Queensland

Parliamentary Debates [Hansard]

Legislative Council

MONDAY, 9 JULY 1917

Electronic reproduction of original hardcopy

QUEENSLAND PARIJA~1ENTARY DEBATES.

ltegi~latibt ~oundl anb l!.egi~latibt %l~~tmblp.

TI-=t::IRD SESSION OF T'HE '.FW"ENTlETH PARLlA:J\.LBJ~~ T.

AT BRISBANE ON THE NI:\'Tli DAY OF JULY, IN THE EIGHTH YEAR OF THE REIGN OF HIS MAJESTY KING GEORGE V., IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 1917.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

MONDAY, 9 JULY, 1917.

MEETI::'-JG OF P ARLL\.ME::'-JT.

Pursuant to proclamation of His Excel­lency the Governor, bearing date 21st June, summoning Parliament to meet this day for the despatch of business, the Council met at 12 noon.

The Cr.ERK OF THE PARLIA:IIEXTS rea-d His Excellency's proclamation.

THE GOVERNOR'S OPENI::'-JG SPEECH.

At noon His Excellency the Governor came in State to the Houses of Parliament, >Yas announced by the Usher of the Black Rod, and received by the President (Hon. W. Hamilton) at the bar.

The members of the Council being seated, a message was sent to the Assembly, inform­ing the members of that House that His Excellency desired the presence of Mr. Speaker and hon. members in the Council Chamber. The Assembly attended accord­ingly, and hon. members being seated in the place reserved for them below the bar,

His EXCELLENCY read the Opening Speech, as follows:-" GENTLEMEN OF THE LEGISLATIVE Cou"CIL A"D

OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSE:Il:BLY OF QUEENS­~AND,-

" It affords me great pleasure to meet you at the opening of this, the third session of the twentieth Parliament of Queensland.

"Towards the close of the parliamentary recess I was able to fulfil a long-cherished intention of visiting the north-western part

1917-B

of the State. Though, perhaps, I did not choose the period of the year when the country is 'at it" best, I was, nevertheless, greatly impressed by the vast and varied capabilities of that portion of Queensland. Probably, in no other State of Australia are there such immense mining, past<JNll, and agricultural areas awaiting profitable exploita­tion. Mv advisers fully recognise the neces­sity of developing these almost unequalled resources.

"The terrible war which had .lasted nearly a year when this Parliament first aS<Sembled still continues, nor does there seem to be any immediate prospect of its early cessation. It is encouraging to know that on land Germany',s strength is waning, .and that means have been devised for coping with her ruthless methods of submarine warfare. Of good omen, too, is the announcement that Russia, having overthrown the tyrannical form of government which prevented her from exerting her full strength against the similarly ruled Central Powers, is now pre­pared to co-operate with her ai!ies to the utmost extent of her vast resources. American participation in another and greater war of liberation is an event of the 'deepest significance, quite apart from its inevitable effect on the duration and issue of the conflict. Nothing could be more gratifying or auspicious than this union of the two great English-speaking neoples in the defence of their kindred liberty and civilisation against a formidable despot whose ambition is imperilling all free nations and democratic institutions.

"The war, horrible beyond all example as some of its incidents are, is not without its nobler aspects, and prominent among them is the readiness with which Australia sprang to the aid of the mother country at the first whisper that she was in da,nger. Splendidly, by universal admission, has Australia done

2 Got•o·1wr's Open'ng Speech. [COUl\CIL.] Go~:enrr·s Opening Sptech.

her duty in this tE>nit:c etmggle. and, there cannot be the smallest doubt, will continue to do so until the triumph of the Empire and its allies brings the contest to an en~!. Queensland has been second to nom> of her '·ister States in the providing of men ·and requisites, and will not lessen her efforts and sacrifices until vict.ary for the common cause has been .achieved.

"It would ill become me to let this occasion pass without <"X]Hessing the )11'0-found appreciation of my advisers and my­sPlf of the valour and capacitv shown by our Queensland sokliers on the L{attlefield. The extent to which they have enlisted, at the Empire's call, to face the unexampled peril3 and ha!'dships of present-da,- warfare is in the highest degree creditablE>. As t.a the manner in which they have acquitted them­selves, it is Pnough to say that they have made themselves consfJicuous for skill and daring among the millions of bvave men who, for the sake of all that makes human life worth living, are battling; against the mightiest enemy the free peol}les of the world have ever encountered.

"I am confident I express the feelings of one and all of vou when I offer on vour be­h<llf, to those among our fellow-citizens whom the war has bereavf>d, the >incere svmpathv of a grateful Parliament and people: ·

" Arising out of tl1E' war are problems which deserve serious attention, and to which my a·dvisers are gh·ing the \veightiest con­sideration. One of these problems is the welfare of the retumed soldiers, and the steps taken by my advisers in regard thereto will, it is confidently hoped, have the most beneficial result<. It is their aim to make the best possible provision for the herot>s who have risked all in the cause of the Empire and its noble institutions, lofty ideals, and glorious possibilities.

"With respect to the ;ettling of returned soldiers on the land, three large areas have so far been set aside for the purpose under the Discharged Soldiers' Settlement Act of last session-namely, 60,000 acres at Beer­burrum, on the North Coast Railway; 17,000 acres at Pikedale, in the Stanthorpe district; and 157,300 acres, known as Oswald's Track country, in the Innisfail district, North Queensland. Other areas will be provided from time to time. \Vhere no suitable Crown lands exist, areas will be acquired by agree­ment or under section 3 of the above-men­tioned Act; and already action has been taken to resume at Sunnybank, near Bris­bane, 125 acres of land suitable for soldiers' homes. Further smaller areas, amounting in various districts to a total of 51,500 acres, have been opened for selection under the ordinary land laws, with priorit.y to dis­charged soldiers, and additional lands will be made available in the same way.

" It needs no very clos.e scrutiny of the events of the war to reahse that the food­producer, as a factor in it, is hardly second to the soldier. That being the case, patriot­ism, no less than self-interest, makes it incumbent on us to encourage by every means in our power the man on the land. It is the object of my advisers to ensure him the best possible return for his labours; and, with that end in view, they propose establishing cold stores and local markets for the sale and distribution of his produce, as well as settin€-' up the machinery for bring­ing him into dtrect relations with the con­sumer abroad.

" Recvgnising, also, that adequate sup­plies of certain metals known to abound in Queensland are needed to ensure complete victory to the Empire and its allies, m:v advisers believe they can render the alli.;s' cause effective help by assisting to develop to the utmost the mineral deposits within our boundaries. With this object in view, by providing the necessary means of trans­porting fuel and material, they have facili­tated the establishment of works for the manufacture of coke in Queensland, and thereby kept in operation several mines and smelters which, otherwise, would have had to cease working.

" The destruction of peaceful merchantmen by the German mine and torpedo, and the consequent dislocation of our oversea com­merce, have rendered it impossible to obtain the necessary material for carrying on many of our public works, and have made it clear that it would be extremely unwise any longer to pursue ihe short-sighted policy of relying solely on the manufacturer abroad for many of our necessaries. Our railway construction and maintenancP. our harbour improvements, our bridges, involve a large use of iron and steel, which have hitherto come almost exclusively from abroad. It is known that there are large deposits of iron ore in Queensland, and a Royal Commission has been appointed to inquire into and re­port on the feasibility of manufacturing_ locally iron and steel. A progress report of .. that Commission will be laid before vou at an early date. •

" My advisers hope that they will be in a position, during the session, to submit a measure for your consideration, authorising the establishment of iron and steel works, and other industries connected therewith, which will be proceeded with should the re­port be favourable.

" Last year's total mineral output largely exceeded in value that of its predecessor, and this year's product bids fair to establish a still higher record. The railway facilities nece~sary for the development of the vast copper areas of the Cloncurry district have been increased by a branch from Oona to the Dobbyn mines, which is already being used as an additional feeder for the smelters at Mount Cuthbert and Mount Elliott. The State enterprises initiated by my advisers to assist in developing the industry have already in some instances. yielded good re­sults, and give promise of like success in others at no distant date. Since April last the battery erected hy the Government at Bamforcl for the purpose of treating wolfram and molybclenite ores has been working with very satisfactory results.

" The usefulness of the State assay office established at Cloncurry about a year ago has exceeded expectations, one result being the payment of better prwes for ore to the miners by the smelting works on the field. At Mareeba a similar office has been opened, and will no doubt prove of great benefit to miners in far northern localities.

" The development of the new mine on the Government coal property at W arra, although retarded by the large quantity of water met with in the shafts, is progressing sufficiently to justify the expectation that the colliery will be in a position hy the end of the year to yield a supply of coal to the Railway Department. Much useful work is bein~ clone by the Government cliamond­drillmg plants in proving the coal seams at.

Governor"s Oprning Speech. [9 JULY.] Gorernor's Opfn:ng Speech. 3

\Yal'l'a, Burnnn, Styx RiYer, and on the Bowen RiYer. The bore being drilled at Roma to prospect for mineral oil, notwith­standinO' diffi~ulties in obtaining suitable drillme;; and spare parts of machinery, is now down 2.300 feet, and is expected to reach the required depth within another twelYe months.

" The well-known Cecil Plains Estate on the Darling Downs, comprising 120,947 acres, has been acquired by the Government under the Closer Settlement Acts, and is now being subdivided into suitable areas. The opening of this estate for selection will be the means of establishing a considerable number of settlers in that locality.

" In order to promote the selection of lands opened for settlement it is proposed to provide for the improvement of the means 0 f access, where necessary, by the construc­tion of roads and bridges, and works in this direction are in hand in various parts of the State, both in connection with areas for competitive selection and with other lands reserved for the settlement of returned soldiers.

" Exhaustive forest survevs in various parts of the State show tha-t timber areas are not so extensive as hitherto supposed, and that it is nuL uuly neces::sary to p:resc,:rve as much as possible of the timber-bearing land of the State as permanent forests, but also to consider seriously the whole question of reafforestation. Considerable additions have been made during the year to per­manent reservations, and plans completed for the establishment of a nursery at Imbil to be a centre for the training of forest officers. Important data on the sylvicultural charac­teristics of our rare but valuable cabinet woods have been collected at Atherton, and this work is being continued.

" The Crown was involved in litigation instituted by the insurance companies re­garding the interpretation of the Workers' Compensation Act of 1916. The cases

, eventually reached the Privy Council, which decided in favour of the Queensland Govern­ment, and thus virtually established the principle of compulsory State accident in­surance secured against competition. State control in this direction has made a very large sum of money available for investment in national developmental work through the medium of the State Bank , and other agencies, and has considerably benefited workers without· extra cost to employers. I am pleased to say that a substantial reduc­tion in existing premium rates may be expected in the near future.

" Opportunity was taken last session to amend the \Yorkers' Compensation Act so that payment of compensation and skilled medical attention (Ou!d be obtained for workers suffering from industrial and mining di>··:t:<es, and a humane pension system was established whereby the dependents· ofc those who have died from such diseases are adequately provided for. The Insurance Commissioner has also the sole conduct and control of this scheme

" This year the production of sugar in Queensland promises a record tonnage, and its disposal to the best advantage of cane­grower and State was the subject of much negotiation between my advisers and the Government of thP Commonwealth. After an agreement had been practically arrived

.<:~t by all parties, the Commonwealth Prime

Minister, immediately aftpr the latt' FedE>ral election, proposed a new condition. to which my advisers could not uss<>nt without seriously imperilling the sovPreign rights of the State. Finally a compromise was reached which, though not so satisfuctorv as my advisers could hav<:> wished, afforded the best terms obtainable under the circum­stances for those engaged in Queensland's greatest agricultural industry.

"The Regulation of Sugar Cane Prices Act has now been in operation for two seasons, and though it has greatly improved the condition of the growers it contains imperfections which permit millers to evade their obligations under the cane prices awards, for there is evidence that some of them have compelled farmer> to acc.ept for their cane less than they are entitled to by virtue of such awards. The Regulation of Sugar Cane Prices Act Am.enclment Bill is intended to prevent such evils. and, by removing anomalies in the original Act, to confer greater benefits on canegrowers. n will therefore be reintroduced.

"The cereal harvest was good in quantity, but, owing to heavy rains at the time of ripening, not generally in quality. Growers have been hampered in the marketing by t.hP f'nnrlitlon~ nf tlv:~o FPr1Pl'A 1 whPnt, nool ~hich;-~;hii~--;,ot-p1:~;e~ti~g Southei·n ;;:heat from entering this State, debars the entry of Queensland wheat into any other State with­out the permission of that State. The fruit harvest was exceedingly plentiful, but growers are justly dissatisfied with the results obtained by them in the markets. My advisers hope that their proposals respecting the marketing and distribution of the primrrry products will largely overcome this clifficulty.

" The quantity of cheese sent abroad has much increased. \Vith regard to butter, however, the difficulties of transport and the nPeds of the Southern States during the winter months have greatly interfered with its oversea export. My advisers arQ endeavouring to make arrangements which will ensure continuous market> abroad for every kind of dairy produce.

" The acquirement of butter under the Control of Trade Act resulted in a consider­able profit, which has for the most part been distributed among all those factories that manufactured butter during the period of acquirement.

" j)/[y advisers ha \'e caused investigations on an extensive scale to be carried on by experts and scientists, at whose service have been placed all the instrumentalities of the State, with the view of minimising if not entirely destroying the pests which have clone so much damage in our sugar-fields and among our flocks and herds. From the results .already obtained there is good reason to belieYe that these investigations will be successful.

"It is the intention of mv advisers to continue the efforts they have ·already made to render our system of education from the kindergarten to the University as complete and effective as any in the world. and to constitute it more than ever an ·essential factor of our industrial and social develop­ment. It is intended to carry out a scheme of research work in relation to matters affect­ing primary industries. There will be an extension of t.echnical education with refer­ence to printing classes, trade classes f<Jr'

4 Govenwl''s Opening Sp'cch. [COUNCIL.] Goecrnor's Opening Speech.

female apprentices, domestic classes, and the training of wounded soldiers in suitable occuparions, an encouragement of the scheme of tutorial classes under the 'Vorkers' Educational Association, and an extension o_f the system of meclical and dental inspec· tJon.

" Since the accession of my present advisers to office much has been done to remedy certain long-standing grievances of the lower-paid public servants, who, in addition to the securing of better condi­tions, have been accorded the right of access to the Indtl'trial Arbitration Court.

" Considerable success having attended the establishment of State butchers' shops in various centres, it is the intention of my advisers to extend the system to other suit­able localities as the opportunity arises. The innovation has emphasised the need for State-conducted cattle and sheep stations, and some operations in that direction have been carried out by the State with marked suc­cess. The Government now owns thirteen cattle stations, totalling in area 13,848 square miles, and pasturing at present 126,000 stock.

" A contract has been concluded by the State on behalf of the Imperial Government with the Queensland meat companies whereby the output of meat during the whole period of the war and for three months afterwards ha~ been secured for the use of the armed forces of the mother country and her allies. It must be gratifying to honourable members of both Homes to know that the attacks made through the law courts on the Government for their administration of the Meat for Imperial r ses Act have been unsuccessful.

"::'.1y advisers are of opinion that the action tlwy have taken in regard to the fish supply of the metropolis can be extended with a·dvantage to other parts of the State, and measures with that end in view will be taken as soon as posJible.

"Aware that, from the yery commence­ment of the war, soldiers' dependents and the people generally were being exploited by speculators, my advisers immediately on coming into office t<Jok steps to deal with such extortion, and considerable success attended their efforts. Now that the con­trol of prices has passed into other hands, there are complaints that the consumers' interests are not guarded so carefully as they might be. It is to be hoped that the present price-fixing authority will exercise to the full the ample powers it possesses to protect. the public from the exactions of the conscienceless profiteer.

"While the policy of my advisers will naturally lead to a great increase in pro­<luction, they cannot ignore the fact that the unprecedented restrictions placed upon ship­ping in every part of the world, in conse­quence of the necessities and wastage of war, may leave us without adequate shipping facilities for our industrial products. My advisers are confident that with a little deter­mination and serious attention to the prob­lem a shipbuilding industry can be <>stab­lished in this State. With a view to reach­ing a practical development in this matter, proposals for the establishment of such an industry will be brought forward.

"As the franchise of the Brisbane Tram­·ways Company will terminate about three

yea.rs hence, my a-ch-isers "-ill shortly consider \Yhat legiRlativc~ .1ction is necessarv to n1eet the oituation that will then be c;eated.

''It is the intention of mv advisers to intro­·duce a measure for the incorporati<Jn of a Greater Brisbane.

"The Popular Initiative and Referendum Bill, which, after pasf'ing through all its stages in the Legislative Aseemblv last session, vras rcjectP·cl by the Legislative Coun­cil, will be rcintroduco·d.

" In accordance ,-ith the prm·isions of the Parliamentary Bills Referendum Act of 1908, my advisers decided to submit to the people, during the recess. the Bill passed by the Legislative Assembly having fDr it-;. object the abolition of the Legislative Coun­cil. Owinp: to the granting of an inter­locutory injunction by the Supreme Court of Queensland against the holding of thEY referendum, it beeame necessary to suspend temporarily the preparations for the taking of a poll. Consequently it was impossible for my advisers to place the question before the electors in the manner desired. In view of the result of the referendum, my advisers. consider it their duty to take such steps as. \Yill prevent the Legislative Council from rej~cting or materially altering measures. whJCh the elected representatives of the' people have .approved.

"GE~TLEoiEK OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEo!BLY-

" The Estimates for the current vear are· being framed with due regard to the 'interests of the public and the well-being of the· service, and will shortly be submitted to~ you.

" GEKTLEo!EK OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL A~D OF THF LEGISLATIVE AssE:UBLY,-

" The follmving, among other measures, will be submitted to you for consideration:-

A Bill to authorise the establishment of cold stores .and markets for primary products;

A Bill to authorise the establishment of' State iron and steel works and othet· enterprises;

Popular Initiative and Referendum Bill ,

Regulation of Sugar Cane Prices Act Amendment Bill ;

State Children Act Amendment Bill;

Opticians Bill;

A Land Act Amendment Bill;

A Bill to amend the Closer Settlement _\cts;

A Bill to amend the Agricultural' Settlers' Relief Act of 1915 ;

Stamp Act Amendment Bill;

Succession and Probate Duties Acts A;nendment Bill ;

A Bill to amend the Harbour Boards Acts;

.A Valuation of Land Bill;

A Wages Bill ;

A Bill to amend the Mining on Private· Land Act;

A Greater Brisbane Incorporation Bill.

" I eamestly invite your attention to these· and all other matters that may be brought.

Papers. (9 ,J'C'LY.] Address in Reply. 5

beforf' you. and I pray that the blessing of Almig-htv Gc.c] mav attend your delibera-tions.~' " "

His Excellency and suite then left the Chamber, and the members of the As>cmbly withdrew.

The Council r;djourned at twenty-five ·minutes to 1 o'clock until half-past 3 o'clock p.m., resuming at that hour.

PANEL OF TEMPORARY CHAIRMEX OF COMMITTEES.

The PRESIDENT: In compliance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 18, I nommate Hon. A. A. Davey, Hon. E. \V. H. Fowles, Hon. P. J. Leahv, and Hon. \V. Stephens to form the pan.el of Temporary Cha_irmen of Committees during the third session of the twentieth Parliament of Queensland.

AL'DITOR-GENERAL'S REPORTS.

The PRESIDENT announced the receipt from the Auditor-General of a letter dated 28th February last, cm·ering a report: dated 4t)l January last, from the Agent-General with respect to Government debentures de­pocited in London under section 11 of the Savings Bank (Securities) Act of 1895.

Orckrcd to be printed.

The PRESIDENT further announced the receipt from the Auditor-General of a letter dated 16th February, 1917, covering his t'yt;nty-fifth half-yearly report under the pro­VISIOns of the Queensland National Bank Limitf'd (Agreement), Act of 1904, which had been already printed and circulated

-during the recess.

PAPER PRINTED D'GRING RECESS.

The PRESIDENT: !'he follmying paper ·was ordered to be prmted and circulated . during the recess :-

Return of all schools in operation on the 1st .January, 1917, with the attf'ncl­ance of pupils, and the status and emoluments of the teachers employed.

PAPERS.

The following papers were laid on the ,:!table, and orderf'd to be printed:­

Despatches cam-eying His Majesty's as­sent to Acts passed durin" session of 1916-17. "

Regulations dated 1st March and 31st May, 1917. under the Public Sen-ice Ads, 1896 to 1901.

Report of the Governmt'nt Resident at Thursday Island for the vear 1916

Regulations. dated 26th Ja~uarv 1fl17 made under the :Yioney Lend~rs Act of 1916.

Regulation dated 8th June, 1917. ma·de under the :Monev Lender' Act of 1916. .

Rules of Court as of Saturdav the 2ht April, 1917. "

Regulations .dated 30th March, 1917. under the Gas Act of 1916.

Regulations dated 8th March. 1917. under the Factories and Shops Acts, 1900 to 1916.

1Report of the Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board, Brisbane for 1916. '

The following papers were also laid on the table:-

Report on the cost and circulation of "Ha!lsard" during the year 1916-1917; and

Statement of the operations of companies under the Life Assurance Act of 1901 during the year 1916.

JOINT COlVI:MITTEES. PRESENTATION OF REPORTS.

The SECRETARY FOR MIXES (Hon. A. J. Jones), on behalf of the President, laid on the table the reports of the Joint Library Committee, !he Joint Committee of the two Houses for the management and superinten· <lence of the Parliamentary Buildings, and of the Joint Committee of the two Houses on the management of the Parliamentary Re­freshment-rQoms for t-he year 1916-17.

SPECIAL ADJO'GRX:YIE-"'T The SECRETARY FOR :\HXES: I beg

to move--That the Council, at its rising, do adjourn

until 3 o'clock p.m. to-morro\Y. Question put and passed.

THE GOVERXOR'S OPENIKG SPEECH. The PRESIDEXT: I have to inform the

Council ths,t, for greater accuracy. I have obtained a copy of the Speech which His Excellency the Governor was plE'ased to make this day to both Houses of Parliament. l:nder the Standing Orders I should read such parts of the Speech as were a-ddressed to the CounciL but in recent years it has been the practice to take the ·document as read. Is it the wish of the Council that that practice should be followed on the pre"e'lt occasion?

HoNOURABLE }IE~IBERS: Hear, hear!

ADDRESS IX REPLY . HoN. F. McDONKELL: I beg to mow-­

That the following Address be presented to His Excellency the Governor in reply to the Speech with which His Excellency this day opened the present session of Parliament:­" To His Excellency Sir Hamilton John

Goold-Adams, Major on the Retired List of His Majesty's Army, Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Or·der of St. Michacl and St. George, Companion of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, Governor of the State of Queens­land and its Dependencies, in the Com­monwealth of Australia. "JY1AY IT PLEASE YOcR EXC'ELlE:\CY,·-

" We, His :Majesty's dutiful and loyal subjects, the Members of the Legislative Council of Queensland, in P11rlir.ment assembled, desire to assure Your Excel­l€'ncy of our continued loyalt~· and affec­tion to the Throne and Person of Our JYiost Gracious Sovereign, and to thank Your Excellenc~· for the Speech with which you have been pleased to open the rr(j~ent session.

" \Ye shall give our most careful con­sideration and attention to the seven! measures mentioned by Your Excellency, and to all other mattPrs brought before us; .<tnd we sincerely trust that our deliberations will tend to the promotion of the goo-d government and the welfar:> of the State."

I was not present last session when :ou, JHr.

11 on. J?. M cDonnell.1

6 Address in Rcjly. [CO"CXCIL.] Address in Reply.

President, attained to the po,ition of President of this CounciL and I thc1·eforH desire to take this opportunity of oiferin.~ you my Yery hearty congratulations indeed on your attainment to that position. I know tl:at it is a very high po,ition-OJW of tho hrghcsr th<,t is in the hands of the Govern­nwnt to conft'l', and I am yery pleased that you have been recognised as a sterling lll8111bC'l' of your varty-rPCOgnition v;·hi('h is shown by your appointment to this position. I hayc h.ad the pleas~n·e of working \vith yon m tins House and 111 another place, and I know you haye suffered in the past for your loyalty.- and •deyotion to the cause of I,abour. You Sl!fl'cred severely in that cause, ~nd rt shm:lcl g:n· you pleasure and a good neal of sabsfad.wn to f~el that you have by your own abrhty attarncd to one of the highest positions that the Goycrnment could co:'fer upon you. I f.eel that you will main­~am a. hrgh. standard, and that your conduct m. the charr as President of this Council wrll ~·efle~t honour on yourself, and I am sure rt wrll give satisfaction to the members of this Council.

. I also take th~ opportunity of congratulat­mg my hon. fnend, the new Minister the Hon. ::\Ir. J ones, on the position to ,~·hi eh he. has been appointed. Whilst I know that thrs. atmosphe~·e may not be altogether con­ge~ra 1 . to. Ins democratic opinions and sociahstrc JC!eals--

Hon. P. J. LEAHY: This is the popular House. (Hea.r, hear !)

Hox. F. ::\IcDO::'\XELL: I am sure that his stay l:erc, whether it be long or short-I hop!' rt .may be short, because I know his feelmgs 111 the matter.

Hon. J?. '"· H. FoWLES: Arc thf' Govern­ment gomg out next May? (Laughter.)

H9x. F, ~IcDOX::'\~LL: The hon. gentle­m":n .s opmrons are m conformitv with the opmrons I hold. However, whether his stay here ~e l?ng . or s!rort. I believe that the Coun~rl w1)l g1ve ~!m t~at assistance tha-t it has mvar1~bly gl\-en m the past to the representa!Jve of the Government here. (He.ar, hear !) I am sure that after his first sesswn here he will come to the conclusion that, _though we may be in our politics as opposJ.te .as the poles, at the same time the Councrl .rs always ·desirous of giving him that assrstance that they gave to his pre-decessor, the present President. (Hear hear!) '

I desire in the fl.r.st place to refer to the first paragra.ph in lps Excellency's Sjwech, and I do so because rt embodies a great deal of that Speech. It reads-

" Towards the close of the parliamen­tary. rec0s~. I ':as able. t?. fulfil a long­chenshed mtcnhon of vrsrtJng the north­western P!'rt of the State. Though, per­haps, I chd not choose the period of the Y<'ar when the country is at its bc,st I was. nevertheless,, greatly impressed 'by the vast and varred capabilities of that pm·hon of Queensland .. Probably, in no ?ther State. o.f Austraha are there such 11nmcnse Inining,. pastoral, and agricul­tur.al areas awa;1tmg profitable exploi­tatron.. :Vly a.dvrsers fully recognise the nccess1t.\· of developing these almost unequalled rt'lsourrcs. ''

I think the last sentence in that statement

[Hon. F . .lfcDonnell.

by His Excellency is amply borne out by th0 .. Speech which he delivered to-day, and which is now before the House. There is no doubt that running throughout the whole of the Speech there is an Hident desirc on the part of the Government to do all that is possible to develop our natural resources and to assist the people, particularly the farmers and those who arc ckeing out a subsistence on the land, in e\·ery legitimate manner possible.

Hon. A. G. C. HAWTHORX: By raising the railway freights.

Hox. E'. ::\1cDO:N?\ELL: The Government have shown by the measures they have pro­mised to introduce that they certainly have the interests of the primary producers at heart. The measures proposed with regard to the provision of cold storage and the establishment of local markets and providing better facilities for export are certainly measures on the right lines, and I say again that this Speech shows that as far as the Government arc concerned thev ha.ve laid themsehes out to do all that is possible to develop the resources of Queensland .

The development of our mineral deposits and the establishment of iron and steel works are certainly moves in the right direction. "'ith regud to these, the Speech says-

.' It is known tha.t there are large· dcpo:<its of iron ore in Queensland, and a Roval Commission has been appointed to inq'uire into and report on the feasibility of manufacturing locally iron and .stl!el. A progress report of that commrsswn will be. laid before you at an early date.

" ::\ly advisers hope that they will be· in a position, ·during the session, to sub­Init a n1easure for your consideration, authorising the establishment of iron and steP! works, and other industries con­nected therewith, whid1 \Yill be proceeded with should the report be fayourablt>."

The Government who are able to establish· iron and steel works in Queensland, and thu£> open up a very big avenue of employment, will be doing a great ·deal to cleYelop the mineral resources of the State. \Ve have heard a great deal in the past, especially during the present war, about the difficulty of obtaining steel and iron and other materials of that nature. One good thing the· war has brought about is that it has made us very largely dependent upon our own resources, and the Government in this matter have taken a yery wise step indeed. I hope that the e,·idence which the Roval Commis­sion will obtain \Yill be favou~able to the project. I um sure the Government have the interests of Queensland, particularly the primary industries of Queensland, at heart. 'l'he Speech mentions the difficulties that are experienced at the present time by producers in obtaining suitable markets for their pro­ducts. \Ve had a very fine season last year. Let us hope that we shall have another good season this year, though, up to the present, the conditions are not favourable. The dairying industry has had a very fine season, but dairymen are met at the present time with a difficulty in regard to export. This is a matter which one would think should appeal more to the Federal Government than to the State Government. Still, the onus of opening up markets appears to be thrown on the State. From the report of the deputation which waitC'd on the Premier some time ago, it is clear that :\fr. Ryan, with that far-seeing

Address in Reply. [9 JULY.] Address in Rrply. 7

and intelligent outlook which he has always shown in matters of this sort, is endeavouring to solve the difficulty. If he cannot solve the difficulty of export as far .a~ 0m produce is concerned, I am afraid we have a very poor show of ha ••ing the matter dealt with by the Federal Government. I hope that the efforts of Mr. Ryan >vill be succ0ssful, because our dairying industry needs all the encouragement possible.

I am pleased that the Government have shown, perhaps in a more marked manner than any other Government in Australia, interest and earnestness in dealing with the qu<>stion of providing for our returned soldiers. The Government have already pro­vided land for settloment in different JH r~s of the State, ~,nd thcv are determined to do all in their power· to make the lot of returned soldiers in Queensland much better perhaps than it was before they left. Nothing can be too good for the men who have gone .away, and there is no doubt that the Government in taking time by the fore­lock and making provision for those men have done a good thing for Queensland. They have taken steps to obtain all the information possible with respect to the establishment of canning works and other enterprises; and any unprejudice.d person who notices what the 'Government have clone in this respect must give them credit for earnestness, and a desire to do what they can for our returned soldiers.

The Speech makes reference to the Workers' Compensation Act. When that. Act was going through this Chamber a good deal of opposition was shown to it, and it is a pleasure to know that it is one of the most successful Acts that have been placed on the statute-book.

Hon. A. H. \VHITTINGHAlll : The original Bill respecting insurance did not receive any opposition.

HoN. F. McDONNELL: I am speaking of the Worker"' Compensation Bill, and I know that the opposition to that measure was very pronounced in this Chamber, and that opposition was in the interest of the in­surance companies. The action of the Go­vernment, un·der the monopoly clause, has been more than justified. That monopoly clause has been fought in the highest court of the Empire, and the action of the Govern­ment has been amply justified. If the pre­sent Government did nothing more than pass the Workers' Compensation Act, they ·deserve well of the people of Queensland. because that Act has afforded the unfortunate worker who is injured, or his family if he is killed. fair compensation for the injurv or loss of life. The rates paid bv employers mav be somewhat highe1· than thev were under" the old system, but still the Government were justified in pas,ing that measure. \V e are promised now that the rates will be con­siderably reduced, and I believe that those who have been paying insurance rates will receive something back in the form of a bonus. That is a good thing, and the result of the operation of that measure bears out the promise given by the representative of the Government in this Chamber and b:v the Minister in charge of the Bill in the other {'hamlwr. that the Government were not looking for anv profit. and that if there was any margin left after paying working expenses, the surplus would be returned to

the emplovers. The Government also deserve credit far· their action under the fire insur­ance scheme. They have no monopoly of that busine'•, but they are certainly doing well. The Go\'ernment of New South Wales, which is a National or Liberal Government, have already taken steps to introduce the same class of legislation in their Parliament. That i' :>bout the hest testimonial "he Go­vernment here could receive with regard to the benefits conferred by the "Workers' Com­pensation Act.

Hon. E. \V. H. FoWLES: They are allow­ing insurance companies to compete.

HoN. F. :McDO='J::\!ELL: No: the me<tsure is t{) be exactly on the same lines as these followed in our Acts. Howev<>r, as far as the insurance n1easures of our Govern1nent arc concerned, they have been a benefit to the community. The Government have done well in introducing those measures, and I feel con­fident that when they go to the country next year thev will he able to point w.ith a good deal of 8atisfaction to the succes'' which has attended both those measures.

There is a para o-ra ph of the Speech which opens up tlw CJ.UP~tion of the financial posi­tion of the Government at the present time, and that is the paragraph which refers to the o-ood treatment of public servants. Those ~ha have been in this Chamber for some time, or who have been in another place, know that in dav.s of adversitv, "·hen Queens­land was in a bad way, the· first thing t~e Government did was to retrench the public servants. That wa~ the old policy. The policy then seemed to be that when Queens­land wa> in a bad position and the finances were not buoyant, the first thing the G?vern­ment should do was to make the pubhc ser­vants suffer. I am plea.sed to note that that sort of thino- is altogether changed now, ·and that the Gon'rnment recognise the value and worth of State servants by giving them reasoruible wages and good conditions, par­ticularly in the Railway service; ~mt the same remark applies to the. Educatwn De­partment and to other pubhc departments. I am rrlad that the Government have acted on tho~e lines. It will certainly mean a big expense to the State, and possibly a deficit later on but I believe the peonle of the State wiil be prepared to pay public servants a fair thino- for their labom. \Ye all know that the c~st of Jiving has increased con­si.derablv. 'Those who are in business know that th~ cost of living has increased by 25 per cent. during the last year or two.

Hon. E. W. H. FOWLES: I thought there was to be cheap food.

Hml. F. McDO:\'NELL: \Ve pa:-: about 5d. or 6d. per lb. for om beef at the Stat<' hutcheries. and peopl<l arc paying cloulJ]C# that in othN· States. The Government have brourrht down the price of that particular article by the . estabJi,,~mf'nt o~ Shte huteheries. Refernng agam to the mcrPasc~ in the p.avments to pubhc servants, I bclicYo that thf'y- are fully jnstiGed .. To mef't the"" pavments the Gove1·nment will have to l0ok roimd for other mPans of taxation. and I hope that when their taxatio.n measure _ie introduced the members of thi" House will take un a more reasonable attitude towards it than thev did towards the t'lxation proposals brourrht ·forward lw the Governmrnt last v<'ar.~ bf'cause, ofter. all, the men 1vho havt' the money should pay the taxation. \Ye are

Hon. F. jJfcDon•!ell.]

8 Address in Reply. [COUNCIL.] ArJ;dreBB in Reply.

living in a p€{)uliar time, and taxation here is not equal to what it is in England at the present time. The Government have only ce~tain sources to rely on, and they have to obtain their rev<>nue from thos<> sources. With these increases which have taker1 place in 'the cost of State services, the Government must in the near future look around for sources of taxation perhaps different from those from which thev obtain revenue at present. ·

Hon. A. G. C. HAWTHORN: The English tax<ttion is for war purposes; ours is not.

HoN. F. McDO::\NELL: Indirectly, ours is war taxation.

Hon. A. G. C. HAWTIIOR).;: No: the Federal Government have imposed war taxa­tion.

HoN. F. McDONNELL: The incrpased cost of living has been brought about primarily by the war. \Ye know that well. In the case of soft goods there has been an immense

advance in prices. I think that [4 p.m.] the manufacturers in the old

country are taking evpry possible advantage of the war in unjustifiably in­creasing the cost of production. I do not believe that the enormous increase in the price of artic!Ps that are coming out here is justified by the circumstances, but whether the increase is justified or not, the cost to the consumer is certainly much greater now than it was before the war, and pre~Pnt condi­tions are undoubtedly due to the operation of the war.

I notice, too, that the Government propose to go into the que>tion of shipbuilding, or that they are going to consider the question and see what can be done. It will be a verv fine thing if the Government can establish a shipbuilding industry in Queensland. We ought to be able to do so. They are able to do it in Victoria and in New South Wales, and whatever is possible there is possible in Queensland, particularly under a Govern­ment who have so earnestly the interests of the whole of the people at heart.

Hon. E. W. H. FowLES: 'What ships have been built in Victoria ?

HoN. it now.

Hon. mises!

F. McDONNELL: They are doing They have offered to build them.

E. '\V. H. FowLES: Oh, yes-pro-

HoN. F. McDONNELL: They have the facilities for doing it, and we also have the facilities for doing it. The hon. member is quite aware that in New South ·wales they have built ships, and that they have even built some of our war boats.

Hon. E. W. H. FowLES: What did the " Brisbane" cosc in Sydney?

HoN. F. McDONNELL: I am not quite sure what the "Brisbane" cost. The only thing I know is that I was there when the " Brisbane" was launched, and she was a very fine boat, and at that time everybody seemed satisfied at the cost, particularly the Federal Government.

Hon. F. T. BRENTNALL: She cost twice as much as she would have cost in the old country.

HoN. F. McDONNELL: I do not believe that is the case for a moment.

Hon. A. G. 0. HAWTHORN: And what about the risk of strikes here?

~Hen. F. McDonnell.

Hox. F. McDONNELL: They have strikes in the old country, too. You will always have strikes if men are not treated properly.

Hon. A. G. C. HAWTHORX: Are they noi; treated properly with a Labour Government in power?

HoN. F. McDONNELL: The strike is the only weapon men have got to secure their right''· If they did not strike they would now be working under the conditions that were a disgrace for many years.

Hon. W. H. CAMPBELL: What about the Federal Arbitration Court awards?

Hox. F. McDONNELL: There are not so many strikes now on account of that. I am sure that hon. members must recognise that there are far less strikes now in Australia than we had in the past.

Hon. W. STEPHENS: Far more. I-Iox. F. McDO::\NELL: There have been

very few strikes of late in Queensland. How many strikes have we had in this State dur­ing the last couple of years? We have had no strikes of any magnitude, and the strikes that have taken place have been amicably settled by employers and employees. Look at the great pastoral industry with which the Hon. Mr. Whittingham is connected. There have been fewer strikes in that industry, in which the pastoralists are making fabulous fortunes.

Hon. A. H. '\VHITTINGHA~I: Are they? I wish you were a pastoralist.

HoN. F. McDO~NELL: I wish to God I was. I would be very glad to swap with the hon. member in the morning. I would do it without any hesitation.

Hon. \V. STEPHEXS: I think you would sooner sell blankets than grow the wool.

HoN. F. McDONNELL: The trouble is that the wool is commandeered and sent home and we cannot get it for blankets.

Hon. '\Y. STEPHENS: Make them from cotton.

HoN. F. McDOKNELL: I hope they do make them of cotton. I a.m very pleased the Government recognise that something will ha Ye to be done with respect to the Brisbane Tramways Company. The franchise of the company terminates within the next three years. Last session I spoke of tliis matter. 'There is no doubt the Brisbane tramways ha.-e done good work in the city of Brisbane­(hea.r, hear !)-but I think that a utility of that nature should be in the hands of the Government, and I sincerely hope that, if the Go.-ernment are going to deal with the Brisbane Tramways Compa.ny, they will never place the tramways in the hands of the local authorities.

Hon. \Y. STEPHEXS: Hear, hear!

HoN. F. i'dcDONNELL: I would oppose such a proposal in every possible way. It would be a most unfortunate thing if the tramways were placed in the hands of the local authorities. I think they should be directly worked by the Government, the same a.s our railwav; are worked at the present time. If that be done, I am satis­fied it will be a success. Those who are acquainted with Sydney know that the ~reate;;t factor in the devdopment of the citv of Svdney and its suburbs is the manage­ment of· the. tramwavs bv the Government. I do not believe Brisbane \vill ever be a large city-a. city such as it should be-until the

Add1·ess in Reply. [9 JULY.] Address in Reply. 9

Government take over the tramwavs and open up many of the outside suburbs 'that arc at present ver;~· bad!;~· provided with travelling facilities. (Hear, hear!)

I am pkased, too, that the GovPrmnent are going to reintroduce the measm·o for the incorporation of a Greater Brisbane. \Ye all know that there are too many small lWtti­fogging local autltoritips at prbent in the metropolitan area. and that a great deal of money is \vastNl in office expenditure and ma.tters of that nature. TherP is no doubt that. with thP aerJuisition of the tramways ,and the incorporaiion of a G l'{~ater Brit"SUaae, BrisbanL• will bP on the high road to success. This Governnwnt. I say advisf'dly, not only have tlw intPrests of the {'ountrv a.nd the primar~- producers at h0art. but they are -showing a most comnwndablP Jesire to ad­vancE' thP intere"t' of this citv and of the <lthcr cities of Queensland. ·

Hon. E. \Y. H. FowLES: Thev have staned the local authorities for the last two vcars. They have not got money for short roads, -eYen.

HoN. F. McDO="l::\ELL: There is a Bill mentioned in the Speech that might take up a little of the hon. gentleman's attention, .and I hope that he \Yill not emasculate it this time as hP did last session. I refN to the Popular InitiativP and Referendum Bill.

Hon. R \V. H. FowLES: The Po11ular Liquor Referendum Bill.

Hox. F. McDON::\ELL: That Bill will give the hon. member-if he is sincere-it is very doubtful if he is-I think he is only ·working it for a political dodge-(laughter) -as he has worked a g-corl many other things.

The PRESIDENT : Order ! Hox. F. :UcDONKELL: We know how

sincere the hon. member is in a lot of things. However. that Bill will give him the oppor­tunity of showing his earnestness a.nd his sineeritv. The head of the GovPrnment has .already' promised that the voice of the people with regard to the question of 6 o'clock clos­ing can be settled undPr that Bill. The hon. member will be tested this se-,sion again with reference to that Bill, and wc will see whether it is his intention again to destroy the Bill with the aid of ono or two other hon. members-particularly the hon. member who is asleep at the present time.

Hon. P. J. LEAHY: I am listening very .attenth·cly to you.

Hox. F. lVIcDO::\="TELL: At all events, we will SPP ,vhether those two hon. members will put their heads togethf-'r again and -destroy this Bill-knock all the thirty-nine daus<'s out and leave about one clause in, and then 'end it back to the other House.

Hon. P. J. LEAHY: \Ye improved it very ·much.

Hox. F. McDO::\::\ELL: I now come to a -question that I am sure is agitating the, minds of tlw CounPil very much at the pre­ilent time, and that is the abolition of this Chamber.

Hon 'l' M. HALL: That was dealt with long ~go.· The people settled that.

Hon. \V. STEPHEXS: You won't go back on the people, will you?

Hon. B. FAHEY: That question has already been settled.

Hon. A. G. C. HAWTHORN: By the people's vote.

Hon. T. M. HALL: This is the people's House.

Hox. F. McDO::\::\ELL: I knew that hon. members would be very "cocky" in this matter. I knew they would feel very elated.

Hon. A. G. C. Hc\WTHORX: Oh, no. Hon. \V. STEPHEXS: How do you feel your­

>'PlP Hox. F. McDO::\XELL: The fact· of the

rnuttPr iR-- and I nn1 sur(' hon. n1e1nbers rer-op:niof' it~-that the que,tion that was suh­mitt<·d to the people was a very higgledy­piggh'cly qm''tion. The people really did not know wlwre they were. (Laughter.)

Hon. IV. STEPHEX~ : Didn't they? Hon. T. M. HALT,: That is too thin.

Hox. F. McDOXXELL: In the first place, the question that was submitted to the people was like a Chinese puzzle.

Hon. 'l'. :iYI. IL\LL: Well, who submitted it to them?

Hox. F. McDOXXELL: \Yhoever sub­mitted it did not show very much intelli­gence, in 111}' opmwn. Instead of having a plain question calling for a simple " Yes " or " No " answer, it was a most complicated question that many intelligent people did not understand. In fact, the hon. member himsf-'lf must recognise that fact.

Hon. \'i'. H. CA}!PBELL : The Home Secre­tary was resvonsible.

HoN. F. McDOXXELL: I do not know who .was r0sponsible. I say it was a stupid way of putting the question to the people, and, furthermore, litigation brought on by hon. members of this House was going on at the time. They honoured me by making me Ollfl of the defendants in connection with that litigation. I know some of them would like to put me in gaol if they had their way.

Hon. P. J. LEAHY: \Ye would go bail for you.

Hox. F. lVIcDOX::\ELL: In my opinion, the question that was put to the people was a great error. It was overshadowed by the bigger Federal question, and this question should have been dealt with by itself.

Hon. A. G. C. HAWTHORN: You only found that out afterwards.

Hox. F. lVIcDO::\NELL: No, that was my opinion at the time, and it was the opinion of a gre·1t many others. They believed that it was a mistake to put the question to the people at that time.

Hon. E. \V. H. FowLES: The people knew what they wore doing.

Hox. F. McDOX::\ELL: The J1cople did not know.

Hon. \Y. STEPHEXS: The people are not fools.

Hox. F. McDOX::\ELL: Manv of them were, no ,doubt, tcrribl,- confuse~!. It wa-, only a leg-al mind, like that of the Hon. l\'Ir. Fowles, who could fathom the whole thing. I have no doubt that later on, when this question is aa:<~in put to the people, those who are in favour of the abolition of this Chanrber and of the adoption of tho initiative and referendum will cleyote some time to placing the matter before the people as it deserve' to be placed before them, aml I am sure that whf-'n that is donC' t,hNe will be a marked chang-e in the opinion of the majoritv of the people of Queemhnd. Hon. mei11be1:; must not lose sight of the fact that

Hon. P. McDonneU.]

10 A~ddrcss in Reply. [COUNCIL.] Adclrcos in Reply.

over 100.000 intelligent ]leople in Q1ceemland ·were in favour of the abolition of tl1is Chamber.

Hon. E. IY. H. FowLEs: \Yhv SUJ1i':ess the other figures? ·

Hox. F. :UcDOXXELL: Other rciorms of thi~ nature have not rec-eived an~:rhino· like that amount of support whrn the,~ wer~ first submittc>d to thn people. There Is no don~>t t.hat this was a YPrv big rPvolutionarv measure-a JlrO)lOi-al to. ameucl tlll' Constih;­tion of this St-ate by abolishing the Sec·nnd Chaml1€r. It \Yas a que'<tion that certainh· deserved a gTeat deal nwrc explanation thall was given by thost:' in favour of the abolition of the Council. I know wry well that the bulk of hon. members devoted their whole> time to the question, and iseHL•d hundi·eds of thousands of pamphlets containing most fantastic proposals and statements. \Yhat with the confusion brought about bv those statements and bv the complicated character of the question. a 'lot of J1eople were muddled and hoodwinked into voting in the manner that thev did.

Hon. E. W. H. FoWLES : The people are not the fools you take them to be.

Ho;;. F. ::VlcDO:::-.J::,mLL: The peo11lo will wake up one day.

Hon. E. W. H. FowLEs: If vou submit the qtw;tion again you will not get 100,000 votes.

Ho;;. F. ::\icDOX:\'ELL: I think the hon. member will be surprised at the result if the question is properly placed before the people. I do not know what ·the Govern­ment intend to do in connection with the matter.

Hon. E. IV. H. Fowu:s: Do they know themsch-es?

Ho;;. F. ::\lcDOX::\"ELL : I hope h~n. members \vill be more reasonable this '·C'ssion than they have !wen in the past. If thev are not more reasonable. they ought to be, and they ought to l>e ablP to show the country that this Chamber is not torn asunder by party politico. \Ve <lrC' suPposed to be a non-party House-(hear, hear ! and laughter) -but the minute legislation of a demo<-ratic nature is introducr•.-1 he:ce we imme.diatelv get the most hostile opposition to it from the bulk of the members of this Chaml>er.

Hon. A. G. c. HAWTHORX: vYe. are strong!:· against n1onopolies.

HoN. F. ::VlcDOXXF.:LL: T thiuk I have dealt with all the matters that it is neces<arv for me to deal \Yith at this stage. ·

Hon. E. \Y. H. FOWLES: Yot~ han• IH'Ier mentioned the estalJlishnwnt of the State groggery.

HoN. F. McDO?\::\"ELL: I am leaving that to the hon. gentleman because I know ~e is deep!~ in_terested in that m~tter, . and, 1f I dealt With 1t, I should leave hnn nothing to speak about. 'I'he only thing I know with regard to that matter is that the establish­ment of the State groggery has been a suc­cess-such a success that the Govprnmpnt were offered a big price for the purchase of the hotel they erected some time ago.

Hon. E. W. H. FOWLES: BPcause they have a monopoly.

Ho;;. F. McDONNELL: That is like the statfement the hon. gentlPman made last sc'ssion with. respect to the purchase of cattle stations, whiCh he caliPd " wild cat schemes." The Government were offered £30 000 on their bargain for one station. Is that a wild

[Hon. F .• VcDonnell.

cat scheme? Of ~curse not, and that is only an example of what the Government have­done in the matter of State enterprise.

Hon. E. IY. H. FowLES: What station is that?

Hox. F. ::\fcDO?\NELL: Mount Hutton Station. Evidently the pc•ople who made that offer were satisfied with the muster on that st.ation. I have left one question till the end, and I suppose it is the most important ~question of all, ;md that is dealt with in the following paragraph which I quote from the Governor's Speech:-

"The war, horrible beyond all example as some of its incidents are, is not with­out its nobler aspects, and prominent among them is the readiness with which Australia sprang to the aid of the mother country at the first whisper that she was in danger. Splendidly, by universal' admi!'sion, has Australia done her duty in this terrific struggle, and, there cannot he the smallest doubt, will continue to do so until the triumph of the- Empire and its allies brings the conte.6t to an end. Queensland has been second to none of her sister States in the providing of men and requisites, and will not lessen her efforts and sacrifices until victorv for the common cause has been achiev€d."

The statements in that paragraph I am sure meet with the full sympathy of every hon. gentleman in this House. (Hear, hear!) \Yhatever our Jlolitical opinions may be, there­is no doubt that we all desire to see the­finish of this war, and that we all fully recognise the splendid service rendered to the Empire by the young men from Aus­tralia, and particularly by those who went from Queensland. The wa1: has obliterated many old land marks. and Governments, not onlv the British Government, but Govern­me;,ts throughout the world. have shown a desire to do all that is possible to meet all classes in a generous and sympathetic manner. I am pleased to see that in Eng­land to-day there. is a desire to heal the breach between it and my own country, and soh~e. I hope. in a successful way the problem which has existed so long. No matter what our opinions may be, all classes of the com­mnnity-Irishmen, Englishmen, Scotchmen, and Australians-have been fighting shoulder to shoulder at the different battle fronts, and if men are prepared to sacrifice thei1· lives and give the best that is in them fo1· the Empire, the Empire itself should recog­nise the legitimate grievances that those pco.ple have got. It is satisfactory to note that a verv earlv settlement of the difficultv to which i allude may be expected, and I sincerely hope that the effort that is now being made will result in good. It is a fine­thing to see all dasses of the community­Irish Xationalists, Irish Catholics, Irish Protestants from the X orth, and Irish· Orangemen-meeting together around the one table to solve the problem which has for so long given rise to great dissatisfaction. And it is a fine thing to see men like William Redmond, a splendid character, sacrificing his life as an Irishman at the front in the interests of the Empire. Xot onlv has vVil­liam Redmond, who was here a· few~ years ago, done that, but thousands of my country­men have gi,·en their lives for the Empire, and ''"" ought to recognise the service they have rPndered. It ill behoves anv class in the eommunity to introduce vexed' question& at this time. It is unfortunate that Australia.

Address in Reply. [9 JULY.] Address in Reply.

has been made the place of all others for the introduction of such questions. This kind of thing seems to have found a home here, and that is very regrettable. It is also regret­table that men in public positions should get up and in a most slanderous and most un­justifiable manner attack certain people. Possibly such things should be treated with contempt, but as one who is closely allied with those peoj)le, I feel that I should not, be doing my duty if I did not offer a strong protest a gamst such conducr. At the present time matters which are calculated to arouse extreme passion should be left aside, and nothing should be done which is calculated to disturb the amicable relations of different parts of the com•1Hl!1ity. vVhen one section of the communitv is slandered and vilified and abused, as has been the case, how ean anyone expect that there will be that response to the recruiting appeal that there should be? I am pleased, however, to be able to say that the response from the section of the community that I belong to has been as great in proportion to their numbers as the response from any other section in A us­tralia. I shall say nothing further on this matter, except to add that if there was a particle of truth in the statement which was made in Brisbane yesterday, it would deserve the att0ntion of the Federal authori­ties, and that i£ the man who made that statement could not prove the truth of what he alleged he deserves no better treatment than should be accorded to the Germans. The man who could g-et up and slander a portion of the community in the way in which it has been slandered deserves, in the words of the " Daily Mail," the condemnation of every hone&t, fearless, and right-thinking man in the community. I do not wish to labour this subject, or to import into the debate anything of that nature, but at the same time I take this opportunity of enter­ing my earnest and indignant protest against the insidious slander and vile statement made in Brisbane yesterday.

Hon. E. W. H. FowLES: What has that to do with the Governor's Speech?

HoN. F. McDO?\NELL: It has a good deal to do with the hon. gentleman, as it expresses the opinion of the hon. gentleman t::l aT.

I shall conclude my remarks by saying that on the only occasions when the GO\-ern­ment and their actions were tested in a public way, a decided verdict was given in their favour. Since the present Government came into power there have been three bv­elections-one in Fortitude Valley, one at Rockhampton, and one at Maryborough. The two last took place when there was a good deal of turmoil and excitement, and when there was a good deal of passion shown throughout Queensland, and there is no doubt that the Government secured decisive vic­tmies at those election_,_ On eYerv occasion on which thPy went before the people, their adions were highly approved by the people, who returned their nominees. This took place after the Federal el<'ctions and after the National party had been elected, and it must be gratifying to the Government to know that at that particular time, wh<'n thf're W<'r<' so many is-,ues at stake and \Yhen so much feeling was manif!'sted, their cctn­didates met with public approvaL The Go­vernment shouJ,d be \Yell satisfied with the remlt of the bv-election which \Yas held at Rockhampton, but. as I have alrea-dy said, on every occa<'ion on ,,-hich the people ha,d

an opportunity of exprese,ing their opinicm. thev have shown thei1· satisfaction with the Go~·ermn0nt by elerting Government nomi­PC<'S. 1 believe that when the members of thie Governnwnt and their supporters ~o to the countrv after the measures they have­placed on' 'the statute-book, they will get another return to power, and, as I antici­pate, ,,-ill be returned with incre':sed m:~m­bers. I have very much pleasure m monng the adoption of the Address in Reply.

1:-Iox. A. A. DAVEY: In rising to second· the motion for the adoption of the Addres,~ in Renlv which has bem1 so ably proposed bv m,; hon. friend who has just sat down. I defire to point out that in performing this -clutv I am with other memb<'rs of the House, asst~ring His Excellency of our " continued· lovaltv -and affection to the throne and pc>r­so~1 of our :!\!lost Gracious Sovereign," and that I am also promising to give my "most car<>ful consideration and attention" to tho matters that are to be brought before u•. Those two passages in the A.ddress in Reply are in accord with the sentnnents of every member of this House. Ever since I havo. ha,d a seat in this Chamber, the member' of the House have always given -<erious, broad­minded, liberal, and just consideration to every measure brought before the House.

Hon. A. G. C. HAWTHORN: And non-party <'Onsideration.

Hox. A. A. DAVEY: And non-party con­sidct·ation, so that, in secondin.g the Address in Replv, hon. gentlemen w1ll understand that I -cio w with a special rpgard to tho sentiments 1 have just quoted. I should lib~ to call attention to the announcement which usually appears :;t the head. of the· correspondence column 111 the pub!1c news­papers to the effect that " the ed1tor. does not necessarily agree with or hold hm1self responsible for the opinions expressed by correspondeniJs." As the . seconde1: of the motion I have everv desn·e to ,g1ve every Gover1;ment and every man with whom I come in contact full · cre,dit for any good­they may do or attempt to do.. That is thE' poeition I wish to t!'ke up. \\'J.th regard !o tlw Government pohcy as 1t IS set out 1n the speech to which we had the pl;-:;s~ne of list!'ning- this morning; and a!1Y cr1tlClf'nl I may make upon t~1e Speech ;nll. be made in a spirit of chanty and fan·mmdP;dl;e;;s, and ,vill be the outcome of my convwtwns· as to what I consider is in the interests or Queensland, of Australia, and of the Empire. The hon. g0ntleman who moved the re"Kllu­tion has marle out as good a case as he possiblv could with the material he ha,d .at his disposal. I was more than pleased wnh thP moderation with which he handled the subject, and I thin]~ he js to be conll;li­nwntPd on the way m wh1ch he dealt Wl~h · the GovE'rnmPnt's proposals as set forth 111'

the Governor's Speech.

HP has certainlv done the lwst that he· could under !he cii·cumstances.- . If we had ,a Speech submitted to . us contammg proposa '"'' to which I could g1v0 a hearty support I should be onlv too pleased. I say that bc­<·ause J am not a carping critic; I do not prefer to critieisc'; I prefer to encourage· and to <mdoree.

I \vas almost forv<'ttinz a most importa1:t_ ihin~·-ancl I should have hN'n very snrry 1f l had fOl'gotten it. 1 desire to add my-

Hon. A. A. Dcvey.]

Add;·css in Reply. [COUNCIL.] Address in Reply.

~£>xpressionH of pleasure at seeing our Presi­--dent in the chair for the first time to-da v.

\Ye had the hon. gentlPman hc1·e [4.30 p.m.] for some considerable time as

the represpntative of the Govern­ment, and I am quite sure that he will •villinglv admit that he receivpd everv n'sistance at the hands of hon. members in this Chamber. I am sure that hon. mPmlwrs will admit on thei1· part that he was alwavs -courteous to them and anxious to meet thC:ir d.esire.s, and that he \vas a good l'epref:.e.nt,J.­tlVt' of the Govermnent. I congratulate him most sincerelv and most heartilv on the hiuh position to ~vhich he has been appoint;d. (Hear! hear!)

·with regard to the IWW renresentative of d1e Government I may say that I ha,-e known the hon. g·t:•ntlHlHUl 'for ·1a good nurnber of years. In t-he fHl'•t I han• taken som<' acti,-e part on occasions and done the !Je,t I could to see him elected to the other Chamber. I have alwavs found him an hononrab!e and straightfor\vard man, and I belim·e WP shall find thnt in the fulfilinent of his duties in this Chamber he will pro\·e a. worthv succesPor to our President in the position of representa­th-e of the Government. I offPr the hon. gentleman my congratulations. I entireh· disagree \Vith the suggPstion of the tnoYer df the Addr<>ss in Heply. be<'ause I believe that .-the MinistPl' \Yill find that his presence in this Chamber is a delightful change-a -ehange almost from hell to heaven-(laurrh­ter}-coming her<' from the other Ho1~se. 1 think it cannot but have a bC>neficial effect upon him. and I am certain that llP will enjoy a greater amount of peace of mind and comfort in this Chamber than he po"iblv

·-Could. have e_nj?yed. under the party systen1 m1<l m assoc1atwn m the othc1· House with .the party to which he unfortunately bc•longs.

\Y0 m·r• informed by His Excellenc,· that towards the dose of the recess he was able­

" to fulfil a long-cherislwd intention of visiting the north-western part of thG State." ·

. As might reasonably have been expected, His Excellency returned filled with a sense of

·t)w. importance of de,·eloping our almost 1nmtless resources. EYerv visitor to the North who kno\\·s anything of busiucss and

·of the world muct be impressed \vith the e1:ormous resources of :;:s orth Queensland and ·w1th the half-hearted manner in which thcv are being 'developed. (HPUJ'! hear!) No one particularly is to. be blamed for this. I sup­pose, ·becau~a~ th1s country offe1·s PO 1nanv

,opportunities that many' g·ood ones a1;e neglected.

,I think the Speech faithfully expresses the ·v1ews of hon. members of tltis Chamh0r in rgard to our Bympathy for our fellow citizens who have suffered bereavement throurrh the war. (He"!r! hear !) It is a very sad ~thing·, but MJCre 1s a lll'lght s1de to it. There is a nobility of character which this war has brought cut: and the fortitude with which loss and bereavement have been b01·ne hv the people o~ this country is simply astouncling·, and nothmg but the. cata~trophe that !s upon us at che present time could havP giYen us the opportunity of learning that. There can be nothing but admiration for the bravery Df our soldiers and for their resourcefulness on the field of battle. (Hear! hear!) :'\o matt<;r what may he the shade of our politi­

·{'al news, e.-erv one of us must he filled with admiration fo~ the wonderful bra.-erv that ?has been shmvn by our son,; at the· front.

[Hon. A. A. Davey.

There is a sugg·<stion in the Speech that Aus­trali(l has done her -duty, but the patriotism and braverv which signalised the outbreak of the war ha\'e to be continued. They must be continued. No one will dare to get np and oav that A•1stralia has not clone well. She has done nobly. But at the earne time uo one can sav truthfullv that Australia has done her d~1tv until the last man and the last shilling h'avo been mado available. \Vn havP now reached a very critieal ·stage in the history of this great war, and the require­ments of thl' Empire arc probably greater to-day than they have ever been in the past, especiallv in the matter of men. And what do we iind? Hecruiting is unsatisfactory. 'The most fervent lover of the s:vstPm of n'luntaryism must admit that voluntary en­listment 'has failed. \Ye sec in the streets of our cities thouoands of elig-ibles who are holding back, content apparently to enjoy the privileg-es and fhe comforts of home-nay-, the luxuries of home-while they are willing to let their fellow creatures noblv volunteer to g-o to the front. They are content to l<;t those men go to the front and shed thE'Ir blood for them. We must not boast of hav­ing done our duty. All honour to those who have gone. They have not only gone to the front. but t·hey have proved the metal of which they are made. They haw pro:·ed that thev are men. and true men. But w11at shall we' sav of these elig-ibles who are hold­ing back and who arc refusing to do their dnh·? It is a sad reflection upon themselves. \Vith regard to the referendum that was taken on conscription, I am a lover of Ans­tralie. Unfortunately I was not born here, but I loyc this countrv-no man can loYe it better than I do-but I receiwcl the shock of mv life when I found that it was possible fo~· the Am,tralian community to turn down conscription. which simpl~- means that every citizen should be prepared to fight for his con-atry.

I am gratified to know that the Govem­ment are setting a part land for the settle­ment of soldiers .

Hon. E. v.-. II. FOWLES: Is the Cairns land suitable?

Hox. A. A. DA VEY: I do not know whether it is suitable or not, but I am pleased to know that the Government are moYing in the matter and are attempting to do something to settle returned soldiers on the lam!. I think that the repatriation of our s0kliers is going to be the biggest and the most diliieult problem that has ever been submitted to .an Australian Legislature. (Hear, hear!) There is going to be trouble unless this question is dealt with in a broad and liberal spirit. When our soldiers re­turn they must be dealt with honestly; they must be dealt with liberally and gen­eronsly. They must be given opportunities for suitable and for profitable employment, and it will be shame on the country if it does not carry out its ·duty in this respect. \Ve hear a lot about preference t-o unionists. I haye nothing particular to say on that subiect at the present time; but, to be just to these men, they must be given preference of employment in the serYice of the State and by the priYate employer over eligibles who have remaine·d unmoved through this great world tragedy, and who have failed to respond to and to fulfil the Yery first duty of every citizen in a free country-that is, to fight for his country. I was shown a letter the other day from a soldier at the

Address in Reply. [9 JULY.) Address in Reply. l$

front. In the course of his remarks he told them of some things that they had to suffer, but he sai·d, " I think that it is a privilege to ~Je here. I fEel that I am fighting for liberty, for civilisation, and for humanity. l rEgret that there are so many of my countrymen who are holding back, but I venture to say that, when the war is over and we return, those who have fail,•.:l to respond to the call would be willing to give everything they possess to say that they ha,d a share in fighting in this great world war." (Hear, hear!) I thoroug·hlv agree with that. I do not know what reply eligibles arc going to make to the returned soldiers who have fought and suffered for this country. God only knows what answer they can give as to why they failed to do their ·duty.

I am very pleased to know, too, that the Government at last are going to enc0urage in every way the man on the land. (Hear, hear!) So far as I have been able to judge, the man on the land has not had verv much to thank. this Government for, and I am pleased that they now propose to do everything they can for him. It is "better late than never."

Hon. E. W. I-I. FowLES: A death-bed repentance.

HoN. A. A. DAVEY: I would be the last person to suggest that there is an elec­tion looming in the near future.

Hon. P. J. LEAHY: What the man on the land -v~·ants is to be left alone and the Government will not leave him' alone.

Hon. E. \V. H. FoWLES: This Government will do for the man on the land, all right.

The PRESIDENT: OI'der!

The SECRETARY FOR MniES : Previous Go­vernments put him undPr the land.

HoN. A. A. D.AVEY: I am also pleased to see that the Government are seized with the necessity of developing our great mineral resources. There is no doubt they have be••n very sadly neglected in the past. Govern­ments ·have done something in the matter but there is still a great deal to be done' for the proper development of the enormous mineral resources of this State. The miner is a most valuable asset to this country The miner could be helped considerably. more than he has been helped up to date by the establishment of batteries in suitable centres in mining areas, so that he may be sure of getting a fair return for his labour. The G'?vernment are to be commended for any­thmg they have done and for anything they propose to do in . this matter of developing the mining industry. As one who has travelled a good deal over the country and especially in mining districts, I lmm~ the va~u~ to the cou~~ry of a mining community. Mmmg commumtws earn large money spend it freely, and increase the trade a;,d the circulation of money very largely and they are very valuable citizens. Sorn'ebody has said that the~·e is nothing in mining, because you are paymg so such money to dig holes in the ground and so much more money to fill them up afterwards. That is ·not true though it may appear to be true. Miners ~re very valuable members of the community, espe­cially under present conditions, with the world shortage of iron, steel, coal, and other minerals. Under existing conditions, there

is not the slighte-t doubt that the enormous­mineral rpsources of this State are calling loudly for development.

Hon. A. G. C. HAWTHORX: Hear, heart Circumstances were never more favourable.

Hox. ~"-- A. DA VEY: If private enterprise does not and cannot develop those resources, they must be developed by oth<:'r means, be­cause we ca.nnot afford to allow these great resources to remain unutilic.ed. We must. use tlwm. and there is an opportunity now· 'vhich has never occurred before.

Hon. E. W. H. FOWLES: \Vhere do the· Government propose to get the labour from?'

Hox. A. A. DAVEY: I leave that to the· Government. I suppose they will offer as. attractive wages as thev can. Certainlv this Government cannot be blamed for any failure· in that direction. They have made the oondi­tions of labour as favourable as possible, a.nd they have made wages as high as pos­sible, so that, if they cannot get labour, I do not see where anyone else can get it.

The proposal to improve the means of' access to la.nd thrown open to selection by making roads and building bridg·es is a. good' common-sense proposal, and I am very pleased to see it finds a place in His Excel­lency's Speech. I noticed particularly in and around Sydney when I was there some time ago that some speculators ha.d bought up large are;,~ of land, and the very first thing they did was to make roads and otheF improvements before they attempted to dis­pose of the land. Of course, they put the­cost of those improvements on to the price· of the land, and I have no doubt they were not only repaid the amount of the outlay, but that they made a considerable profit. I believe that it is a wise step on the part of the Goyernment to do something to im­prove the means of access to Crown lands that are thrown open to settlement by making· roads and bridges. That will be a distinct benefit both to the settler and to the State.

\Ve are told that the largest agriculturar industrv we have in the State will have a: record 'crop this year. From all I hNtr, I believe that is probable-I do not profess to know much about the sugar industry-but I know that those engaged in that industry had a bad time last season. \V e know per­fectly well that there are a number of serious, honest, and apparently capable experts who belie,-e that if the present position is insisted upon, the ultimate result will be the extinc­tion of the sugar industry. There is no­representative of the sugar industry present in the House to-day, but I know that is the­conviction in the minds of some people who ought to know. I hope their predictions will' not be realised, because this is too valuable­an industry to be trifled with. The sugar­growers want to look ahead and to have comparative security, not for a season-for· that is· not enough-but for the next ten o1· fifteen years. I hope that an effort will be made to place the sugar farmer on some­thing like a permanently secure basis.

\Vith reference to cereal farming on the­Downs, I could not help but be impressed with the seriousness of the position in that part of the State at the present time. It is to be hoped that we shall get rain shortly. I believe that the farmers there have five­or six weeks longer during which they may· sow wheat, and that unless we have rain soon the prospect with regard to cereals will be very gloomy.

Hon . .A. A. Dcwey.]

'.14 Address in Reply. [COUNCIL.] Address in Reply.

I notice that the Speech foreshadows an extension of State ent-erpriseR. These enter­prise") cost enormous sums of money, even if you only take into consideration the interest which has to be paid on the money invested. State enterprises in the other States have not proved very successful so far; and I cb not see any reason why we ~hould expect any different• result' in Queensland. I think that at this particular time the Government should exercise the most rigid -economy in all matters, except i,l the payment of wages and salaries to people who give value for the money they receive. I ·would say nothing against raising

·the salaries of public servants, but I think that the GovE'rnment should seriously con­sider the matter of economy, and that for the time being State enterprises should be held over. I looked very carefully through the Speech to see what were the proposals Df the Government to meet the financial situation, but I could not find any sugges­tion to grapple seriously with this important subject. There is not a word about finance in the Speech. One would think from the

·way in which the Government are acting that money just flows into the Treasury, and that all they have to do is to find some useful way of spending that money. Any serious and reasonable person engaged in business will shepherd his resources in times

·of stress to the utmost degree and adopt measures of the very strictest economy.

Hon. F. McDONNELL : You never find financial proposals mentioned in the Gover­.nor's Speech.

HoN. A. A. DAVEY: I looked through ·the Bills which it is proposed to bring before us, but could not find any indication as to what are the Government's proposals with regard to finance. The business people ·of this State are taxed to an enormous extent in connection with stamp duty as ·compared with business people in the other .States.

The SECRETARY FOR MINES : A certain class of business people are not taxed by the pay­ment of stamp duty.

HoN. A. A. DA VEY: At any rate, I do not notice that there is any mention of a measure dealing with taxation.

With regard to the referendum taken on the question of the abolition of this House, I do not think the mover of the motion for the adoption of the Address i11 Reply gave credit to the intelligence of a vast number of electors, particularly in large centres. I do not think there was the slightest doubt as to the people understanding the question that was submitted to them. There are some people who are so foolish that they cannot· understand anything, but the number of informal votes given in the Federal elections where there were only two candidates was n·rtainly a surprise to me. It was an almost unbelievable number. I gave credit to the electors of the State, especially the Labour electors, for knowing what they w<'re voting for, and I do not think that the injunction which was granted interfered with their votes in any way, or with the presentation of the arguments in favour of abolition to the elector-c. Kot only were State members going all over Queensland saying that this House was a House of fossils only fit for the :museum, but Federal candidates also were making that statement on platforms all over the country. I do not think that a solitary

[Hon. A. A. Davey.

membN of this Chamber thought it worth while to go on a public platform to ach·ocate the rf'tention of this House. Thev trusted that the intelligence of the people 'was so high that they "·ould vote against the abolition of the Council. \V e had the Premier and other Ministers, and members of both State and Fed"ral Parliaments going round the country and advocating the abolition of this Chamber. 'Yell, the country i' still sane, and so long· as it remains sane we shall alwavs have a Chamber to revise and watch over 'the interests of the public generally, no matter whether a Liberal Government, a Labour Government, a National Government, or anv other Government is in power. Under our r)artv system of government, it is mad­ness to ·talk about abolishing the second Chamber. The electors gave a very decided and emphatic answer to the Government by their votes on the referendum.

I notice that not one of tlw Bills in the (foyernrnent progrannnP is of any great importance. In the list there is an old friend, the Popular Initiative and Referen­dum Bill. If ever there was any measure that w~s nhlv and fullv discussed in this Chamber, it \vas the Poimlar Initative and Referendum Bill which was before us last year when we decided what we wouid do :;vith regard to that measure. I see that the m<·asurc' is to be brought forward again, and probably it will be one of the first measu~·es introduced bv the GoYernment. I notwe alw that the- measure is being very adroitly ~exploited in connection with the early closinv. of hotels in Queensland, but I have not the slightest doubt that the people will see through the device clearly enough. It is clever, but in my deliberate judgment there i" in it a suggestion of political insincerity. '!bat there is a pronounced desire on the part of the electors throughout the country for the early closing of hotels, and for coming into line with other States and other parts of the Empire on that question, there i, not the slightest possible shadow of doubt; and the determination of the Gowrnment to hold up that legislation until some other legislation which is wry far-reaching and of a Y<'ry doubtful nature is placed on the statute-book is unfair to the communitv The people will be able to <>stimate the a.ction of the Government at its proper value. \Ye might very well be engaged for the whole of the session in dealing with questions which haye to do with the war, and if we did that we should have quite enough to do. I allude to legislation that would be calculated to bring home to the people a realisation of the da,nger that is threate,ling. not only the democracv of Australia, but the democracy of the "·orld and of humanity itself. \Ve should do eYery­thing we possibly can to stimulate recruiting and to induce eligibles who have failed to do their dut~· to come up to the scratch and do their duty. \Ye should make it clear to the people that the State is going to stand solidlv behind the returned soldier-the man who has done his duty-and see that he and his family {:lo not want. Returned soldiers should be given preference in employment and in all the privileges of citizenship. I say advisedly that the man who will not come and fight for his country is not worthy of the privileges of citizenship in a free country. If wP confinro ourselves to passing legislation that would make people realise the eminent danger to the nation from it." present enemy, we should do some good. I

Opening of Parliament. [9 JuLY.]

do not wish to sa;- much more. but I cannot ~lose my remarks· without paying my tribute of respect and admiration to Australia's noblest sons. the volunteer ~oldiers. Many of tho.;e ha.-c made the supreme sacrifice; and at this .-ery moment some are possibly, almost certainly, shedding their blood. so that we may enjoy tlw privileges of civilisa­tion. The bravery of those men has been unsurpassed in history. Fron1 C'On1munica­tions which I have received from friends of mine at the front, I know that their cheer­fulness and courage are sublime; their heroism and resourcefulness will be emblazoned <ln the scroll of history for all time; and the memory of their noble deeds and self-sacrifice will be a model and inspiration for generations of Australians yet unborn. (Heg.r, hear!) I ha;-e much pleasure in seconding the motion for the adoption of the Address in Reply.

Hox. A. G. 0. HAWTHORN: I beg to .move the adjournment of the debate.

Question put and passed.

The resumption of the debate was made an '()rder of the Day for to-morrow.

AnJOURXMENT.

The SECRETARY FOR MINES: I b<=g 'to move-That the Council do now adjourn. I would like to impress upon hon. members the nece,sity for keeping a quorum to-mor­row after the debate on the Address in Reply is concluded, in order to permit of the passage through all its stages in one_ day of an Appropriation Bill, as the Government desire to pay the public servants on Wed­nesday.

Question put and passed.

The Council adjourned at seven minutes i]Jast 5 o'clock.

Auditor-General's Reports. 15