/
19501116_senate_19_210.xml
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19501116_senate_19_210.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>1950-11-16</date>
<parliament.no>19</parliament.no>
<session.no>1</session.no>
<period.no>2</period.no>
<chamber>SENATE</chamber>
<page.no>2487</page.no>
<proof>0</proof>
</session.header>
<chamber.xscript>
<para class="block">Senate. </para>
<business.start>
<day.start>1950-11-16</day.start>
<para>The President <inline font-weight="bold">(Senator the Hon. Gordon Brown)</inline> took the chair at 11 a.m .. and read prayers. </para>
</business.start>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>2488</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>CURRENCY</title>
<page.no>2488</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>2488</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>K1T</name.id>
<electorate>QUEENSLAND</electorate>
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">BENN, Archibald</name>
<name role="display">Senator BENN</name>
</talker>
<para>- I ask the Minister representing the Treasurer if he will direct the officer in charge of the Note Issue Department of the Commonwealth Bank to have the next issue of bank notes of £1 denomination manufactured by a paper-bag manufacturer in order that the notes will be openable objects, complete with zip fasteners, and more capable of having value added to and held in them ? </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>2488</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>K7A</name.id>
<electorate>NEW SOUTH WALES</electorate>
<party>LP</party>
<role>Minister for Social Services</role>
<in.gov>1</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">SPOONER, William</name>
<name role="display">Senator SPOONER</name>
</talker>
<para>- I assume that the honorable senator regards his question as a humorous one. I regard it as being more foolish than humorous, and I refuse to give any serious consideration to it. </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>2488</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>TIMBER</title>
<page.no>2488</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>2488</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>JXC</name.id>
<electorate>TASMANIA</electorate>
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">MURRAY, Reginald</name>
<name role="display">Senator MURRAY</name>
</talker>
<para>- Is the Minister representing the Minister for Commerce and Agriculture aware that Tasmania imports from Canada and the United States of America large quantities of pine case materials and shooks for use by its fruit-growing industry, and that, owing to the high cost of dollars and the adverse exchange rate, the cost of these materials is in excess of 3s. a case 7 Will the Minister cause to be investigated reports that large quantities of suitable pine case materials are available in Indonesia for sterling at prices lower than those charged by Canada and the United States of America? Will he also request his colleague to consider the possibility of using the vast timber resources of New Guinea as a source of supply for case material 1 During the last war, forestry units of the Australian Imperial Force established saw mills in New Guinea and cut large quantities of timber, mainly softwoods, suitable for war purposes. </para>
</talk.start>
<interjection>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>2488</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KUA</name.id>
<electorate>SOUTH AUSTRALIA</electorate>
<party>UAP; LP from 1944</party>
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">MCLEAY, George</name>
<name role="display">Senator McLEAY</name>
</talker>
<para>- The answer to each of the three questions asked by the honorable senator is " Yes ". </para>
</talk.start>
</interjection>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>2488</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>SHIPPING</title>
<page.no>2488</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>2488</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>JZ8</name.id>
<electorate>SOUTH AUSTRALIA</electorate>
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">FINLAY, Alexander</name>
<name role="display">Senator FINLAY</name>
</talker>
<para>- Has the Minister for Fuel, Shipping and Transport read a press report of the comments made by the Premier of South Australia regarding the inconvenience from which South Australia is suffering because ships are travelling from Western Australia to that State in ballast instead of carrying cargo that Ls "urgently required there? Is the </para>
</talk.start>
<para class="block">Minister aware that while ships are returning empty from Western Australia, the South Australian Government is eagerly waiting for 250,000 . railway sleepers to be sent from Western Australia and that hundreds of tons of potatoes are awaiting shipment from Western Australia to South Australia? </para>
<interjection>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>2488</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KUA</name.id>
<electorate>SOUTH AUSTRALIA</electorate>
<party>UAP; LP from 1944</party>
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">MCLEAY, George</name>
<name role="display">Senator McLEAY</name>
</talker>
<para>- Yesterday I received a telegram from the Premier of South Australia in connexion with the matters that the honorable senator has raised, and while I was in Melbourne I caused appropriate investigations to be made. A coal carrier is coming from Western Australia to Whyalla in ballast, and will lift coal that is urgently required in Newcastle for a priority job. This week a ship left Bunbury for South Australia with a large quantity of railway sleepers, and another vessel carrying sleepers will proceed to Adelaide next week. The Australian Shipping Board hopes that, before the end of this month, all the sleepers that South Australia has ordered will have been lifted. </para>
</talk.start>
</interjection>
<interjection>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>2488</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>K0W</name.id>
<electorate />
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">ASHLEY, William</name>
<name role="display">Senator Ashley</name>
</talker>
<para>- Did I understand the Minister to. say that a vessel is to carry coal from Whyalla to Newcastle f </para>
</talk.start>
</interjection>
<interjection>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>2488</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KUA</name.id>
<electorate>SOUTH AUSTRALIA</electorate>
<party>UAP; LP from 1944</party>
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">MCLEAY, George</name>
<name role="display">Senator McLEAY</name>
</talker>
<para>- I thank the Leader of the Opposition for drawing my attention to an error. I meant to say that the ship is proceeding to Whyalla in ballast and will lift iron ore, not coal. Had it loaded cargo in Western Australia for Adelaide, a delay of a fortnight would have been entailed. In view of the modern loading facilities that exist at Whyalla, the shit) will be able to leave with a load of iron ore for Newcastle within less than 24 hours after its arrival at Whyalla. </para>
</talk.start>
</interjection>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>2488</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>KOREA</title>
<page.no>2488</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>2488</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>L8E</name.id>
<electorate>VICTORIA</electorate>
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">CAMERON, Donald</name>
<name role="display">Senator CAMERON</name>
</talker>
<para>- Can the Minister for Trade and Customs say when he is likely to make a statement to the Senate upon the position in Korea ? </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>2488</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>JZI</name.id>
<electorate>QUEENSLAND</electorate>
<party>LP</party>
<role>Minister for Trade and Customs</role>
<in.gov>1</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">O'SULLIVAN, Neil</name>
<name role="display">Senator O'SULLIVAN</name>
</talker>
<para>- I have no statement to make on that matter at the present time. I assure the Senate that when the Prime Minister considers the time to be propitious a statement will be made immediately. </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>2489</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>INFLATION</title>
<page.no>2489</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>2489</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KMN</name.id>
<electorate>NEW SOUTH WALES</electorate>
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">GRANT, Donald</name>
<name role="display">Senator GRANT</name>
</talker>
<para>- Has the Minister for Trade and Customs read a report in to-day's newspapers that 28 heifers from New South Wales were sold at an average of 83 guineas each, that the wool clip had gone up by 100 per cent., and that in Brisbane yesterday a record price of 208^ pence per lb. was paid for seven bales of wool? In view of these things, and bearing in mind Australia's immigration policy and defence programme, does the Government now realize the seriousness of the present inflationary tendency, and does it intend to take more positive action to combat that tendency than it has taken to date? </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>2489</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>JZI</name.id>
<electorate />
<party>LP</party>
<role />
<in.gov>1</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">O'SULLIVAN, Neil</name>
<name role="display">Senator O'SULLIVAN</name>
</talker>
<para>- The Government is fully conscious of the inflationary trend throughout the world to-day. Although it is quite conceivable that, due to the confidence of the people of this country in the present Administration, there Will be a continued period of boom conditions in Australia, the s state of affairs to which the honorable senator has referred is indeed serious, and the Government will do all that it can to combat the present trend. </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>ME. ARCHIE CAMERON, M.P</title>
<page.no>2489</page.no>
<type>miscellaneous</type>
</debateinfo>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>2489</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KMN</name.id>
<electorate />
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">GRANT, Donald</name>
<name role="display">Senator GRANT</name>
</talker>
<para>- I draw the attention of the Minister for Fuel, Shipping and Transport to a photograph and caption that appeared in yesterday's Melbourne <inline font-style="italic">Sun News-Pictorial.</inline> The photograph is of the honorable member for Barker - lie is referred to as the right honorable member - and a berobed official, and the caption reads - </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>SPEAKER IN HIS OLD HOME TOWN</title>
<page.no>2489</page.no>
<type>miscellaneous</type>
</debateinfo>
<para>The Bight Honorable Archie G. Cameron, Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives, signing the visitors' book in the Town Hall at Inverness, Scotland, last week, watched by the Provost of Inverness, James Grigor. <inline font-weight="bold">Mr. Cameron,</inline> a native of Fort William, Inverness shire, visited his home town and called on the Highland Chief of the Cameron Clan. </para>
<para class="block">Incidentally, I was born at Inverness. Will the Minister inform the Senate whether it is not a fact that the honorable member for Barker was born in South Australia, and that there appears to be a tendency on the part of Australians who habitually wear tartan ties to renounce their native land when they go abroad? Question not answered. </para>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>2489</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>HOUSING</title>
<page.no>2489</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>2489</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>JSB</name.id>
<electorate>SOUTH AUSTRALIA</electorate>
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">CRITCHLEY, John</name>
<name role="display">Senator CRITCHLEY</name>
</talker>
<para>- Because of old age, war disabilities, and the high cost of living, many ex-servicemen of World War I. are experiencing difficulty in paying off loans for war service homes. In a number of instances, the Government has already been paid about three times the original cost of their dwellings. Will the Minister representing the Minister who is administering war service homes consider the writing off by the Government of the remaining principal and interest owing by veterans of World War I. who have been in occupation of their homes for more than a quarter of a century? </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>2489</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>K7A</name.id>
<electorate />
<party>LP</party>
<role />
<in.gov>1</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">SPOONER, William</name>
<name role="display">Senator SPOONER</name>
</talker>
<para>- A somewhat similar question was asked recently in this chamber. I see no justification for recommending to the Government that war service homes contracts with exservicemen of World War I. should be varied. Those men have enjoyed a very good repayment arrangement over a long period of years. Most of the exservicemen of World War I. who entered into contracts to buy war service homes have completed their contracts, and I consider that the remaining contracts should be allowed to run to a natural conclusion. </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>QUESTION</title>
<page.no>2489</page.no>
<type>Questions</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY</title>
<page.no>2489</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>2489</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>L8E</name.id>
<electorate />
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">CAMERON, Donald</name>
<name role="display">Senator CAMERON</name>
</talker>
<para>asked the Minister representing the Minister for the Navy - <inline font-style="italic">upon notice -</inline></para>
</talk.start>
<list type="decimal-dotted">
<item label="1.">
<para>Is it customary for naval officers to parade naval ratings in uniform handcuffed either to recruits or prisoners in civilian dress in public places </para>
</item>
<item label="2.">
<para>If not, will the Minister inquire whether this practice was adopted at Albury and Seymour on 10th November, 1950, and possibly later on at Melbourne? </para>
</item>
<item label="3.">
<para>If such is the custom, will he be prepared to advise prospective recruits for the Navy accordingly ? </para>
</item>
</list>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>2489</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>K7A</name.id>
<electorate />
<party>LP</party>
<role />
<in.gov>1</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">SPOONER, William</name>
<name role="display">Senator SPOONER</name>
</talker>
<para>- The Minister for the Navy has supplied the following answers : - </para>
</talk.start>
<list type="decimal-dotted">
<item label="1.">
<para>No. </para>
</item>
<item label="2.">
<para>Three ratings who had twice broken out from Flinders Naval Depot whilst undergoing punishment for offences when in the naval service (including one of stealing) were arrested in Sydney by civil police. They had proceeded to Sydney in a stolen car. The civil police had apprehended and handed over the offenders, who were in plain clothes, to a naval patrol consisting of a petty officer and three ratings who were in naval uniform. In order to ensure that the offenders would not break away again whilst being brought to Melbourne for trial the petty officer in charge of the escort arranged for the prisoners to be handcuffed to the escort. In Melbourne on the 14th November, the three men were found guilty in a civil court of illegal use of a motor car and of larceny and are now in a civil prison. </para>
</item>
<item label="3.">
<para>See answer to No. 1. </para>
</item>
</list>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>THE PARLIAMENT</title>
<page.no>2490</page.no>
<type>miscellaneous</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>Broadcasting of Proceedings: Report of Committee</title>
<page.no>2490</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>2490</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>K6P</name.id>
<electorate>QUEENSLAND</electorate>
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">BROWN, Gordon</name>
<name role="display">The PRESIDENT (Senator the Hon Gordon Brown</name>
</talker>
<para>- I present the fifth report of the Joint Committee on the Broadcasting of Parliamentary Proceedings, which reads as follows : - </para>
</talk.start>
<quote>
<para>The Joint Committee on the Broadcasting of Parliamentary Proceedings submits the fifth report for presentation to each House of the Parliament and recommends its adoption. </para>
<para>The joint committee has further considered the general principles upon which there should bc determined thedays upon which and the periods during which the proceedings of the Senate and the House of Representatives shall be broadcast, which were specified in previous reports by the joint committee and were adopted by both Houses. In accordance with section 12 (1.) of the Parliamentary Proceedings Broadcasting Act 1946, the joint committee has now resolved that sub-paragraph (a) of paragraph (4) of the general principles, viz.: - " (4) <inline font-style="italic">Re-broadcast' of questions and</inline> answers - </para>
<list type="loweralpha">
<item label="(a)">
<para>Within the limits of time available, the following Parliamentary Proceedings shall be re-broadcast by the Australian Broadcasting Commission between 7.20 p.m. and 7.55 p.m. on each sitting day - </para>
</item>
</list>
<para class="block">Senate proceedings - Questions without notice and on notice and answers thereto; </para>
<para class="block">House of Representatives proceedings - Questions without notice and answers thereto.", be amended as follows: - </para>
<para class="block">Omit "between 7.20 p.m. and 7.55 p.m.", insert " between 7.25 p.m. and 8 p.m.". </para>
<para class="block">It is proposed that this amendment shall come into operation on the 11th December, 1950. </para>
</quote>
<para class="block">This recommendation of the joint committee provides for an alteration in the time for the rebroadcast of questions and answers. The Australian Broadcasting Commission has heen required hy general principle (4) (a) to rebroadcast questions and answers between 7.20 p.m. and 7.55 p.m. on each sitting day. In practice the commission has included a short summary in this period, but at the same time has continued the rehroadcast until approximately 8 p.m. The commission has now requested that the specified period for the rehroadcast be changed to 7.25 p.m. to 8 p.m. The joint committee has agreed to the proposal and the adoption of the report is accordingly recommended. </para>
<para>Motion (by <inline font-weight="bold">Senator O'Sullivan)</inline> - <inline font-style="italic">by leave</inline> - agreed to - </para>
<quote>
<para>That the report be adopted. </para>
</quote>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>SOCIAL SERVICES CONSOLIDATION BILL (No. 2) 1950</title>
<page.no>2490</page.no>
<type>bill</type>
</debateinfo>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>Second Reading</title>
<page.no>2490</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<para>Debate resumed from the 15th November <inline font-style="italic">(vide</inline> page 2422), on motion by <inline font-weight="bold">Senator Spooner</inline> - </para>
<quote>
<para>That the bill be now read a second time. </para>
</quote>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>2490</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>232369</name.id>
<electorate>WESTERN AUSTRALIA</electorate>
<party>ALP</party>
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">HARRIS, John</name>
<name role="display">Senator HARRIS</name>
</talker>
<para>.- When the debate was interrupted last night, I was pointing out that had not a Labour government been in office from 1941 until 1949, twothirds of our social services legislation would never have been passed. The parties that support the present Government were in power for 25 years, with one brief interruption, but in all that time they did very little to improve social services in this country. The greatest improvements to our social services were introduced by the Labour Government during the war, although at that time a high percentage of our man-power was in the fighting services, and men, women and boys were engaged on war work. In spite of war commitments, Labour was laying the foundations of its social services plan. To-day, that plan hae come to fruition, and the Labour party is proud of its achievements. In its comparatively short term of office, it was able to place on the statute-hook legislation that had been part of its platform for many years. As I said last night, when Labour came to power, there were only three social services in the Commonwealth sphere - the invalid and age pension, maternity allowances, and child endowment. The child endowment scheme had been introduced by the first Menzies Government, but the burden of giving effect to it had to be borne by the succeeding Labour Ad-ministration. Labour's record in the social services field between 1941 and 1949 included an increase of the invalid and age pension by 100 per cent., the relaxation of the means test, the introduction of allowances for wives and children of invalid pensioners, introduction of widows' pensions, an increase of maternity allowances by 200 per cent., and the abolition of the means test in respect of such allowances, an increase of child endowment payments, the institution of funeral benefits, unemployment and sickness benefits, hospital benefits, the tuberculosis benefit, and pharmaceutical benefits, provision for rental rebates under the Commonwealth and State Housing Agreement, the inauguration of a scheme for the rehabilitation of disabled persons, and the introduction of mental institution benefits. The cost of social services in 1948-49 was £88,000,000, and the then Prime Minister <inline font-weight="bold">(Mr. Chifley),</inline> who was also Treasurer, did not have to dip his hand into the pockets of private individuals to balance his budget. Contrast those achievements with the record of the Liberal 'party. In 1932, although there was a revenue surplus, the then Liberal Government reduced the invalid and age pension from 17s. 6d. to 15s. a week. At the same time, pensioners were penalized by certain property provisions. If a pensioner died leaving property, the Liberal Government took from his estate the money that it had paid to him by way of pension. Do honorable senators opposite feel proud of that record? As the result of the property provisions to which I have referred, 12,000 persons surrendered their pensions, and another 13,000 who would have been eligible for pensions, refrained from applying for them. Those figures were given by <inline font-weight="bold">Sir John</inline> Latham when he was Attorney-General of the Commonwealth. Liberal governments also compelled the relatives of pensioners to con- tribute to their support. The proposed increases of pensions will be swallowed up within a few months by high living costs. The rates which the Government now proposes are not sufficient to meet the requirements of the pensioners. Once again the Government has com pletely failed to honour a promise to a very deserving section of the community. I wholeheartedly agree with <inline font-weight="bold">Senator Robertson</inline> that the pensions paid to aged and invalid persons are not nearly sufficient. </para>
</talk.start>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>2491</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>K28</name.id>
<electorate>QUEENSLAND</electorate>
<party>LP</party>
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">RANKIN, Annabelle</name>
<name role="display">Senator ANNABELLE RANKIN</name>
</talker>
<para>. - I support this bill with much pleasure because it will bring much-needed assistance to many thousands of people throughout the Commonwealth. I congratulate the Minister for Social Services <inline font-weight="bold">(Senator Spooner)</inline> not only on having introduced the measure but also on the sympathy which he has displayed in considering the very many needy cases that have been brought before him. I also congratulate the officers of his department throughout the length and breadth of the land on the sympathetic manner in which they, too, carry out their work. All of us who have dealings with the department appreciate the assistance which its officers so readily give us and the sympathetic manner in which they carry out their investigations. This bill honours a promise which was made by the Government and it will be welcomed by the people of the Commonwealth. I am rather amazed to find that honorable senators opposite who, when they were in office, did not increase the pension rate, should endeavour to belittle efforts of this Government to improve the lot of the pensioners. I am glad to be associated with a Government which is responsible for proposing the largest increase that has yet been made in the rate of pensions. It is perhaps well that we should dwell on some of the points that were made by the Minister in his second-reading speech. <inline font-style="italic">We</inline> all are aware of the problems which face aged and invalid persons in this country. Every honorable senator in this chamber is sympathetically disposed towards them and would like to give them the greatest possible assistance. One of the greatest problems which face aged persons in this community is the housing shortage. I have given that subject a great deal of attention. I am greatly concerned about the provision of proper and adequate housing for aged persons, particularly for aged married couples. Nothing is morn, tragic than for people who have lived together for many years to be forced to remain apart in their declining years. I do not in any way disparage those institutions which care for aged persons; they render excellent service to the community. All of us agree that it is a great tragedy that in their declining years aged persons should be separated. Excellent work is being done in various parts of the country by church and other organizations, but there is a great need for further assistance, and if it is possible for the Government at any time to assist in providing that assistance, I hope that it will do so. Garden settlements of cottages for aged couples provide perhaps the happiest means of caring for them in their old' age, but there are also other plans that should be considered. I wish to refer to the housing of aged and invalid pensioners in cases where aged couples, who, in the last years of their lives, must undergo medical treatment. It may mean that one of them must travel from a distant part of a State to 'the capital city in order to receive treatment, resulting in a long separation from each other. Perhaps both of them may be in hospital at the one time, although in different wards whatever the conditions that arise it means separation of the couple. In other countries of the world small cottages are to be found attached to hospitals, so that aged married couples, in need of medical attention, either or both of whom may live in them, and I consider that that scheme could be very well adopted in this country. I know that there are various problems involved, such as staffing and administration, but those problems have been overcome in other countries. The tare of aged invalid couples is something that should be considered further in this country, not only by governments, but by all organizations that are interested in the matter. </para>
</talk.start>
<para>It is pleasing to note that there has been an increase in the pensions payable to widows; class A from £2 7s. 6d. to £2 15s. a week; class B from £1 17s. 6d'. to £2 2s. a week; class C from £2 2s. 6d. to £2 7s. 6d. a week, and class D from £1 17s. to £2 2s. a week. There is, however, still a need for assistance to civilian widows. These women have a difficult time and although I know that this matter will always receive the sympathetic attention of the Minister for Social Services <inline font-weight="bold">(Senator Spooner),</inline> I again wish to bring it to his notice. </para>
<para>On many occasions I have spoken in this chamber concerning the plight of the civilian widow who loses her husband when she is, say, 28 years of age. She is then a young woman, with perhaps small children, so that her most important task is the care of those children and provision of a home for them. When her youngest child reaches the age of sixteen years, she no longer receives assistance. She is then, perhaps, 44 years of age, and has been out of the employment market for many years. At that age she is forced to find some means of earning an income until she is eligible to apply for a B class widow's pension at the age of 50 years. It is possible that she may be in indifferent health, and not really fit to work. People concerned with the employment of female labour have told me that it is most difficult for a woman who has been at home and attending to her family for many years to obtain suitable employment when she is middle-aged. But because of the years remaining between the time when her youngest child attains the age of sixteen years, and .the time when she becomes eligible for a B class widow's pension, she must seek employment in order to support herself. That is a matter to which the Government will, I hope, give sympathetic consideration. </para>
<para>I bring to the attention of the Government the fact that many civilian widows at the present time are experiencing great difficulty in obtaining homes. I think it was yesterday that <inline font-weight="bold">Senator Kendall</inline> also spoke on this subject. Widows are in a worse position than are most homeseekers, because in many cases they have not the money to pay a deposit on a home, and also 'because in their case the risk is considered to be greater. </para>
<para>I am glad to note that child endowment in future will be paid to the children of members of the naval, military and air forces of the United Kingdom while they are serving with the Australian forces, and that that endowment will be paid from the time of arrival of the children in Australia. That is in line with the action taken by the Minister for Social </para>
<para class="block">Services when he recently introduced in this chamber legislation to provide for the payment of endowment for the first child, which is of great assistance to many mothers throughout the Commonwealth. </para>
<para>I congratulate the Government on the provision of further assistance to the blind. I have always considered that a person who has suffered the disability of blindness, of not being able to see and enjoy the many beauties around us and the pleasures which those of us who have this great gift can enjoy, should be given every assistance. I am delighted to know that this Government is assisting them so considerably. It is fitting at this point to pay tribute to the many voluntary organizations which also assist the blind. The Braille Writers Association comes to mind, and there are many others. When congratulating the Government on the assistance it has given to blind people it would be unpardonable if we allowed ourselves to forget the splendid work being performed by those organizations. </para>
<para>It is heartening to read in the Minister's second-reading speech that additional sickness benefits have been provided for, but I wish now to mention a matter which is causing some concern in the community at the present time. I refer to young people under the age of sixteen years who are in employment, and who, through industrial unrest, a.re thrown out of work through no fault of their own, but are not entitled to receive unemployment benefits. Last year there was a great deal of industrial unrest in one State and, as a result, many girls under the age of sixteen years had to be dismissed from their employment. Many of them were a long way from their homes and were placed in a difficult situation, because, owing to their ages, they were not eligible for unemployment benefit. I ask the Minister to give sympathetic consideration to cases of that kind. I am speaking especially on behalf of young girls working in metropolitan areas who may, if they ave thrown out of work, encounter great difficulty in returning to their homes in country areas. I congratulate the Government upon the attitude that it has adopted in this bill to recipients of war pensions. I am very glad that war pensions will not in future be taken :into consideration when recipients apply for social services benefits. That is a step in the right direction. </para>
<para>I do not wish to delay the passage of this humanitarian measure, which will assist thousands of people in this country. I am certain that every honorable senator wishes it to be passed speedily in order that those persons who will benefit from it shall do so as soon as possible. I ask the Government to consider the points that I have raised. I again urge the Minister to consider the possibility of assisting in providing houses for aged people, not only in the capital cities but also in rural areas, in order that old couples may be enabled to spend the rest of their lives together in the places in which their children have grown up, where they have their friends and in which they have lived for the best years of their lives. I ask him to consider whether houses for aged married couples can be erected in association with hospitals, so that the old people can be cared for when either or both are ill. I ask that sympathetic consideration be given to the problems confronting civilian widows in what may be called the " inbetween " years. I refer to the period between the time when the youngest child of a civilian widow reaches the age of sixteen years and the time when the widow becomes eligible for a B class widow's pension. In those years, it is often difficult for a civilian widow to obtain employment. </para>
<para>I am proud to be associated with an Administration that is honouring the promises it made to the people and greatly improving the position of beneficiaries under the social services legislation. The bill makes provision for the greatest increases of pensions ever to be granted in this country. We all believe that those who need assistance should receive it and I am certain that we all hope that eventually it will be possible further to liberalize the operation of the means test, because we do- not want persons who have been thrifty to be penalized for their thrift. This bill will bring much happiness to many people in this country. I congratulate the Government upon it and support it whole-heartedly. </para>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>2493</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>K1T</name.id>
<electorate>Queensland</electorate>
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">BENN, Archibald</name>
<name role="display">Senator BENN</name>
</talker>
<para>. - The Minister for Social Services <inline font-weight="bold">(Senator Spooner),</inline> in his second-reading speech, said that the provisions of this bill fell into two classifications. The Minister furnished particulars of present rates of pensions and proposed increased rates. I think that it is well that honorable senators should consider why, in 1950, it should still be necessary for the Australian Government to provide social services. The fact is that many people in the community do not enjoy social security, which is a plank of Labour's platform. The measure before the chamber is founded on Labour's principles. I wish to deal particularly with the subject of maternity allowances, which were first provided by the Fisher Labour Government in 1912. The amount of the maternity allowance then granted was £5 for each child, which was more than twice the basic wage then operating in Queensland. When we bear in mind the numerous items of expenditure with which mothers are faced, it can be appreciated that maternity allowances are very valuable to them. Cotton and flannelette squares, as well as many other special items of babies' clothing, have to be bought, and in addition domestic help is necessary at that period. Therefore, the grant of £5 proved a boon to mothers in those days. In 1943, when the basic wage was £4 17s. a week in Queensland the maternity allowance was increased to £15. To-day the basic wage in that State is £6 19s. a week. If the amount of the maternity allowance still bore the same relationship to the basic wage as it did in 1912; the allowance should be about £21 10s. I should be glad if the Minister, when replying, would inform the Senate why the ratio has not been maintained. </para>
</talk.start>
<para>Child endowment in respect of children under the age of 16 years is now payable at the rate of 5s. a week for the first child, and 10s. a week for the second and subsequent children. The 10s. a week rate was decided upon in 1948, when the basic wage in Queensland was £5 19s. a week. If equated to the present basic wage in that State, the rate should be increased by about ls. 6d. a week. Therefore it is apparent that the increases of the rates of social services have not kept pace with the increased cost of living. </para>
<para>In 1945 provision was made for the payment of unemployment and sickness benefits at the rate of £1 5s. a week for a man, and £1 a week for his wife. If the relationship of that benefit to the basic wage had been preserved, the payment should have been increased by £1 a week. The funeral benefit of £10 was introduced in July, 1943, when the basic wage in Queensland was £4 15s. a week. If the funeral benefit were equated with the basic wage operating to-day, the amount payable should be about £14 12s. The shortage of juvenile workers since the early 40's is attributable to the fact that birth control was practised during the financial depression of the 30's. It became apparent that, in the national interests, encouragement would have to be given to increasing the birthrate, and child endowment on a national scale was introduced in 1941. Even as long ago as 1924, <inline font-weight="bold">Mr. Justice</inline> McCawley, who was President of the Industrial Court of Queensland, had commented on the necessity for child endowment, following the introduction of a child endowment scheme in New South Wales several years previously. On that occasion he stated - </para>
<quote>
<para>It seems to me that <inline font-weight="bold">Mr. Piddington</inline> is right in considering that it should be the institution of child endowment on a national peale. His arguments are set forth in his little book which all should read - <inline font-style="italic">The Next Step,</inline> published in 1921. </para>
<para>I can see no other way of substantially raising the standard of living of those who are at present the most unfairly treated, married men with young dependent children who now receive the basic wage or a little more. Those who desire to consider further the subject of child endowment should read Miss Rathbone's recent book " The Disinherited Family ", Professor Paul Douglas' pamphlet on "Family Allowances" (published in the Quarterly Journal of Economics, February, 1024), "Family Allowances in French Industry " (International Labour Review, February. 1P24), and <inline font-weight="bold">Dr.</inline> Eduard Hermann's article on " The Family Wage Controversy in Germany " (Economic journal, December, 1923). </para>
</quote>
<para class="block">At that time a prominent Australian was giving considerable thought to the subject of child endowment. Of his work, <inline font-weight="bold">Mr. Justice</inline> McCawley wrote - </para>
<quote>
<para>The principle of child endowment has long been affirmed by the platforms of the Labourparty. <inline font-weight="bold">Mr. J.</inline> T. Sutcliffe, the able secretary of the Basic Wage Commission, has given evidence upon the matter before the Federal' National Insurance Commission, now sitting, and it is possible that that Commission will express its views upon this universally discussed question. </para>
</quote>
<para class="block">That was written long before child endowment was introduced. </para>
<para>Another provision of the social Services Consolidation Act relates to unemployment and sickness benefits. It is generally accepted that if present conditions had been normal during the last twenty years, no provision would have been made for unemployment. To-day, unemployment is practically unknown, but when the benefit was introduced there had been severe unemployment throughout Australia for the previous ten or twelve years. Indeed, at one time, more than 23 per cent, of the population was unemployed. The majority of workers today receive sick pay under the awards which cover their employment, but when their rights under their awards are exhausted, they must look elsewhere for help. Therefore, it was necessary for the legislation to make provision for that contingency, and sickness benefit was introduced. However, this bill does not provide for increasing the rate of sickness and unemployment benefits, although the cost of living has greatly increased. Perhaps the Minister, in replying to the debate, will tell us why the rates were not increased. He may say that, because there is very little unemployment to-day, there was no need to increase the rates. I point out, however, that Australia is passing through a period of unprecedented prosperity, and if the rates are not increased new it is extremely unlikely that they will be increased should the country fall on lean times. </para>
<para>There is not much unemployment, but there is some in certain seasonal industries. In Queensland, there are three important seasonal industries - those associated with sugar production, shearing and slaughtering. The sugar season extends from May to January, and shearing is conducted over much the same period. There are two slaughtering periods at the meat-works during the year. The works commence operations in March of each year, and continue until June. Then there is a break of a month or so, and operations, when resumed, continue until late in November or early December. It is necessary that workers be available, and it is better that they live in the neighbourhood of the meat-works. Most of the workers do, in fact, live in centres adjacent to the place of their employment, and in the slack periods they are unemployed. In Rockhampton, over 1,000 men are employed at the meat-works, and in the slack period it is not possible to find employment in Rockhampton for all those men. Many of them are necessarily unemployed for a month or more at a time. They are entitled to draw unemployment benefit, but no provision has been made in this bill for increasing the benefit. </para>
<para>Widows' pensions have been increased, but the increases are not commensurate with the increased cost of living. Many age pensioners are suffering distress, and the slight increase of pensions granted will not improve their position to any appreciable degree. Their distress arises chiefly from lack of proper housing, and of suitable medical care. The aged and infirm reach a stage when they cannot look after themselves, and cannot afford to employ domestic service. The demands of civilization require us to maintain social services at the highest possible level, but the bill now before us falls short of what we are entitled to expect. The pension increases provided for in the bill are insufficient, and no attempt is made to increase other social services payments. In short, this measure fails to ensure the maintenance of the high standard of living to which we believe every member of this civilized community is entitled. For some time now, the rising cost of living has been reducing the value of our social services payments. In August, 1942, the average basic wage for the six capital cities was £4 13s. a week. In November, 1949, it was £6 9s. a week. That steep rise over a period of seven years was due to the increased cost of living, and unprecedented prosperity. Prom the 10th December, 1949, up to the present, the basic wage has risen from £5 9s. a week to £7 2s. a week, an increase of £1 13s. In other words, whereas, under Labour's administration, the average basic wage increased by £1 16s. in seven years ; under the administration of the present Government, the basic wage has increased by £1 13s. in less than twelve months. This has inflicted great hardships on social services beneficiaries. Ignoring prosperity loadings, we find that, during Labour's seven years of office, the increase of the average basic wage in accordance with the " C " series index, was £1 9s., whereas during the eleven months of office of the present Government the increases have been 4s. in February, 2s. in May, 2s. in August, and 3s. in the current month, making a total of 13s. When the Minister replies to the second-reading debate, I should like him to tell us the reason for those increases. The further prosperity loading of £1 a week that is to come into operation shortly, will further reduce the purchasing power of pensioners, and recipients of other social services payments. When the new basic wage takes effect, manufacturers will increase their prices to meet higher production costs. Retailers will have to huy at the increased rates, and therefore they will have to sell to the public at higher prices. Ultimately, the increased production costs incurred by the payment of an additional £1 a week will be passed on to the public, with the result that the purchasing power of social services payments will decline further. I know of no fairer way of adjusting social services payments than to tie them directly to the basic wage so that they will rise and fall according to variations of the basic wage. That was the practice until a few years ago, when there was a reduction of the basic wage. Dissatisfaction was expressed at the possibility that pensions, too, would be reduced, with the result that the method was changed. Since that time, .pension rates have been determined by the Parliament. If the Parliament is to continue to fix those rates, it should review them at least every six months. I should like the Minister to tell me in his reply on whose advice the social services increases provided for in this measure were determined. Cabinet has no expert knowledge of these matters, and would not be in a position to decide that the invalid and age pensions, for instance, should be increased by 7s. 6d. a week. Pension rates should be determined by experts advising Cabinet and departmental heads. </para>
<para>The provisions of the bill are divided into two classifications - those relating to pension increases and those relating to the liberalization of other benefits. I wish to draw the attention of the Senate to one instance in which there has been no liberalization. Speaking of the sickness and unemployment benefits, the Minister said - </para>
<quote>
<para>The means test for these benefits allows 20s. a week for income, and at present a war pension is regarded as income. </para>
</quote>
<para class="block">An unemployed person is permitted to earn 20s. a week without suffering a reduction of the unemployment benefit. Provision for a permissible income of 20s. was made in 1944, when the basic wage was approximately £1 a day. Since then the basic wage has been increased by at least £2 a week and accordingly the amount of permissible income should be increased to approximately 30s. I ask the Minister when he is replying to the debate to state why the Government did not fix a higher amount, particularly in view of existing high living costs. </para>
<para>
<inline font-weight="bold">Senator Robertson</inline>referred to the Dickensian characters, David Copperfield and Oliver Twist. Another Dickensian character came to my mind whose reputation is more in keeping with that of the Minister for Social Services and his officers. There is no generosity and human understanding among the members of the Cabinet when dealing with social services. The policy adopted by this Government ever since it has been in office is the policy of Scrooge. The money which the Government will provide under this bill has been wrung from people who receive no benefit from social services. The Government has deprived many persons of their pensions in pursuance of its " Scroogian" policy. The increased rates of pension proposed in this bill in the final analysis will not deprive the Government of any money because its revenues are rapidly increasing. </para>
<para>I direct the attention of the Senate toa specific case in which the Department of Social Services has been guilty of injustice. It relates to a young man, 25- years of age, who had been granted an invalid pension on the ground of deformity. The young man had not developed physically beyond the standard of a boy twelve or thirteen years of age. He wears a coat which would fit a boy eleven or twelve years of age. Because there was nothing wrong with him mentally, the Department of Social Services said to him, " We shall teach you a trade so that you can work in industry and make wages for yourself ". The young man's affliction prevented him from travelling by train from his place of residence to the district in which the trades school was established, and because he failed to attend the school the department deprived him of his pension. </para>
<para>Another case to which I direct attention is that of a widow who has washed at the tubs of other people for many years in order to support her family. She had the good fortune to purchase, jointly with one of her daughters, a lottery ticket which won a prize of approximately £600. She and her daughter shared the prize equally. With her share of the prize money the widow re-furnished her house as far as she could afford to do so. Honorable senators will appreciate the fact that a widow who had had to work hard all her life in order to bring up her family would not be living in a palace. She bought new furniture and furnishings, crockery and clothing and, as many other mothers would do in similar circumstances, she allowed one of her daughters to go away on a holiday. She frankly informed the department of h?r good fortune, whereupon the department promptly deprived her of her pension. That happened about eight months ago. </para>
<interjection>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>2497</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>K7A</name.id>
<electorate />
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">SPOONER, William</name>
<name role="display">Senator Spooner</name>
</talker>
<para>- The honorable senator did not bring the facts of the case to my notice? </para>
</talk.start>
</interjection>
<continue>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>2497</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>K1T</name.id>
<electorate />
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">BENN, Archibald</name>
<name role="display">Senator BENN</name>
</talker>
<para>- No. </para>
</talk.start>
</continue>
<interjection>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>2497</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>K7A</name.id>
<electorate />
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">SPOONER, William</name>
<name role="display">Senator Spooner</name>
</talker>
<para>- If the honorable senator had done so he would have learned the truth and he would have realized that what he is now saying is completely unjust. </para>
</talk.start>
</interjection>
<continue>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>2497</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>K1T</name.id>
<electorate />
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">BENN, Archibald</name>
<name role="display">Senator BENN</name>
</talker>
<para>- I should not take to the Minister a weak case. I am reluctant to ask him to override the decisions of his officers, who are conscientiously carrying out the policy laid down by him. </para>
</talk.start>
</continue>
<interjection>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>2497</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>K7A</name.id>
<electorate />
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">SPOONER, William</name>
<name role="display">Senator Spooner</name>
</talker>
<para>- The honorable senator is aware that there has been no change in the policy of the department since this Government has been in office. </para>
</talk.start>
</interjection>
<continue>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>2497</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>K1T</name.id>
<electorate />
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">BENN, Archibald</name>
<name role="display">Senator BENN</name>
</talker>
<para>- I have investigated these cases thoroughly and I can vouch for the accuracy of -the information which I have given concerning them. If the Minister so desires, I shall furnish him with the names and addresses of the persons concerned. Under the Chifley administration, the department adopted a positive attitude; under the administration of the present Government its attitude is purely negative. A claimant is now called upon to prove his claim beyond all doubt before a pension is granted. I realize that it is the duty of public servants to safeguard public funds. I do not ask the departmental officers or the Minister to go beyond the provisions of the act to give favorable treatment to applicants. </para>
</talk.start>
</continue>
<interjection>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>2497</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>K2S</name.id>
<electorate />
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">ROBERTSON, Agnes</name>
<name role="display">Senator Robertson</name>
</talker>
<para>- The honorable senator did not give the Minister a chance to consider the cases which he has mentioned. </para>
</talk.start>
</interjection>
<continue>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>2497</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>K1T</name.id>
<electorate />
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">BENN, Archibald</name>
<name role="display">Senator BENN</name>
</talker>
<para>- If the Minister is interested in them, I shall place all the information I have concerning them at his disposal. Another case to which I wish to direct attention is that of a man who for many years had been in receipt of an invalid pension. Having no home of his own he obtained board with a widow. The departmental officers placed the very worst possible construction on the fact that both the man and the woman lived in the same house. The pension paid to the man and the wages received by the woman for cleaning work were averaged and the man's pension was reduced. I have a complete file relating to the case in my office which I shall be glad to make available to the Minister if he wishes to peruse it. As I have previously stated, I am reluctant to take to the Minister for Social Services matters that relate to the policy of his department. He has formulated a certain policy and I do not wish to ask the officers of his department to depart from it. </para>
</talk.start>
</continue>
<interjection>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>2497</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>KFW</name.id>
<electorate />
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">GUY, James Allan</name>
<name role="display">Senator Guy</name>
</talker>
<para>- The same policy has been in existence for years. </para>
</talk.start>
</interjection>
<continue>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>2497</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>K1T</name.id>
<electorate />
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">BENN, Archibald</name>
<name role="display">Senator BENN</name>
</talker>
<para>- I do not think that that is the case. I consider that the policy has been changed. </para>
</talk.start>
</continue>
<interjection>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>2497</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>K2S</name.id>
<electorate />
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">ROBERTSON, Agnes</name>
<name role="display">Senator Robertson</name>
</talker>
<para>- The act has not been altered. </para>
</talk.start>
</interjection>
<continue>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>2497</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>K1T</name.id>
<electorate />
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">BENN, Archibald</name>
<name role="display">Senator BENN</name>
</talker>
<para>- That is clearly understood, but the administration has been changed, and the administration is everything. </para>
</talk.start>
</continue>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>2498</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>K7A</name.id>
<electorate />
<party>LP</party>
<role />
<in.gov>1</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">SPOONER, William</name>
<name role="display">Senator SPOONER</name>
</talker>
<para>- The same officers are there as were there previously. There has been no change in policy or in administration. I am sure that if the honorable senator- </para>
</talk.start>
<para>The <inline font-weight="bold">DEPUTY PRESIDENT (Senator Nicholls).</inline> - Order! The Minister will have an opportunity to reply. </para>
<continue>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>2498</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>K1T</name.id>
<electorate />
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">BENN, Archibald</name>
<name role="display">Senator BENN</name>
</talker>
<para>- I draw the attention of the Government to the long periods which people who have qualified for the receipt of sickness benefits are obliged to wait before payment is made. The experience of other honorable sena- « tors in connexion with that matter is no doubt the same as mine. In the public hospitals there are workmen who have been in hospital for three or four weeks and have not received any payment on account of sickness benefits. I do not know why that should be, but I point out that after those men have exhausted the sick leave rights provided by awards, they are more or less bankrupt and are temporarily in indigent circumstances. To be of the greatest benefit, sickness benefits should be paid immediately, or at least weekly, while the worker is sick and without income. In the case of a workman with a wife and two or three children, perhaps the greatest of his worries is that he is not receiving any regular payment. In some cases, men have been sick for two or three weeks before receiving the first payment. There appears to be a desire on the part of departmental officials, in some cases at least, to lump the payments together and pay every two or three weeks. That is not a fair method of payment when a man is sick, and I suggest that payments should be made at least weekly. </para>
</talk.start>
</continue>
</speech>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>2498</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>JYY</name.id>
<electorate>South Australia</electorate>
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">O'FLAHERTY, Sidney</name>
<name role="display">Senator O'FLAHERTY</name>
</talker>
<para>. - I approach this bill with a sense of exhiliration because the Minister for Social Services <inline font-weight="bold">(Senator Spooner)</inline> has done something, at any rate, to provide for additional payments to those who are entitled to social service benefits. I also approach it despondently, because I think that the question of such payments has been dealt with in a haphazard way. There has been no set method of applying the increases, and some categories of pensioners have been entirely overlooked. <inline font-weight="bold">Senator Benn</inline> has mentioned sickness and unemployment benefits, which have not been increased in.. any way, and last night <inline font-weight="bold">Senator McKenna</inline> pointed out that dependants of pensioners receive no increase at all. Notwithstanding the fact that the value of the Menzies Government £1 is disappearing at a much greater annual rate than the value of the Chifley Government £1,. those people have not received any increase in pensions. <inline font-weight="bold">Senator AnnabelleRankin</inline> has expressed her extreme disapproval of the treatment of widows- </para>
</talk.start>
<interjection>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>2498</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>K28</name.id>
<electorate>QUEENSLAND</electorate>
<party>LP</party>
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">RANKIN, Annabelle</name>
<name role="display">Senator ANNABELLE RANKIN</name>
</talker>
<para>- I said " concern ". </para>
</talk.start>
</interjection>
<continue>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>2498</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>JYY</name.id>
<electorate />
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">O'FLAHERTY, Sidney</name>
<name role="display">Senator O'FLAHERTY</name>
</talker>
<para>- I wholeheartedly agree with the honorable senator's disapproval. The treatment that has been meted out to some of the widows of Australia has been not only unfair to them but unworthy of the legislatorsof this country. The Government has selected certain classes of widows and has given them a larger increase than, it has given to others. As <inline font-weight="bold">Senator Annabelle</inline> Rankin pointed out, a. widow in class A may have brought up children.. When the youngest child reaches the age of sixteen years, she may be at that agewhen it is impossible to- return to industry for employment, and no provision has been made to cover that period. That matter adds weight to my statement that no plan has been followed by the Minister, but I have no doubt that the dissatisfaction that has been expressed by <inline font-weight="bold">Senator Annabelle</inline> Rankin will bear fruit. I understand the attitude of the Minister sufficiently well to know that he will beaware of the political significance of the raising of the question bv the honorablesenator, and that, in order to " put oneover " the Australian Labour party, an effort will be made in the near future to grant a slight increase in benefits to widows. </para>
</talk.start>
</continue>
<para>I am concerned that there has not beenany increase of the pensions payable tothe dependants or the wives of invalid pensioners. Even if the amount had been increased by only a couple of shillings,, so that it would be 26s. instead of 24s., it would have been of some satisfaction to those pensioners, but no increase at all lias been allowed. Generally speaking, the wife of an invalid pensioner is required to devote a large part of her time to the care of the invalid. She has not much opportunity to go out and earn money, and even if she has, the same provisions apply to-day as in the days when the Australian Labour party was in office. I do not altogether quarrel with the point of view taken by the Australian Labour party at that time. As honorable senators will remember, within a very short period after it came to office, the permissible income rose from 12s. 6d. a week to 30s. a week, but provision was made that if a pensioner earned more than 30s. a week, the pension would be reduced. Since the time when that provision was made, there have been considerable increases in the cost of living, which has risen more since this Government has been in office than in any other equivalent period. I consider that the permissible income should be increased, and I am fortified in that belief by statements that were made by Liberal party candidates when seeking votes before December last. Honorable senators will recall that those candidates stated that if elected there would be a revision of the whole of the social services in order to make them more equitable. Having said that, they condemned the Australian Labour party for not liberalizing the means test or abolishing it altogether. Accordingly, I hoped that after the Government was elected to office there would be some amelioration of the means test; yet pensioners are still permitted to earn only 30s. a week. I suggest that the increased benefits granted under this bill represent an effort to try to appease the people and to make them believe that the Government is attempting to honour its promises. </para>
<para>
<inline font-weight="bold">Senator Annabelle</inline>Rankin stated that she was satisfied that the provision of the extra benefits meant that one more promise was being honoured by the Government. The honorable senator's conscience must be very easily satisfied if that is her belief, because I consider that the benefits do not in any way honour a promise. If the honorable senator had stated that she considered that a step had been taken towards honouring the promise, there might have been some justification and a semblance of truth in her statement. But to say that it is an honoured promise is a long way from the truth. In fact, it is an attempt to score against the political opponents of the Government. The Minister for Social Services made a very nice speech and not much fault could be found with it until, right at the end, he said, in effect, " This is the biggest increase that any government has given ". In saying that, he clearly demonstrated a desire to make political capital out of the difficulties of the pensioners of this country. In introducing this measure, the Minister dwelt upon the fact that the property means test had been raised, insofar as it related to the surrender value of assurance policies, from £200 to £500. All that that means is that it is a sop to the insurance companies of Australia for the support that they gave to the Government parties when fighting the- election campaign against the Australian Labour party. The property means test has not been raised by £500 in the general sphere ; it merely boosts the insurance companies by inducing people to insure with them. </para>
<para class="italic">
<inline font-style="italic">Sitting suspended from 12.^5 to 2.15 p.m.</inline>
</para>
<continue>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>2499</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>JYY</name.id>
<electorate />
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">O'FLAHERTY, Sidney</name>
<name role="display">Senator O'FLAHERTY</name>
</talker>
<para>- I ask for leave to. continue my remarks at a later hour. </para>
</talk.start>
</continue>
<para>Leave granted; debate adjourned. </para>
</speech>
</subdebate.1>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>DISTINGUISHED VISITOR</title>
<page.no>2499</page.no>
<type>distinguished visitors</type>
</debateinfo>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>2499</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>K6P</name.id>
<electorate />
<party />
<role />
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">PRESIDENT, The</name>
<name role="display">The PRESIDENT (Senator the Hon Gordon Brown</name>
</talker>
<para>- I desire to inform the ' Senate that His Grace the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend and Right Honorable <inline font-weight="bold">Dr. G.</inline> F. Fisher, a member of the House of Lords, is within the precincts of the chamber. With the concurrence of honorable senators, I shall invite him to take a seat on the floor of the Senate beside the President's chair. </para>
</talk.start>
<para>Honorable Senators. - Hear, hear ! </para>
<para class="italic">
<inline font-style="italic">His Grace thereupon entered the chamber, and was seated accordingly.</inline>
</para>
</speech>
</debate>
<debate>
<debateinfo>
<title>POST AND TELEGRAPH RATES BILL 1950</title>
<page.no>2499</page.no>
<type>bill</type>
</debateinfo>
<para>Bill received from the House of Representatives. </para>
<para>Standing Orders suspended. </para>
<para>Bill (on motion by <inline font-weight="bold">Senator COOPER'</inline> read a first time. </para>
<subdebate.1>
<subdebateinfo>
<title>Second Reading</title>
<page.no>2500</page.no>
</subdebateinfo>
<speech>
<talk.start>
<talker>
<page.no>2500</page.no>
<time.stamp />
<name.id>JQP</name.id>
<electorate>QueenslandMinister for Repatriation</electorate>
<party>CP</party>
<role>Minister for Repatriation</role>
<in.gov>0</in.gov>
<first.speech>0</first.speech>
<name role="metadata">COOPER, Walter</name>
<name role="display">Senator COOPER</name>
</talker>
<para>. - I move - </para>
</talk.start>
<quote>
<para class="block">That the bill be now read a second time. </para>
</quote>
<para class="block">This bill deals with an amendment of the Post and Telegraph Rates Act 1902-1949 to adjust certain postal and telegraph charges in order to give a more equitable return for the services provided under present costs and conditions. I shall indicate to honorable senators the manner in which it is proposed to revise, not only the postal and telegraph rates covered in the act, but also certain other charges which can be adjusted by the authority of the Governor-General in Council. I. shall also explain briefly the reasons why it is imperative that the existing rates structures should be varied at this stage. </para>
<para>The bill provides for the following charges for postal articles and telegrams posted or lodged for delivery within Australia to be adjusted : - </para>
<quote>
<para>Letters. - The existing charge of 2id. for the first ounce or part of an ounce will be increased to 3d. The charge for each additional ounce or part of an ounce will be increased from 2d. to 2id. </para>
<para>Letter-cards. - The existing charge of 2£d. will be increased to 3d. </para>
<para>Post-cards. - The existing charge of 2d. will be increased to 2£d. . </para>
<para>Commercial papers, patterns, samples" and merchandise. - The existing charge of lid. for the first 2 oz. or part of 2 oz. will be increased to 2d., but the present charge of lid. for each additional 2 oz. or part of 2 oz. will he continued. </para>
<para>Printed matter, including printed papers, circulars, catalogues and books, and publications not registered- for transmission as newspapers or periodicals. - The existing charge of lid. for the first 4 oz. or part of 4 oz. will be increased to 2d., but the present charge of 1-Jd. for each additional 4 oz. or part of 4 oz. will be continued. </para>
<para>Ordinary telegrams. - The existing base rate for ordinary telegrams up to fourteen words will be increased from ls. 3d. to ls. 9d. where the offices are not more than fifteen miles apart, and from ls. Gd. to 2s. in all other cases. The charge for each additional word in excess of fourteen will be increased from Id. to lid. </para>
<para>Urgent telegrams. - Urgent telegrams will continue to be charged double the rates applicable to ordinary telegrams. </para>
</quote>
<para>Commonwealth and State <inline font-style="italic">Hansards</inline> will continue to be carried at the existing concession rate of 1½d. for each 12 oz.. The charge of 1-Jd. for each 6 oz. for publications registered for transmission! as books and for single copies of newspapers and periodicals will not be altered, and no change will be made in the bulk rate of 2½d. for each 16 oz. which applies to publications registered by the Postal Department as newspapers and. periodicals. These tariffs are being left, undisturbed for a number of reasons.. The Government feels that reports of the proceedings of the Federal and Stateparliaments should be disseminated as widely and cheaply as possible. It alsoconsiders that Australian authors andpublishers should be encouraged by maintaining a low rate for books, and that the continuance of a cheap bulk rate fornewspapers and periodicals is most desirable, seeing that the concession is enjoyed not only by metropolitan journals, particularly in respect of copies despatched to subscribers in country districts, but also by country newspapers which utilizethe system for distributing copies to subscribers in outlying areas and by noncommercial bodies, including churches, exservicemen's associations and organizations of employers and employees, which, avail themselves of the bulk rate. </para>
<para>The Government does not propose toraise the charges for lettergrams and presstelegrams. The use of lettergrams is decreasing owing to the greater availability of air mails, whilst the number of press telegrams is also declining as theresult of the growing number of leased teleprinter services. At present the main users of press telegram services are country newspapers. </para>
<para>I shall now indicate to honorable senators the alterations in charges which it is proposed to effect by Executive action.. The postage rates for Empire and foreign, countries must be fixed in relation to the domestic tariffs. Consequently, it will' be necessary to make some adjustments.. The most pronounced variation is an increase from 3-Jd. to 5-Jd. for the firstounce in respect of letters addressed toforeign countries, this adjustment being- necessary to comply with the scale of charges prescribed by the Universal Postal Convention, to which the Commonwealth subscribes. </para>
<para>The present rates for parcels posted for delivery within Australia were adopted twenty years ago and are insufficient to meet existing handling, conveyance and delivery costs. Therefore, it is proposed to increase the tariffs to bring them more into conformity with these costs. The minimum charges applicable to a parcel weighing up to 1 lb. will be raised in the following manner : - </para>
<quote>
<para>For delivery within 30 miles - Increase from 6d. to 9d. </para>
<para>For delivery elsewhere - </para>
<para>Within State of posting - Increase from 9d. to1s. </para>
<para>In adjacent State - Increase from Is. to ls. 9d. </para>
<para>In distant State - Increase from ls. 3d. to 2s. </para>
</quote>
<para class="block">Corresponding adjustments will be made in. the rates for heavier parcels. The maximum increase will be from 7s. 3d. to Ss. Od. for a parcel weighing 11 lb. addressed to a distant State. </para>
<para>The rentals for private boxes have not been varied for nearly 40 years and are much too low under present circumstances. Under the new scale proposed, the annual charge for an ordinary-sized box at a general post office will he increased from £1 to £2 and the annual rental of a box of similar size at any other post office will be raised from 10s. to 15s. </para>
<para>At present an additional fee of 2d. is charged for a phonogram - that is, a telegram telephoned to a telegraph office for onward despatch - but, as this amount is insufficient to cover operating costs, it will be increased to 3d. </para>
<para>In common with the practice observed in overseas countries, daily newspapers, commercial firms and government departments are increasingly availing themselves of the facilities provided by leased teleprinter services. Many of these services are used on a part-time basis, but others are leased for 24 hours daily. "When this bill is enacted, the rentals for leased teleprinter services will be reviewed and an appropriate adjustment made in each case. Where a private teleprinter service connects with a telegraph office, the fee for lodging a telegram by this means for onward transmission will be raised from 2d. to 3d. </para>
<para>The rentals for telephone subscribers' services are to be increased by amountsranging from 7s. 6d., for subscribers in. local call areas with 1,001 to 2,000 lines, to £1 15s. for business services in Sydney and Melbourne. The rentals for businessservices will be raised by £1 12s. 6d, in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, and by £1 7s. 6d. in Hobart and Newcastle, whilst the rentals for residence serviceswill be increased by £1 5s. in Sydney and Melbourne, £1 2s. 6d. in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, and 17s. 6d. in Hobart and Newcastle. One effect of the adjustments will be to widen the margin between rentals for business and residenceservices in those telephone networks wherethere are differential rates. The rentalsfor services connected to exchanges with local call areas of 1 to 300 lines will bereduced by 5s., but no variation will be made of the rentals in areas of 301 to- 1,000 lines. The Government is making these exceptions to the general increase in order to give effect to its policy of improving conditions in rural areas and also to offset, to some extent, the increase of the unit fee for local calls in thesegroups, </para>
<para>The unit fee for a local telephonecall is now 1½d. where the local call area is restricted to 300 lines or less. It is 13/4d. in other country districts and 2d. in metropolitan areas and Newcastle, where special network conditionsapply. It is proposed to introduce a uniform.' unit fee of 2d. for local calls. The Postal Department makes no distinction in the charge for postal articles and telegrams, and it is desirable to extend the principle to local telephone calls. The charges for trunk line calls made between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. will be increased by amounts varying from1d. for calls under7½ miles to 4s. 2d. for calls over 1,300 miles. Bates for calls made between 6 p.m. and 9 a.m. will be raised by sums varying from1d. for calls under7½ miles to 3s. 2d. for calls over 1,300 miles. It is also intended to increase, by amounts varying from1d. to 2s., according to the direct distance between the trunk line offices concerned, the additional fees which are charged in cases where trunk line calls are made to specified persons or extension telephones. Although these fees were raised in 1949, they do not compensate for the special service provided and the extra trunk line time occupied. Extra mileage charges for telephone subscribers' services extending beyond a radius of 2 miles from the exchange will not be increased. These rates have been fixed at a nominal figure to meet the peculiar needs of outlying localities, and recently my colleague, the Postmaster-General <inline font-weight="bold">(Mr. Anthony),</inline> gave an outline of the more liberal conditions which the Government has introduced in regard to the provision of telephone services in country districts. </para>
<para>Honorable senators will recall that Post Office rates were increased by the Chifley Government in the middle of 1949 and some senators may be inclined at first sight to question the need for making a further adjustment at the present time. "When I have explained the underlying factors, however, I am confident that honorable senators will agree that there is full justification for raising the tariffs again, without delay. The facts are quite clear and can be expressed concisely by saying that the increases arc- essentia] to meet inescapable additional financial burdens which have been thrown upon the Postal Department as the result of spiralling wage and material costs. The Postal Department serves every settled community in Australia, and its 90,000 employees, including non-official postmasters and mail contractors, make it the largest commercial enterprise in Australia. To provide and maintain the postal and telecommunication services so essential to national development and security involves expenditure which in many cases cannot be justified on purely financial grounds, but is more than warranted from the standpoint of fostering the growth and spread of primary and secondary industries and providing amenities for country living, which will promote decentralization. </para>
<para>Honorable senators will agree that the employees of the Postal Department are entitled to reasonable wages and working conditions, and that they should participate in any improvements resulting from arbitration awards - and cost of living adjustments. Since the war ended the department's annual wages bill for operating and maintenance staff has grown from £14,000,000 to more than £38,000,000 allowing for the recent basic wage judgment and the cost of living adjustment from the 1st November. Wages of new staff account for only £8,000,000 of this increase, the remaining £16,000,000 being directly attributable to increases in wage rates. In passing, I may mention that the recent basic wage judgment will add considerably more than £4,000,000 to the department's yearly operating costs. The 40-hour week which came into force in January, 1948, reduced the effective working time of a substantial proportion of the Postal Department's staff by at least 8 per cent., and the immediate direct result was to increase the wages bill by more than £1,000,000 annually. Since then, other heavy additional expenditure has also been incurred as a result of the introduction of the shorter working week. For example, in 1946-47 the department's annual overtime bill was £317,000, whilst last year it was £1,300,000. </para>
<para>Then again, the department has also had to meet greatly increased material, freight and other costs as a result of the shorter working week and higher wages in industry generally. Since 1944-45, extraordinary increases have taken place in the prices - of materials used by the department. To quote instances, the following rises have occurred during the period : - Public telephone cabinets, from £41 to £71; telephone instruments, from £3 3s. to £5 2s.; 100-pair cable, from £333 to £600 ; copper wire, from £142 to £310 a ton; postal uniforms, from £5 8s. to £7 14s. Costs of conveying the mails by road, rail, sea and air have also risen steeply, and the estimated expenditure for 1950-51, without allowing for the probable effects of the recent basic wage and costofliving increases, will be more than £1,000,000 greater than in 1948-49. </para>
<para>Although the tariff adjustments made by the Labour Government in 1949 produced annual revenue of approximately £5,500,000, this amount was insufficient to balance the department's commercial accounts for 1949-50, because of unforeseen additional costs which occurred during the year. These included increases in wages and salaries as a result of arbitration awards, prices of materials, payments to non-official postmasters, and freight, cartage and mail conveyance charges. It is for these reasons, and these alone, that the department's commercial accounts for the financial year 1949-50 will show a deficit of about £1,500,000. </para>
<para>A close review of the position for the current year shows that a loss of more than £8,000,000 will be inevitable if existing tariffs are continued. This deficit will be due to increased costs of labour and materials, which are quite outside the control of the department, and which will occur despite the vigorous efforts of the administration to secure economy and the maximum degree of efficiency consistent with its vital obligation to meet the postal and telecommunication needs of the community. The alternative to the adoption of new charges to place the department on a sounder financial footing would be to curtail services and maintenance work with consequent detriment to national development and depreciation of valuable public assets, or to dismiss large numbers of staff, throw an additional 'burden on taxpayers, or stimulate the demand for postal facilities by making them available at rates much less than those justified by the costs incurred or by their value to users. Honorable senators will surely agree that the adoption of such measures would retard national progress and impose grave inconvenience, if not hardship, on some sections of the community. No government would, I feel sure, lend itself to a course of action which would have such serious effects on the development of an important and essentia] public undertaking and on the lives of the people it has been established to serve. Moreover, even if these drastic measures were resorted to, it would not be possible to balance the department's budget by such means, particularly as they would immediately affect adversely the department's revenue. The Government and the controlling officers of the department would like to see it "break even " in its accounts during the present year, but to achieve this goal a prohibitive rise in tariffs would be necessary. In fact, the increases would have to be more than twice as great as those proposed. </para>
<para class="block">Accordingly, in reviewing the present rates, the following factors have received special attention : The cost of providing services; the corresponding charges in other countries; the need to maintain and expand efficient facilities for the public; and the importance of providing relatively cheap service to rural areas. </para>
<para>Since taking over his responsible portfolio, my colleague the PostmasterGeneral has investigated the operations of his department and is fully satisfied that it is exercising economy, is adopting the latest labour-saving devices, is observing modern methods and procedures, and is applying checks on the engagement of employees and the output of the staff. It has been urged in some quarters that, rather than increase tariffs, the department should effect drastic savings, and to a casual, uninformed observer this claim might appear to have some justification. However, the need for economy in public expenditure requires no emphasis to the postal administration, which is constantly on the alert to detect and remedy weaknesses in organization and practices. </para>
<para>Let me give honorable senators a few examples of how the department's efficiency and output have been stepped up as the result of a realistic and businesslike policy. Since 1938-39 telegraph business has risen by more than 100 per cent., but staff has grown by less -than 80 per cent.; telephone traffic has increased by 60 per cent, but little more than 40 per cent, additional staff are employed. The growth in postal staff has been only slightly greater than the increase in business in spite of the greater frequency and scope of mail services and letter deliveries, as well as a substantial growth in the volume and diversity in services carried out for other departments. Administrative and professional officers now represent only 7.2 per cent, of all employees, compared with 7.8 per cent, in 1939. The decline in the ratio of professional and administrative staff employed is indicative of the economy and efficiency with which the department is administered. From time to time some criticism has been levelled at the Postal Department in this chamber and elsewhere, concerning its inability to meet all public demands for facilities, particularly in regard to applications for new telephone services. Due to the suspension of normal capital and maintenance works during the war and early post-war years, the department is facing the most critical period in its history, but is striving with all its energy and initiative to overtake the arrears as soon as possible. The Government is fully conscious of the grave problems confronting the department, and is assisting it in every possible way. Adequate financial provision has been made in the budget, and stocks of materials have been built up to meet the pressing and unusual requirements. The programme of works has been greatly accelerated, and will continue to be expanded until the ideal of a comprehensive and fully effective service has been reached. </para>
<para>Although the proposed rates for postal and telecommunication services will be higher than at any time in the past, they are relatively lower than they were twenty years ago when allowance is made for the higher level of prices and wages generally. During the last ten years, these costs have more than doubled, but the 1949 adjustment of postal tariffs, the first since 1941, resulted in an overall increase in earnings of only 16 per cent. The cumulative effect of the 1949 and the proposed adjustments will be to increase earnings by only 35 per cent. - a very moderate increase in comparison with the rise in Australian and overseas prices generally. The new charges will still compare favorably with those in force in overseas countries. </para>
<para>The revised rates will not suffice to balance the department's commercial accounts for 1950-51. It is expected that they will bring in additional annual revenue of £6,700,000, but as they will operate for only seven months of the present financial year, the extra revenue this year will be slightly less th'an £4,000,000. In view of the expected deficit of more than £8,000,000 which would be recorded if charges were not increased, the result for 1950-51, even allowing for additional revenue from the new rates, will still show a substantial loss - probably more than £4,000,000. In these circumstances, and in the light of the rise in costs which is likely to continue for some time, the rates may require to be further reviewed at a later date. </para>
<para>And now a few final words. The Postal Department is, as I have said, a very big business - the largest in the Commonwealth. In its operations it requires huge quantities of materials of almost every conceivable type and it must, of course, employ a large staff scattered throughout the Commonwealth in every village, town and city. In common with other business undertakings, the department feels the full effect of rises in costs, both in wages and materials, and when, as the Government believes, it is controlled and operated in a sound and business-like manner, the department must adjust its rate3 to meet the increased expenditure or continue to show large deficits. Such losses would have to be met by taxpayers generally, and such a contribution would obviously not be in the interests of the general community or of maintenance and expansion in the primary and industrial fields. I am confident that honorable senators will, after hearing the facts, see the need for making a further revision of charges, and will agree that the Government's proposals are very reasonable. I commend the bill to honorable senators, and hope that it will have their full support. </para>
<para>Debate (on motion by <inline font-weight="bold">Senator ASHLEY)</inline> adjourned. </para>
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