two burning questions of the hour throughout the Commonwealth - the questions on which the bread and butter of the people and the settlement of tropical Australia depend are the removal of preference to about 3,000 employe’s, and the granting once more of the right to the dames at Potts Point and Toorak to go in and influence their female employes as they were known to do in the past. These are the two burning questions of the hour by which this highminded Ministry - this best of all Governments^ - are going to restore confidence, to cheapen the cost of living, to tackle the many weighty problems that have agitated the minds of men, not only during this generation, but during preceding ones. The Government are bringing down as a panacea for all these evils two little Bills which affect in the utmost about 2,000 persons. As for the principles of those Bills I shall have a word or two to say by-and-by. The Government have done nothing in regard to these matters. Then we are told that a Land Bill will be introduced to take the place of the present Lands Ordinance for the Northern Territory. We were told that one of the Ordinances which would be impossible of application in the Northern Territory was the so-called unfortunate measure brought in by the Labour Government. That measure is still in force. It is going to exert its baneful and checking influence still more. What do the. Government intend to do in the matter of bringing in a Bill to restore confidence and to attract, like a swarm of bees so to speak, settlers to the Territory ? What are they doing? .Why is it that we have been called together at this period of the year when we could more usefully be employed in private occupations ? We have been called here by the Government to pass two insignificant measures. But regarding the measures which affect the life, the prosperity and the advancement of the people of Australia, nothing has been hinted at by the Government up to date. According to the opening Speech in 1913 -

The Government propose to introduce a measure for the appointment of three Commissioners to manage the Post Office, holding that in order to successfully conduct the affairs cf this large trading concern continuity of control is an absolute necessity. Whilst administrative independence will be secured, Parlia-% ment will still retain the direction and control * of matters of general policy.

Where is that Bill which a year ago was supposed to be a necessity? We have seen several declarations by Ministers about the maternity allowance. It was going to be wiped out if one member had his way, but that strong man, Mr.

Irvine, has a face like that of a sphinx. One would think that he had firmness stamped on every one of his features. But where is his backbone ? If he had a backbone any stronger than that of a glow-worm he would have left the Ministry long ago. Where is the Bill to give effect to his reasoning? There is no Bill. He said that the Liberal party were about to put before the country a policy that was like a gelatinous compound. What became of him and the gelatinous compound? He was made to eat it, otherwise he would have been left out of the Ministry. When he stands forward as a firm and impassable barrier against all democratic advancement, he turns out to be a mere creature of the hour; he is just like clay in the potter’s hands when it comes to a question of the caucus rule of his party.

Ministers have under consideration the taking over of the State Public Debts as provided by the Constitution, and a measure is being prepared for the purpose, and will be submitted.

– I may be gullible enough in some respects, but I cannot be induced to believe that the present Government have ever been in earnest on this subject. This is amply proved by the way in which members of the party are allowed to express their individual opinions on the question. I am concerned now with the fact that we are threatened in Australia with that all-pervading trust - the Beef Trust, which is the greatest trust in the world. We know that if it gets even a controlling interest in the large pastoral areas of this country, which it is at present attempting to do, the people of Australia - consumers and sellers alike - will be at its mercy for ever more. I do not know whether the Government are susceptible to enlightenment on this question, but I propose to quote for them opinions expressed, not by a member of the Labour party, or one who sympathizes with that party, but by impartial men in London. These opinions have appeared in the British Australasian, which cannot, by any stretch of imagination, be considered friendly to the Labour party. These are the opinions to which I refer -

It is more than probable that the Trust will try to adopt in Australia the tactics which, from its point of view, have been so successful in the Argentine, but so disastrous to the smaller packing companies. As for the cattle raisers, they have not yet felt the full pinch. That experience will come later, when the Trust has accomplished its end, crushed out competition, got control of the market, and then, instead of paying the high prices for stock which it is now offering as a bait to the short-sighted cattle raisers, drops the prices to whatever level it chooses . Then the fat will be in the fire. “ Unless the meat packers of Australia and the stock raisers are firm in their determination to resist the blandishments of the American Beef Trust,” said another importer, “ I am very much afraid there are troublesome times ahead, for the industry and all concerned with it. Some men I know talk glibly of the Australian anti-monopoly laws being sufficient to hold the Trust in check.”

That is an echo of what we have heard from the Treasury bench -

I have taken legal opinion on the matter, and find there are grave doubts as to whether the law as it stands is strong enough for this purpose. There are anti-Trust Acts in the United States, but the Beef Trust simply snaps its fingers at them, as do many other Trusts for that matter. The best thing the Federal Government or the State Governments can do is to pass a drastic anti-Trust law before the Trust gets a firmer foothold in Australia.

The Trust is looking further ahead to the time when the opening of the Panama Canal will bring about much swifter communication between the Atlantic ports and Australia. The Trust fully realizes the great and growing importance of Australia’s packing industry, and my advices from the ‘United States are to’ the effect that it is determined to secure at all costs a controlling interest in it.

It would be a good thing if the Australian public could be aroused once more to the danger - the still greater danger - which now threatens them. The danger is a very real one - a grave menace to their progress and prosperity, and to the development of a valuable industry - and the sooner they realize this the better for all concerned.

Those are the opinions of purely impartial witnesses interested only, it would appear, in the well-being of the people of Australia, and not in any political party. I have quoted them for the benefit of honorable senators on the Government side. Let me say that if the Government shut their eyes to this danger; if they deliberately stick their heads in the sand like the ostrich, and will not press forward with a measure to deal with the trust, which is of vital importance, and prefer to insist upon carrying the measures of minor importance to which I have referred, they will be showing themselves entirely forgetful of the vital needs of the people of this country. This session of Parliament is, apparently, to be absolutely wasted. The course pursued by the Government provokes irritation on one side and on the other. The Labour party are being challenged to .defend the position they took up on the hustings and in this Parliament. We are challenged in the Senate to retrace our steps and to turn our backs upon the attitude we formerly adopted. That is an invitation, which, so long as there is a member of the party true to our policy, will never be seriously entertained. I have said that the measures which the Government pro- pose to press forward, circumscribed as they are, do not indicate much; but one of them involves a great principle to which the Labour party gave their staunch adherence when before the electors. What has been the history of the Government party in the “immediate past ? Every measure of importance passed by the Labour Government during their three years of office was resisted by them. When they had an opportunity to give effect to their views and their promises to the people, what did they do? They did nothing whatever. There is no indication in the Governor-General’s Speech of any intention on their part to repeal the measures which they fought so bitterly in this chamber. Although the land tax was railed against here and in another place, it is not to be repealed. It was described as a measure which infringed upon the domain of the State activities. It was described by Sir John Forrest, in particular, as a confiscatory measure. The confiscation under it continues, but no attempt is to be made by the Government, of which Sir John Forrest is a member, to stop that confiscation. The members of the Government party declaimed against the Commonwealth Bank, the note issue, the maternity allowance, and every other measure of farr reaching -importance which was carried through the last Parliament by the Labour Government. All those measures met with the systematic opposition of the present Government and their supporters. But no attempt is to be made to repeal any of them.

Senator O’Keefe:

– T - They are against the maternity allowance to-day, and have said so.

Senator LYNCH:

– We know, that, in heart, they are against it. If we could only induce them, instead of posturing, to come out into the open and make a plain and truthful statement of their views, their numbers in this Chamber and in another place would be greatly reduced. Their policy is to resist to the last every advance and reform; but once it reaches the statute-book they cry off. They do not dare to raise the issue again, lest they should not see the inside of Parliament if they did so. If they stood to their guns, as the members of tine Labour party do, they would be candid and open.

If they were steadfast to the attitude they adopted during the three years in which they were in opposition to the Labour Government, I should have some sympathy for them. They have, on the contrary, adopted a cowardly attitude, and, though they are now in possession of the Treasury bench; they do not dare to propose the repeal of the measures which they denounced when in opposition. Let us consider the example which was set them by the Labour party. What did we do ? When we were in opposition we took our stand against the Naval Loan Bill. We could not prevent the passage of the measure, and it went through. We said in this, and in the other Chamber that we did not want a Naval Loan Bill, and that the correct policy for the people of Australia to pursue was to meet the bill for defence when it accrued, and not pass it on to posterity. In spite of our efforts the measure reached the statute-book. A defence measure was also passed by the Government of the day, and much trumpeting was indulged in in regard to it. The essence of that measure was to allow the safety of Australia to depend on boys, on stripplings up to eighteen years of age. When on an appeal to the people, a Labour Government was returned to power, what did we do ? We instantly repealed the measure against which we had declaimed in this Parliament. The first thing we did was to repeal the Naval Loan Act, and the next thing was to introduce a Defence Bill which put the defence system of the country on a proper and workmanlike basis. Herein lies the difference between the Labour party, the candid and straightforward party, and the party now on the Treasury bench, who oppose to the last every measure of reform, but when it reaches the statute-book never have the grit or courage to remove it. I do not wish to be too hard upon the Government and theirsupporters, because I know they are going straight to their doom. No matter what may be said about the change of public opinion, I am sure that if an appeal were made to the electors to-morrow, the Government would find that, notwithstanding the advantage of their position, due to the way in which they are supported, their policy would not find favour with the electors.

Mayor’s luncheon he is reported by the Age of 10th February of this year” to have said -

When the Government last year adopted the practice of applying the closure, and the unusual expedient of shelving motions of censure, it was with the knowledge that the position could not remain as it was, and that there must be a dissolution.

Councillor J. Gardiner. - Does that mean a double dissolution?

Mr. IRVINE Yes, certainly it does. (Applause.) The Government must rule or go out of office.

Senator Oakes:

– That is the point at which I was aiming. I was not here when the measure was passed.

Senator NEEDHAM:

– There is no provision made for an appeal.

Senator Lt Colonel Sir Albert Gould:

– The law is that there is a right of appeal from an inferior Court.

Senator NEEDHAM:

– I wish to put this point to my honorable friends opposite. Are they or are they not in favour of industrial peace?

Senator Lt Colonel Sir Albert Gould:

– Of course we are.

– In moving his no-confidence motion in the Fisher Administration, in connexion with preference to unionists, Mr. Deakin said, on the 26th September, 1911-

There is on our statute-book an Act having a history more extraordinary than that or any other measure passed by an Australian Legislature. Its provisions represent the joint work of three Ministries, formed from the three parties into which this House was divided during the first nine years of its existence. As it appears on the statute-book that Act represents no party triumph; but for once it shows a political trinity in unity in that regard, at that time.

Mr. Deakin showed there very clearly that there was never a suggestion of spoils to the victors at that time. The Deakin party, the Reid party, and the Labour party were agreed that for the purposes of securing industrial peace no scheme like preference to unionists had been discovered. No better scheme has yet been discovered. Mr. Cook, in 1904, said -

When I was secretary to a union in’ 1904, we always insisted on preference to unionists. If I were in that position again I would adopt the same attitude.

When we are dealing with works which have already been commenced under the day-labour system, and for which a plant has been provided, and a staff assembled, and especially works in connexion with which, as Senator

Beady has said, complete specifications have not been provided, it is impossible for us to step in and substitute the contract for the daylabour system. I find that at the Federal Capital there are some works in progress for my own Department, for which a plant has been provided and a staff assembled. We should be wanting in regard for the interests of the workmen at present engaged in the work if we set them and the plant aside in order to give effect to our views on the contract system.

Who is wobbling now ? Who did wobble T The ink with which the Hansard reporter took down those utterances was scarcely dry when the promise made by the Minister of Defence was broken.

Senator Millen:

– It has never been broken. The statement quoted describes exactly and definitely the attitude adopted by the Government.

Senator NEEDHAM:

– We shall see whether that is so. The honorable senator said -

When wo are dealing with works which have already been commenced under the day-labour system, and for which a plant has been provided and a staff assembled, and especially works in connexion with which, as Senator Reddy has said, complete specifications have not been provided, it is impossible for us to step in and substitute the contract for the day-labour system.

Was not the construction of the transcontinental railway commenced under the day-labour system? Was the plant not provided, and a staff assembled under the day-labour system ? Have the specifications yet been completed ? The answer to the first two questions is “ Yes “ and to the third “ No.” Senator Millen made the statement that the Government co did not step in in such circumstances, and substitute the contract for the day-labour system. All those conditions applied to the transcontinental railway. The staff was assembled, the plant provided, the construction of the line started on the day-labour system, and the specifications are not yet completed. Still, we have the announcement of the honorable senator’s leader, with, I presume, the consent of the Cabinet, that it is the intention of the Government to call for tenders for the construction of the line. I say that Senator Millen did wobble; and that if he were a man at all, after making such an emphatic statement as that which I have quoted, when his leader announced that the line would be handed over to contractors, his place was outside the Cabinet.

Senator Lt Colonel O’loghlin:

– I - I told the honorable senator last session that he was leaning on a rotten reed.

Senator NEEDHAM:

– It is proved now that the reed was a very rotten one, indeed. That is all I nave to say about the handing over of the transcontinental railway to contractors. It is quite evident from the cancellation of the sleeper contract with the Western Australian Government, and the intention of the Government to let the construction of the line to contractors, that they have been squeezed between the Timber Combine on the one hand, and the contractor on the other, and have had to yield in order to keep faith with their friends. I cannot leave this question without referring to the industrial dispute at present in existence at the western end of the line. I certainly regret the dispute, but it has been practically forced upon the men by the present Government. It might be well to briefly trace some of the events that have led up to the dispute. When the Fisher Government were in power, and some of the members were in Kalgoorlie at the turning of the first sod of the transcontinental railway at that end, I introduced to the then PostmasterGeneral and member for Kalgoorlie, Mr. Frazer, a deputation from the men setting forth certain claims for increased wages and better, conditions of labour. Mr. Frazer heard their representations, and submitted them to his colleagues. He came back again to. a meeting of the men, at which I was present, and intimated that certain concessions would be granted, such as free shovels, shade protection at meal times, payment for shifting camp, walking time going to or from the job, whichever the men chose, and one or two other concessions. As regarded the schedule of wages submitted, he explained that that would be considered later on. Before an opportunity could be given to fully consider the schedule of wages submitted by the men, the Fisher Ministry was displaced, and it devolved* upon the present Ministry to carry on negotiations. When, unfortunately, Mr. Frazer paid the debt of nature, I was asked by the men at Kalgoorlie to continue negotiations for the payment of wages at a certain scale from the depot at Kalgoorlie to the 60-mile peg, and from the 60-mile peg further on. I took up the negotiations, and wrote to Mr. Kelly. I sent him the schedule, and one or two other letters. Somewhere about last January, I got replies from the Department to the effect that Mr. Kelly would give the matter attention. On the 11th or 12th January, I got a telegram from Mr. Kelly saying that the men’s request could not be granted, and that he was writing. I awaited his letter, and that letter practically shut the door in the men’s faces. He would not negotiate any further. He said the men were getting the best wages, and were being supplied with goods at Kalgoorlie rates. I proved afterwards that that statement of Mr. Kelly’s was wrong, since at that time the men were being charged from 10 to 15 per cent., more for their goods along the line than the prices obtaining- in Kalgoorlie. Next day I wrote to Mr. Kelly, pointing out to him in all seriousness that he had taken up a .dangerous attitude, that these men had been waiting many weary months to get the question of wages and conditions settled ; and that if he now shut the door in their faces his action might be the means of bringing about industrial trouble. I asked Mr. Kelly, in view ofthese circumstances, to reopen the matter, and go into the whole question with representatives of the men. From that day to this, Mr. Kelly has not even acknowledged the letter. Here is a Minister of the Crown who complains about the men going out on strike, but who did not have even the common courtesy to acknowledge a letter from a senator of Western Australia appealing to him to reopen the matter with a view to preventing industrial strife. The men are out to-day asking for a minimum of 13s. 4d. per day, the wage which a contractor ort another portion of the job is paying, and the wage which has been paid on railway work in the north-west of Australia by other contractors. It is true that the Government ‘offered the men an increaseof something like lOd. per day.

Senator Henderson:

– On what?

Senator NEEDHAM:

– On the minimum of lis. 8d. per day. The Government have offered the men 12s. 6d. per day. I think it is time the Government considered the request made by the menwith a view to bringing about an amicable settlement of the difficulty. I think that reason can and should prevail in this matter. On the question of day labour *versu** contract labour, I propose to quote from a report by the Engineer-in-Chief of tha

Victorian Railways, which makes out a very clear case in favour of the day-labour system, and proves it to be cheaper, whilst it results in more enduring work than that which has been carried out by the contract system.

page 871

THE CASE FOR DAY LABOUR

Advantages of System in actual Practice on large Public Works.

Victoria

Report by **Mr. Rennick,** Engineer-in-Chief, Victorian Railways, dated 1901, states - {: type="1" start="1"} 0. Day labour saves in cost of construction by doing the work direct, without the intervention of the middleman, thus saving the use of his capital, his time, and his profit. 1. It saves waste or loss on plant beyond mere wear and tear. 2. It saves in cost of management and supervision. 3. It saves in cost of preparation of contract, specifications, plans, drawings, &c. 4. It savesextras and concessions invariably to be allowed under contract system. 5. It insures work of a desired or known quality without slumming or concealment of defects. The following is an example of extra claims by contractors : - In addition, the Department had to meet expenses of £30,000 in contesting the claims. *A few Comparisons.* In Queensland the maintenance for day labour lines was only half that for contract lines. In 1910, at Ballarat, telephone conduits were constructed by day labour for £800 less than lowest private tender - (Arbitration Court evidence, 1914). In 1913, for New South Wales public School buildings, day labour tenders in all cases were lower than those of private contractors ; day labour secured the contracts, and completed the works within its own price. In furtherance of my contention that day labour is cheaper and better than is the contract system I would invite attention to the fact that one of the greatest works of modern times has been carried out by day labour. I do not like to leave Australia to obtain examples, and particularly do I dislike having to go to America for them. But I am going to America for a good example, because it is the home of private enterprise-the country where the railways', tramways, telegraphs, telephones, and waterworks are all in the grip of private enterprise. In that country we find that the Panama Canal has been completed under the day-labour system. Anybody who knows anything about that Canal, and about the country through which it passes, will realize what a huge undertaking it was. De Lesseps failed in his attempt to construct it, and he was the archangel of private enterprise at that particular period. Eminent engineer though he was, he failed, and his failure was more colossal than was the undertaking itself. Corruption and bribery existed - any amount of it. As the result of De Lesseps failure, reputations were shattered, and some men were imprisoned. But the United States Government stepped in and Colonel Goethals has completed the work. The great success which has attended the attempt of the "United States Government to build this Canal under the day-labour system is due largely to the fact that they placed first and foremost considerations of health and sanitation. They took every precaution to safeguard the health of their employes. Under the management of De Lesseps the death rate reached the appalling rate of 240 per 1,000, but under the administration of Colonel Goethals it was reduced to 16 per 1,000 in this disease-ridden jungle - 25 per cent, less than is the mortality rate of a number of North American towns. Not only were the principal centres of activity carefully looked after, but the outlying native settlements were closely watched. Their water supply, their refuse and mosquitoes received vigorous attention. The United States Government went further and established hospitals in which every comfort was provided for the patients. The Government also erected comfortable houses, provided with lawns and plantations, and supplied them to the workmen rent free. That was not all. The Government established what were termed community stores where all the necessaries of life were sold at practically cost price, with the result that living to-day on the Isthmus of Panama is cheaper than it is in any other part of America. That is an example which might well be followed by my honorable friends opposite if they are sincere in their desire to prevent the gradual increase in the cost of living. The United States Government also erected bakeries and supplied loaves at 2d. each from one end of the job to the other. {: #subdebate-13-0-s0 .speaker-JXJ} ##### Senator NEEDHAM: -- They were 2-lb. loaves. The Government of the United States further erected an ice plant and became ice-cream vendors, supplying icecream to people all along the banks of the Canal. They also established a steam laundry. I recollect that when the Fisher Government proposed to establish a steam laundry in the Northern Territory, the present Minister of Defence and others , ridiculed the idea. It is worthy of remark, however, that the United States Government did not think it was beneath them to establish a steam laundry, not merely for their own employes, but for outsiders. They also became butchers. They erected butchers' shops, and supplied the people with meat. {: .speaker-JZC} ##### Senator Lt Colonel O'loghlin: -- H - Have they a Labour Government over there ? {: .speaker-JXJ} ##### Senator NEEDHAM: -- I do not know that there is any member of the United States Cabinet who professes Labour views. The Government of that country also supply talcum powders, bay rum, tooth powder, and flavouring essence. They ran a coffee mill, hotels, restaurants, and a newspaper. In short, they supplied everything that was necessary for the comfort of the workmen and their families. {: .speaker-KUL} ##### Senator Millen: -- Does the honorable senator advocate that this Government) should start hotels along the transcontinental railway? {: .speaker-JXJ} ##### Senator NEEDHAM: -- I do not. The Minister of Defence knows perfectly well that the Government have not power to do it. But they have power to establish restaurants and bakeries, to supply men with meat, and to see that the sanitary arrangements are good. {: .speaker-KUL} ##### Senator Millen: -- The Government have ample power to do it in the Northern Territory. Does the honorable senator suggest that the Government should establish hotels there? {: .speaker-JXJ} ##### Senator NEEDHAM: -- Ishall deal with the Northern Territory at the proper time. {: .speaker-K5R} ##### Senator Senior: -- The Minister of Defence is good at side-tracking. {: .speaker-JXJ} ##### Senator NEEDHAM: -- Yes. He is noted for that. {: .speaker-KUL} ##### Senator Millen: -- The Fisher Government started the construction of the Kalgoorlieto Port Augusta railway; why did they not do all these things ? {: .speaker-JXJ} ##### Senator NEEDHAM: -- That line was started in February, 1912, and in June of the following year they were relieved of their responsibilities. Up till that time the line had been constructed a distance of only about 25 miles from the points of civilization. Had the Fisher Government remained in power, I venture to say that the health and lives of the workmen on that line would have been better looked after than they have been. The United States Government, under the leadership of Colonel Goethals, have placed the world under a debt of gratitude because of the way in which they have constructed the Panama Canal. {: .speaker-JZC} ##### Senator Lt Colonel O'Loghlin: -- T - They have proved that white man can work in tropical regions. {: .speaker-JXJ} ##### Senator NEEDHAM: -- As my honorable friend reminds me, they have proved that white men can work in tropical regions provided that the Government will attend scientifically to their health. The Panama Canal, I am pleased to say, was completed for from £1,600,000 to £2,000,000 less than the original estimate. If such a huge undertaking, with all the great difficulties which it presented, can be successfully constructed under the daylabour system, how can it be urged that our transcontinental railway cannot be constructed under that system ? I say that it can be, and if at the next elections the present Ministry get what is due to them - if they are relieved of the responsibility of governing Australia - that line will be completed under the daylabour system. {: .speaker-K5R} ##### Senator Senior: -- If the present Government have not let contracts for its construction at 4s. 6d. per cubic yard. {: .speaker-JXJ} ##### Senator NEEDHAM: -- If they let contracts for the remainder of the line in the same way as they let the contract to **Mr. Teesdale** Smith, I would not like to hazard a guess as to what will be its total cost. There is just one other question to which I desire to refer, namely, the steady increase in the cost of living. When the Fisher Government were in office, my honorable friends opposite never omitted to impress on the public that the increase in the cost of living was due to the fact that a Labour Ministry . were guiding the destinies of the Common wealth. In Western Australia the same story is told. The people there are assured that it is because a Labour Government are in power in that State that the cost of living is so high. But I would point out that there is no Labour Government in power in the Commonwealth, and yet the cost of living is going up. {: .speaker-KUL} ##### Senator Millen: -- Does not the honorable senator think that the fact that a Labour Government was in power was a big contributing influence? {: .speaker-JXJ} ##### Senator NEEDHAM: -- I do not admit that. But if I did, surely the fact that a Fusion Government are in power ought to have an opposite effect. Yet what do we find ? We find that what we could purchase for £1 eighteen months ago, today costs a little more than 24s. What steps do the Government intend to take to combat this position ? They do not say in the Governor-General's Speech that they intend to introduce legislation to grapple with this growing evil, although . it is very important to the people. It is said that because wages are being increased the cost of living will go up, since the cost of industry must be passed on to the consumer. That is not a right thing to do. There is, or should be, a limit to all this kind of business What is the use of increasing the wages of the workers so that they may livelike human beings ought to live if all the increased wage is to be spent in meeting the increased cost of living? {: .speaker-JZM} ##### Senator Oakes: -How are you going to stop it? {: .speaker-JXJ} ##### Senator NEEDHAM: -- The only way to combat this growing evil is to give this Parliament the powers that we sought to give it by our referenda proposals. We can introduce legislation day after day, but it can have no effect until this Parliament is given full power over trade and commerce, and over trusts and combines. {: .speaker-JZM} ##### Senator Oakes: -- Does that mean to nationalize everything? {: .speaker-JXJ} ##### Senator NEEDHAM: -- No; that was one of the bogies the honorable senator used last year, but which has been blown to ribbons since. {: .speaker-JZM} ##### Senator Oakes: -- I used a great many, which were very useful. {: .speaker-JXJ} ##### Senator NEEDHAM: -- The honorable senator found them very useful to get him here on false pretences,but he will not be able to use them again. The taking over of trade and commerce by the National Parliament does not mean the nationalization of everything. No man in this party ever said so. That is only the interpretation placed upon our proposals by men like the honorable senator. {: .speaker-JZM} ##### Senator Oakes: -- It means the regulation of every pound of potatoes sold in Western Australia. {: .speaker-JXJ} ##### Senator NEEDHAM: -- It means nothing of the sort. That is only the honorable senator's ridiculous statement. Even **Mr. Irvine** has come to realize that it is necessary to alter the Constitution to give this Parliament more power over trade and commerce. {: .speaker-K5R} ##### Senator Senior: -- He says there is no half-way house. {: .speaker-JXJ} ##### Senator NEEDHAM: -- That is so, and I agree with him. The only way that we can save the public from the rapacity of trusts and combines, which are really at the bottom of the increase in the cost of living, is to clothe this Parliament with fuller powers. {: .speaker-JZM} ##### Senator Oakes: -- Do you say that the combines increase the cost of living? {: .speaker-JXJ} ##### Senator NEEDHAM: -- Not solely, but they are a very great factor in it. I do not care when the fight comes, so far as the present position in Federal politics is concerned, or whether the dissolution is a single or double one. Whether it means my own political annihilation or not, I still welcome the day when a Parliament will assemble within these walls with one party or the other at the head of it, and with a Government in power that can legislate directly for the benefit of the people. The sooner the people get the opportunity to remake this Parliament the better. When that day comes, I am confident that the Labour party, who were temporarily dispossessed on the last appeal to the people, will be again placed in power to guide the destinies of the Commonwealth. Debate (on motion by **Senator Henderson)** adjourned. {: .page-start } page 874 {:#debate-14} ### SPECIAL ADJOURNMENT {: #debate-14-s0 .speaker-KUL} ##### Senator MILLEN:
Minister of Defence · New South Wales · LP -- I move - >That the Senate, at its rising, adjourn till to-morrow at 4.30 p.m. I do so with the knowledge, shared by other senators, that it is proposed to entertain. Their Excellencies Lord and Lady Denman here to-morrow at lunch. This will be the last occasion on which it will be possible to entertain them publicly. It. has been suggested that to enable honorable senators to join in the farewell to Their Excellencies at the railway station, it would be convenient to make the hour of meeting to-morrow 8 p.m. In that matter I am in the hands of honorable senators, and if they wish it, I shall be quite agreeable to amend my own. motion accordingly. {: #debate-14-s1 .speaker-KTF} ##### Senator McGREGOR:
South Australia -- I second the motion. It would be wise to adjourn the Senate until 8 o'clock to-morrow, to enable those who wish to pay their latest respects to Their Excellencies at the railway station to do so. Question amended accordingly, and resolved in the affirmative. Senate adjourned at 9.4 p.m.

Cite as: Australia, Senate, Debates, 13 May 1914, viewed 22 October 2017, <http://historichansard.net/senate/1914/19140513_SENATE_5_73/>.

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Senate13 May 1914

QUESTION

DEFENCE DEPARTMENT

Senator BLAKEY:VICTORIA

Senator MILLEN:Minister for Defence · NEW SOUTH WALES · LP

Senator Findley:

Senator MILLEN:

Senator Findley:

Senator MILLEN:

Senator Lt Colonel O’LOGHLIN:

Senator MILLEN:

Senator RUSSELL:VICTORIA

Senator MILLEN:

Senator RAE:NEW SOUTH WALES

Senator MILLEN:

Senator RUSSELL:

Senator MILLEN:

Senator BLAKEY:

Senator MILLEN:

Senator PEARCE:WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Senator MILLEN:

Senator MILLEN:

Senator PEARCE:

Senator MILLEN:

Senator PEARCE:

Senator MILLEN:LP

Senator PEARCE:

Senator MILLEN:

Senator FINDLEY:

Senator Millen:

Senator FINDLEY:

The PRESIDENT:

Senator FINDLEY:

The PRESIDENT:

Senator FINDLEY:

Senator McCOLL:Vice-President of the Executive Council · VICTORIA · LP

Senator FINDLEY:

Senator Millen:

Senator FINDLEY:

Senator Pearce:

Senator FINDLEY:

Senator MILLEN:

Senator Findley:

Senator MILLEN:

Senator Findley:

Senator READY:TASMANIA

Senator Millen:

The PRESIDENT:

Senator READY:

Senator McCOLL:

QUESTION

INSTRUMENT FITTERS’ CASE

Senator RUSSELL:

Senator MILLEN:LP

QUESTION

KALGOORLIE TO PORT AUGUSTA RAILWAY

Senator PEARCE:

Senator McCOLL:LP

Senator NEWLANDS:SOUTH AUSTRALIA · ALP; NAT from 1917

Senator McCOLL:

Senator RAE:

Senator McCOLL:

Senator RAE:

Senator McCOLL:

QUESTION

MILITARY FORCES AND INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES

Senator RAE:

Senator MILLEN:LP

QUESTION

PRIVY COUNCIL’S JUDGMENTS

Senator READY:

Senator MILLEN:LP

QUESTION

DIRECTOR OF PHYSICAL TRAINING

Senator BARKER:VICTORIA

Senator MILLEN:LP

QUESTION

RAILWAY SLEEPERS

Senator READY:

Senator McCOLL:LP

Senate
13 May 1914

Senator BLAKEY:
VICTORIA

Senator MILLEN:
Minister for Defence · NEW SOUTH WALES · LP

Senator RUSSELL:
VICTORIA

Senator RAE:
NEW SOUTH WALES

Senator PEARCE:
WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Senator MILLEN:
LP

Senator McCOLL:
Vice-President of the Executive Council · VICTORIA · LP

Senator READY:
TASMANIA

Senator MILLEN:
LP

Senator McCOLL:
LP

Senator NEWLANDS:
SOUTH AUSTRALIA · ALP; NAT from 1917

Senator MILLEN:
LP

Senator MILLEN:
LP

Senator BARKER:
VICTORIA

Senator MILLEN:
LP

Senator McCOLL:
LP

Senator McDOUGALL:
for Senator Gardiner

Senator McCOLL:
LP

Senator LYNCH:
Western Australia

Senator O’KEEFE:
TASMANIA · ALP

Senator NEWLANDS:
SOUTH AUSTRALIA · ALP; NAT from 1917

Senator NEWLANDS:
SOUTH AUSTRALIA · ALP; NAT from 1917

Senator NEWLANDS:
SOUTH AUSTRALIA · ALP; NAT from 1917