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Senate
26 September 1945

17^th Parliament · 3^rd Session

CHARTER OF THE UNITED NATIONS BILL 1845
QUESTION
- AUSTRALIAN PRISONERS OF WAR
QUESTION
- INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES
QUESTION
- HOUSING
QUESTION
- FOOTWEAR
QUESTION
- SYDNEY DAILY TELEGRAPH
TASMANIAN MAILS
QUESTION
- NATURALIZATION
QUESTION
- SHALE OIL
QUESTION
- ARMED FORCES
QUESTION
- GALVANIZED IRON AND’ WIRE NETTING
QUESTION
- THEWAR
QUESTION
- FLAX
QUESTION
- BUTTER
QUESTION
- ESTIMATES AND BUDGET PAPERS 1945-46
ADJOURNMENT
- Vegetable Production: Compensation to . Growers
PAPERS

The President (Senator the Hon. Gordon Brown) took the chair at 3 p.m., and read prayers.

page 5864

CHARTER OF THE UNITED NATIONS BILL 1845

Assent reported.

GENERAL DOUGLAS MacARTHUR

The PRESIDENT:

– I desire to inform the Senate that I have received from the Prime Minister (Mr. Chifley) a letter conveying the following message from General Douglas MacArthur: -

Please convey to President of Australias Senate my respectful thanks and appreciation for resolution. It was a heartwarming actios for which I am deeply grateful.

page 5864

QUESTION

AUSTRALIAN PRISONERS OF WAR

Fats op Rabaul GARRISON

Senator BRAND:
VICTORIA

– I ask the Minister representing the Minister for the Army whether he can give an assurance that everything possible is being done to tram the’ whereabouts of 700 members of the 2/22nd Battalion Australian Imperial Force who left Rabaul in Jane, 194S, for a prisoner-of-war camp on Hainan Island off the coast of Indo-China?

Senator ASHLEY:
Minister for Supply and Shipping · NEW SOUTH WALES · ALP

– Yesterday the honorable member for Bendigo asked » similar question of the Minister for the Army,- and in reply the Minister made the following statement this moraine; -

The most urgent prisoner-of-war inquiry at the moment is to ascertain the whereabouts of men of the Rabaul garrison who were captured in early 1942. The anxiety of next of kin of members of these unite is fully realized and as some officers of the garrison have been recovered from various areas, it is desirable to make public the information obtained from them. This .indicates that between 700 and 1,000 Australian prisoners of war were evacuated from Rabaul by sea in about June, 1042, by the Japanese’ and it was rumoured that their destination was Hainan. Prior to this evacaution officers, ‘ nurses and female missionaries were separated by the Japanese from the troops and they were evacuated separately several’ days later to Japan. It has not been possible to trace the movement of the vessel carrying the troops after ite departure from Rabaul, and apprehension is felt that it failed to reach its destination. Urgent instructions have gone forward to advanced field formations to moke full inquiries from all possible sources and also to interrogate, when located, Japanese personnel named by recovered prisoners of war and suspected of being in possession of information concerning the fate of the Rabaul garrison. Interrogation of Japanese prisoners of war, camp commanders, guards and interpreters from Rabaul is also proceeding and it is hoped that this source may also divulge information as to the fate of the missing troopship. Any information gathered by forward units will be reported promptly direct to Land Forces Head-quarters in Melbourne, and as soonasI am in a position to do so, I will make a public announcement as to the result. AH definite information that is available to the present date has been advised to the next of kin, who will be informed from time to time as any further definite information comes to hand.

page 5865

QUESTION

INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES

Strike at Collie Coal-field - Watebfront Unrest: Indonesian Seamen - Deterioration of Foodstuffs.

Senator ALLAN MacDONALD:
WESTERN AUSTRALIA

– Can the Minister for Supply and Shipping give to the Senate the details of the settlement of the recent dispute on the Collie coal-field in Western Australia?

Senator ASHLEY:
ALP

– I have not the details of the settlement of that dispute. Last week the Premier of Western Australia, Mr. Wise, made representations to me on the matter, and as the result of consultations with the Coal Commissioner, Mr. Willis was sent to Western Australia. I understand that he arrived there on Monday evening last. As the result of his visit a settlement of the dispute was effected and work was resumed yesterday morning. So soon as I receive details of the settlement I shall supply the information to the honorable senator.

Senator FOLL:
QUEENSLAND

– Is the Minister for Supply and Shipping aware that because of the holdup on the waterfront at Sydney cargoes of foodstuffs are rotting in the holds of several ships, and that these foodstuffs are urgently required in South Pacific areas? Can the Minister say what steps are being taken by the Government to ensure, that cargoes will be unloaded in Australia, and cargoes consigned to destinations outside Australia will be loaded?

Senator ASHLEY:

– The ships to which the honorable senator refersare mainly ships controlled by the Netherlands authorities, and the trouble in which they are involved has arisen from certain developments which have occurred in Java. The crews of those ships have walked off the vessels and declared them “black”. In one instance, a vessel in

Melbourne was fully loaded by Australian wharf labourers, hut because of the refusal of the crew to man it, a new crew of lascars was recruited. I do not know whether that vessel has yet sailed from Melbourne. However, I had discussions to-day with the Netherlands authorities, and I anticipate that as the result of those discussions, no difficulty will be experienced in obtaining labour to load vessels provided they are “mercy” ships or ships whose cargoes do not include arms or munitions.

Senator LECKIE:
VICTORIA

– In view of the delicate state of international affairs at the moment, and the undesirability of Australia causing an incident with a friendly nation, can the Acting Leader of the Senate say that the Government’ will take all steps necessary to ensure that no complications shall occur in our friendly relations with the Netherlands East Indies? Does he not consider that in these matters the government of the day should rule and that no outside organization should be allowed to dictate Australia’s policy towards a friendly nation ?

Senator ASHLEY:

– I am not aware that the position is so serious as the Acting Leader of the Opposition implies. However, the Government has taken the necessary steps to ensure that the ships shall be loaded. At the same time, I, personally, am of opinion that no action should be taken which would have the effect of embroiling the whole of the waterfront of Australia in a dispute arising out of trouble which has occurred in another country.

Senator FOLL:

– Is the report correct that at least 50,000 bags of potatoes consigned to eastern States are now rotting in the holds of vessels in Sydney harbour because of the refusal of waterside workers to unload such vessels?’ What steps is the Government taking to ensure that these vessels, apart from the Netherlands ships already referred to, are unloaded expeditiously?

Senator ASHLEY:

– I am not aware that 50,000 bags of potatoes are awaiting discharge at Sydney wharfs. That may not be a fact, but I shall have inquiries made. Difficulty is now being experienced on the wharfs as the result of the introduction of the fork lift. Honorable senators on both sides of the chamber will agree that, when new machinery is installed, it invariably requires a certain amount of oiling and adjustment. Similar attention is also called for in respect of human factors. Owing to the introduction of this mechanized method of dealing with cargo, a divergence of opinion has arisen as to the number of men who should be employed in the gangs. The wharf authorities claim that seventeen nien are sufficient, but the wharf labourers, on the other hand, contend that 22 are required. Until these matters have been adjusted on a fair basis, there will necessarily be friction and some dislocation on the wharfs. I hope that the difficulty will be straightened out in the course of a few days. According to the latest information that I have received, it is hoped that a settlement will be reached to-morrow.

page 5866

QUESTION

HOUSING

Ex-servicemen’s Needs - A Acquisition of Property ot Servicemen.

Senator HERBERT HAYS:
TASMANIA

– In view of the present acute shortage of houses, I ask the Minister representing the Minister for Works and Housing what steps the ‘Government proposes to take, or has already taken, to expedite the building of homes for discharged servicemen? Has the Government made any arrangements for the immediate release from the services of men connected with the building industry and allied trades in order to relieve the shortage?

Senator ASHLEY:
ALP

– The shortage of homes and housing accommodation is not peculiar to Australia at present; this problem exists in all countries. However, steps are being taken by the Government to expedite the release from the services of men skilled in the building industry and associated industries. I am confident that the provision of housing for ex-service personnel will be adequately dealt with.

Senator BRAND:

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Works and Housing, upon notice -

Will the Minister confer with the AttorneyGeneral with the object of removing misunderstanding »nd confusion in the minds of the Victorian and New South Wales Housing Commissions in relation to regulation 15a of the

National Security (War Service Moratorium) Regulations designed for the protection of the property of servicemen whose building blocks of land have been compulsorily acquired, and for which low compensation has been in is about to be paid?

Senator COLLINGS:
Vice-President of the Executive Council · QUEENSLAND · ALP

– The Minister for Works and Housing has supplied the following answer: -

I am informed by the Housing Commissions of New South Wales and Victoria that no misunderstanding exists in their minda in relation to regulation 15a of the National Security (War Service Moratorium) Regulations.

This matter was discussed at the recent Premiers’ Conference and it was made plain that servicemen’s interests would be reasonably protected.

Both commissions are perfectly clear about the requirements of this regulation, which prohibits the use of a compulsory process in the acquisition of property owned by servicemen or their female dependants, unlessthe consent of the Attorney-General has first been obtained.

A great deal of misinformed criticism ha* appeared on this matter, but the commission!! have done their best in a difficult situation where some people, including servicemen, must be affected whatever action is taken. To carry out the large-scale house construction programme under the Commonwealth-State Housing Agreement, it is necessary for the various State housing authorities to acquire land by negotiation and if need be, by resumption, because they have to prepare plans for many months or even years ahead. Feature surveys have to bc made, sub-divisions redesigned, survey computations undertaken, and arrangements made for feeder and disposal mains for water, sewer, gas, electricity and stormwater, and the subsequent reticulation of the land in detail. Most of the land in the cities and large towns has been subdivided into allotments. In order that the State housing authorities can re-design and subdivide on a broad and far-sighted plan, entire control of the whole of the land in these areas is essential.

Consequently the States -made representations to the Commonwealth Government to be released from the provisions of regulation 15a on the ground that it would be impossible to make any concrete plans or to carry them out effectively unless they were relieved from the operation of this regulation.

Nevertheless, extreme care is taken to avoid prejudicing the rights of servicemen. Although it is usually impossible to know in advance if land to be acquired is owned by servicemen, both commissions make every effort to avoid compulsorily acquiring such land unless failure to do so would jeopardize the housing programme.

In Victoria, for instance, if land owned by a serviceman is situated in an area which is not to be re-subdivided, and the serviceman satisfies the commission that he intends to build a house on the land at the earliest opportunity, the commission will not compulsorily resume the laud. However, where it becomes vital to the success of a planning scheme that a block of land owned by a serviceman be acquired, the commission makes available another block, to be selected by the serviceman by way of exchange, with adjustments either way where the two blocks are of unequal value. If such an offer is not acceptable, the commission will give preference in the allocation of a house to be built by the commission, while in addition, a serviceman gets special .preference in the allocation of dwellings under the Commonwealth-State Housing Agreement.

Most servicemen who have come personally to this commission have been satisfied with their policy.

The law in both States provides for an appeal to a constituted authority if the compensation is considered inadequate. I am assured that all claims for compensation aru dealt with promptly. Compensation paid in nil eases is current market value, and there is no reason to say that the commissions are paying low compensation. In some cases the payment will be lower than the owner paid for the land, and in others higher; but it is clear that current value is the only fair basis for compensation.

page 5867

QUESTION

FOOTWEAR

Senator SHEEHAN:
VICTORIA

asked the Minister for Trade and Customs, upon notice -

What is the amount of duty, including ‘ the exchange rate, on boots and shoes imported from Great Britain and the United States?
What is the number of pairs of boots and shoes (a) imported, (6) produced in Australia during each year from 1935 to 1940, inclusive?

Senator KEANE:
Minister for Trade and Customs · through Senator Ashley · ALP

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

The rates of customs duty on imported boots and shoes ave as- follows: - Of United Kingdom origin: Customs duty, 25 per cent, ad valorem; primage duty, 5 per cent,, ad valorem; together with a special war duty of 10 per cent, of the total duty calculated at those rates. Of United States of America origin : Customs duty, 60 per cent, ad valorem ; primage duty 10 per cent, ad valorem: together with a special war duty of 10 per cent, of the total duty calculated at those rates. Exchange adjustment docs not operate unless the value of Australian currency appreciates from its present level in relation to sterling. The current rates of exchange are as follows: £stg.l equals £A.1.255 (telegraphic transfer rate) ; fA.l equals $U.S.3.I982 (telegraphic transfer rate). Value for duty of imported goods is expressed in sterling. 2. (a) The number of pairs of boots and shoes imported into Australia from all countries during each of the years from 1935 to 1940 was as follows: 1935-36, 63,668 pairs;

1936-37, 80,717: 1937-38, 154,179; 1938-39, 201,011; 1939-40, 135,475; 1940-41, 12,245.

The number of pairs of boots and shoes produced in Australia during each of the years from 1935 te 1940 was as follows: 1935-36, 14,714,123 pairs; 1936-37, 14,501,528; 1937-38, 14,116,890; 1938-39, 13,966,878; 1939.-40, 14,913,640; 1940-41, 15,199,118.

page 5867

QUESTION

SYDNEY DAILY TELEGRAPH

Reference to Parliament

Senator LAMP:
TASMANIA

– Have you, Mr. President, read an insulting article published in to-day’s Sydney Daily Telegraph which libels members of Parliament in general? If so, will you give consideration to the expulsion of the representatives of that newspaper from the Senate chamber?

The PRESIDENT (Senator the Hon. Gordon Brown) . - I have not seen the article to which the honorable senator refers, but I shall read it and acquaint the Senate of my considered opinion later.

page 5867

TASMANIAN MAILS

Senator CAMERON:
Postmaster-General · VICTORIA · ALP

– On the 12th September, Senator Herbert Hays referred to the delay which had occurred in the delivery at Burnie of mails brought to Devonport two days earlier by cargo vessel from Melbourne. I now inform the honorable senator that it has been ascertained that, although the vessel referred to reached Devonport on Sunday evening, unloading was not commenced until the following Tuesday morning and the mails were not discharged until 12 noon that day. The delay in unloading the mails is regrettable and an explanation is being sought from the shipping company concerned.

page 5867

QUESTION

NATURALIZATION

Senator FOLL:

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Immigration, upon notice -

Is it a fact that, on application for certificate of naturalization forms, the words dealing with “ an adequate knowledge of the English language “ have been struck out. If so, why?
Does this mean that there will be any relaxation with respect to what has always been regarded as a primary essential for naturalization, viz., “ an adequate knowledge of the English language”?

Senator COLLINGS:
ALP

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

The phrase was deleted only in respect of certificates of character required to be furnished by two householders.
Each applicant for naturalization is’ personally interrogated .by a police officer, or an officer of the Commonwealth Investigation Branch or other official, who after examination, reports whether or not the applicant has an adequate knowledge of English. Reliance has always been placed upon the official report for guidance as to whether an applicant for naturalization, has the knowledge of English required by the Nationality Act, and not on. the statement of friend’s who certified to his character. No purpose was, therefore, served by retaining the statement, in the certificates of character, and it was decided,, when the- forms were being reprinted, that it should be deleted. Every applicant for naturalization’, however, must still satisfy the Minister for Immigration that he has an adequate Knowledge of English before he can be granted a certificate of naturalization.

page 5868

QUESTION

SHALE OIL

Production at Glen Davis.

Senator BRAND:

asked the Minister for Supply and Shipping, upon notice- -

How- many of the retorts at Glen Davis, New South Wales,, still remain to be converted before the full annual production of 1.0,000,000 gallons of oil from shale can. be achieved?
At what date is full production now expected from the existing retorts? 3’. What stage has been, reached in the testing of the Renco retorts ?
Has. the scheme for adequate water supply, so essential for the successful operations at Glen Davis, been, completed, and’ at what cost?’

Senator ASHLEY:
ALP

– The replies to the honorable senator’s questions are as follows : -

Sixty-four of the retorts at Glen Davis still remain to be converted before the full anticipated annual production of 10,000,000 gallons of petrol per annum can be achieved. Major materials requirements for the conversion of these retorts are already available at Glen Davis.
It is estimated that full production at. the rate of approximately 10,000,000 gallons of petrol per annum, will he attained by the 31st March, 1940.
Owing to limited labour available, and the desirability of concentrating this labour on plant required to obtain maximum throughput at Glen Davis at the earliest possible date, it has not been possible to complete the pilot unit of the Renco retort. Construction work is, however, well advanced, but it is unlikely that the retort will be thoroughly tested until after the 31st March, 1946, that being the target date lor maximum throughput from the main, plant.
Due to man-power difficulties, completion of the Fish River water supply to serve Glen Davis has been delayed. It is expected that this supply will be available some time during November, but it is not anticipated that this delay in completion of the water supply scheme will retard the production programme to any appreciable extent, due to the fact that it is expected that the local supply of water from running stream will’ be sufficient to meet main requirements until November. As the scheme is not complete final costs have not yet been established.

page 5868

QUESTION

ARMED FORCES

Compulsory Enlistment

Senator FOLL:

asked the Minister representing the Minister for the Army, upon notice -

Are any personnel being, compulsorily called up for military service at the present time ?.
If so, will the Minister give particulars and reasons for such action?

Senator ASHLEY:
ALP

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

No.
See answer to 1.

page 5868

QUESTION

GALVANIZED IRON AND’ WIRE NETTING

Senator HERBERT HAYS:

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Munitions, upon notice -

Is the Minister in a position’ to say when the restrictions on the use of galvanized’ iron, and wire netting will be lif ted ? .
When will increased quantities be’ available to the public?

Senator ASHLEY:
ALP

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

The control of building and fencing materials will be necessary in some form until production can be- increased by providing- the additional man-power required by- the companies concerned. Action is in process at present to transfer the distribution of these materials to the State- governments, and the nature of the control which will operate after the transfer is complete will be a matter for the respective governments.
The position should improve fairly rapidly with the supply of suitable man-power from the services. But there will be a big demand for galvanized iron and wire products in connexion with the housing, public works and food schemes, and it cannot be stated a.t present when - control can be completely relaxed.

page 5869

QUESTION

THEWAR

Cessation of Hostilities

Senator COLLETT:
WESTERN AUSTRALIA

asked the Minis ter representing the Prime Minister, upon notice -

In view of the complete and final victory gained over aggressors by the United Nations, is it the intention of the Government, in partial commemoration of the event, to invite to the capital city of the Commonwealth at an early date representatives of the Australian fighting forces in order to convey to them personally, and in a manner in keeping with agreat national occasion, some expression of the deep appreciation and gratitude’ of the Parliament- and the people for their skill, endurance, valour and achievements? 2.If the Government has such an intention, will it ensure that each of the three services is appropriately and proportionately represented in respect to (a) commands, (b) staffs, (c) other commissioned and non-commissioned ranks?

Senator ASHLEY:
ALP

– The Prime Minister has supplied the following answer: -

and 2. On the first day of the sitting of the House of Representatives, viz., Wednesday, the 29th August, 1945, and of the Senate, viz., the 12th September, 1045, following the cessation of hostilities in the Pacific, votes of thanks to the fighting services and others were passed by the two Houses respectively. The terms of the resolutions are set out in the appropriate issue of the votes and proceedings of the House of Representatives rind of the journals of the Senate respectively. In accordance with the order of the two Houses the respective resolutions were duly communicated to the personnel mentioned therein through the various Ministers of State. In view of the action already taken, it is not proposed to adopt the procedure referred to by the honorable senator.

page 5869

QUESTION

FLAX

Senator JAMES McLACHLAN:
SOUTH AUSTRALIA · UAP

asked the Minister for Supply and Shipping, upon notice -

What is the total quantity of flax seed imported by Australia?
What is the cost a ton?
What is the total area of flax crop refused by flax mills?
What isthe total cost to Australia at the fixed price of £1 an acre?

Senator ASHLEY:
ALP

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

and 2. The following quantities’ of flax seed forthe sowing of flax for fibre purposes were imported by the Commonwealth at the prices indicated : - 1940-400tons at £A50 per ton f.o.b. England. 1941 - 300 tons at £A40 per ton f.o.b New Zealand. 1945-200 tons at £A35 per ton f.o.b. New Zealand.
Details of the areas involved in crop failures during Commonwealth control are as follows: -

Which represents a total area of 75,500 acres. The above acreages include substantial areas which either failed completely shortly after sowing or were destroyed by caterpillars approaching harvest time.

Payments to 30th June, 1045, of disposal fees at the rate of £1 per acre in respect of crop failures amounted to £47,078.

page 5869

QUESTION

BUTTER

Senator COOPER:
QUEENSLAND

asked the Minister representing the Acting Minister for Commerce and Agriculture, upon notice -

Is it a fact that butter productionin Australia for the twelve months ended 30th June,1945, was 13,670 tons less than the previous year?
If so, will the Minister inform the Senate what steps are being taken to ensure that men are speedily released from the services to return to this important industry?

Senator ASHLEY:
ALP

– The Acting Minister for Commerce and Agriculture has supplied the following answers -

Factory butter production 1943-44, 150,645 tons; 1944-45 (subject to revision) 137,332 tons: decline 13,313 tons.
Arrangements have been made to givea high priority to the labour requirements of the dairying industry. Special industrial releases from the Army will operate for assisting in the harvest of hay and fodder which is of vital importance tothe dairying industry.

page 5869

QUESTION

ESTIMATES AND BUDGET PAPERS 1945-46

Debate resumed from the 21st September (vide page 5774), on motion by Senator Keane -

That the following papers be printed: -

Estimates of Receipts and Expenditure, and Estimates’ of Expenditure for Additions, New Works, Buildings, &c, for the year ending the 30th June, 1946.

The Budget 1945-46 - Papers presented by the Right Honorable J. B. Chifley, M.P., on the occasion of the budget of 1945-46.

Senator CLOTHIER:
Western Australia

– Once again we have a colossal’ budget before us, but as the proposed expenditure will be in the hands of a capable Treasurer I am not afraid of the result. In planning for the future it is impossible to foresee all that will happen and consequently the Treasurer (Mr. Chifley) must have money available to meet our heavy post-war expenditure and emergencies, such as damage caused by floods and bush fires. The war expenditure of the Commonwealth has reached the colossal total of £2,111,000,000. Unfortunately, that does not represent the cost of the war to the people of Australia, for, in addition, we must have in mind the great loss of life that has occurred. Australia’s casualties in the war total 92,211, including 21,415 killed. It is interesting to note how the expenditure of the Commonwealth has risen during recent years. I well remember when for the first time a budget in excess of £100,000,000 was presented to the Parliament. In 1939-40 a total expenditure of £129,000,000 was budgeted for. In the following year £255,000,000 was provided, for 1941-42 the amount was £421,000,000, for 1942-43 it was £670,000,000, and for 1943-44 the Parliament authorized the expenditure of £6S 6,000,000. Last year the Treasurer submitted a budget totalling £609,000,000 and for the current financial year the Parliament is asked to authorize the expenditure of nearly £493,000,000. Before the present Labour Government came into office, £225,000,000 had been expended for war purposes and had a United Australia party government remained in office it would have been obliged to raise as much as the present Treasurer has budgeted for. Since Labour has been in office £1,185,000,000 has been raised. That is not a bad record for a little over 7,000,000 people. Now that the war has ended, we must do something for the young men and young women who helped to win it. In referring to those to whom we are indebted for a magnificent war effort I include the late Prime Minister, Mr. Curtin, and General MacArthur. We do not know what burdens they had to bear. Recently, General MacArthur has been criticized for his “soft” treatment of the Japanese. Senator Foll adopted o, right attitude when he said that he intended to remain silent on that sub- ject until after all prisoners of war had been liberated. Were General MacArthur to act unwisely, I would not hold out much hope for prisoners still remaining in Japanese hands. I am convinced that when all Allied persons still under Japanese control have been liberated, General MacArthur will adopt a firmer attitude. I have sufficient confidence in him to leave the matter to him.

The Treasurer has announced the Government’s decision to reduce taxation by 12£ per cent, and also that sales tax will be removed or reduced on a number of commodities, including building materials. That is a start m the right direction. The Treasurer has done a good job. In his budget speech he said -

It is my privilege, after six years of war during which the very existence of Australia was threatened, to bring down the present budget covering the transition from war to peace.

When hostilities ceased, our first thoughts were for our prisoners of war and every effort was made in Europe, and is being made in the Pacific, to provide for their speedy repatriation.

Our second thoughts were for those on active service. About 450,000 Australians went overseas and more than 240,000 are still there. The responsibility of the Government for the speedy repatriation and rehabilitation of members of the forces will be faithfully met.

At home we have the job of converting our economy to peace-time purposes. This will take time.

It is true that many people expected greater relief from the burden of taxation, but I believe that the Treasurer is acting wisely. Greater reductions may be possible after he has seen the trend of expenditure later in the year.

As a great believer in the principle of superannuation, I am of the opinion that the means test should be abolished. When a man pays into a superannuation fund he does so in order to receive a pension when he reaches the retiring age. He is, however, at a disadvantage compared with others who have made no provision for the future and yet are paid a full pension on attaining the age of 65 years. I have in mind two men in Western Australia, one of whom saved his money and contributed to a superannuation fund. The other man who lived three or four doors from my place did not save a penny in his life. He lived as he thought he should live, and then drew a full pension. That is unfair. Some consideration should he given to thrifty individuals who do their best in their younger years to make provision for their old-age.

An anomaly exists in our pensions legislation in respect of invalid children. I know of one family in Canberra in which there is an invalid child thirteen or fourteen years of age, who was born a cripple. The mother has to look after that child for all time and the father is on the basic wage. That child is not entitled to receive an invalid pension until it reaches the age of sixteen years. If a pension were payable now, the mother would be able to pay some one to look after the child at least for a couple of days a week to give her some relief. Various doctors in Canberra have approached this Gove ram ent and its predecessors in an endeavour to secure a. pension for the child, but without success. I urge that the payment of a pension to invalid children under sixteen years of age be considered.

I compliment the Minister for Information (Mr. Calwell) on the efforts he is making to advertise Australia overseas. Australian representatives overseas who are charged with the responsibility of publicising this country, should have adequate funds for this work. Films provide an excellent medium for advertising the attractions of this country. On Monday night at the Hotel Kurrajong a film on Australia, particularly Canberra, was shown by the Minister for Air (Mr. Drakeford). I have yet to see a better publicity film. Everybody admired it and I suggest that, it be shown all over the Commonwealth.

Much has been said in this chamber and the House of Representatives abouthousing. There has been a scarcity of homes in this country for as long as I can remember. Even when adequate supplies of building materials were available, our housing was inadequate. I deplore the attempt to solve the housing problem by the erection of large blocks of flat3, which I consider to be the shims of the future. I notice that even in Canberra flats have been erected. In this city the housing problem is acute. Even when building materials were available the anti-Labour administrations then in office did not make any real attempt to alleviate the position. To-day the shortage in Canberra totals 300 or 400 homes. Houses that are being built throughout the Commonwealth to-day for working men are far too costly. No working man should have to pay more than three times his annual salary for a house, and it should be purchaseable at that figure by the payment of one day’s wages weekly. It is no use building houses for workmen if the occupants have to spend their lives paying them off. I believe also that legislation could bo passed to prevent the erection of homes on small blocks of land. There is plenty of land in this country, and there is no reason why every house should not have a reasonable area. In Western Australia, where suitable land is almost unlimited, homes are still being built on blocks with 33-ft. and 40-ft. frontages. That is not right.

Recently the Acting Leader of the Opposition (Senator Leckie) criticized (he increase of £100,000 in the vote for the Prices Commission. I wish it were £200,000. I was associated with the rehabilitation and re-establishment of ex-servicemen after the last war, and I should not like to see a repetition of what happened then. Those men returned with large sums of money in deferred pay and war gratuities, and they immediately became the victims of snide business men who made fortunes. The activities of the Prices Commissioner should be extended to prevent recurrence of that state of affairs. The price of home fittings at present, is far too high. For instance, baths which before the war cost £3 10s., ave now £9, and bath heaters which were £4 ,are now £11. The Government should exercise control over the manufacture and sale of these fittings, or if necessary, undertake their manufacture so that they can be sold at reasonable prices. In this regard, the less populous States ‘are at a considerable disadvantage, because most house fittings are manufactured in Sydney and Melbourne. Those goods have to be transported to Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania, and their retail price is very high. Unless an adequate check is imposed upon the manufacture and sale of house components and fittings it will not. be possible for workers to obtain homes at a reasonable figure. I suggest’ also the introduction of a system of housing loans under which the capital cost would be reduced by say ‘£25 upon the birth of the first child, £50 for the second child, £75 for the third, £100 for the fourth and so on. Such schemes have been implemented successfully overseas, and I see no reason why they would not be successful here. This country needs population, and that would be one method of encouraging an increase of the birth-rate. After the last war many returned soldiers paid £50 or £75 deposit on homes, but when the depression came, owing to the slump in housing values, most of them lost their equity. That must not occur again.

Recently, I asked the PostmasterGeneral (Senator Cameron) a question with reference to the establishment of a post office at Inglewood, Western Australia. Prior to the war, Senator Collett and I worked in conjunction on this matter and the proposal actually reached the stage of preparing pLans and specifications. Unfortunately, the outbreak of war caused the temporary abandonment of the work. The office, for which i site has been chosen, would serve an area in which there are 12,000 or 14,000 and would provide an urgently required service.

The need for the standardization of our railway gauges cannot be overemphasized. The journey from Perth to Canberra involves six changes of trains. That is beyond all reason. I give credit to the Minister for Transport (Mr. Ward) for going so far as he has gone in an endeavour to secure the cooperation of the States in this work. It is true that air travel is preferred by many people, but others find that they cannot travel by air. Unfortunately, I am one of those, with the result that I have to make the long tedious journey bv train, involving as I have said six changes.

I support the people of Canberra in their claim for a representative in this Parliament. I have always known that Canberra residents did not have a vote at general elections, but I did not know until comparatively recently that they did not have a vote at the recent referendum, and I hope that it will not be long before they have a representative in this Parliament.

After the last war, there was a considerable body of public opinion in favour of’ the wiping out of all international debts. The time for such action is even more opportune now. Why not wipe out all debts, and let each country meet its own internal financial obligations? Also, I have yet to learn why 5s. in this country should not be worth 5s. in Great Britain or anywhere else. I strongly favour the elimination of exchange rates. Senator Aylett has mentioned the danger of atomic bombing in the future. We might just as well be the victims of an atomic bomb as continue with our present system. I am satisfied with the present system of control of the wheat and wool industries. We have a Commonwealth Wool Realization Commission and an Australian Wheat Board which, in conjunction with the Government, are doing valuable work. If they fail to continue to serve the best interests of the producers and the nation as a whole, we can disband them and form other organizations to do their job.

I am a strong supporter of the Minister for External Territories (Mr. Ward), who has taken a keen interest in the welfare of the natives of Australiancontrolled territories. He visited New Guinea and saw the work that the native population was doing to assist our fighting services. He saw evidence of the bad treatment of the natives in previous years, and I myself have obtained corroborative evidence from missionaries who worked in that area for many years. The Minister for External Territories is taking action to give a fair deal to the natives, and I am sure that, if he works in conjunction with missionaries of all denominations, he will be eminently successful. We have seen evidence in pictures published in the newspapers and in the newsreels of the magnificent work done by New Guinea natives for our armed forces. They carried large quantities of equipment and food through the jungle, and brought out many wounded men. Hundreds of lives were saved as the result of their untiring efforts. In gratitude to thom, we should ensure that they arc gwen better treatment than was accorded to .them before the war.

I hope that the Government will help and encourage ex-servicemen to take up farming. One means of doing so would be to grant concessions to them in respect of improvements effected to properties on which they are settled under the Governmentcontrolled scheme. The land for this scheme should be carefully selected by men who have experience of primary production. After the war of 1914-18, settlements were often established in areas where it would scarcely be possible to grow a turnip. . From my knowledge of soldier settlements in “Western Australia, I know that the land selected was frequently sandy and unproductive. The ex-soldiers who settled there were faced with ruin from the start. Of course, the Government has benefited from the mistakes of its predecessors, and I am satisfied that only good land will be offered to our ex-servicemen. The size of the blocks allotted will be of great importance. In my view, an area of 1,500 acres would be appropriate for one man. A smaller area would not allow a settler to operate profitably and at the same time enjoy living conditions comparable with those of residents of metropolitan areas. The Government should also help ex-service settlers by giving them all possible technical assistance. Ex-soldier3 who went on the land after the war of 1914-18 received no such assistance, and many of them came to grief as a result. We have agricultural colleges in many parts of Australia to-day where prospective settlers could be given adequate basic training. Such assistance is of particular importance to prospective dairy-farmers. Western Australia, possesses some of the finest agricultural land in the country. I have in mind the south-western portion of the State, which is very rarely stricken by droughts. It is eminently suitable for the production of fruit, fat lambs and beef. It should be a national responsibility to allot that land to ex-service settlers. Far too much property is held in large blocks ‘by companies and private individuals seeking to profit from the labour of individual farmers. I know an area in Western Australia of 20,000 or 30,000 acres, which is held by a group of com panies and -private individuals. It should be sub-divided into blocks of 2,000 or 3,000 acres on which ex-servicemen could raise sheep. It has adequate water supplies, and its development would be of advantage to the nation as a whole. The Crown Lands Department in Western Australia also holds large areas of unused land in a healthy climate which ought to be developed for primary production.

A great deal has been said about a new order in the post-war world. The main objectives of this new order should be full employment and improved social conditions for everybody. I commend those objectives to the Government and recommend that it pursue them to the exclusion of less important details. I now pay tribute to Australian women, who have done magnificent work in the auxiliary services and in war-time industries. They have been no less successful than our fighting men in their war-time occupations, and their efforts are beyond all praise. We must never forget, the Australian nurses who faced captivity rather than desert our wounded men. I have the greatest admiration for them and for their sisters who went overseas with our sailors, soldiers and airmen. Before the war, I would not have thought our young women capable of the magnificent service which they have rendered in many avenues of employment. No reward can be too good for these women. I was distressed when I read a passage in the Canberra Times of the 22nd September setting out the Government’s allocation of funds for the continuation of its shipbuilding programme. The article stated that, ‘in addition to £7,428,000 which had been expended on the construction of standard ships since 1940, a further £3,000,000 was to be expended in 1945-46 as follows: - Queensland, £600,000; New South Wales, £780,000; Victoria, £700,000; South Australia, £700,000; Tasmania, £22,000: the- United Kingdom, £215,000; and the United States of America, £3,000. Is there no such place as Western Australia? What have we done-

Senator Lamp:

– Nothing!

Senator CLOTHIER:

– It seems that that is to be the case in future. I brought this matter to the notice of the appropriate Minister and said that some of the expenditure allocated to the eastern States should be diverted to Western Australian industries. I am pleased that Tasmania is to receive a little of the money allocated, but it is disgraceful that Western Australia should be completely overlooked. The Government has as much responsibility to Western Australia as to any other State.

I refer now to the citizens’ responsibility towards ex-servicemen, lt is not always the duty of the Government to safeguard the welfare of our returning fighting men. Industrialists and local government bodies are competing for the services of these men now, and I hope that, in the years to come, they will not forget the debt which they owe to them. We must endeavour to cultivate a spirit of tolerance and understanding toward.? ex-servicemen. We must appreciate that they are returning to strange and unfamiliar ways of life after years of danger, discipline, and privation. They were trained to kill or be killed. -Their lives have been at the opposite pole to that of normal peace-time living. We must be patient with them and realize that they saved Australia. Millions of men and women have striven for a new world, and hundreds of thousands have given their lives in doing so. We must not dishonour the promises which we gave to them before they left to face the enemy. The Commonwealth, the States, and local government bodies should play their part in guaranteeing a prosperous and happy future for these men and women who saved us from a cruel enemy.

Senator GIBSON:
Victoria

.- I shall not examine the financial proposals of the Government in detail, but I shall refer to some matters that affectprimary production. Senator Clothier skimmed over the subject of primary production as a swallow skims over a pool. He touched the subject at one or two points but said practically nothing of consequence about it. I am very alarmed at the position of primary industries at the present time. With regard to the budget generally, I am disappointed that the reduction of taxation for the current year represents only 6^- per cent. Most people to-day are working three days for the

Government and three days for themselves, and, on the seventh day, they have time to brood over the three days in which they work for the Government. The Government could have reduced ite estimated expenditure for the present year by more than £100,000,000 without affecting the position of Australia in the slightest. I visited a factory a week ago and was amazed to see a number of men making machinery for war purposes. I asked the foreman what was to be done with the machinery. He told me that it was destined for New Guinea, and when 1 asked him if it would ever be used, he said, “ No, it will go straight to the Commonwealth Disposals Commission and be sold “. I have no doubt that thousands of factories are engaged in the same sort of wasteful production.

Senator Collings:

– Does the honorable senator believe that?

Senator GIBSON:

– I saw it happening with my own eyes.

Senator Collings:

– No such thing is happening.

Senator GIBSON:

– It has happened, and it is still happening.’ The Government should have approached firms engaged on war contracts and told them that, as their products would be of no further use for war purposes, their contracts would be cancelled and they would be compensated. It is wrong that such work should be continued. Scores of men engaged on such work could be diverted immediately to peace-time work in order to produce commodities which are badly needed in the community. I hope that the Government will closely investigate this position.

I am sorry for men who propose to settle on the land while taxes are at their present high levels. From my knowledge of existing conditions, I know that any farmer with a mortgage. on his property has not the slightest chance of paying it, off. The present position of primary production generally, is reflected in two items in the budget speech. The first is the provision of £12,500,000 to stabilize prices of goods to consumers. Can any honorable senator say that prices of goods have been stabilized to the consumers? No. Prices generally have risen by leaps and bounds. For instance, we are now being charged ls. per lb. for apples; and the position is much the same in respect of all essential goods. The second item to which I refer, reveals that primary production in Australia is subsidized to (he amount of £30,000,000 annually If the dairying industry must be subsidized tr> an amount of nearly £6,000,000 a year, there must be something radically wrong with the industry. The present price of ls. 7-Jd. a lb. for butter is farcical. The price should be at least 2s. a lb.; ;ind until it is fixed at that figure the dairy-farmer will not be able to earn the basic wage. I defy any one to prove that the dairy-farmer to-day is receiving the basic wage. Those two items reflect the serious position in primary production at present.

In view of the facts I have just given I greatly deplore the prospect that 54,000 new settlers will shortly apply for land, f take that estimate from the report of the Rural Reconstruction Commission which in its second report states -

The estimation of the actual number of men from the fighting forces who will want to go on the land is a most difficult matter. The (“Commonwealth understands that, roughly 80,000 of the men leaving the land went into the forces, and about 50,000 went into munitions . . . The commission has no adequate data for an estima.te, but the proportion nf the first Australian Imperial Force which went on the land was about 0 per cent, and, if we are to expect that a similar percentage of the services has the same desire after this war, the number for consideration for land settlement will be of the order of 54,000.

The position is aggravated by the fact that the Government has done absolutely nothing up to date with respect to soldier land settlement. It has not yet passed the requisite legislation to enable the States to purchase land for soldier settlement. The Commonwealth, of course, will finance the scheme. That is only to be expected because under uniform taxation the States are excluded from the income tax field. In any case, no State can resume land for soldier land settlement until the Commonwealth Government passes the necessary legislation. Consequently, although several estates may have been selected for this purpose, not one estate has actually been purchased. Scores of men living in the district in which I reside have been advised that their properties are to be taken over, but not one of those properties Iia.’ actually been taken over. Victoria has passed its legislation, but is still waiting for the Commonwealth to pass the necessary supplementary legislation to implement the agreement with the States in this matter. Surely the Government must recognize that the present occupants of land which it is proposed to resume cannot be moved ofl their properties within a few months. In the case of properties of areas up to 10,000 acres, occupants will require months in order to dispose of their stock and months will be involved in subdividing the land after it is resumed. In addition, the Commonwealth is duplicating the system, of land settlement, because it stipulates under its arrangement with the States that it must ‘first approve of estates before they can bo purchased. Surely, the States have trained men who are capable of doing this work. The crux of the problem of soldier land settlement is the provision of payable markets. We have now reached saturation point in the marketing of all commodities which we do not export. I challenge any honorable senator to name one of these commodities which does not come into that category. Provision has been made for the payment of £2,500,000 for waste potatoes; and potatoes are a perishable commodity. The same observation applies to other commodities. I repeat that the crux of the problem is marketing. This is what the Rural Reconstruction Commission, which wa3 appointed by this Government, says on this matter, in its third report -

Unfortunately, our people too frequently have short memories or else too frequently think in terms of the present generation oi present desires. If we tura back to the immediate pre-war years we can find little reason for optimism as to the prospects of further settlement promotion. The productive capacity of existing settlement had already outstripped requirements at payable prices.;

What hope will the settler have in the future if he has not a payable market for his products? I should like to know what the Government has done, or is doing, to find, markets. It has not made the semblance of an effort in that direction. The Rural Reconstruction Commission points out that we can see daylight in respect of only two commodities, namely, wool and mutton. That statement is in accordance with facts. Later, I shall deal fully with the position of the wool industry; but for” many years the price of wool was just a fraction over 8i: per lb., and no one could possibly afford to grow wool at that price. The present price is 151/2d. per lb. Just prior to1 the war we had reached saturation point On the British market in the supply of fat lambs. Had we had a few hundred thousand more’ lambs for export at that time, Britain would not have been able to take’ them from- us, and no other market exists overseas for our fat Iambs. In these circumstances’ we cannot go on increasing our fat lamb production. If 04,000 additional men are settled on the land, not only will they fail, but those already on the land will also fail if markets are not available. I urge the Government tff make a realistic approach to these problems. It is clear, as I have said on previous occasions, that the point has been reached in the sugar industry where if a grower produces more sugar he will receive less money, for the simple reason that the local consumer is charged’ 4d-. or 41/2d a lb. for sugar and all’ production in excess of requirements for the home market is sold abroad at 2d. a lb. The same observation applies to butter and dried’ fruits, and’ all those commodities which we now’ produce in excess of the requirement’s of our home market. If we store millions of acre feet of water and extend our present irrigation schemes in order to increase our production of primary commodities, which must be exported because the needs of the homemarket are already fully met, the prices which we shall receive for that excess’ production must’ inevitably decrease. The’ Rural Industries ‘Commission in its. third’ report also states -

The way of development iS’ not through thepromotion of land settlement for agriculture or, as we refer t’o i’t in » preceding chapter “by blind pursuit of a policy, of colonization by land settlement’”, with its attendant dis1 illusionment when prices collapse through lack’ of markets. The proper way is through thepromotion of those things which give rise to increased requirements, e.g., greater population …

Until’ we increase our population, it is useless to increase our primary productions, because it will’ be uneconomic to do so. After the war of 1914-18, farms were purchased on a 30-cow basis for dairying. It is impossible for any farmer to work oil that basis. The basis should be at least 50 cows. A dairy-farmer must have at least seventeen cows milked a day in order to be able to pay the Wage of £5 ls. a week prescribed under the rural workers award. Thus, the farmer himself does not receive the basie wage on a 30-cow basis. I have always advocated that’ the best basis of successful land settlement is the 1,000 sheep proposition. Such a’ proposition will return £1,000 a’ year gross, but a careful and efficient manager can frequently net £1,000 a year on that basis. However, we never cease to hear the argument that ex-service personnel’ must be settled on small areas. The Wool’ cheque received by owners of a 10,000- s’heep property near my property amounts- to £10,000 annually, but that property has been rejected as unsuitable for soldier land settlement. Almost any land in Australia is suitable’ for closer settlement provided that it is subdivided on the basis’ of 1.000-sheer properties. The” property to which I have referred could have been sub-divided’ into, ten properties from each of which the settler would have earned £1,000 a year gross without the necessity of ‘looking for new markets for wool or mutton. Possibly, on such a basis the area of one man’s property would be 500 acres- and that df another man 3,000: Acres. The important point’ is that each property would be a 1,000-sheep1 proposition.

Senator Large:

-Why was that property rejected for soldier settlement? “.Senator GIBSON.- That is what I should like to know. The fact is that it was” rejected along with an adjoining property which is a still better proposition.

Senator Nash:

– I Suppose that the price asked for it was tod high.

Senator GIBSON:

– No; the value of that land would be’ about £6 10s. an acre, and the owners, who are absentees, wanted to sell’. Possibly, it was rejected because the officials who inspected it were incompetent. When 1 see estates of that kind being rejected I cannot be optimistic about the Government’s plans for soldier land settlement. The Commonwealth stipulates that every estate proposed to be resumed by a State for this purpose must be approved by it; it must approve the valuation and size of each block. Surely, the States’ officers are capable of handling such matters because they have been doing so over a very long period, and are more familiar with local conditions and values than Commonwealth officials. No settler should be called upon during the first five years to pay interest or repayments of principal. If those payments were cancelled or deferred, the settler would then have five years in which to erect fences and farm buildings, purchase stock and make necessary preparations for the carrying on of his property, but it would be fatal to require him to make payments in respect of principal and interest for the first year.

Senator Finlay:

– He would still have to find a market for his produce.

Senator GIBSON:

– Markets are already available for wool and mutton.

Senator Finlay:

– “We still have the wool clip of the last two years to dispose of.

Senator GIBSON:

– I shall deal with that point later. Owing to the high taxes now operating, the settler would have great difficulty in getting a start on a mew property, and every consideration should be shown to him for the first five years.

The dairying industry should be completely mechanized. After the first world war, when ex-servicemen took up land for dairying, the price of butter was 2s. 6d. per lb., but to-day it is only ls. 7d. per lb. A dairy farm with 50 cows could he operated by two men, if the farm were completely mechanized. In New South Wales, dairy cows give 114 gallons of milk annually less than is obtained from cows in Victoria. In other words, two cows in Victoria are better than three in New South Wales. Dairying should not he regarded as a family occupation. Children should not be treated1 as slaves to ‘ their parents and be called upon to’ milk four- or five cows’ every morning before they leave for school’. We do- not’ desire to build up a peasant class in Australia. People- working on the land should’ have all the amenities that can’ he given- to them. A dairyman is’ entitled to a hot water service, sewerage, electric light and all the other comforts that help to make a good home.

– That is quite wrong. I am in favour of the Empire wool agreement, because the producers have accepted it, but it does not fix a permanent price for wool. The price is ls. 3£d. for this year, but the price will be revised from year to year. II wool is not selling freely at auction, a considerable reduction of the price will probably occur. The Government has already purchased back 5,000,000 bales out of the 10,000,000 bales which is stacked in the stores. Wool to the amount of 5,500,000 bales is stored in Australia, and the balance is held in South Africa, United States of America, Great Britain and New Zealand, but further clips are still coming to hand. It was said by officials who went abroad that thirteen years would be occupied in clearing the accumulated stocks, but I do not hold that view. When Bawra was established, it put 2,000,000 bales on the market, but it did not sell a single bale. It simply took over the surplus of 2,000,000 bales and fed the market with it for two and a half years. In 1920-21 the price was 113/4d per lb., and in the next year when Bawra started to feed the surplus to the market the price was 121/2d per lb. In 1922-23, the price rose to ls. ‘6£d. per lb., and in 1923-24 it averaged ls. 11.7d. per lb. I believe that the top price of 2s. 3d. per lb., reached in 1&24 constituted a world’s record, and that was the year when Bawra ceased to operate. There was then a tremendous demand for wool, and I am convinced that in the post-war period millions of people will require woollen clothing.

In my opinion, the period needed for the sale of the accumulated stocks is more likely to be five years than ten years. The United States of America purchased 1,000,000 bales of wool last year, but had never done that previously. I venture to say that that quantity is half of the present Australian clip. Our average clip is 3,000,000 bales, but last year the production decreased by 480,000 bales. Competent authorities say that this year’s clip will fall to 2,000,000 bales- Of that quantity, the United States of America will take 1,000,000 bales and Australia will consume about 500,000 bales. Great Britain will have to obtain its requirements from the pool of 10,000,000 bales now held in stock. Our local consumption is now about 400,000 bales a year, but it should be 500,000 bales. It fell by 58,000 bales last year, but I am confident that that reduction will be overcome this year and will again reach 500,000 hales. Only a small quantity of the Australian wool clip is treated in this country.

I desire some clarification of the wool agreement. Australian manufacturers have been able to obtain Australian wool at the appraised price. That is not 15id. per lb. ; the price has ranged from 11 per cent, to 13 per cent, below that price. When I sell mv wool it is appraised at, say, 16d., 18d., or 20d. per lb. When the season is over, a valuation of the total wool of Australia is made, and it may be 11 per cent, or 12 per cent, below la-id. per lb. Australian manufacturers by their purchasers at appraised prices, have been subsidized by wool-growers to an amount of approximately £711,000. I want to know whether that amount is to bo provided by the general community and paid to the wool-growers of this country so that they will get the full 15$d. per lb. for their wool, or whether the wearers of woollen cloth in various countries are to reap the benefit. Surely that £711,000 belongs to the wool-growers of Australia. I should like the Minister to clarify that point. The wool in stock is held by South Africa, New Zealand and the United States of America. Although the agreement is a good one, I am. sure that we must accept a reduction of the price to below 15$d. per lb. A determination will be made when we know the result of the first sales to take place after the existing clip goes on the market.

– Senator Large referred to Edward Bellamy who wrote Looking Backward, and the honorable senator seemed to enjoy himself in similar vein. This is a general debate upon such subjects as may, for the moment, be exercising our minds. I propose to confine my remarks to demobilization and related subjects. After the termination of the war of 1914-18, I worked under Sir John Monash at the intermediate stage and have, therefore, some appreciation of the associated problems. In the first place we have, since 1939, completely converted our economy to wai’ purposes. World War TI. has been a total war - all in - and has lasted for six years. Fortunately the waste of human life has been less than in the war of 1914-18 but, on the other hand, the dissipation of our material resources has been enormous. It will take us from ar least ten to twelve years to recover our economic poise and the process of recovery needs to be marked by the maximum exercise of foresight and wisdom on the part of the Parliament and the Government, and great courage and patience on the part of the people. The first step is, as the Government well know,s, to get the people hack to their normal habitats and occupations. This will involve an exodus from the capital cities of that huge aggregation of people who have gathered there as a result of the demands of war industries and the large number who have sought company and diversion whilst awaiting the return of their men-folk from the services. As regards the services, I have no doubt that the staffs can be depended upon, once Government policy is determined, to perform their tasks efficiently. Some regard must be had to the commitments of the nation with respect to the forces which our international obligations ‘ bind us to provide in order to police the terms of surrender imposed upon the Axis allies. These forces should be maintained largely by fresh drafts of men who have not yet served abroad and without regard to “ the Curtin Line “. The training they will thus receive will be a valuable asset against future contingencies in that it will assist to build up a body of efficient reserve forces. As to who should be the first to be released, I think that the men with five and more years’ service should have first consideration.

But on a broad basis the soundest process of demobilization should be conducted in the following order: - -First. to provide men to assist in the immediate production of raw materials, and manufactured articles, required for the construction and furnishing of houses; secondly, the release of men who can return to guaranteed employment associated with the normal services of society, namely, transport, manufacture and the distribution of household commodities and clothing; thirdly, release of men of the forces concerned with primary production; and fourthly, release of petrol and motor vehicle tyres so as to facilitate movements of population and distribution of goods.

Senator Large:

– The honorable senator has not mentioned prisoners of war. What priority would he give to them?

Senator COLLETT:

– I understand that the policy of the Army is that repatriated prisoners of war shall be released from the services immediately.

Senator Large:

– Would the honorable senator give them No. 1 priority?

Senator COLLETT:

– I understand that prisoners of war are treated as a special priority. The points -system can be worked within these categories, but it is imperative that method be observed so that we may be spared the spectacle and disturbing influence of numbers of men wandering about without prospect of immediate absorption by industry.

We have read reports, listened to statements, had discussions, and been advised of plans to provide housing for the people. We have everything but the houses and the materials with which to build them. I only propose to say, at the moment, that I look upon the provision of housing as the most vital requisite of to-day. All of us agree on this and would urge the Government to early action. There is merit in a long-range plan such as was proposed for England after the close of the war of 1914-18. The basis of this was electrical energy generated at the mouth of the coal pit and installed in every house so as to provide power, heat and light. In Australia we would need to add refrigeration. The recent rise in the cost of construction is a calamityHow we are to counter it I do not know. Some examination of the basic prices seems to be indicated. I should hesitate to endorse a system of government subsidies, although government building for rental purposes may commend itself. Subsidies for rent on privately owned properties only mean increased taxation and create a vicious circle. Senator Finlay made an interesting contribution to this debate, but, in reply to one of his arguments, I would say that a man who borrows money, at a reasonable rate of interest, for the purpose of building a home for himself and family is makingan investment. When he has regularly and fully met his obligations he owns the house - he can do as he will with it. whereas, if he rents a building he probably pays a greater sum weekly, and in the aggregate, and never will own a brick of the structure. Home-making is a thing to be encouraged. In this respect the War Service Homes Commission has been a valued help towards the satisfactory rehabilitation of the veterans of the war of 1914-18, and I hope that nothing will be done to limit its scope and” activities in the immediate future.

The process of demobilization will again bring into relief, as needing assistance, many people of mature age or impaired health who have, since 1940, been able to find remunerative employment in some branches of war industries. Their cases, and others, will command attention and, with the acceptance of the principles embodied in the Atlantic Charter, we are reminded, too, of many other obligations. The Treasurer estimates that for the current financial year the expenditure on social services will total nearly £65,000,000, made up as follows : -

To this total must be added a sum of approximately £14,000,000 for war pensions. We can see, therefore, that before providing for the ordinary services of the country, and the payment of interest on, and amortization of, the public debt, we must provide about £80,000,000 annually from a revenue which in 1938-39 was on the £96,000,000 mark. The magnitude of the commitment is apparent and yet no one can move about in the community without being sensible of the ever-growing need for some practicable and comprehensive scheme of social relief, security, insurance - or whatever we like to term it. A visit to any paying office on pension day, or any public hospital on any day, is a revelation and stresses the urgency of the situation. Outside of these two factors, every person who moves about, and particularly members of this Parliament, becomes .aware of many cases of real distress which innate pride compels the individual to attempt to conceal and which the best effort of relatives, if any, are not able to alleviate. Here is where the weakness of out system obtrudes, the means test, which subjects the very needy individual to the indignity of an inquisi tion into his or her affairs, and others to a penalty on foresight and frugal care. Only the other day 1 instanced theanomalous position of the retired public servant who finds himself, after contributing for years to a superannuation fund, worse off than the individual who has made no provision at all.

The Social Security Committee has done good work in exploring avenues for achieving social security, but has not yet evolved a concrete and comprehensive plan to meet present needs, let alone future contingencies. We need a fresh and untrammelled mind to study this subject from all aspects. Our present system is inefficient, costly and wasteful. Commonwealth and State Governments and local governing authorities pay out public moneys to this end, and these efforts are supplemented by those of insurance companies, friendly societies, trade unions, religious bodies, the Freemasons, ex-servicemen’s organizations and philanthropic societies, by bequests, benefactions and endowments, and by the promotion of entertainments, street collections, lotteries, bazaars, raffles and even tarpaulin musters. Yet the need still remains. One can appreciate that this dispersion of effort, and the cost to the people engaged, might bc better directed. I was talking recently to & churchman who :said that the abolition of such activities would do away with charity. On the other hand, I contend that the need for charity may well be abolished, although we shall always have scope for its spirit. I am sure that we all desire to see real social security which will provide for the efficient care of the sick, -protection against want, and a comfortable leisured period, beginning when a man or woman attains the age of 60 years.

As ia related subject I shall touch briefly on public health. One gains encouragement from the increased attention which is being given to this matter. It is an important phase of any scheme of social security and should Tse stressed. There is :still room for great development in our methods of providing medical attention and hospital treatment. I have earlier - referred to the revelation which results from -a visit to any public hospital in a capital city. The need is even greater in the region of preventive medicine, and this involves a disciplining of the people, in their best interests, in such matters as pre-natal care, diet, clothing, housing and general hygiene. The move to secure physical fitness is to be encouraged, and there is something to be said in favour of the organization of youth, as advocated by Senator Arnold, provided that this is not overdone, and does not result, as happened in Europe, in the creation of breeding grounds for fascism and other obnoxious “ isms “. I have heard mothers complain that the regimentation of children results in the suppression of many desirable human qualities and the restriction of genius. Further hope in this direction can be gathered from the obvious increase of the need for liberalizing our systems of education. Reforms should begin with the teachers by making the profession more attractive and exacting a higher standard of qualification and professional skill, as well as by including in the curriculum instruction in the privileges and duties of citizenship.

There is another phase of public health or national well-being in respect of which Australia is at present far below par. I refer to the industrial unrest which is pervading the community. Whatever the causes, the results are disastrous in every direction and the mounting ills are increasing in severity. It is a curious reflection on our make-up that at the close of a great war, during which we displayed a satisfactory united effort, the coming of peace should bring about so rapid a disintegration. The situation is undoubtedly serious. In my own State, Western Australia, which is seldom disturbed by industrial disputes, the people in the metropolitan area have recently been afflicted with a cessation of certain . public utilities and a reduction of their electricity supply. Thousands of people have been thrown out of work and there hasalso been a grave reduction of the output of necessary commodities and essential services. At this stage it is idle to speculate about the causes. The Government is elected to govern for the benefit of the whole of the people, and continued inaction in this direction will only bring it into contempt. Trade union executives appear to have gone into cool storage. Is it too much to expect that the Leader of the Senate, (Senator Keane), speaking on behalf of his colleagues, will makea clear statement of an intention to take definite action to stop the rot and return the administration of the country’s affairs to the responsible authority - this Parliament. These matters which I have mentioned are all related, and, unless they are effectively dealt with and co-ordinated, we must expect failure in the post-war period.

Senator NASH:
WESTERN AUSTRALIA · ALP

– It has been rightly said that the budget provides for the transition from a long period of war to a period of peace. The peace period has not been lengthy. The ink was hardly dry on the document relating to the surrender of Japan when the budget had to be presented, yet honorable senators have criticized the Treasurer (Mr. Chifley) on the ground that the proposed expenditure in respect of war services is too great, despite the fact that war expenditure has been reduced by £100,000,000. I consider that any government which provides for a reduction of that amount incurs considerable risk. The expenditure of a war character still to be authorized includes sums of considerable magnitude, one being a payment of £54,000,000 in respect of ex-service personnel. I shall indicate as I proceed, one or two other items of expenditure concerning which no honorable senator can give a reliable forecast as to whether the payments will be wholly justified. The Acting Leader of the Opposition (Senator Leckie) said that, apart from this being a transition budget, Australia has been, financially, drifting with the tide, and must now readjust its affairs and give . full consideration to the vast financial problems awaiting solution. I do not agree that we have been drifting with the tide. Owing to the enormous war commitments that have had to be met by the present and preceding governments, the bald assertion by the Acting Leader of the Opposition is unjustified.

– That liability must be met.. In addition, war service leave of fifteen days has to be provided, for in respect of each year of service overseas. That is a big commitment. Wc have also to provide for re-establishment leave of 30 days. The war expenditure contemplated in the budget is not excessive. I hope that it will not be an under estimate. The accusation that the Government proposes to make a big reduction of taxation as an election, bait has a party-political flavour.

The Acting Leader of the Opposition complained that more money was being expended this year on the Department of Information than was expended during the war. That criticism does not carry much weight when we remember that the cost of the department grew year by year when non-labour governments were in office.. Now the present .Government is taken to task because it proposes to expend on this department more than was expended during the war. The Acting Leader of the Opposition is not so much concerned about the cost of the- department as he is with the fact that it will continue in existence. The Army publication, Salt, has been criticized on the ground that it has been used by the Government for partypolitical propaganda. Every honest person knows that that is not so. The Government has nothing to do with, the publication of Salt, except to provide the money. The Army authorities determine the policy of the publication and what shall be published.

Senator Herbert Hays:

Senator NASH:

– Never mind whether the Government can maintain them or not. Is the honorable senator opposed to subsidies? He will not answer the question. He uses “ if s “ and “ buts “, and nobody knows where he stands. Why were price stabilization subsidies paid? Because it was ascertained that costs of production had increased to such a degree that, unless subsidies were paid by the Government, producers would have to pass the - costs on through the prices charged to the buying public. Eather than do that and bring about rapid inflation, the Government decided to maintain prices at reasonable levels to conform with pegged wage rates. Therefore it decided to pay to producers the difference between costs of production and selling prices. Honorable senators’ opposite argue that this is uneconomic. I do not know what the primary producers will say about the declaration by the Acting Leader of the Opposition of his opposition to subsidies. All the talk in the world will not change my opinion that the economic condition of Australia throughout the war years compared more than favorably with that of any other nation. In the United States of America, where there is no system of rigid price control, prices are sky-rocketing, and the time is not far distant when that country will be faced with tremendous economic difficulties, not only from the point of view of a loose system of price control but also from the point of view of growing unemployment.

– I will not argue the economics of the case. The fact is that there was no export market for apples and pears during the war and if the Government had not done something to enable growers to carry on, their orchards would have gone to ruin and the whole industry would have been destroyed. These primary producers have been placed in a position to continue production until better times return. It is estimated that, as the result of assured markets and profitable prices, the financial returns of primary producers are now about £40,000.000 a year higher than before the war. Perhaps honorable senators opposite will doubt that statement.

Senator -Tames McLachlan. - Enumerate the details.

Spu a tor NASH. - That would take too much time. At the same time the bank indebtedness of primary producers has been reduced by about £60.000,000 as compared n’ith pre-war figure.1!. It is estimated that, the ‘wheat industry has benefited bv £4,000,000 a year in increased returns

I refer now to the social service’s programme of this Government. Provision is made in the budget for increased expenditure on invalid and old-age pensions this year of £5,298,S73. That indicates not only that there is an increasing number of pensioners but also that the amount made available to individual pensioners is greater than previously. In this connexion, it is interesting to study ancient history. When the Labour party was in opposition in this Parliament, it had to compel the Government of the day to grant an increase of invalid and old-age pensions by ls. a week, bringing the rate to 21s. a week. It also compelled the Government to increase pensions in accordance with the rising cost of living in steps of 6d. a week. Since the Labour party has assumed office, it has increased invalid and old-age pensions on three occasions. The pension now amounts to £1 12s. 6d. a week, and pensioners are entitled to receive in addition from other sources an amount of 12s. 6d. a. week. Therefore, since the Labour party took office in 1941, it has increased payments to invalid and old-age pensioners by lis. 6d. a week. A married couple drawing the old-age pension to-day may receive £3 5s. a week in pensions, and £1 5s. from other sources, makins: a total of £4 10s. a week. As the result of the provision of social services by this Government, our old people will he enabled to enjoy a degree of comfort in the evening of their lives, and will not be left to their own resources to eke out a mere existence.

Senator HERBERT Hays:

– That increase has been made as the result of the increased cost of living.

Senator NASH:

– The cost of living argument of honorable senators opposite is fallacious. I believe that in spite of the higher cast of living a country benefits in the long run from higher standards of wages. An additional sum of £6,163,752 is to be provided in respect of child endowment to meet the increase of the rate of child endowment from 5s. to 7s. 6d. for each child under sixteen years of age excluding one child under that age. That is another indication that the Government is doing something in the interests of the people. When dealing with the subject of social service one cannot help but recall the days of the depression which, with its penury, difficulties and tribulations for many thousands of people, has left an indelible impression upon the nation. What a godsend it would have been to parents had a system of child endowment been in existence in 1929 ! It would have enabled them to have obtained at least some assistance from the Government in their difficulties.

Senator Leckie:

– Does the honorable senator claim that a Labour Government introduced child endowment?

Senator NASH:

– No. I give credit to the Menzies Government which was responsible for initiating child endowment, but this Government has liberalized the benefits provided under the original Child Endowment Act. Provision is also to be made this year for an additional expenditure of £5,500,000 in respect of invalid and old-age pensions. All of the money to be appropriated in respect of all social services will, no doubt, go into immediate circulation, and do what money is intended to do, thus helping to keep the country solvent. If this money were not in circulation, our economic position to-day would be entirely different. The present Government initiated widows’ pensions. This year it is proposed to increase the expenditure of £2,965,446 under that heading last year by £134,654. I fail to comprehend how widows made ends meet before this assistance was given to them. From my association with the trade union movement I know that hundreds of widows were just managing to eke out an existence before the introduction of widows’ pensions. At the same time, they were endeavouring to rear children. With no breadwinner, a widow was obliged to go out to work, with the result that her children were very often left unattended. Lack of adequate parental control was responsible for much child delinquency. To-day, the position is different. It is interesting to note that 30,000 widows and 21,000 children are benefiting under the widow’s pension scheme. Dealing with this subject the Treasurer in his budget speech said -

These health and social services impose a new and heavy cost on the budget. In 1938-39, the total outlay was fi 7,000,000. It is ex pected to reach £65,000,000 in the current year and £77,000,000 in the following year, as compared with £39,000,000 in the year just ended.

From these facts it is clear that our people generally stood in dire need of social service benefits. Expenditure this year in respect of unemployment and sickness benefits is estimated to amount to £9,500,000. I sincerely hope that it will not be necessary to expend all of that amount under that heading. However, we must realize that in the transition period from war to peace there will always be a considerable number of unemployed, due to the fact that in the short time that has elapsed since the cessation of production for war purposes it has not been possible to rehabilitate many people in other occupations. Even in normal times a certain degree of unemployment is unavoidable. Pharmaceutical benefits are estimated to cost £1,000,000, and tuberculosis benefits £300,000. Hitherto, adequate consideration has not been given to the provision of tuberculosis benefits. The present Government, however, realizes that a large proportion of our people unfortunately suffer from tuberculosis and that steps must be taken in an endeavour to eradicate this scourge. [Extension of time granted.] The budget makes provision for a reduction of the rate of income tax by 12£ per cent, in the current financial year. This is evidence of the Government’s intention to relieve the burden of tax on our people as rapidly as circumstances permit. I regard this action as a guarantee that the Government will effect further substantial reductions as our expenditure on war requirements diminishes. Some honorable senators opposite have said that the reduction of 12^ per cent, is merely window dressing on the part of the Government. I believe that the Government has sufficient vision to realize that it would be suicidal to make a greater reduction under existing conditions. Senator Cooper said that income tax rates in Australia were higher than those in Great Britain. I challenged him on that point, and as I doubted his statement I examined the matter further. I have since ascertained that the honorable senator was incorrect. The fact is that income tax rates on big incomes earned in

Australia are higher than those on corresponding incomes in Great Britain, which, of course, is entirely different from what the honorable senator said. The budget also envisages a system under which taxpayers in receipt of incomes above a certain level will contribute indirectly to social services. I know that honorable senators opposite will comment on that provision somewhat in this vein, “ There you are ; we told you that you must have a contributory system. Now you have come round to our way of thinking and have found it necessary to establish a contributory system”.

Senator Sampson:

– That was not our way of thinking.

Senator NASH:

– Did not the honorable senator say that the Beveridge plan was the only plan which this Government should adopt?

Senator Sampson:

– No.

Senator NASH:

– I seem to recall that the honorable senator said something to (hat effect. At all events, honorable senators opposite have no ground for their contention that the Government’s proposal represents a contributory scheme when compared with the Beveridge plan or the National Health and Pensions Insurance Act passed by the Lyons Government. This proposal does not mean that every man and woman shall pay a certain amount in respect of social service benefits. It means that portion of the income tax payable by taxpayers with incomes above certain levels will be used for social services.

No contribution will be made in respect of social service benefits by a taxpayer without dependants who is earning up to £104 a year, a taxpayer with a dependent wife who earns less than £156 u year, a taxpayer with a dependent wife and one child who earns £175 a year, a taxpayer with a dependent wife and two children whose income is £211 a year, a taxpayer with a dependent wife and three children whose income is £257 a year, or a taxpayer with a dependent wife and four children whose income is £277 a year. A taxpayer with a wife and two children who receives approximately £6 a week will pay a social service tax amounting to £15 4s., but,will not pay income tax. Whilst his income tax will a verage 6s. a week, he will receive 7st. 6d. a week child endowment in respect of his second child under sixteen years of age. He will pay £15 4s. in income tax compared with £17 8s. last year. Therefore, one can summarize the Government’s proposal as a scheme whereby contributions in respect of social service benefits will be made indirectly by persons in accordance with their ability to pay such imposts. Such provision is essential in order to finance social service benefits. Income tax exemptions for persons without dependants will increase from £104 to £20.0, and they will increase progressively in respect of persons with dependants. A taxpayer without dependants earning £250 a year will make a social service contribution of £18 15s., and will contribute £H lis. in income tax, or a total of £30 6s., as compared with £36 15s. under the present tax. A taxpayer with a wife and two children, and earning £350 a year, will pay £26 5s. as his social service contribution and 10s. in income tax, or a total of £26 15s., as compared with £31 2s. under the present tax.

Reference has been made to strikes and industrial unrest. Senator Collett remarked that the workers had made a satisfactory united effort during the war, and he indicated that the Leader of the Senate (Senator Keane) should furnish a definite statement, with a view to “ stopping the rot “. It is easy for any honorable senator to say that to the Leader of the Senate, but I do not agree that there is any “ rot “. In any case, how could it be stopped? During the regime of previous governments there was greater industrial unrest, more time and wages lost and more dislocation of industry than during the period that this Government has been in power.

Senator Leckie:

– The Opposition does not believe that.

Senator NASH:

– Figures relating to the coal-mining industry prove the correctness of my assertion. There are two sides to all industrial disputes. Australia has as good a record as any other country with regard to industrial matters, whether we take the war period or the pre-war years. I am in favour of arbitration. T regard it as a stable means for effecting the, settlement of industrial disputes, and for the determination of the wages and conditions of the workers in industry ; but my difficulty is to determine in my own mind whether arbitration has proved entirely satisfactory. Trade unions in Australia have spent many thousands of pounds in preparing claims, for presentation to the court, but they have frequently obtained very little satisfaction from the court. A Commonwealth committee should be appointed to make an inquiry with a view to ascertaining what should be a standard working week and a basic wage for workers generally, and whether .the pay of the workers should be the same, irrespective of their sex.

I understand that under the Commonwealth Conciliation and Arbitration Act it is not competent for the court to make any decision for an alteration of the standard hours in any industry, or to alter the principles on which that standard is computed, unless the court comprises the chief judge and two other judges. I am not arguing for or against that provision of the law, but it is essential that, if the workers in industry are to retain confidence in the arbitration system, the court should be so composed that the workers, as well as the em ployers, shall be represented on the bench. For many years the State Arbitration Court in Western Australia has consisted of a president, an employers’ representative and an employees’ representative. These three determine all cases that come before the court, and, speaking generally, they have given a great deal of satisfaction in that State. Very little industrial unrest has occurred in Western Australia. Workers may be altering their view as to whether they should favour the arbitration system or take direct action, but, personally, I believe that in the long run arbitration would give to the workers better results than any other method. That, however, is a matter for the people themselves to determine. Dissatisfaction arises amongst the workers because of the delay experienced in having their claims heard. Claims are filed for many months prior to hearings being obtained, and long delays frequently occur before awards are issued When an award is given long after the hearing, it has often been out-moded by some happening in the economic sphere. There should be a speeding-up of the arbitration system if it is to be favoured by the workers. Immediately a dispute arises, it should be the duty of a responsible person to call the parties together as quickly as possible, in order to ascertain the cause of the trouble and avoid the practice of saying to the workers, “ Go back to your jobs or else the court will not do anything in the matter “. It is all very well to talk about law and order, but when we find a body of workers restive and dissatisfied the best course is to summon a conference between the parties without delay. If they have decided to take direct action, it is useless to say to them, “ We will not do anything before you return to work “. As to the request by Senator Collett that a ministerial statement should be made “ to stop the rot “, we cannot expect the Leader of the Senate to do something which no other Minister in Australia has ever done.

I hope that as the result of the frank discussions between Commonwealth Ministers and the Premiers of the States definite action will soon be taken to implement the scheme for the standardization of railway gauges. The provision of the necessary finance does not present an insuperable difficulty, because the scheme is of a national character and could be financed by national credit. I believe that it would be competent for the. Commonwealth Bank to make available at the cost of issuance, and at an interest rate of not more than 1 per cent., the money required for the work. The scheme has the added advantage that it would provide work of a reproductive nature. I have frequently referred to the necessity for a decentralization policy and the desirability of regarding Esperance as the port to serve the gold-fields of Western Australia. Esperance is the natural port for those gold-fields, and if vessels called there a considerable economic saving would be made in the interests of not only the mining industry but also many thousands of residents on the gold-fields.

We have been told that there is urgent need for the maximum production of tobacco in Australia. Growers in Western Australia have decided not to grow any more tobacco, and as the result of investigationsmade by me I am of the opinion that the trouble there arises solely from dissatisfaction over the appraised price received by the growers. The difficulty has been largely brought about by an unfair classification of the leaf. On one occasion, a grower showed me the prices which he had received for his tobacco. He said that he was growing exactly the same grades as previously, but under the present system he now receives a lower price for all grades compared with previous prices. The growers have a right to a reasonable livelihood, and action should be taken to ensure that they shall get at least a fair return for their labour.

I hope that the Government will make every effort, to bring to this country as many English children as possible, because if they are brought here during their most impressionable years they will grow up with an Australian outlook and will make good Australian citizens. I hope also that we shall get as many war orphans from Europe as possible in addition to adults of the right kind. The population outlook for this country is serious ; the proportion of old people to the total population is growing every year. No country can continue indefinitely under those conditions. Each year our commitments in respect of old-age pensions are increasing, and if the process continues the time will come when there will be no young people to provide the pensions of the older members of the community. The declining birth-rate is a serious problem.

I am pleased that the Government has appointed Professor Mills as Director of Education. Although education is not constitutionally a function of the Commonwealth, the appointment is a step in the right direction, as it will focus attention on the necessity for the Commonwealth taking over the responsibility for the education of the people of the Commonwealth.

Debate (on motion by Senator Lamp) adjourned.

page 5895

ADJOURNMENT

Vegetable Production: Compensation to . Growers

Motion (by Senator Ashley) proposed -

That the Senate do now adjourn.

Senator AYLETT:
Tasmania

– I bring to the notice of the Minister representing the Acting Minister for Commerce and Agriculture a matter which affects seriously the Tasmanian producers of vegetables. The primary producers of Tasmania are delighted that the war has ended, but the cessation of hostilities has caused anomalies which the Government is under a moral obligation to rectify. In response to an appeal by the Government to grow more vegetables, they undertook to do so, but now, having grown the vegetables, they find that the Government does not require all that they have grown. Consequently, many acres of vegetables have been allowed to go to wasteand have not been marketed. Some time ago, growers in certain districts of Tasmania informed the Department of Agriculture that it would be necessary to get all carrots out of the ground by the end of June, but because of the receipt of supplies from other districts the “ cease digging “ order was given in May. The result was that many carrots remained in the paddocks for three or four weeks before they were removed. The growers appealed to the Government to take the crop and assess its value. Having responded to the Government’s call, and having incurred considerable expense in growing the vegetables, they consider that they are entitled to compensation, even if the Government did not take delivery of their vegetables. So far, no compensation has been granted to them. In order to show their readiness to help the Government, I mention that on one occasion they provided 5,000 bags of vegetables in four days, and a few days later another 6,000 bags were provided in three days. Since then the demand for their products has fallen, and many acres of vegetables have been wasted. Even if there be no legal obligation on the part of the Government to compensate these growers, they believe that the Government has a moral obligation to compensate them for the loss of a crop which the Government could not take. Tasmanian growers are at a disadvantage compared with those on the mainland who are able to market all their vegetables. As the Tasmanian crop was sown in a later district, they were left till last, and now further trouble has overtaken the growers because vegetable contracts for the coming season have been cancelled. In earlier districts where planting had taken place the contracts have not been cancelled and the growers will be compensated. These Tasmanian growers have suffered through no fault of their own, and, therefore, the Government should honour its moral obligation to compensate them for the loss of their use of their land and for the expenses incurred by them.

Senator ASHLEY:
New South WalesMinister for Supply and Shipping · ALP

– in reply - I shall refer to the Acting Minister for Commerce and Agriculture (Mr. Forde) the manner mentioned by Senator Aylett and will let the honorable senator know the result.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

page 5896

PAPERS

The following papers were pre sented : -

Canned Fruits Export Control Act - RegulationsStatutory Rules 1945, No. 140.

Customs Act - Regulations - Statutory Rules 1945, No. 144.

Lands Acquisition Act - Land acquired forCommonwealth purposes -

Fremantle, Western Australia.

Penrith, New South Wales.

Victor Harbour, South Australia.

Postal purposes -

Melbourne, Victoria.

National Security Act -

National Security (General) Regulations - Orders -

Control of -

Boot nails and boot nailing machines - Revocation.

Cane rattan (No. 1 ) - Revocation.

Motor cycle spare parts - Revocation.

Screw wire - Revocation.

Restriction of pastrycooks’ goods (New South Wales) - Revocation

Subterranean clover seed (Return of stocks) (No. 2).

National Security (Industrial Property) Regulations - Orders - Inventions and designs (109).

National Security (Prices) Regulations- - Declarations - Nos.156, 157.

Orders- N os. 2113-2106.

National Security (Supplementary) Regu lations - Order by State Premier - Tasmania (dated 29th August, 1945).

National Security (Timber Control) Regulations - Order - Control of timber (No. 2) - Revocation.

Regulations - Statutory Rules 1946, No. 145.

Northern Territory Acceptance Act and Northern Territory (Administration) Act - Ordinance - No. 7 of 1945- Inspection of Machinery.

Senate adjourned at 9.53 p.m.

Cite as: Australia, Senate, Debates, 26 September 1945, viewed 22 October 2017, <http://historichansard.net/senate/1945/19450926_senate_17_185/>.

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Senate26 September 1945

CHARTER OF THE UNITED NATIONS BILL 1845

The PRESIDENT:

QUESTION

AUSTRALIAN PRISONERS OF WAR

Senator BRAND:VICTORIA

Senator ASHLEY:Minister for Supply and Shipping · NEW SOUTH WALES · ALP

QUESTION

INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES

Senator ALLAN MacDONALD:WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Senator ASHLEY:ALP

Senator FOLL:QUEENSLAND

Senator ASHLEY:

Senator LECKIE:VICTORIA

Senator ASHLEY:

Senator FOLL:

Senator ASHLEY:

QUESTION

HOUSING

Senator HERBERT HAYS:TASMANIA

Senator ASHLEY:ALP

Senator BRAND:

Senator COLLINGS:Vice-President of the Executive Council · QUEENSLAND · ALP

QUESTION

FOOTWEAR

Senator SHEEHAN:VICTORIA

Senator KEANE:Minister for Trade and Customs · through Senator Ashley · ALP

QUESTION

SYDNEY DAILY TELEGRAPH

Senator LAMP:TASMANIA

TASMANIAN MAILS

Senator CAMERON:Postmaster-General · VICTORIA · ALP

QUESTION

NATURALIZATION

Senator FOLL:

Senator COLLINGS:ALP

QUESTION

SHALE OIL

Senator BRAND:

Senator ASHLEY:ALP

QUESTION

ARMED FORCES

Senator FOLL:

Senator ASHLEY:ALP

QUESTION

GALVANIZED IRON AND’ WIRE NETTING

Senator HERBERT HAYS:

Senator ASHLEY:ALP

QUESTION

THEWAR

Senator COLLETT:WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Senator ASHLEY:ALP

QUESTION

FLAX

Senator JAMES McLACHLAN:SOUTH AUSTRALIA · UAP

Senator ASHLEY:ALP

QUESTION

BUTTER

Senator COOPER:QUEENSLAND

Senator ASHLEY:ALP

QUESTION

ESTIMATES AND BUDGET PAPERS 1945-46

Senator CLOTHIER:Western Australia

Senator Lamp:

Senator CLOTHIER:

Senator GIBSON:Victoria

Senator Collings:

Senator GIBSON:

Senator Collings:

Senator GIBSON:

Senator Large:

Senator Nash:

Senator GIBSON:

Senator Finlay:

Senator GIBSON:

Senator Finlay:

Senator GIBSON:

Senator Large:

Senator GIBSON:

Senator Ashley:

Senate
26 September 1945

Senator BRAND:
VICTORIA

Senator ASHLEY:
Minister for Supply and Shipping · NEW SOUTH WALES · ALP

Senator ALLAN MacDONALD:
WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Senator ASHLEY:
ALP

Senator FOLL:
QUEENSLAND

Senator LECKIE:
VICTORIA

Senator HERBERT HAYS:
TASMANIA

Senator ASHLEY:
ALP

Senator COLLINGS:
Vice-President of the Executive Council · QUEENSLAND · ALP

Senator SHEEHAN:
VICTORIA

Senator KEANE:
Minister for Trade and Customs · through Senator Ashley · ALP

Senator LAMP:
TASMANIA

Senator CAMERON:
Postmaster-General · VICTORIA · ALP

Senator COLLINGS:
ALP

Senator ASHLEY:
ALP

Senator ASHLEY:
ALP

Senator ASHLEY:
ALP

Senator COLLETT:
WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Senator ASHLEY:
ALP

Senator JAMES McLACHLAN:
SOUTH AUSTRALIA · UAP

Senator ASHLEY:
ALP

Senator COOPER:
QUEENSLAND

Senator ASHLEY:
ALP

Senator CLOTHIER:
Western Australia

Senator GIBSON:
Victoria

Senator O’FLAHERTY:
SOUTH AUSTRALIA · ALP

Senator LARGE:
New South Wales

Senator COLLETT:
Western Australia

Senator NASH:
WESTERN AUSTRALIA · ALP

Senator JAMES McLACHLAN:
SOUTH AUSTRALIA · UAP