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19500524_reps_19_207.xml
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19500524_reps_19_207.xml
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<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<hansard xsi:noNamespaceSchemaLocation="../../hansard.xsd" version="2.1" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
<session.header>
<date>1950-05-24</date>
<parliament.no>19</parliament.no>
<session.no>1</session.no>
<period.no>1</period.no>
<chamber>REPS</chamber>
<page.no>3067</page.no>
<proof>0</proof>
</session.header>
<chamber.xscript>
<para class="block">House of Representatives. </para>
<business.start>
<day.start>1950-05-24</day.start>
<para>
<inline font-weight="bold">Mr. Speaker (Hon. Archie Cameron)</inline>took the chair at 2.30 p.m., and read prayers. </para>
</business.start>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>3067</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>JAPANESE WAR CRIMES</title>
<page.no>3067</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>3067</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>K58</name.id>
<electorate>MARTIN, NEW SOUTH WALES</electorate>
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">O'CONNOR, William</name>
<name role="display">Mr O'CONNOR</name>
</talker>
<para>- I ask the Minister for the Navy upon whose authority was the selection made of defendants who are to be tried on charges of war crimes at the trials that are to take place at Manus Island? Is it correct to Bay that the court will be composed exclusively of military personnel? If so, what are the reasons for this discrimination between civilian and military defendants? Can the Minister give the date upon which the trials will commence? </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>3068</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>JWT</name.id>
<electorate>MORETON, QUEENSLAND</electorate>
<party>LP</party>
<role>Minister for the Army</role>
<in.gov>1</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">FRANCIS, Josiah</name>
<name role="display">Mr FRANCIS</name>
</talker>
<para>- The trials to which <inline font-style="italic">the</inline> honorable member has referred will be trials of alleged war criminals and they will . be conducted by a court which will consist of military personnel who have had special experience in the conduct of military trials. . The court will be presided over by <inline font-weight="bold">Mr. Justice</inline> Townley of the Supreme Court of Queensland, who during the war supervised legal proceedings - on behalf of the Army authorities. Each member of the court was engaged in special legal work in tho Army during the war. The trials are expected to commence on either the 1st, 2nd or 3rd June. </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>3068</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>K58</name.id>
<electorate>MARTIN, NEW SOUTH WALES</electorate>
<party>ALP</party>
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">O'CONNOR, William</name>
<name role="display">Mr O'CONNOR</name>
</talker>
<para>- Will the defendants be exclusively military personnel? </para>
</talk.start>
<continue>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>3068</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>JWT</name.id>
<electorate />
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">FRANCIS, Josiah</name>
<name role="display">Mr FRANCIS</name>
</talker>
<para>- Ail of the defendants were formerly members of the Japanese army or navy. The defendants will not include any civilians, </para>
</talk.start>
</continue>
<list type="lowerroman-dotted">
<item label=".">
<para>BANKING. </para>
</item>
</list>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>3068</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KCS</name.id>
<electorate>NEW ENGLAND, NEW SOUTH WALES</electorate>
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">DRUMMOND, David</name>
<name role="display">Mr DRUMMOND</name>
</talker>
<para>- Can the Treasurer inform the House of the cost incurred by the Australian Government in respect of the litigation that took place as the result of the legislation passed by the Chifley Government to nationalize banking? Is he able to indicate also the costa incurred by private parties to that litigation? </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>3068</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>F4T</name.id>
<electorate>MCPHERSON, QUEENSLAND</electorate>
<party>CP</party>
<role>Treasurer</role>
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">FADDEN, Arthur William</name>
<name role="display">Mr FADDEN</name>
</talker>
<para>- All accounts have not . yet been paid, but the incomplete cost to date is £161,058. I shall obtain particulars of the amounts of private and governmental expenditure and furnish them to the honorable member. </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>3068</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY</title>
<page.no>3068</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>3068</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>JRF</name.id>
<electorate>FAWKNER, VICTORIA</electorate>
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">BOURKE, William</name>
<name role="display">Mr W M BOURKE</name>
</talker>
<para>- I address a question to the Minister for the Navy regarding the compensation paid to dependants of the men who lost their lives in the <inline font-style="italic">Tarakan</inline> disaster. Is it a fact that the Government has bluntly refused to extend to the widows and children of those men any of the benefits provided under the Australian Soldiers' Repatriation Act, such as pensions for the widows and children, medical and education benefits? Has the Government paid a lump sum of £1,000 <inline font-style="italic">to</inline> each of the widows, plus £50 for each dependent child, m full and final settlement of its obligations? Will no further responsibility of any kind be accepted by _ it, even for meeting the cost of education of the children? Does the Minister not consider that this is most unjust treatment of the dependants of these men who although they lost their lives in time of peace, died under active service conditions? Will the honorable gentleman urge the Government to reconsider the matter so that these widows and children may be granted the full benefits of the Australian Soldiers' Repatriation Act? </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>3068</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>JWT</name.id>
<electorate />
<party>LP</party>
<role />
<in.gov>1</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">FRANCIS, Josiah</name>
<name role="display">Mr FRANCIS</name>
</talker>
<para>- There has been much confusion of thought in regard to the compensation paid to the dependants of the men who lost their lives in the unfortunate- disaster on <inline font-style="italic">Tarakan.</inline> The dependants of ' personnel of the armed forces who lose their lives in the course of their duty in peace-time receive compensation in accordance with the provisions of the Commonwealth Employees' Compensation Act. Under that act the widow of a deceased member of the forces receives £1,000 as compensation and an additional sum of- £50 for each child under the age of sixteen years. Some people seem to be under the impression that such dependants should also receive pensions under the Australian Soldiers' Repatriation Act. The widow of a member of the forces who dies on active service receives a weekly pension and, in addition, pensions for dependent children and certain education benefits; but the dependants of a member of the forces who dies in the course of his duty in time of peace are entitled to compensation under the Commonwealth Employees' Compensation Act. This law has been in existence for a considerable time and has been approved by the parties on both: sides of the House. No attempt has 'been made to alter it by honorable members now sitting in Opposition. Statements have appeared in the metropolitan newspapers of New South Wales that the Government has been sympathetic in this matter and has been com-, mended for the action I took in this case. Newspapers that always- have been ready to assail anybody have expressed their appreciation in this instance. The Government's treatment of the dependants of the men who lost their lives in the <inline font-style="italic">Tarakan</inline> disaster has been eminently just and fair. </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>3069</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KGX</name.id>
<electorate>PARKES, NEW SOUTH WALES</electorate>
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">HAYLEN, Leslie</name>
<name role="display">Mr HAYLEN</name>
</talker>
<para>- Is the Minister for the Navy satisfied with the paltry amount of compensation which has been paid to relatives of the victims of the <inline font-style="italic">Tarahan</inline> disaster ? Has he given full consideration to the plight of the children who are fatherless as a result of that tragedy? Is the honorable gentleman aware that the Australian Soldiers' Eepatriation Act makes provision for the education of the children of deceased servicemen ? In fact, that particular section is one of the brighter aspects of that act. Does the Minister see any possibility of introducing legislation to amend the act with a view to making the children of the victims of the <inline font-style="italic">Tarahan</inline> disaster eligible for benefits under that legislation? I remind the honorable gentleman that the victims were servicemen, and although they met their death in peacetime, they were actually under active service conditions in respect of the threat to their lives. The Minister should give sympathetic consideration to this matter, and I thought that the terseness with which he answered the question by the honorable member for Fawkner indicated that he agreed with the views of the bureaucrats in the Department of the Navy that all had been done that should be done- </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>3069</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>10000</name.id>
<electorate />
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">SPEAKER, Mr</name>
<name role="display">Mr SPEAKER</name>
</talker>
<para>- Order ! </para>
</talk.start>
<continue>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>3069</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>JWT</name.id>
<electorate />
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">FRANCIS, Josiah</name>
<name role="display">Mr FRANCIS</name>
</talker>
<para>- The observations which the honorable gentleman has made in his question, do not deserve a courteous reply. He displays that kind of attitude all too frequently. I have at all times shown the most practical consideration for the victims of the <inline font-style="italic">Tarahan</inline> disaster, and the suggestions to the' contrary which are contained in the honorable gentleman's question are distinctly unworthy. I remind him that there are two systems of compensation. The first is applicable to servicemen who meet with death or accident while they are on service, and the other applies to servicemen during peacetime. The victims of the unfortunate <inline font-style="italic">Tarahan</inline> disaster are covered by the Commonwealth Employees' Compensation Act, which provides for the payment of £1,000 to the widow, and £50 for each child under the age of sixteen year3. In addition, in most instances a substantial payment is made in respect of deferred pay. </para>
</talk.start>
</continue>
<interjection>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>3069</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KGX</name.id>
<electorate />
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">HAYLEN, Leslie</name>
<name role="display">Mr Haylen</name>
</talker>
<para>- They had already earned that. </para>
</talk.start>
</interjection>
<continue>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>3069</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>JWT</name.id>
<electorate />
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">FRANCIS, Josiah</name>
<name role="display">Mr FRANCIS</name>
</talker>
<para>- That payment is made in the form of compensation. As these people were dependants of the unfortunate sailors who met their death in that tragic accident, their regular emoluments were carried on for at least one month. </para>
</talk.start>
</continue>
<interjection>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>3069</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KX7</name.id>
<electorate />
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">WARD, Edward</name>
<name role="display">Mr Ward</name>
</talker>
<para>- Does the Minister think that that is enough ? </para>
</talk.start>
</interjection>
<continue>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>3069</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>JWT</name.id>
<electorate />
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">FRANCIS, Josiah</name>
<name role="display">Mr FRANCIS</name>
</talker>
<para>- The payments that I have indicated are much more generous than those that were made available in similar circumstances by the Government of which the honorable member was a Minister. At present, substantial funds are available to all dependants of the deceased naval personnel in question. I have communicated with the Minister for Air with a view to formulating a scheme to provide compensation in similar circumstances on a basis that will be uniform for each of the three services. I repeat that at present none of the families to which I have referred is in need. </para>
</talk.start>
</continue>
<interjection>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>3069</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KGX</name.id>
<electorate />
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">HAYLEN, Leslie</name>
<name role="display">Mr Haylen</name>
</talker>
<para>- What about the education of the children? </para>
</talk.start>
</interjection>
<continue>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>3069</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>JWT</name.id>
<electorate />
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">FRANCIS, Josiah</name>
<name role="display">Mr FRANCIS</name>
</talker>
<para>- That is provided for at present. </para>
</talk.start>
</continue>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>3069</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>TOBACCO</title>
<page.no>3069</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>3069</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>L0D</name.id>
<electorate>MARANOA, QUEENSLAND</electorate>
<party>CP</party>
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">RUSSELL, Charles</name>
<name role="display">Mr CHARLES RUSSELL</name>
</talker>
<para>- I address a question to the Minister for Commerce and Agriculture. By way of explanation I point out that leading German cigarette and tobacco manufacturers have made inquiries about the possibility of the purchase of Australian tobacco leaf. "Will the Minister state whether there is any exportable surplus of locally produced tobacco ? The development of an export trade in tobacco would be of tremendous benefit to the tobacco industry of Queensland at Texas and in the north, by bringing about a larger measure of competitive buying, and the export of tobacco to Germany would result in the establishment of hard currency credits in favour of Australia. </para>
</talk.start>
<para class="block">Will the Minister give favorable consideration to the granting of licences for the export of tobacco and will he also indicate whether trade restrictions generally are to be continued? </para>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>3070</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>009MB</name.id>
<electorate>MURRAY, VICTORIA</electorate>
<party>CP</party>
<role>Minister for Commerce and Agriculture</role>
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">MCEWEN, John</name>
<name role="display">Mr McEWEN</name>
</talker>
<para>- No exportable surplus of tobacco leaf is available at the present time. Australian production does not meet our requirements. Our deficiency is met almost entirely by the importation of leaf from North America, which involves dollar expenditure. It is the Government's desire to increase very substantially the volume of production of Australian tobacco of a usable quality. It certainly is the Government's objective to develop the tobacco-growing industry to a point where we should have not only enough tobacco for our own .requirements, having in mind the necessity for some blending to maintain a smoking flavour acceptable to smokers, but also a surplus for export. That, as the honorable member has said, would be an advantage to the tobaccogrowers as there would then be an additional competitive factor in the tobacco market. That would also be an advantage to the country. That is the objective towards which the Government will work in formulating policies directed towards stimulating the production of tobacco in this country. </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>3070</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KFG</name.id>
<electorate>SHORTLAND, NEW SOUTH WALES</electorate>
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">GRIFFITHS, Charles</name>
<name role="display">Mr GRIFFITHS</name>
</talker>
<para>- Is the Prime Minister aware that hundreds of small business people throughout New South Wales, many of whom are ex-members of the military forces, have been refused a tobacco quota by the Tobacco Distributing Committee of New South Wales, which fact has caused a considerable loss of business to the people concerned owing to the public generally taking their business to other trades people from whom they can purchase tobacco or cigarettes? In view of the facts that the distribution of tobacco is now the responsibility of the trade, and that the present discrimination that is employed by the committee in the distribution of tobacco should be discontinued, will the Government ascertain how many applications for a tobacco quota have been refused by the committee and also how many applications it has refused to acknowledge? If the Government ascertains that discrimination is being shown by the committee in favour of certain business people, and that it has refused to supply many storekeepers with tobacco, will it examine the possibility of re-introducing a system of tobacco rationing so that all business people will have an opportunity to obtain a quota of tobacco, thereby abolishing unfair competition among business men and ensuring a fair distribution of tobacco to the people? </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>3070</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>N76</name.id>
<electorate>KOOYONG, VICTORIA</electorate>
<party>LP</party>
<role>Prime Minister</role>
<in.gov>1</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">MENZIES, Robert</name>
<name role="display">Mr MENZIES</name>
</talker>
<para>- I shall treat the honorable member's question as if it were on the notice-paper and shall discuss it with the responsible Minister. </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>3070</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT</title>
<page.no>3070</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>3070</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KWE</name.id>
<electorate>HIGINBOTHAM, VICTORIA</electorate>
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">TIMSON, Thomas</name>
<name role="display">Mr TIMSON</name>
</talker>
<para>- Will the Minister for National Development say whether the dollar shortage is having a retarding effect on development in Australia? </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>3070</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>JWE</name.id>
<electorate />
<party>LP</party>
<role>Minister for Works and Housing</role>
<in.gov>1</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">CASEY, Richard</name>
<name role="display">Mr CASEY</name>
</talker>
<para>- The answer to the honorable gentleman's question is very definitely and positively " Yes ". In my opinion it will be little less than a tragedy if some means of overcoming the dollar shortage is not evolved in the interests of the speed at which Australian development is to continue. </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>3070</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>PETROL</title>
<page.no>3070</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>3070</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>2V4</name.id>
<electorate>HINDMARSH, SOUTH AUSTRALIA</electorate>
<party>ALP</party>
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">CAMERON, Clyde</name>
<name role="display">Mr CLYDE CAMERON</name>
</talker>
<para>- As the Minister for National Development has just stated that the present dollar shortage is delaying vitally important developmental works in Australia, will the Treasurer state whether that position has been brought about to any degree by increased dollar expenditure on the importation of petrol? Will the right honorable gentleman inform the House of the allocation of dollars that has been made for petrol imports for the quarter ending the 30th June, 1950, compared with the dollar allocation for the corresponding period last year? If those figures disclose that the present shortage of certain building materials is due to the lifting of petrol rationing, will the Treasurer indicate how he proposes to reconcile that condition of affairs with his preelection statement to the effect that additional supplies of petrol could be obtained from the sterling area? </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>3070</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>F4T</name.id>
<electorate />
<party>CP</party>
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">FADDEN, Arthur William</name>
<name role="display">Mr FADDEN</name>
</talker>
<para>- The abolition of petrol rationing has had nothing to do with the acute dollar position relative to other goods. The petrol budget is entirely distinct from the budget for other commodities. </para>
</talk.start>
<interjection>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>3071</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>2V4</name.id>
<electorate>HINDMARSH, SOUTH AUSTRALIA</electorate>
<party>ALP</party>
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">CAMERON, Clyde</name>
<name role="display">Mr CLYDE CAMERON</name>
</talker>
<para>- "Will the Treasurer make available the figures for which I have asked? </para>
</talk.start>
</interjection>
<continue>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>3071</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>F4T</name.id>
<electorate />
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">FADDEN, Arthur William</name>
<name role="display">Mr FADDEN</name>
</talker>
<para>- I shall obtain them for the honorable member. </para>
</talk.start>
</continue>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>3071</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>TINPLATE</title>
<page.no>3071</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>3071</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KQJ</name.id>
<electorate>BOWMAN, QUEENSLAND</electorate>
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">MCCOLM, Malcolm</name>
<name role="display">Mr McCOLM</name>
</talker>
<para>- In directing to the Minister for Supply a question regarding tinplate I state by way of explanation that I am aware that the Minister desired to make a statement on that subject yesterday, but was unable to do so as the House did not grant him the necessary leave. It is for that reason that I ask my question to-day. I have been informed that almost unlimited supplies of tinplate are obtainable in either Great Britain or Europe for delivery six weeks after an order has been placed. I cannot guarantee the accuracy of that information, but if it is accurate can the Minister inform the House whether there is anything to prevent a private importer from bringing such tinplate into the country? If a restriction exists will the Government consider lifting it in view of the present shortage of tinplate? </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>3071</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>JOI</name.id>
<electorate>PARRAMATTA, NEW SOUTH WALES</electorate>
<party>LP</party>
<role>Minister for Supply</role>
<in.gov>1</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">BEALE, Oliver</name>
<name role="display">Mr BEALE</name>
</talker>
<para>- If the honorable member has discovered that unlimited supplies of tinplate are available from sterling areas, then I shall make him a free and valuable presentation immediately, because he will save me and the Government a great deal of worry. I am afraid that the matter is not as simple of solution as the honorable member has suggested. Tinplate from sterling areas, particularly from Britain, is obtainable by arrangement with the British Board of Trade, which issues export licences. According to my information only a limited amount is at present available. As far as a statement to the House on tinplate is concerned, I inform the honorable gentleman that I intend to ask the permission of the House to make such a statement to-morrow, and I hope that as a result of a change of decision on the part of several honorable members such permission will be granted. </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>3071</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>CREAM AND BUTTER</title>
<page.no>3071</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>3071</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KYC</name.id>
<electorate>LALOR, VICTORIA</electorate>
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">POLLARD, Reginald</name>
<name role="display">Mr POLLARD</name>
</talker>
<para>- I ask the Minister for Commerce and Agriculture whether, prior to making the decision to abolish the ban on the sale of cream, he obtained opinions from various sources on what loss of butter would be occasioned to the United Kingdom by this action. If so, from what sources were such opinions obtained ? Does the Minister know that the validity of butter rationing regulations was challenged during the previous Government's term of office and that the High Court of Australia upheld the validity of the regulations? Did the Minister obtain information from the United Kingdom Government on the butter situation there having regard to the detrimental effect on butter production that would follow the lifting by the Australian Government of the ban on the sale of cream ? </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>3071</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>009MB</name.id>
<electorate />
<party>CP</party>
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">MCEWEN, John</name>
<name role="display">Mr McEWEN</name>
</talker>
<para>- The Government did not lift the ban on the sale of cream without making full inquiries from all those sources which were regarded as being capable of supplying the best information. With that information in its possession, the Government made its own decision. It knew that the United Kingdom Government had been able to increase the ration of butter in the United Kingdom recently from 4 oz. a week to 5 oz. a week. There is also a ration of 4 oz. of margarine, so that the ration of butter plus margarine in the United Kingdom at present amounts to 9 oz. a week. The butter ration in Australia is 6 oz. a week. </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>3071</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>TELEPHONE SERVICES</title>
<page.no>3071</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>3071</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KE8</name.id>
<electorate>BASS, TASMANIA</electorate>
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">KEKWICK, Bruce</name>
<name role="display">Mr KEKWICK</name>
</talker>
<para>- In view of the facts that the increased telephone rentals and the discontinuance of concession rates for evening telephone calls place an inequitable burden on country residents compared with city dwellers and that it is the Government's policy to overcome existing disadvantages which result from isolation and generally to encourage people to remain in the country, will the Postmaster-General give urgent and favorable consideration to reducing telephone rentals and restoring concession rates for evening calls for country residents ? </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>3072</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>JLZ</name.id>
<electorate>RICHMOND, NEW SOUTH WALES</electorate>
<party>CP</party>
<role>Postmaster-General</role>
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">ANTHONY, Hubert</name>
<name role="display">Mr ANTHONY</name>
</talker>
<para>- It is obvious that costs have risen steeply in the last ten year3 and that in order to provide a service which in some ways pays for itself charges must be comparative with costs. If, therefore, an efficient service is to be maintained on a paying basis I cannot see very much prospect of making the reduction for which the honorable member has asked. </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>3072</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KVR</name.id>
<electorate>DARLING DOWNS, QUEENSLAND</electorate>
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">SWARTZ, Reginald</name>
<name role="display">Mr SWARTZ</name>
</talker>
<para>- Great difficulty is being experienced in some country centres in having suitable arrangements made for the operation of manual telephone exchanges, especially where continuous service is desired. This difficulty has been overcome to a large extend in other places by the installation of rural automatic exchanges. Will the Postmaster-General inform me of the present position in regard to the availability of small automatic exchanges suitable for country districts? Will he also advise me of the prospects for the conversion of existing exchange installations from manual to automatic operation and the possibilities of the installation of new exchanges of the automatic type in country centres? </para>
</talk.start>
<continue>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>3072</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>JLZ</name.id>
<electorate />
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">ANTHONY, Hubert</name>
<name role="display">Mr ANTHONY</name>
</talker>
<para>- I fully appreciate the difficulties which exist in country districts in the obtaining of continuous service, or even service of extended duration in very many instances. Where only ten or twenty subscribers exist in a small country exchange it usually closes down at <inline font-style="italic">6</inline> or 8 o'clock in the evening, and for the remainder of the night the residents are cut off from service. Those facts are fully appreciated by my department. Until the end of last year I think there were less than 200 rural automatic exchanges throughout the Commonwealth. I am not quite certain of the exact figures, but the number was about 200. Since I have been in office action has been taken to improve the position. In fact, such action had been taken during the latter part of the "term of my predecessor. Orders have been placed for about 650 rural automatic exchanges. These are being manufactured in Great Britain and also in Australia. Certain factories are being encouraged to produce such types of equipment. I am hopeful that very great advances will be made in the provision of rural automatic exchanges during the next year or two. </para>
</talk.start>
</continue>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>3072</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>DOLLAR DEFICITS</title>
<page.no>3072</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>3072</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>JVM</name.id>
<electorate>GELLIBRAND, VICTORIA</electorate>
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">MULLENS, John</name>
<name role="display">Mr MULLENS</name>
</talker>
<para>- Will the Treasurer consider making a statement on the availability of dollars and its incidence on the economy of Australia? Will he investigate dollar allocations in order to ascertain to what extent the purchase of essential imports for home-building such as oregon timber is provided for? My question is prompted by a question, "Will a man ever own his own home?" which appears in the <inline font-style="italic">Sun</inline> newspaper this day. To what extent is the motion picture organization drawing on the dollar pool ? Does the Minister agree that home ownership at reduced costs is more beneficial to- the national welfare than temporary Hollywood glamour and make-believe ? </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>3072</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>F4T</name.id>
<electorate />
<party>CP</party>
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">FADDEN, Arthur William</name>
<name role="display">Mr FADDEN</name>
</talker>
<para>- My answer to the last part of the honorable member's question is, " Yes ". As to the first part of the question I shall look into the matter and ascertain to what extent I can make a statement on it. </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>3072</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>CIVIL AVIATION</title>
<page.no>3072</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>3072</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KWH</name.id>
<electorate>DENISON, TASMANIA</electorate>
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">TOWNLEY, Athol</name>
<name role="display">Mr TOWNLEY</name>
</talker>
<para>- I direct a question to the Minister representing the Minister for Civil Aviation. It concerns the growing shortage in Australia of airline pilots. At present it is customary to take a pilot off flying duties when he reaches the age of 45 years although he is experienced and highly qualified. This low retiring age discourages many young men from adopting flying as a career, and causes the loss of highly skilled personnel to the airlines. Will the Minister review the matter of the retiring age and, provided efficient medical standards are maintained, give consideration to retaining the services of pilots beyond the age of 45 years ? </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>3072</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>JWE</name.id>
<electorate />
<party>LP</party>
<role />
<in.gov>1</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">CASEY, Richard</name>
<name role="display">Mr CASEY</name>
</talker>
<para>- The Department of Civil Aviation provides that the age at which an airline pilot may make his first application for such a post shall not be more than 45 years. It is true that Trans-Australia Airlines insists upon a retirement at the age of 45 years. After that age a pilot continues duty with that organization for twelve months at a time, depending upon his medical condition. Australian National Airways </para>
</talk.start>
<para class="block">Proprietary Limited and, I think, Ansett Airways Proprietary Limited, have no arbitrary retiring age, and pilots continue duty with those companies according to medical and other conditions. I shall look into the matter in the light of the honorable member's question to ascertain what can be done about it. </para>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>3073</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>COAL</title>
<page.no>3073</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>3073</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KZ9</name.id>
<electorate>KENNEDY, QUEENSLAND</electorate>
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">RIORDAN, William</name>
<name role="display">Mr RIORDAN</name>
</talker>
<para>- I preface my question to the Prime Minister by stating that last week, in answer to a question upon notice, the Minister for Fuel, Shipping arid Transport informed me that a subsidy of £1,700,000 was to be paid by the Australian Government on the importation of coal into Victoria and South Australia from India and South Africa. I ask the Prime Minister whether the Government will subsidize Queensland coal which is sold interstate. Such coal would be won by Australian workmen who work for Australian rates of pay under Australian working conditions. Will the Government subsidize that coal to the same extent as it is prepared to subsidize coal won by cheap labour under cheap labour conditions? </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>3073</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>N76</name.id>
<electorate />
<party>LP</party>
<role />
<in.gov>1</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">MENZIES, Robert</name>
<name role="display">Mr MENZIES</name>
</talker>
<para>- The honorable member has raised a very large and farreaching matter. I do not know at what point he proposes that the subsidization of Australian coal should end, but I may tell him, as he is particularly concerned about Queensland coal, that the position in relation to that coal is at present under very close examination. In fact it was the subject-matter of discussions between the Minister for Fuel, Shipping and Transport and myself only yesterday. </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>3073</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>POLIOMYELITIS</title>
<page.no>3073</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>3073</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>JVA</name.id>
<electorate>REID, NEW SOUTH WALES</electorate>
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">MORGAN, Charles</name>
<name role="display">Mr MORGAN</name>
</talker>
<para>- In the absence of the Minister for Health, who still seems to be at grips with the British Medical Association over the proposed national health scheme, I ask the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the recent statement by the medical superintendent of Prince Henry Hospital, Sydney, <inline font-weight="bold">Dr. C.</inline> J". M. Walters, that an approach to the National Health and Medical Research Council for funds to finance research into poliomyelitis had been turned down flat despite the fact that the poliomyelitis epidemic, which has been sweeping two States, appears to be on the up-grade instead of abating, as it seemed to be doing a few weeks ago. In view of the fact that a similar unsympathetic attitude is taken by other health authorities, such as those at the Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, where the Kenny clinic is being slowly strangled by the administration of that institution, and the failure of Commonwealth and State Ministers for Health to meet in conference, in accordance with the intention announced by the Minister for Health some time ago, for the purpose of considering poliomyelitis and other important health problems, will the Prime Minister treat the matter as one of urgency and take it up with the appropriate Minister and the Treasurer, with a view to giving borne encouragement and financial assistance to the Prince Henry Institute of Epidemiology in its worthy efforts to discover the cause of the dread disease of poliomyelitis and a cure for it? </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>3073</page.no>
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<name.id>N76</name.id>
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<party>LP</party>
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<name role="metadata">MENZIES, Robert</name>
<name role="display">Mr MENZIES</name>
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<para>- I shall certainly bring the honorable member's remarks to the notice of the Minister for Health at the first available opportunity. </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>3073</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>ALUMINIUM</title>
<page.no>3073</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>3073</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KWE</name.id>
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<name role="metadata">TIMSON, Thomas</name>
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<para>- In view of the intense interest of this Parliament in the development of New Guinea, will the Minister for National Development supply the House with details of the joint venture that has been undertaken by the Government and the British Aluminium Company Limited, of London, for the purpose of investigating the possibilities of bauxite mining in New Guinea ? Will the right honorable gentleman also state whether the venture will cut across the Government's aluminium project in Tasmania ? </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>3073</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>JWE</name.id>
<electorate />
<party>LP</party>
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<in.gov>1</in.gov>
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<name role="metadata">CASEY, Richard</name>
<name role="display">Mr CASEY</name>
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<para>- As was announced recently, an exploratory company in which the Australian Government will hold 51 per cent, and the British Aluminium <inline font-style="italic">Company</inline> Limited 49 per cent, of the shares is being established. It will have a total capital of £100,000, and the Government will have majority representation on the board of directors. The objects of the company are to determine the existence or otherwise of high-grade bauxite deposits in New Guinea and to study the potentialities of the territory for the generation of hydro-electric power for use in the manufacture of aluminium. If the undertaking is successful, it is possible that a very much larger enterprise for the production of aluminium will eventuate, although plans for such a project have not yet been laid. The undertaking has nothing to do with the government aluminium enterprise in Tasmania, which is intended solely to meet Australia's immediate demand of approximately 10,000 tons a year. The eventual establishment of a large-scale scheme in New Guinea would be designed, of course, to relieve the British peoples of their present necessity of importing aluminium almost exclusively from dollar sources. </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>3074</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE</title>
<page.no>3074</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>3074</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KF8</name.id>
<electorate>SWAN, WESTERN AUSTRALIA</electorate>
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<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">GRAYDEN, William</name>
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<para>- Will the Minister for Works and Housing inform me whether it is a fact that several hundred personnel are serving at the Royal Air Force establishment at Pearce, in Western Australia, yet only half a dozen flats are available there for married personnel? Will the right honorable gentleman give consideration to having more flats constructed at Pearce which is situated some 30 miles from Perth, with the object of providing better conditions for members of the Royal Australian Air Force ? </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>3074</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>JWE</name.id>
<electorate />
<party>LP</party>
<role />
<in.gov>1</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">CASEY, Richard</name>
<name role="display">Mr CASEY</name>