[ASSEMBLY.]

The last member who spoke to the Bimwas Mr. Strickland, who mentioned certaindisabilities associated with the north. Hetoo spoke about roads and of the loss in-curred by the State Shipping Service. Hejustified that loss by pointing out the serv-ice that State ships provide f or people inthe north. This is another example of theGovernment having sufficient money toensure that the service continues.

The Government of the day has a senseof responsibility and it must ensure thatservices are provided in the best possiblemanner. The Government has to plan forthe future. No Minister-and I am sureMr. Strickland will appreciate this, be-cause he was a Minister in the previousGoverrnment-receives as much money ashe would like for his various departments,if he wishes not only to cope with the de-mands of those departments but also toprovide for the future and for the ever-increasing services of the State. These arethings that we all hope to achieve.

I should like to thank members for the*reception given this Bill.

Question put and passed.Bill read a second time.

In Committee, etc.Bill passed through Committee without

debate, reported without amendment, andthe report adopted.

Third ReadingBill read a third time, on motion by

The Hen. A. F. Griffith (Minister forMines), and passed.

ADJOURNMENT OF THE HOUSE:SPECIAL

THE HON. A. F. GRIFFITH (Suburban-Minister for Mines) [9.19 p.m.]:1 Imove-

That the House at its rising adjournuntil Tuesday, the 11th August.

House adjourned at 9.20 p.m.

?flriolatilur PflowznbWednesday, the 5th August. 1964

CONTENTS

ADDRESS-IN-BEPLY: SECOND DAY- Pg

Speaker on Motion-Mr. Hawks .. -. .. .. 90

BREAKWATER AT ESPERANCE-Information Regarding Contracts: Per-

sonal Explanation .. ... .... go

MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT-Attendance at Service of Intercession and

Dedication ..... 75

QUESTIONS ON NOTICE-Corner Pine Plantation-

Acreage ... .. ... ..Details of Projects .. . ..

Divisional Consultative Counel-Attendance of Pubie and/or Press at

Meetings ... ..Release of Statements Arising from

Deliberations .. ... ..Education : Cannlngton High School-

Consultation with Local Authority ..Inspection by Public Health Depart-

m ent ... . .. I.. ..Intake .. .. .. ..I ..Tender and Construction ... ..

Egg Marketing Board Chairman : Dis-missal of Mr. C. L. Harvey and Ap-pointment of Succer .. .. ..

Electricity Supplies-Unread Meterage :Auditor-General's Remarks ... ..

Fortiliser Distribution : New System ..Forests-

Crown Forests : Purpose of Dedica-tion..... .............. ...

Sawmill at Pemberton: Permissibleand Actual Intake of Timber Inthe Round.... ....

Gascoyne Delta : Irrigable Soils Survey ..Gascoyne-Lyons Catchment Area: Aerial

Vegetation Survey ... .Health-

Contraceptive Pills : WarningsAgainst Use o

Drug Allergies : Wearing ofDisks byPersons Affected

Lung Cancer : Information fromX-ray Testing .. ... ..

Housing-Building Societies Granted Housing

Funds : Directors, Principal Of-ficers, and Amounts Received ..

Housing for Government Employees-Reports : Availability to

Teachert UnionHousing for Natives : Provision for

Nomads and Casual WorkersRental Homes i Derby : Cost or

Building and Weekly Rental ..Single Pensioner Cottages : Erection

in Metropolitan and Country AreasState Housing Commission-

Largest Profit YearOperation on Non-profit Basis

and Reduction of Rentals ..Mineral Sand Deposits: Surveys and

Leases at Cheyne Bay ..........North-West Administrator's Residene-

Contract Price, Air Conditioning, andFurnishing... ..

Number or Squares and WeeklyRental ..I ... .. ..

Tabling of Plans ... ..North-West Ports : Allocation of Land to

O0l Companies ... .. -.. ..Packaged Goods : Report on Standardisa-

lion and Marking.. ..Police-

Albany Police Station: Site and Com-mencement of New Building ..

Police Act : Prosecutions undersection 88.......... .... ....

page

8888

[Wednesday. 5 August, 1964.1 75

84

79

CONTENTS-continued

QUESTIONS ON NOTICE-cotinuedPrice of Gold : Australian Equivalent of

35 American Dollars .. .. ..Publication " Progress" Details of Cost

and Distribution ... .. ..Railways-

Midland Railway Line : Removalfrom Helena Street, Midland ..

Standard Gauge Railway-Re-routing of Line at West Mid-

landSiting through Kalgoorlie

West Midland Subway : Closure toVehicular Traffic ... ..

Roads-Kwlnana Freeway-

RouteTraffic Interchange with Canning

Highway .. .. ..Northcliffe Roads: ileages and

Costs of Middleton and WindyHarbour Sections .. .. ..

State Building Suppies-Dlsposal: Par-chase Money Outstanding ... ..

Totalisator Agency Board : Sum Lodgedby Agents ... ..

Traffic-Crosswalks--

Ministerial Statement and Amend-ment to Regulations ..

Number of Pedestrian AccidentsParking Alongside : Prohibitive

Regulation ..

Traffic Act and Regulations-Availabilty of Consolidation ..Press Publicity for Tffic Regula-

tions ... .. ... ..Provisions of Regulation No. 1SO

Unidentified Aircraft Off Coast : Investiga-lion .I. .. .. .I. ..

Water Supplies-Desalination of Water:Use of Plants in Israel, and ApplicationIn Western Autralia,.. ... ..

Wyndham Meat Works : Distribution toGrowers of Ijareallsed Profit

QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE-Flood Damage in South-West : Compensa-

tion-Representations to CommonwealthGovernment ... .. ... ..

Seamll at Pemberton : Permissible In-take and Payment of Royalties ..

The SPEAKER (Mr. Hearman) took theChair at 4.30 pm., and read prayers.

MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT

Attendance at Service of Intercession andDedication

THE SPEAKER (Mr. Hearman): Idesire to inform the House officially thatthis day, accompanied by many _honour-able members, I attended a service of in-tercession and dedication invoking DivineGuidance upon members of Parliament inWestern Australia, in St. George's Cathed-ral, Perth, sponsored by the Dean andChapter.

This being the first of such services heldPage in the history of this Parliament, I felt

that tihe occasion should, be recorded inthe journals of the House.

QUESTIONS ON NOTICE

CROSSWALKS

79 Parking Alongside: ProhibitiveRegulation

1.Mr. GRAHAM asked the Minister forTransport:(1) When did the regulation come Into

effect prohibiting the parking ofvehicles within 20 feet of the ap-proach to marked pedestrian cross-walks?

Number of Pedestrian Accidents(2) Since that date, how many acci-

dents involving pedestrians haveresulted In-(a) death:(b) injury;at marked crosswalks in streetsIn the heart of the city wherevehicles have continued parkingadjacent to the approach side ofsuch crosswalks?

(3) For a similar period prior to thatdate what were the respectivefigures?

(4) For the same two periods respec-tively, what have been-(a) the death, and(b) the Injuryfigures as related, to pedestrianselsewhere in the metropolitanarea?

(5) Is there anything on any depart-mental files indicating that anyMinister at any time gave approvalto the 20 feet restriction applyingin the central city ares?

(6) If so, what are the details?

Ministerial Statement andAmendment to Regulations

(7) As there has been over a consider-able period of time controversy onboth the intention and the legalsituation, why has he not madea definite statement and, if ffeces-nary, amended regulations In orderto clarify the matter?

(8) Will he do so now?(9) If not. why not?

Mr. CRAIG replied:(1)(2)

The 21st December, 1959.to (4) This information is notreadily available but will be sup-plied to the honourable memberas soon as possible.

(5) and (6) It Is understood that,when the new system of parkingwas introduced in the central city

[ASSEMBLY.)I

area in November, 1956, whichsystem provided, inter alia, forthe marking of car stalls, no pro-vision was made for the 20 feetparking prohibition on the ap-proach side of pedestrian cross-walks.

(7) to (9) The Perth City CouncilVehicle Parking Committee wasinformed on the 10th July of myintention to apply the regulationprohibiting the parking of vehicleswithin 20 feet of pedestrian cross-walks but action to enforce thisdecision would not be taken untilthe council had the opportunityof reconsidering its previouslyexpressed opinion and to makeany consequential adjustments toexisting parking arrangements.

BUILDING SOCIETIES GRANTEDHOUSING FUNDS

Directors, Principal Officers, andAmounts Received

2. Mr. GRAHAM asked the Ministerrepresenting the Minister for Housing:(1) Who are the directors and princi-

pal officers of each buildingsociety to which allocations ofhousing funds are to be made thisyear?

(2) When did each such society re-spectively first make applicationfor funds?

(3) When did each such society firsthave an allocation of funds madeinl its favour?

(4) What other societies have madeapplication and when were theirfirst applications lodged?

(5) Which of these have receivedgrants, in what years, and whatwere the amounts each received?

Mr. ROSS HUTCHINSON replied:

The answers to the Questions areas follows:-

(1) (2) (3)(a) Perth Building Society 1957 1957-8

Directors-H. K. Watson, M.L.C.0. F. Gadadon,J. C. Roweell,M. M. Nathan.K. C. Musmma,

Manager-H. W. Sorenson.

(b) The West Aus1tralianSavings & BuildingSociety..... .... .....Directors-

Mr. A. S. Chipper,Mr. U. Inverarity,Mr. B. A. Roche,Mr. A. J. Wynne,Mr. J. W. Armstrong,Mnger-

Mr. W. H. Johansen-

1957 1957-8

(0) The BunburY BildingSociety ..... .... .. 1957 1957-8Directors-

M. C. E. Jenour,Mr. W. B. McKenna,Mr. H. R. Golding.Mr. H. 0. Larkins,Mr. H. J. Thomas,Mr. H. D. Johnston,Mr. E. H. Johnston,Mr. E. H. Johnston,

Secretary-Misn B. Dures.

(d) The Home BuildingSociety ..... .... .. 1957 1957-8Directors-

Sir FrederickSensod,

Mr. P. B. Reele VanHenabrock.

Mr. R. E. Calthrop.Mr. N. do B.

Cullen.Mr. C. F. Gococh.Mr. W. J. Loader,

Secretary-Mr. A. J. Dolin.

(e) Tho Scottish Loan In-vestment and BuildingSociety .... .... .... ...... 1959 1959-60Directors-

Mr. R. Cox.Sir Edward W.

Hayward,Sir Sidney B. Pope,Mr. R. B. Twoglood.Mr. R. S. Turner,

Secretary-Mr. J. H. Dunstan.

(1) The MetropolitanBuilding Society ..... 1958 1958-9Directrs-

Mr. T. C. Morrell,Mr. R. J. O'Connor,

M.L.A..Mr. P. W. R. Travers-

Drapes,Mr. P. P. Slattery.Mr. J. T. Cawley,Mr. A. J. Taylor,

Secretary-Mr. M. T. Vernon.

(g) The CommunityBuilding Society . 1959 195849Directors-

Mr. W. L. Thorn,Mr. A. R. A. Wallace,Mr. I. R. Gunning,Mr. T. H. Palmer.Mr. H. M. Morris

Fairbrother.Secretary-

Mr. A. W. Ferguson.

(hi) The Australian.Netheriand BuildingSociety ....-.......... .... 195 195849Directors-

Mr. L. G. Schouten,Mr. A. F. Van

Halvoort.Mr. L. B. J. Roberts.Mr. R. L. Centa.Mr. W. L. Thorn,

Secretary-Mr. A. W. Ferguson.

(1) The Terrace BuildingSociety .... .... .... .... 15lo 1984-5Directors-

Mr. H. J. T. Stables,Mr. K. 0. B. Brown,Mr. N. A. Harris,Mr. A. J. Johnston,Mr. A. E. N. Smith,

Secretary-Mr. G. 5. Iglet.

[Wednesday, 5 August, 1964.] '77

(J) The Postal EmployeesBuilding Society ........ 1964 19H4-5

Directors-Mr. R. F. Power.Mr. 3. Knight.Mr. J. R. Sewell,Mr. L. S. Dawson,Mr. A. M. Donnelly,

Secretary-Mr. 0. J. Igloi.

(kt) The Hallway Employ-tea Building Society 1984 1904-5

Directors-Mr. F. J. Merrifleld.Mr. D. 0. May. M.L.A.,Mr. P. B. Done.Mr. H. Kingston.Mr. P. A. Wilson.Mr. R. Anderson.

Secretary-Mr. G. J. Iglol.

(1) The Migrant BuildingSociety.. ............

Directors-Mr. R. Cleaver,

M.H.R..Mr. D. J. Sagger.,Col. B. H. Walter.Mr. W. Harwood,Mr. S. T. Main,

Secretary-Mr. D. J. Baggers.

(in) The Mosman Build-ing Society .... ........

Directors-Mr. R. A. Wallace,Mr. L. J. Richards.Mr. E. Brook,Mr. 0. E. Eacott,Mr. S. J. Brown,

Secretary-Mr. S. 3. Brown.

(n) The Ascot BuildingSociety ........ ........

Directors-Mr. P. D. Massaie,Mr. 3. Scott,Mr. V. 0. Hall,Mr. R. O'Connor,Mrt. S. J. Brown,

Secretary-Mr. S. J. Brown.

(0) The Police UnionBuilding society. ...

Directors-Mr. 1. Rt. Gunning,Mr. H. L. Taylor.Mr. M. L. T. Wright.Mr. B. J. Clarke.Mr. J. L. O'Sullivan,

Secretary-Mr. S. J. Brown.

(p) The R.S.L. BuildingSociety ........ ........

Directors-Mr. B. J. Stoddart.Mr. W. S. Lonnie.Mr. 0. X. Baron-Hay.Mr. E. C. Townsend,Mr. J. A. Rolfe,

Secretary-Mr. 0. S. King,

1962 1962-3

1982 1982-3

1982 1982-3

1983 1964-5

1962 1962-3

(q) The Security BuildingSociety .. ... ....

Directors-Mr. N. C. Mullinsa,Mr. R. J. Lynch,Mr. 0. S. King,Mr. R%. P. Elliot.Mr. J. Sinclair.

Secretary-Mr. 0. S. King.

(r) The Allstate BuildingSociety ........ ........

Directors-Mr. N. J. E. Soutar,Mr. M. R. Watson,Mr. C. W. Smith,Mr. C. F. (3001,Mr. A. J. flarblett,

Secretary-Mr. C. P. Gooch.

(s) The Teachers Buildingsciety........ .... .... ..Directors.-

Mr. N. 0. Sampson,Mr. A. J. Jackson,Mr. R. 0. Moore,Mr. J. M. Curie.Mr. B. C. S. Darragh.

Secretary-Mr. C. F. Gooch.

(t) The South West CO-Operative BuildingSociety ........ ........Directors-

Mr. M. Williams,M.L.A..

Mr. M. K. Richard,Mr. fl. C. Foster.Mr. R. Withers,Mr. R. J. Laroson.

Secretary-Mr. C. P. 0000ch.

(U) The Premier BuildingSociety ........ ... ......Directors-

Mr. C. J. Williams.Mr. R. J. Earl,Mr. S. A. Davenport,Mr. W. K. Higgs.Mr. A. R. Bridge.

Secretary-Mr. K. E. Holten.

(y) The W.A. CarpentersBuilding Society ...

Directors-Mr. H. F. Tonkin,Mr. S. 0. Norwood,Mr. T. W. Henley.Mr. J. P. Wilson,Mr. W. McGee,Mr. L. A. Park,Mr. H. B. Ibbitson,Mr. J. Tiokel,Mr., T. Henderson.Mr. F. J. Liglitbody,Mr. R. A. Ball,Mr. A. J. LeMaistre,Mr. P. Coleman.

Secretary-Mr. R. W. Clobessy.

(W) The Albany BuildingSociety..... ...... ....Directors-

Mr. K. Plowes,Mr. T. R. Kennedy,Mr. N. 0. A. Schulse,Mr. C. H. Battler,Mr. A. J. Morgan,

Secretry-Mr. L. J. Lively.

1982 198243

1981 1961-2

1903 1983-4

1983 190-4

1981 1981-2

1956 1958-9

1958 195899

[ASSEMBLY.]

(x) The Northern BuildingSociety ........ .... .... 1901 1961-2Directors-

Mr. A. E. Mlan-kenoe.

Mr. S. F. H1ail,Mr, W. J1. Hewitt,Mr. J. C. Hanson,Mr. a. Mertson,

Secretary-Mr. J. C. Hanson.

(4)

(y) The Family. Building -Society .... ....... .. 1963 1964-Directors-

Mr. Q. 0. Pfltlngton.Mr. F. a. Blatisaton,Mr. J. B. Van Praag,Mr. F. J. Briggs,Mr, C. F. Dwyer,Mr. J. A. Maaa*

Secretary-Mr. J. 0. Van Preag.

(5)

1958/9 1959/80o 1980/01 1961/2 1962/3 1963/4

UNITED (previously Beau-mont) .. .. .1 1958 35,000 63,000 40,750 .... 50,00)0 30,000

civic ..... 1960 .. ... 41,250 03,760 33,000 30,000WESTLAND 1958 35,500 ... 40,000 65,750 ... ..UNIVERSAL ... 1961 ... 60,000 ... ..BRITISH..................1961 .. 60,000ESPERIA................. 50,000EQUITABLE 1964... .. niPROVINCIAL ... .. 1964 %it

(4) and (5)-There are other Permanent and Terminating Societies which have been registered for sometime, but are, as yet, inoperative as they have raised no Private Funds under the HousingLoan Guarantee Act or specifically requested allocation of Comnionweatb/State Funds.

FERTI1LISER DISTRIBUTIONNew System

3. Mr GAYFER asked the Minister forTransport:(1) Are investigations being under-

taken to devise a more efficientand economical system of fertiliserdistribution in this State withparticular regard to handling inbulk?

(2) If so, who comprises the com-mittee that has been set up tocarry out these investigations?

(3) Has this committee made any re-commendations as yet?

(4) If so-(a) is it envisaged that bulk dis-

tribution centres will be estab-lished at strategic pointsthroughout the agriculturalareas of Western Australia;

(b) is it proposed to allow farm-ers to take delivery from thesedepots if and when erected?

(5) If not, would he cause these lattertwo points to be Investigated?

Mr. CRAIG replied:(1) Yes.(2) Representatives of the:

Department of Transport.Department of Agriculture.Farmers' Union of W.A.Co-operative Bulk H a n d 11 n g

Limited,Cuming Smith & Mount LyclI

Fertilisers Ltd.Cresco Fertilisers (W.A.) Ltd.W.A. Government Railways Corn-

Mission.W.A. Road Transport Association.

(3) No.(4) Answered by No. (3) above.(5) The terms of the committee's

appointment require a specificexamination of the two points.

HOUSING FOR NATIVESProvision for Nomads and Casual

Workers

4. Mr. BRADY asked the Minister forNative Welfare:(1) Did he read in The West Aus-

traliasn of Wednesday, the 29thJuly, 1964, of iron wurlies to bemade available to natives atKalgoorlie?

(2) Could a similar scheme be madeavailable to natives at othercentres by having prefabricatedtents or caravan type huts onhand for nomads and casualworkers pending proper housingbeing erected?

Mr. LEWIS replied:(1) Yes.(2) This matter is at present being

examined by the department.

WEST MIDLAND SUBWAY

Closure to Vehicular Traffic

5A. Mr. BRADY asked the Minister forRailways:

Will he state whether any firmdecision has been made regardingthe following matter and the de-cision In respect of same:-

Closure of subway West Mid-land to vehicular traffic?

(Wednesday, 5 August, 1964.] 79

Mr. COURT replied;The position is as explained in myletter to the Town Clerk, Town ofMidland, forwarded under datethe 3rd August, 1964, a copy ofwhich was forwarded to the hon-ourable member. All availableevidence indicates that this sub-way will be closed but a final de-cision on the matter has not beenmade.

STANDARD GAUGE RAILWAYRe-routing of Line at West Midland

BE. Mr. BRADY asked the Minister forRailways:

Will he state whether any firm de-cision has been made regardingthe following matter and the de-cision in respect of same:-

Re-routing of standard gaugeline through Government pro-perty at West Midland?

Mr. COURT replied:The position is as explained in myletter to the Town Clerk, Townof Midland, forwarded under datethe 3rd August, 1964, a copy ofwhich was forwarded to the hon-ourable member. A thorough in-vestigation of alternative routeshas been made and it has beendecided to adhere to the originalroute through West Midland.

MIDLAND RAILWAY LINERemoval from Helena Street, Midland

6. Mr. BRADY asked the Minister forRailways:(1) Can he state the approximate

date the Midland railway ine willbe lifted from Helena Street, Mid-land?

(2) Will he ensure ample warningnotices to pedestrian and vehicu-lar traffic are placed at the aboveHelena Street crossing pending re-moval of the line?

(3) Pending removal of the line canearly closing of the crossing bearranged and traffic diverted overBell crossing near Lloyd Street?.

Mr. COURT replied:(1) No. The line will be lifted as soon

as the Midland Railway depot hasbeen removed, planning of whichis at present under consideration.

(2) Yes. By means of a flagman whowillI protect the crossing for theoccasional shunting movement re-quired.

(3) Rail traffic has already been di-verted over flashing light pro-tected crossing near Lloyd Streetwith the exception of the occa-sional shunting movement men-tioned in No. (2).

PUBLICATION "PROGRESS"

Details of Cost and Distribution

7. Mr. JAMIESON asked the Premier:In respect to the publicationProgress by the GovernmentPrinter about March of thisyear:-(1) What was the total cost of

production?(2) What was the real purpose

of this production?(3) W/ho administers the dis-

tribution?(4) How many copies were pro-

duced?(5) To whom has the booklet

been distributed and whenand where will the remainderbe distributed?

(6) Have any of these bookletsbeen issued to the Govern-ment parties and/or theAustralian Labor Party andat what cost to each partyconcerned?

(7) Have Liberal Party fund col-lectors been distributing thesebooklets and using them asa medium for inducing peopleto contribute to party funds?

(8) Has the Government madeany payment to the Govern-ment parties, or the Demo-cratic Labour Party, theirservants or agents, for thedistribution of this booklet?

Mr. BRAND replied:(1) £376 10s. 8d.(2) To provide basic information on

the performance of the Govern-ment.

(3) The Government Public RelationsOfficer.

(4)(5)

3,000.Circulation reflects demand andcopies are made available aspublic information.

(6) Members of political parties havebeen supplied to the extent thatthey have shown interest, andLabor Party members are en-titled to have copies if they wish.No charge is made.

(7) The Government has no know-ledge of this.

(8) No.In producing Progress, the pre-sent Government was influencedby the example of the previousGovernment. One of its last pub-lications, Produced in February,1959, by the Government Printer,was entitled Western Austraia-Six Years of Governmental

[ASSEMBLY.)

Achievement, in the foreword,the then Premier (The Han.A. R. 0. Hawke, M.L.A.) wrote-

In 1953 the people of WesternAustralia elected a Labor Gov-ernment to office. Three yearslater the Government was re-elected with a larger majority.This publication gives a verybrief account of the many pro-gressive steps taken by theGovernment since early 1953.

I think that is a fair enough ex-ample for us to (allow.

RENTAL HOMES IN DERB3YCost of Building and Weekly Rental

8. Mr. RHATIGAN asked the Ministerrepresenting the Minister for Housing:(1) What is the cost per square for

the building of State rental homesin Derby?

(2) What is the weekly rental chargedto tenants of State rental homesin Derby?

Mr. ROSS HUTCHINSON replied:(1) Commonwealth-State rental stan-

dard houses £574 per unit squareand duplex houses £551 per unitsquare,Note:. The unit area of a house isslightly less than the gross area-an adjustment is made for sec-tions such as porches etc., notunder the main roof.

(2) The average weekly economicrentals and the average rentalpaid after deducting subsidy andany allowable rebate, are:1945 Commonwealth-State Agree-ment Houses24 x 2 Bedroom Types-

Average economic - £4 U7s. 9d.Average paid - £4 Os. lid.

1956 Commonwealth-State Agree-ment H-ouses20 x 2 Bedroom Types-

Average economic - £5 us. l0d.Average paid - £4 6is. 8d.

47 x 3 Bedroom Types-Average economic - £6 l8s. 5d.Average paid - £6 Os. 8d.

NORTH-WEST ADMINISTRATOR'SRESIDENCE

Contract Price, Air Conditioning andFurnishing

9. Mr. RHATIGAN asked the Ministerfor the North-West:(1) Is the report published in The

West Australian newspaper of the12th June, 1964, correct in refer-ence to a firm having "won acontract for the building in Derbyof a residence at a cost of £20.998for the North-West Administra-tor "?

(2) If the answer is "Yes," does thiscontract price include air condi-tioning and furnishings?

(3) If the answer to No. (2) is in thenegative. is it the intention of theGovernment to have this residenceair conditioned and furnished? Ifso, what will be the cost of-(a) air conditioning;(b) furnishing?

Number of Squares and WeeklyRental

(4) How many squares will this resi-dence contain?

(5) What will be the weekly rentalcharged to the administrator?

Tabling ol Plans(6) Will he arrange to have the plans

of this residence laid on theTable of the House?

(7) If the answer to No. (1) is in theaffirmative, is it not consideredthat the amount of £20,998 is afabulous sunm to spend on a build-ing to house the administrator?

Mr. COURT replied:(1) Yes.(2) Air conditioning is included to

one bedroom only.No furnishing except built-inwardrobes to bedrooms and kitchenfittings.

(3) It is not the present intention ofthe Government to have thisresidence fully air conditioned andfurnished. The residence will befurnished with basic furniture asan additional rental charge to thetenant.The cost and type of furnishingsare the subject of further discus-sions with the administrator.

(4) 23.3 squares under tbe main roof;and under the verandah, 13.4squares.

(5) No firm decision on rental has asyet been made. It is in the handsof the Public Service Commis-saner.

(6) Yes.(7) No.

ELECTRICITY SUPPLIESUnread Met era ge: Auditor-General's

Remarks10. Mr. TONKIN asked the Minister for

Electricity:(1) Has he read the remarks of the

Auditor-General on page 208 ofhis report for the year ended the30th June, 1963. relating to un-read meterage in the metropoli-tan area resulting in an unre-corded earning of £757,000?

EMednesday. 5 Auust. 1064.381

(2) Although the present practicedoes not differ from that whichhas been followed for many years,is it not desirable to have regardfor the view expressed by theAuditor-General that the positionshould be clarified?

Tor. NALDER replied:(1) Yes.(2) Credit in the meters is not cash

and we follow the practice ofmany major electricity authorities,including the Electricity Councilof Great Britain, in not creditingit in the Profit and Loss Account.

W. Hegney: Do you put in the currentaccount?

STATE BUILDING SUPPLIESDisposal: Purchase Money Outstanding

11. Mr. TONKCIN asked the Minister forIndustrial Development:(1) What is the amount of the out-

standing purchase money duefrom Hawker Siddeley in con-nection with the disposal to thatcompany of State Building Sup-plies?

(2) What amount has been receivedby way of deposit or part pay-ment of the principal sum due?

(3) Has the company in all instanceshonoured its undertaking to theGovernment with respect to dis-missals of employees?

Mr. COURTI replied:(1) £1,454,563.(2) £200,000.(3) Yes.

Note: Interest payable has beenmet. Also, the above amounts areexciusive of amounts collected byHawker Siddeley from book debtson behalf of the Government andpaid to the Treasury.

12. Tis question was postponed.

TOTALISATOR AGENCY BOARDSums Lodged by Agents

13. Mr. TONKIN asked the Minister forPolice:(1) Has the Chairman of the Totalisa-

tor Agency Board demanded thatagents lodge with the board sumsamounting to £1,000 or £500 ac-cording to the volume of businesstransacted at the agencies?

(2) What is the total sum which hasbeen so lodged with the board?

(3) Row many agents were unable orunwilling to lodge the money asrequested and relinquished theiragency?

(4) Have all agents been requested tolodge money?

(6) if "No." what distinction wasmade?

(6) Is the requirement that moneybe lodged with the board by agentsIn any way associated with theirlending money to telephone bet-tors to enable them to bet oncredit in excess of any depositlodged by them?

(7) If "No," why have the agents beenobliged toD deposit the sums above-mentioned?

Mr. CRAIG replied:(1) No; but for about the last nine

months all newly appointed agentsand agents transferred from oneagency to another have been re-quired to put up a cash securityof at least £250. In addition, anumber of agents engaging Intelephone betting have likewiselodged cash deposits at the requestof the board.

(2) 15,565 plus £1,900 from theagents' insurance company.

(3) None.(4) No.(5) Newly appointed agents and those

whose financial position was notstrong were those required tolodge cash deposits; others electedto make cash deposits in lieu oftaking out a fidelity bond with aninsurance company.

(6) No; but in part it is done to asistin establishing that an agent isoperating In accordance with theregulations and that cash isavailable to cover all bets taken.

(7) To guard against default underclause 22 of the agreement be-tween the board and its agents.

CONTRACEPTI'VE PILLSWarnings Against Use

14. Mr. TONKIN asked the Minister forHealth:(1) Has he seen the reports in which

it is stated that leading Britishmedical men have begun issuingnew warnings against the use ofcontraceptive pills on the groundsthat although the pill has notbeen proved harmful there is someevidence that it may be and thatit may be many years before -wereally know?

(2) What is his department's attittid-eon the medical aspect of thismatter exclusive of any other pos-sible consideration?

Mr. ROSS HUTCHINSON replied:(1) Yes.(2) This is entirely a matter to be

decided by the Patient and herdoctor. The pills can only beobtained on medical prescription.

81

82 ASSENMLY. I

DESALINATION OF WATER

Use o1 Plant in Israel, and Applicationin Western Australia

15. Mr. TONKIN asked the Minister forWorks:(1) Is be aware that it has been re-

ported that the inhabitants ofEilat-Israel's Red Sea Port-arealready using in their homes seawater desalinated by the Zarchinprocess?

(2) Has the Government kept itselfso informed concerning develop-ments in desalination that; it is-able at present to determine whateconomic processes, if any, areavailable for use in areas of lowrainfall but abundant brackishunderground water?

(3) Is he aware that it has been re-ported that a plant for the de-salination of underground water,which will produce water 20 percent. cheaper than that of theYarkon-Vegev pipeline has beendeveloped by the Arid ZoneResearch Institute at Beersheba?

(4) As It is planned to produce large-scale plants to supply watercheaper for agriculture, will heendeavour to obtain full particu-lars from Israel in order to as-certain if the process being usedwould have economnical applica-tion in Western Australia?

Mr. WILD replied:(1) Yes. Small units which produce

200 gallons per day for domesticpurposes have been developed.

(2) Yes. Developments in desalina-tion practice are kept constantlyunder review in conjunction withthe Australian Water ResourcesCouncil.

(3) No such report has been received.(4) Mhe department Is represented on

the Australian Water ResourcesCouncil's Advisory Panel on De-salination and information will beobtained through this body.

GASCOYNE-LYONS CATCHMENTAREA

Aerial Vegetation Survey

16. Mr. NORTON asked the Minister forWorks:(1) Has an aerial vegetation survey

been made to assess conditions ofplant cover on the Gascoyne-Lyons catchmnt?

(2) If not, when will the survey becarried out?

(3) If so, is a report available and willhe table such report?

Mr. WILD replied:

(1) and (2) A partial aerial vegetationsurvey was carried out by theDepartment of Agriculture someyears ago and more recently acomprehensive aerial inspection.

(3) Yes, by the Minister for Agricul-ture.

GASCOYNE DELTA

Irrigable Soils Survey

1?. Mr. NORTON asked the Minister forAgriculture:

On the 28th August last year, Inreply to a question by me, theMinister stated that a survey ofthe irrigable soils of the Gascoynedelta was being made by theC.S.I.R.O. soils Divisions. Hasthis survey been completed and,If so. is a report available?

Mr. NALDER replied:

The survey was undertaken by theC.S.I.R.O. at the request of thePublic Works Department. Partof the survey has been completedand an interim report has beenprepared. The C.S.I.R.O. hasbeen asked to complete the survey.

NORTH-WEST PORTS

Allocation of Land to Oil Companies

18. Mr. NORTON asked the Minister forLands:

(1) Is land allocated to oil companiesat north-west ports held underleasehold or Crown grant condi-tions?

(2) If under leasehold, for what periodis the lease and are there anyspecial conditions attached to thelease?

(3) If the land is a Crown grant arethere any special conditionsattached to it?

Mr. BOVEIJL replied:

(1) Crown lands at north-west portsallocated to oil companies areunder leasehold conditions.

(2) The periods of leases vary fromone year to 50 years. Special con-ditions apply to the leases, includ-Ing Installation of fire-fightingequipment, assuming responsibilityfor damage caused by escape ofoil or other liquid from pipes, andkeeping lands In a tidy condition.

(3) Answered by No. (1).

82

(Wednesday, 5 August. 196431

DIVISIONAL CONSULTATIVECOUNCILS

Release of Statements Arising fromDeliberations

19. Mr. NORTON asked the Minister forthe North-West:

When the divisional consultativecouncils were inaugurated hestated that in the early stagesthese would not be open to thepublic or the Press but that state-ments arising from the council'sdeliberations would be released atthe end of each meeting.(1) Will he give the House the

number of statements thathave been released after themeetings of the-(a) K1imberley Division;(b) Central Division;(c) North-West Division?

Attendance of Public and/or Pressat Meetings

(2) Are these meetings now opento the public and/or the Pressnow that they have been heldfor more than 15 months?

(3) If not, why not?

Mr. COURT replied:(1) (a.). (b). and (c): Nil.(2) No.(3) This Is a matter for decision by

the members of the councils. Itshould be appreciated that thecouncil's work is consultative andnot administrative. Thereforethe best results can be achievedby the present system.

20. This question was postponed.

HOUSING FOR GOVERNMENTEMPLOYEES

Reports: Availability to Teachers' Union

21. Mr. EVANS asked the Minister forEducation:(1) What has been responsible for the

delay in dealing with the ques-tion of housing for teachers?

(2) When will the report of the corn-mnittee appointed by the Govern-ment to investigate housing needsof Government employees bemade available to the Teachers'Union?

Mr. LEWIS replied:(1) Determination of the appropriate

rentals to be charged.(2) Several departmental reports have

been made in this matter, whichare confidential to the Govern-ment. and it is not Proposed to re-lease them to the Teachers' Union.

POLICE ACTProsecutions under Section 66

22, Mr. EVANS asked the Minister forPolice:

Since the coming into operationof the Police Act Amendment Act,No. 29 of 1962, how many prosecu-tions have been made under sec-tion 66, paragraph (13),* of thePolice Act, 1892-1963, how manyconvictions thus effected, and howmany such prosecutions were dis-missed because the person chargedwas able to show "lawful excuse"?

Mr. CRAIG replied:Since the amendment Act cameinto operation there have been 44charges involving 50 persons, andall have been convicted. Nocharges were dismissed.

LUNG CANCERInformation from X-ray Testing

23. Mr. 'EVANS asked the Minister forHealth:(1) In reference to the compulsory

X-ray testing of residents of vai-ous centres in the State, wouldsuch tests as conducted be capableof furnishing information as to theincidence of lung cancer?

(2) If the answer to No. (1) is otherthan in the negative, would heconsider making a. statement inthis regard?

Mr. ROSS HUTCHINSON replied:(1) Yes.(2) (a) In the latest metropolitan

chest X-ray survey whichended on the 10th July, 1963,210,742 persons of 21 years ofage and over were X-rayedand 66 cases of lung cancerfound.

(b) In the current survey ofcountry areas which began onthe 15th July, 1963, 94,500persons have been X-rayedand so far 19 persons havebeen definitely diagnosed withlung cancer, while others arestill under investigation.

STANDARD GAUGE RAILWAYSiting through Kalgoorlie

24. Mr. EVANS asked the Minister forRailways:(1) With reference to recent corres-

pondence received from him con-cerning the siting of the standardgauge railway through Kalgoorlie,and his advice therein that "thereis no intention of by-passing thetown," does this mean that thestandard gauge line will passthrough the existing railway yardsat Kalgoorlie and that the present

(ASSEMBLY.]

railway station platform andappointments will be utilised inthe arrival and departure of thestandard gauge trains to andfrom Kalgoorlie?

(2) If the answer to No. (1) is otherthan a clear answer in the affirm-ative, would he indicate what isthe planning as suggested by hisreply above?

Mr. COURT replied:(1) and (2) It is the intention at the

present stage of planning to usethe existing railway area, butowing to the greater dimensions ofstandard gauge vehicles and thevery much longer trains it cannotbe firmly stated at present whetherthe existing platform can be usedwithout alteration.

NORTHOLIFFE ROADSMileages and Costs of Middleton and

Windy Harbour Sections25. Mr. CORNELL asked the Minister for

Works:(1) What was the respective mileage

of road formed in Northcliffe onthe-(a) Middleton Road:(b) Windy Harbour Roadsections respectively?

(2) What were the costs of formationon each of these sections respec-tively during the year 1963-1964?

Mr. WILD replied:(1) (a) The Middleton Road, 15.15

miles in length, runs from thejunction of Wheatley Road(1.53 miles norta of North-cliffe) to Shannon on theMaiinup-Nornalup Road,and has been formed as f ol-lows -

3.0 miles sealed;3.9 miles constructed but notprimed-

Detailed information regard-ing the remaining 9.25 milesis not available as this 'roadis under the control of thelocal authority.

(b) Windy Harbour Road, 17.6miles in length, from North-cliffe to Windy Harbour, hasbeen formed as follows--

1.7 miles sealed:6.45 miles constructed butnot primed;9.45 miles formed with shortgravel sections.

(2) During the year 1953-64, anamount of £2,575 was expendedfrom departmental sources onMiddleton Rad, and £4,860 onWindy Harbour Road.

DRUG ALLERGIES

Wea ring of Discs by Persons Affected

25. Mr. FLETCHER asked the Ministerf or Health:(1) Is -be aware that certain persons

became ill, to seriously ill, andhave died after the administrationof drugs to which such patientsare allergic, e.g., penicillin or anti-tetanus serum?

(2) If the answer is in the affirmative,will he entourage the PublicHealth Department to provide,through hospitals and generalpractitioners, suitably wordeddiscs, emblems, or evidence forcarrying on or about the personof such allergic patients with aview to preventing shocked, con-fused, or unconscious children oradults receiving such medicationand thus obviate the need to carryIn a wallet or handbag such evi-dence of allergy, on the groundsthat wallet or handbag could bemislaid, lost or not investigateduntil after treatment?

Mr. ROSS HUTrCHINSON replied:(1) Yes.(2) This problem has been examined

by the National Health & MedicalResearch Council, the State HealthCouncil, the Health EducationCouncil. and a number of otherinterested organisations. Sugges-tions considered have includeddiscs, emblems, bracelets, recordcards, and even tattoo marks. Eachof these has certain practical dis-advantages, but the consensus ofopinion is that the personal medi-cal record card (which has alreadybeen distributed to the public) isthe most satisfactory, of the manyalternatives.

PRICE OF GOLD

Australian Equivalent of 35 AmericanDollars

27. Mr. EVANS asked the Minister repre-senting the Minister for Mines:(1) What is the actual equivalent in

Australian currency of 35 Ameri-can dollars, being the value paidby the American Government forone ounce of fine gold?

(2) if there is a difference betweensuch Australian (equivalent) priceand £15 12s. 6d., what is thereason for it?

Mr. BOVEIJL replied:(1) £15 12s. 6d. on toay's rate.(2) Answered by No. (1).

[Wednesday, 5 August, 1964.]

TRAFFIC ACT AND REGULATIONSprovisions of Regulation No. 180

28. Mr. ROWEERRY asked the Ministerfor Transport:(1) What are the provisions of regu-

lation No. 180 of the Traffic Act?(2)

(3)

Have these provisions in any waybeen altered in the last fiye years?Has the advent of centre-linemarking in any way affected theprovisions of regulation No. 180?.

Availability of Consolidation(4) When can members reasonably

expect to be put in possession ofa consolidated copy of the TrafficAct and regulations?

Press Publicity for Traffic Regulations.

(5) Would he consider making a re-view of the more important traf-fic regulations in the Press witha view towards improving publicawareness of these regulations inthe interests of road safety?

Mr. CRAIG replied:(1) Traffic regulation No. 180 provides

that the driver of a vehicle shall.at all times, whether moving orstationary, keep as near as prac-ticable to the left hand or nearside of the road and parallelthereto.

(2) No.

(3) No.(4) The Traffic Act has been reprinted

and is now available. The regu-lations have not been reprinted,but it is Probable that this willbe done after projected amend-ments have been dealt with by thissession of Parliament.

(5) A traffic handbook on the prin-cipal requirements of the regula-tions is available from any policedepartment, traffic office, or policestation, free of charge.In addition there are frequentlyPress statements dealing with par-ticular provisions of the Act orregulations.

SAWMILL AT PEMBERTONPermissible and Actual Intake of

Timber in the Round

29A. Mr. ROWBERRY asked the Ministerfor Forests:(1) What is the estimated annual

permissible intake of timber inthe round for the sawmill atPemberton operated by HawkerSiddeley Building Supplies?

(2) What has been the actual intaketo this mill over the past twoyears?

(3) Dloes any power exist under legis-lation to oblige leasholders ofCrown forest to operate to the fullextent of conditions of the leasein respect of permissible intake?

(1)

(2)

HO YELL replied:The prescribed permissible intakeis 50,000 loads per year.1962-63-23,218 loads.1963-64-24,601 loads.

(3) No. A sawmilling permit issuedunder the Forests Act and regu-lations (schedule 1) prescribes apermissible cut not exceeding acertain amount. It does not pro-vide that the lull permissible cutshall be taken.

CROWN FORESTSPurpose of Dedication

29B. Mr. ROWBERRY asked the Ministerfor Forests:(1) What was the original purpose

behind the dedication of Crownforests?

(2) Has this Purpose and dedicationbeen departed from?

(3) If so, why?Mr. BOVELL replied:(1) To Preserve State forests for

timber production in perpetuity.(2) No, except where any State forest

dedication has been revoked undersections 20 and 21 of the ForestsAct by resolution passed by bothHouses of Parliament.

(3) Answered by No. (2).

EGG MARKETING BOARDCHAIRMAN

Dismissal of Mr. C. L. Harvey andAn-ointment of Successor

30. Mr. KELLY asked the Minister forAgriculture:(1) What Prompted his action in dis-

pensing with the services of Mr,C. L. Harvey, Chairman of theW.A. Egg Marketing Hoard?

(2) Has a successor been appointedin his stead?

(3) If so. what qualifications and ex-perience has the appointee to fillthis important position?

Mr. NALDER replied:(1) A decision has been made that

members of boards under thejurisdiction of the Minister forAgriculture shall be retired at orabout the age of '70 years.

(2) .Yes.(3) Management experience and a

comprehensive knowledge of mar-keting.

Mr. Graham: I think you are a lonewolf, a lone Alsatian, or some-thing.

[ASSEMBLY.)

POLICE STATION AT ALBANY

Site and Commencement of NewBuilding

31. Mr. HALL asked the Minister forPolice:(1) Has he reached a final decision on

a site for the erection of a newpolice station at Albany?

(2) If so, when is it contemplated thatwork would commence on thatproject?

Mr. CRAIG replied:(1) NO.(2) This is dependent upon the de-

cision regarding the site, and alsoupon allocation of loan funds forthis financial year.

SINGLE PENSIONER COTTAGES

Erection in Metro politan and CountryAreas

32. Mr. HALL asked the Minister repre-senting the Minister for Housing:(1) How many single pensioners cot-

tages have been built in themetropolitan area by the Govern-ment and in what years were theyerected?

(2) How many have been erected incountry centres, and at what cen-tres have they been erected?

(3) Is it the intention of the Govern-ment to erect single pensioner cot-tages in country centres this finan-cial year and, if so, how manyand at what centres?

Mr. ROSS HUTCHINSON replied:(1) None. However, the Government

has provided fiats and cottagefiats throughout the State formarried pensioners which, Insome instances, are now occupiedonly by the surviving partner. Todate, 317 units of this class ofaccommodation have been erectedin 26 metropolitan estates. Inaddition, the Government haserected at South Perth and Swan-borne two blocks of flats foroccupancy by 116 elderly singlewomen pensioners.

(2) In 22 country centres 124 cottagefiats have been Provided.

(3) The Government will, in thisfinancial year, provide moreaccommodation for married andsingle pensioners. The programmeis pending finalization of theEstimates. The accommodationwill be built, broadly, where thegreatest demand exists.

MNERAL SAND DEPOSITSSurveys and Leases at Ohe pse Bay

33. Mr. HALL asked the Minister repre-

senlting the Minister for Mines:(1) Is he aware that geological surveys

were recently made at mineralsand deposits in the Cheyne flayarea, Albany?

(2) If so, by whom were such surveysmade and at whose expense?

(3) Who holds the mineral sand leasesin the Cheyne Bay area and howlong have they been held by suchperson or persons?

(4) Is it the intention of the lease-holders to work such leases and,if so, when?

Mr. BOVELL replied:(1) Yes.(2) Laporte Titanium Australia Ltd.,

not at Mines Department expense.(3) P. R. Jackson, F. A. Moore, Han-

cock Prospecting Pty. Ltd. (allheld for 8 years). N. F. Oarnett,F. A. de V. Pinchin, (held for 18years).

(4) Not known. The development ofthese deposits depends on theavailability of a market beingobtained, and holders have not todate been successful in this regard.

COLLIER PINE PLANTATIONDetails of Projects

34. Mr. D. G. MAY asked the Premier:In connection with the CollierPine Plantation, will he advise thefollowing information-(a) details of each project at pre-

sent located in the plantationincluding individual acreages;

(b)l commencement and comple-tion date of each project;

(c) completion date of buildingsat present under construction;

(d) details and commencementdate of future proposed pro-jects. in this area:

Acreage(e) total acreage of the original

Pine plantation;(f) acreage of the portion set

asde for future State housingdevelopment?

Mr. BRAND replied:(a) No further land has been allo-

cated since detailed informationwas given by the Minister forLands in answer to a Question bythe member for Victoria Park onthe 17th September, 1963, (Han-sard No. 8, 1963, pages 1061-1062).

(Wednesday, 5 August, 1964.1 8

(b) to (d) Information not available.(e) 1,025 acres.(f) No portion of the plantation has

been proposed for development bythe State Housing Commission.

KWINANA FREEWAY

Route

35, Mr. D. G. MAY asked the Minister forWorks:(1) Has finality been reached regard-

ing the proposed route of theSwinans Feeway between Can-ning Bridge and High Road?

(2) Will the Freeway cross the riverat Deep Water Point as originallyplanned?

Traffic interchange with CanningHighway

(3) When is it anticipated that par-ticulars of the Canning Highway-Kwinana Freeway interchange willbe made available to the public?

Mr. WILD replied:<I) The route alignment has been de-

termined between Hfigh Road andthe Canning River near BerylPlace. However, representationshave been received to change theroute where it crosses the CanningRiver. These representations havebeen referred to the Region Plan-ning Authority.

(2) Answered by No. (1).(3) Preliminary alternative designs

have been prepared, hut these willnot be completed for some yearsuntil there is a more immediateneed for construction.

CANNINGTON HIGH SCHOOL

Tender and Construction

36. Mr. D. G. MAY asked the Minister forEducation:

In connection with the proposedCannington High School, will headvise-(a) D3etails of the successful ten-

der quote accepted by theGovernment for the erectionof the school;

(b) date building commenced;(c) anticipated date of comple-

tion;Intake

(d) details of the individualnumbers of pupils and theirrespective contributory schoolswho will be attending theCannington High School atthe conunencemnent of thefirst term 1965;

Consultation with Local Authority(e) was the local authority (Can-

ning Shire) approached by theGovernment during the pre-liminary discussions on theactual location of the school;

inspection by Public HealthDepartment

(f) did the Public Health Depart-ment inspect the site beforebuilding operations com-menced and, if so, was anyrecommendation made to theGovernment regarding theunsuitability of the site;

(gi if no inspection was made bythe Public Health Depart-ment, will he arrange an im-mediate investigation?

Mr. LEWIS replied:(a) A. V. Jennings industries Aust.

Ltd.-222,857.(b) The 15th June, 1964.(C)(d)

The 23rd December, 1964.The primary schools of-

Cannlngton 51.....1 2East Cannlngton ..... 63Kenwick..... .... .... ... 27Maddlngton .... .. 26Queen's Park..... .... ... 98Riverton..... .... ....... 60Thorhlie.... ... ...... 24Welshpool ..... .. 14

Total......374

(e) Construction of the high school istaking place on the site set asidefor this purpose in the Metropoli-tan Region Scheme. The localauthority was aware of the de-cision through its representativeson the district planning commit-tee.

(f) NO.(g) Investigations are in progress.

PACKAGED GOODSReport an Standardisation and

Marking

37. Mr. DAVIES asked the Minister forPolice:(1) Has the Government received the

report of Mr. W. J. Cuthill intothe standardisation and markingof packaged- goods?

(2) If so-(a) Has the Government consid-

ered the report;(b) will the report be tabled In

the House or made availablefor the information of mem-bers?

87

[ASSEMBLY.)

Mr. CRAIG replied:(1) Yes.(2) (a) It is now being considered.

(b) Only a limited number ofcopies were received, but thereport will be made availableto members.

UNIDENTIFIED AIRCRAFT OFFCOAST

Investigation

88. Mr. DAVIES asked the Premier:(1) Is he aware of reports in week-

end newspapers regarding un-identified aircraft being seen orheard off the Western Australiancoast?

(2) Has the matter been considered bythe Government?

(3) Is the matter being investigatedby Commonwealth defenceauthorities?

(4) If so, is the Government beingkept informed of developments?

(5) Has he any information to givethe House on the present posi-tion?

Mr. BRAND replied:(1) Yes.(2) to (5) This matter has been in-

vestigated by Commonwealthauthorities and the result of theirinquiries was published in thismorning's Press. The Minister forDefence, with whom I have beenin contact, advises me that hehas no further information an thesubject.

WYNDHAM MEAT WORKSDistribution to Growers o/ Unrealised

Profit30. Mr. TONKIN asked the Minister for

the North-West:(1) By whose authority or direction

was the amounit of £3,247 12s. Id.credited to growers' accounts bythe Wyndbamn Freezing, Canningand Meat Export Works for thefinancial year ended the 31stJanuary, 1962, with the result thatthe total amount of the write-offfrom the account of Air B3eef Pty.Ltd. was borne by the mneatworks?

(2) Was the action which was takenthe result of a decision by Cabinet?

(3) What were the circumstances;which it was considered justifiedthe distribution to growers of anamount of profit which was notrealised?

(2)

COURT replied:The Minister controlling theWyndham Meat Works.No. A Cabinet decision was notconsidered necessary.

(3) It was considered that WyndhamMeat Works dealings with AirBeef Pty. Ltd. in respect of thisparticular transaction should beregarded separately from itsnormal dealings and the growers'proportion of the amount writtenoff was therefore borne by themeatworks.

STATE HOUSING COMMISSION

Largest Profit Year

40. Mr. TONKIN asked the Minister rep-resenting the Minister for Housing;(1) Since its constitution under the

State Housing Act, 1948, in whatyear did the State Housing Comn-mission make its largest profit andto how much did it amount?

(2) 'What are the particulars of thebreak-up of the profit for the yearended the 30th June, 1953?

Operation on Non-profit Basis andReduction of Rentals

(3) Is it not desirable and in accor-dance with the original conceptthat the commission function ona no-loss, no-profit basis?

(4) Will the Government take Im-mediate action to ensure that thecommission operates accordinglyand reduces rentals?

Mr. ROSS HUTCHISON replied:(1) 1962-63: £506,003.(2) The break-up is:

(a) State Housing Act: £249,281.(b) Commonwealth-State-

1945 Agreement: 142.285.1956 Agreement: £ 214.437.

(3) It is not considered desirable asthe margin on the capital involved,£C58,463,000. is less than 1 Per cent.and less than that of a peak yearprior to 1959, and has to coverfuture problems which could arisefrom the wide range of geographicand climatic conditions underwhich homes are built, maintainedand managed, with gradually In-creasing costs; the small differen-tials in interest and period of bor-rowing and lending; rentals beingbeing raised only on cost of landand house; the tolerance given tofamilies in arrears through diffi-cult personal circumstances; thegrowing and extensive social ser-vice assistance by way of rentalrebates granted to pensioners ofall categories and other familieswith sub-economic incomes.

(4) Not warranted, as the general levelof commission rents comparesmore than favourably with thatprevailing prior to 1959, sincewhen the standard of both house

[Wednesday, 5 August, 1964.1

and appointments has been In-proved. To be borne in mind isthe fact that rents paid will be inaccordance with the family in-come as provided in the Common-wealth and State Housing Agree-ment.

QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICEFLOOD DAMAGE IN SOUTH-WEST;

COMPENSATIONRepresentations to Comzmonwealth&

Government1. Mr. HAWKE asked the Premier:

In view of the great damage andlass experienced in many soutb-west towns as a result of the re-cent heavy floods. especially in thetowns of Harvey. Bunbury. Collie,Brunswick. Nannup. and so on,would the Premier In due course,after the necessary information asto the actual cost of such damageto individual citizens has beenascertained, consider makting re-presentations to the Prime Min-ister for a Commonwealth grantto be made to Western Australiaon a pound for pound basis withwhat the State might be preparedto make available, or on someother basis, to assist the citizensconcerned, including businesspeople, so as to make good tosome extent the heavy financiallosses which the floods havecaused them to suffer?

Mr. BRAND replied;.Today we are sending three offi-cers--two from the Public WorksDepartment and one from theState Housing Commission-toCollie and Bunbury in particular,to make a report on the situationas it exists at the present time.These officers will not necessarilyassess the actual cost of the dam-age, but they will simply reporton the overall situation. They areMr. Bryden, who is the Senior ir-rigation. Officer, and an officer ex-perienced in drainage problems:Mr. Cairn from the ArchitecturalDivision; and a senior officer fromthe State Housing Commission.There is in existence a committeecomprising an officer of the Treas-ury and one from the Rural andIndustries Bank-and in this case.a member of the Department ofAgriculture-which has from timeto time assessed the flood damagein Carnarvon, and the fire damageat Dwelllngup. This committeewill, no doubt, make a furtherassessment upon receiving a re-port from the first three officersI1 mentioned.

I would lie to emphasise wehave not been dilatory in thismatter. I did give to the Press astatement this morning that wewould, upon receipt of this in-formation, as we have a reason-able case, approach the Common-wealth. I do not think we haveever found, in any State, that theCommonwealth has turned downa reasonable approach in respectof disasters such as we have ex-perienced.However, the Commonwealth hasmade it very clear in the past thatit will only assist on the groundsof personal hardship on a poundfor pound basis with the State,the policy being that persons whoinsure for themselves are to beencouraged. People who neglectto take out insurance cannot ex-pect the Commonwealth Govern-ment, or the State Government forthat matter, to act as insurers.Here is a nicety of judgment asto what is a fair and reasonablething. However, the honourablemember can be assured the Gov-ernment will follow this upquickly, and do everything it canto relieve the individuals and thecommunity concerned.

SAWMILL AT PEMBERTONPermissble Intake and Payment 01

Royalties2. Mr. ROWBERRY asked the Minister

for Forests:In view of the reply given by theMinister to my question No. 29 (3)on today's notice paper, I drawhis attention to regulation No. 57of the regulations made under theForests Act, which states-

(1) Where a permit holderfails to maintain his logintake in accordance with theconditions set forth In hispermit, he shall pay at least60 Per centum of the royaltycomputed on this maximumauthorised log intake.

(2) Where in the opinion ofthe Conservator of Forests apermit bolder fails so to main-tain a log intake for what theConservator in his discretionconsiders an unreasonableperiod, the Conservator mayreduce the area of the permitproportionately.

As the cut was less than 50 percent. of the permissible intake-and this makes it between 10 to15 per cent. less than the 50 percentum mentioned in the regula-tion-what action does the Min-ister contemplate taking to com-pel this company to pay at least80 per centum of the royalty?

(ASSEBLY.]

Mr. BOVELL replied:I do not intend to give a snapdecision at this moment. I shallgive the question consideration.

BREAKWATER AT ESPERANCEInformation Regarding Conats:

Personal ExplanationMR. W[LD (Dale-Minister for Works)

15.7 pm.]: Mr. Speaker, have I yourpermission to make a personal explanation?

The SPEAKER (Mr. Hearman): TheMinister has my permission.

Mr. WILD: Yesterday evening in replyto the Leader of the Opposition, when heposed a question relating to the machinerylying at the groyne in Esperance, I endea-voured to give the story off the cuff , asI understood it. In the main it was correct,but I would point out there were actuallythree contracts let-one for the groyne,one for the dredging, and one for theerection of the wharf.

In order to get the record straight Iwould like to have inserted in Hansard thecorrect answers to the questions posed bythe Leader of the Opposition. The correctinformation is as follows:-

The position in regard to theEsperance breakwater contract wasthat it was given to the lowest tenderer.

Initially we were not very satisfied'with the lowest tenderer owing to hislack of experience in this class ofwork and his apparent shortage ofplant. This matter was discussed bythe Director of Engineering, theunder-secretary of the departmentand myself on numerous occasions,and when finally the lowest tenderersubmitted details of plant and indica-tions of satisfactory financial arrange-ments with a financial organisation, itwas decided to accept the contract.

As the contract progressed it wasfound that the successful tenderer hadbeen obtaining a considerable amountof his plant through hire purchaseand that he was not keeping up hispayments for such hire.

Eventually the work came to astandstill because of the differencesbetween the hirers of the plant andthe tenderer.

Eventually the company was putinto liquidation by the action of thoseto whom the hire was due.

The court eventually appointed aliquidator and the department hasnever deviated from the policy of onlyrecognising the successful tenderer andnot recognising any commitmentswhich he made with outside com-panies.

The liquidator of the company hascontinued the contract In time toprevent any holdup with associatedworks.

ADDRESS-IN- REPLY: SECONDDAY

NotionDebate resumed, from the 30th July. on

the following motion by Mr. O'Connor:-That the following Address be pre-

sented to His Excellency the Governorin reply to the Speech he has beenpleased to deliver to Parliament:-

May it please your Excellency:We, the members of the LegislativeAssembly of the State of WesternAustralia in Parliament assem-bled, beg to express loyalty to ourMost Gracious Sovereign, and tothank Your Excellency for theSpeech you have been pleased toaddress to Parliament.

MR. HAWKE (Northam-Leader of theOpposition) [5.11 p.m.]: Should thespeech which I am now commencing notbe half as strong. or half as critical, asit otherwise might be, all the creditshould be given to the special churchservice which all. or most of us, attendedthis morning at St. George's Cathedral inthe City of Perth.

I was very interested to read some of theremarks made by The Hon. Dr, Hlislopin another place when he moved theadoption of the Address- in-Reply to theSpeech with which His Excellency theGovernor was pleased to open Parliament.

Among other things. Dr. Hislop said-Viewing Australia as a whole, the

post-war progress has been pheno-menal.

Much of the progress must be at-tributed to the success of the migra-tion policy.

But this is not the time in this newera to lavish praise on some andberate others. it is general knowledgethat some schemes for which a Gov-ernment in office gains credit could.or may, have been on the drawingboards of a previous Government.

This is the end of the extract which I amquoting from the speech of Dr. Hislop.

Coming now to the Governor's Speech.and applying the last portion of Dr. His-lop's statement which I quoted, I propose todiscuss briefly some of the major itemsin the Governor's Speech and leave it tomembers themselves, by and large, to ap-ply the reasoning of Dr. Hislop to thoseportions which I shall quote.

The first part of the Governor's Speechwhich I desire to bring to the notice ofmembers is-

Widespread and increasing interestis being shown in land selection andapproximately 1.000,00 0 acres ofagricultural land is being releasedeach year. The demand for pastoralland continues.

[Wednesday, 5 August, 1964.] 91.

In that regard I think Dr. Hislop's com-ment is particularly appropriate and ap-plicable. It can be said with considerablejustification that the agreement made be-tween the previous Government and Mr.Chase of the U.S.A., who was the headof the Chase Syndicate. was responsiblefor giving to land development in WesternAustralia not only widespread publicitywithin the State, but also very great pub-licity throughout the other States of Aus-tralia, and throughout the U.S.A.

Mr. Kelly: There were headlines in theUnited Kingdom.

Mr. HAWKE: It is true this projectfailed for reasons which are known tomost of us. However, the land over whichMr. Chase had jurisdiction remained andthe publicity which developed at that timeand continued for a considerable time, sub-sequently has since been responsible, I ampositive, for returning very great dividendsto Western Australia and to the Esperancedistrict.

The next item in the Governor's Speechto which I wish to refer briefly has to dowith the Ord River scheme. I think it isfairly well known, although not as widelyknown as I would wish, that the experi-mental station at the Ord River was estab-lshed several years ago as a result of ajoint co-operative effort by the then LaborGovernment in Western Australia and thethen Labor Government at Canberra. Thework carried out at this experimental sta-tion was absolutely essential to provingwhether it would be wise and whether itwould be economic in the Productive andfinancial sense to develop in that part ofthe north-west of our State industry forthe production of tropical and semi-tropicalagricultural products.

In addition, it was the same State LaborGovernment which was subsequently, bysustained approaches and representation tothe Menzies Federal Government, respon-sible for obtaining from the Common-wealth Government a substantial financialrant to enable early developmental work

to be carried out at the Ord River in rela-tion to the total scheme, much of which,as we know, has still to be initiated.

Another portion of the Governor'sSpeech deals with the dairy farm improve-ment scheme. Here again, it was theprevious Labor Government which ini-tiated this scheme in this State. We madevery strong representations to the MenziesFederal Government for the Purpose oftrying to get a Pound for pound financialgrant to initiate and carry this schemethrough on the largest possible basis. But,unfortunately, the Federal Governmentwould not come into the scheme on anybasis at all, with the result that the StateGovernment decided to undertake thescheme itself, and the scheme was ini-tiated whilst the Labor Government wasstill in office.

It was unfortunate it could notbe initiated and developed on a farwider basis than was done. It is equallyregrettable it cannot be carried out on amuch wider basis today than that onwhich It is being carried out. However,.we all know the finances of the StateGovernment alone are restricted and havemany calls upon them, and until such.time as the Federal Government mightagree to come Into this scheme-

Mr. Bovell: The State Government isinvolved in expenditure of approximatelya quarter of a million Pounds.

Mr. HAWKE: I am not surprised atthat. In tact, the total expenditure bythe State since the scheme was initiatedcould have been even greater than that.But, as I was saying, the State bad toundertake this scheme Out of its own re-sources, and those resources are naturallylimited because of the many demandswhich are made upon the State funds fromtime to time.

Another portion of the Speech dealswith the policy of creating a favourable,economic climate for private investment.I might say here that this climate hasexisted for a great many years in WesternAustralia, although the results achievedhave never been very great. The reasons.for that are well known and were quiteobvious at the time. Briefly, the mainreason was that Western Australia was.developing for a great many years almostexclusively on the basis of Production fromthe land. It is not a great many yearsago that any advocacy in favour of indus-trial development on a wide scale in West-ern Australia was not very popular amongseveral sections of the community andamong probably a majority of the popula-tion. Educational campaigns had to becarried out to impress upon the people inWestern Australia the necessity for in-dustrial development: the necessity tobalance secondary industry developmentwith land development: and the necessityto have more factories and workshops inorder that more employment might beavailable for adults and, of course, foryoung people.

The one secondary industry to which Iwish to make reference, following thetheme of the Speech which I have followedso far, relates to the Chamberlain Indus-tries at Welshpool. I think most membersare aware that Western Australia was veryfortunate indeed to have this very import-ant industry established on this side ofAustralia. The Chamberlain family werelocated in Melbourne. They had secondaryindustries operating successfully there;and it was their decision, once they madeup their minds to go in for tractor pro-duction in Australia, to establish themanufacturing Industry in Melbournealongside their other industries.

[ASSENMLY.

Fortunately, Information came to us herein the West at the time, of the intention ofthis family to establish an industry inAustralia-in Victoria-for the manufac-ture of agricultural tractors. We madedirect representations to the members ofthe family and persuaded them to comeover to Western Australia to survey thesituation here from every possible angleand finally to obtain from them a decisionfavourable to the establishment by them ofthis proposed industry at Welsbpool, somefew miles from the actual city of Perth.

The industry met many difficulties. Ithink it might not have survived except forthe basic fact that from the beginning ofits manufacturing operations the type ofmachine produced was excellent in qualityand excellent in performance. That factstood by the industry and helped itvery considerably to overcome dtffi.-culties and problems; because the farmersin this State, who had been courageousenough-if that is the right term to use-to Purchase the machines when they firstcame off the assembly lines at Welshpoolwere so satisfied with the quality and per-formance of the machines as to becomeregular customers for the product of thisIndustry and to advertise them favourablyto their farmer friends and to their farmercolleagues.

Mr. Lewis: I think they showed goodjudgment.

Mr. HAWKE: I think we can all rejoicetoday in the fact that this industry issolidly established; is producing a consid-erable variety of agricultural machinerynow; and is finding an increasing marketin all of the Australian States and, I be-lieve, in some overseas countries.

Another item in the Governor's Speechdeals with the establishment by the LaporteTitanium Company of an industry at Bun-bury and the establishment of an industryin this State by Western Aluminium, NoLiability, at Kwinana. The previous LaborGovernment had Quite a deal to do withboth of these efforts in the earlier stages.The Laporte Titanium People, after theyhad investigated the possibilities of estab-lishing in Western Australia, came to theconclusion at that time that conditionshere were favourable, but a decision toestablish the Industry within the State im-mediately couid not be made because theeconomics of such an industry were not, atthat time, completely favourable from thecompany's point of view.

The Government to which I have refer--red made prospecting leases available toWestern Aluminium, No Liability, to en-able the company to prospect for bauxitedeposits in a very large area of theDarling Ranges, spreading from south ofcollie to somewhere beyond Kalamunda.Those associated with the original com-pany, which was an Australian company,and largely a Western Australian com-pany, assured the Government of that

day that should the prospecting activitiesdiscover sufficient quantities of goodquality bauxite in the Darling Range areas.then the company would establish a totalindustry in Western Australia for themanufacture of alumina in the first in-stance, -and then for the manufacture ofthe final product of aluminium; and itwas estimated by the representatives ofthe company at that time that such aproposal, should it become practicable.would lead to the investment withinWestern Australia of at least £40,000,000.

As we know now, the company did dis.-cover deposits of bauxite sufficient inquantity and good enough in quality toenable the company to go ahead to ex-ploit the deposits. The company boughtin with other American Interests to ensurethat the manufacturing processes wouldin every way be successful. Unfortunately,the company finally agreed not to go be-yond the processing of the bauxite to thealumina stage in Western Australia, whichmeant that only, I think, about one-thirdof the industry as originally proposed wasestablished in this State. The balance wasestablished by the company at Geelong, inVictoria, and it was indeed most un-fortunate and highly regrettable that wein Western Australia did not receive, havenot received, and never will now, presum-ably, receive the total benefits which it hadbeen hoped would have been received bythe State as a result of the exploitation ofthe bauxite deposits in our Darling Rangeareas.

There is some mention in the Governor'sSpeech about an integrated iron and steelIndustry at Ewinana: and there is alsosome mention in it of the iron ore depositswithin the State-and I want to havesomething to say particularly in relationto Iron ore deposits because there Is a mostinteresting and true story in relation toiron ore deposits in Western Australia,which has been told, I think, on some pre-vious occasions, but which should be re-peated whenever possible.

in the year 1957 the State Labor Govern-ment in Western Australia made strongrepresentations to the Federal Governmentrequesting the ranting of an exportlicense to send from this State limitedquantities of iron ore to overseas countries,particularly to Japan, This matter wasrepresented to the Commonwealth Govern-ment in unmistakable terms. Personalrepresentations were also made to Ministersof the Commonwealth Government atCanberra by Ministers of the State Govern-ment to which I have referred. Finally,the then acting Prime minister, Sir ArthurPadden, sent a five-page letter from Can-berra to me in my capacity, as it wasthen, of Premier of Western Australia, set-ting out the rejection by the Common-wealth Government of the State's requestfor an export license to send from thisState to Japan a limited quantity of ironore.

[Wednesday, 5 August, 1964.] 9

The letter was written by Sir ArthurFadden because the Prime Minister of Aus-tralia was at that time out of the country.Any member who might wish to read theCommonwealth Government's letter toWestern Australia on this matter will findit reproduced in full in Hansard of thisState dated the 12th September, 1957.The reproduction of the CommonwealthGovernment's letter appears on pages 1464,1465, 1466, and 1467.

The letter was read in the LegislativeCouncil at that time by The Hon. A. F.Griffith: and it was, I think, supposed tobe a sort of death blow to a motion whichhad been moved in the Legislative Councilin criticism of the decision of the Com-monwealth Government in the matter.Fortunately, The Hon. W. Rt. Hall, sincedeceased, was in Possession of a copy ofthe letter which we, as the State Govern-ment, had sent to the Commonwealth Gov-erment in reply to its letter: and Mr. Hallread in full the copy of the letter we sentIn reply. The reproduction of our letteris to be found in the Mansard in questionon page 1468 and on the three followingpages.

The reason given by the CommonwealthGovernment, in the letter from Sir ArthurFadden, for the rejection of the State'srequest, was that the known suitabledeposits of iron ore in Australia at thattime would last for only 30 to 35 years inthe ordinary course of events to meet thenormal demands within Australia for ironore.

I might say, Mr. Acting Speaker (Mr.W. A. Manning)&, that we, as the StateGovernment at that time, did not acceptthat assessment of Australia's known suit-able iron ore deposits. We felt theCommonwealth Government, in putting upthat excuse, was indulging in political dis-honesty of the worst type: and it was notdifficult then and it is not difficult now tonominate a reason why the CommonwealthGovernment rejected the request we hadmade. The fact that the reason, or excuse,given by the Commonwealth Governmentin its letter was a false excuse or a falsereason was later proven absolutely by oneof the Ministers in that Federal Govern-ment, in the person of Senator Spooner.He was at the time of which I am speaking-1957-Minister for National Develop-ment, and was very greatly interested inthis iron ore business. He was not person-ally interested from a commercial sense,but interested in it through his depart-ment and possibly through other associa-tions. I would not be at all surprised ifhe was largely responsible for drafting theletter which Sir Arthur Fadden finallysent on behalf of the CommonwealthGovernment to the State Government inWestern Australia.

I have in both hands at the moment acutting f rom the Daily News of the 14thNovember, 1961, the heading of which is

Spooner Spills a Nine-Year Secret. Iwould remind members that we as a StateGovernment made our application to theCommonwealth Government for an exportlicense in 1957. The Daily News articlewas written by Lloyd Marshall and I quoteas follows:-

Senator Spooner has prematurelylifted the lid off the most closelyguarded mineral secret in this State.The existence of the fabulous iron oredeposits in the Hamersley Ranges hasbeen known only to a select few. Thekey find was made in 1952.

Quoting further from the article-National Development Minister

Senator Spooner announced in Can-berra on Sunday that two new ironore finds in the Plbara. could totalmore than 2,500,000,000 tons.

And so on: and this knowledge about thehuge deposits of iron ore in the Pilbarawas known to officers of Senator Spooner'sdepartment in 1952: yet five years after-wards Senator Spooner was largely respon-sible for persuading the then Acting PrimeMinister, and presumably the other Min-isters in the Federal Government, to rejectthe application by Western Australia foran export license, and to put up the excuse-the false excuse-to which I havereferred.

There is no doubt that Western Aus-tralia was treated most dishonestly by theFederal Government at that time in con-nection with the issue. As I said before, itIs quite easy, I think, to nominate thereason why Senator Spooner in particular,and the Federal Government in general,rejected the application. There could havebeen more than one reason. The objectivethe State Labor Government had in mindat the time in seeking an export license fora limte~d quantity of iron ore was to obtainsufficient financial proceeds to enableWestern Australia to establish in the Bun-bury-Collie area a fully integrated ironand steel industry which it was calculatedor estimated would provide employment for1,000 men In that area. This would havebeen a logical development for the estab-lishment and operation of the small-scalecharcoal iron and steel industry at Wun-dowie.

When that industry was established itwas understood by all concerned that theindustry was being established at Wun-dowie on a small commercial scale mainlyfor the purpose of deciding the economicsof such an industry in this-State; and theultimate objective, before a pick was putinto the ground at Wundowie, was thatshould the Wundowie test industry subse-quently prove successful there would beestablished a large-scale charcoal iron andsteel industry in the Bunbury-Collie area,where there were unlimited supplies oftimber.

93

[ ASSEMBLY.)

It was known from the beginning thatthe Wundowie industry would have to berestricted to a certain maximum produc-tive capacity because of the limited timbersupplies which were available within reas-onable distance of that centre. So it willbe seen that the dishonest decision of theFederal Government in this matter hasbeen responsible for depriving the Bun-bury-Collie area of huge industrial expan-sion. Had the export license been granted.as it undoubtedly should have been grantedat the time, then the net proceeds fromthe export of iron ore would have beensufficient to enable the State to go aheadand develop a large-scale industry in theBubury-Collie area, along the lines I havementioned.

Mr, Court: Did you ever make any esti-mate of the potential capital cost of yourproject?

Mr. HAWKE: Yes. There are severalother items in the Governor's Speech towhich I should like to refer, but I thinkI have dealt with sufficient items to de-velop the theme I wanted to developduring this stage of my speech. I did notfind anything in the Governor's Speech, al-though I searched it diligently from end toend, about the huge amount of increasedtaxation which this Government has putupon the people. I knew, of course, fromexperience that the Governor's Speech isused as a sort of shop window by a Gov-ernment to put out to the public, throughsuch avenues of publicity as are available,the best items from the Government'spoint of view.

I am not criticising this Government onthat account- It is something which hasbeen done by all Governments, Federal andState, for a great many years. However, Ifailed to find any mention in the Speechof the greatly increased taxation whichthis Government has put upon the tax-payers in Western Australia. It was un-fortunate, because I had to do some re-search of my own in this field. I foundthat in the financial year before this Gov-ernnment first came to office- 1959 -60-th emotoring public, for instance, paid to theGovernment £1,973,000, which is just shortof £2,000,000. Under the present Govern-ment's policy of loading taxation on thegeneral public, and Particularly it wouldappear upon the motoring public, motor-ists paid to the Government last financialYear £3,549,000, representing an increaseover 1959-60 of £1,576O,000.

Mr. O'Connor: With the same numberof motorists?

Mr. Brand: What was the increase inthe number of vehicles?

Mr. HAWKE: What did the honourablemember for Mt. Lawley say?

Mr. O'Connor: I presume it was notthe same number of motorists.

Mr. HAWKE: The honourable memberpresumes that?

Mr. O'Connor: You did not say it wasnot the same number.

Mr. HAWE. The honourable memberfor Mt. Lawley is showing great acumen-great mental dash, if I may say so.

Mr. W. Hegney: That's unusual.Mr. HAWKE: Obviously the number of

motorists is greater today than it was inthe financial year 1959-60. In fact, lateron I am prepared to allow the honourablemember to have a look through the noteswhich I bold in my left hand and he willsee I make reference to the fact that thenumber of motorists in Western Australiatoday is far greater than it was some fiveor six year ago. However, should thehonourable member wish to calculate thenumber of motorists in the year 1959-60and the number in the last financial year,and work out the cost per head of taxationimposed upon them by the State Govern-ment, he will find the cost per head wasmuch greater in the last financial yearthan it was in the previous year to whichI have made reference.

Mr. Graham: And it will be higher stillin the current one.

Mr. HAWKE: The ratepayers in themetropolitan water supply, sewerage, anddrainage district paid to the Labor Gov-ernment in 1959-60 a sum of £2,267,000.In the last financial year the Governument,we see in front of us--

Mr. Bevel): And it will be here for manyyears yet.

Mr. Graham: You go back to your tim-ber permits.

Mr. HAWKE: --compelled them to pay£3,483,000, or £1,215,000 more than waspaid in the year 1959-60. In case themember for Mt. Lawley is coming in withthe same type of interjection, I wo ul4freely agree the number of ratepayersthe metropolitan water supply district $rarea during the last financ~al year ti.greater than in the year 1959-60. Hereagain, however, if the honourable memberwishes or cares to work out the sum perhead paid by ra~tepayers to the Metropoli-tan Water Supply, Sewerage, and DrainageDepartment in each of the two years con-cerned, he will find the sum per head wasever so much greater last financial Yearthan in the other year to which I havereferred.

An indirect form of taxation Paid bythe public is stamp duty. in the financialyear 1959-60 the public paid £1,900,000 instamp duty to the State Goverrnent. Intthe last financial year they paid to thepresent Government £3,581,000. Here again,if it pleases the member for Mt. Lawley,and I am sure it does, there were morepeople-or were there?-paying stampduty than in the earlier year.

The increase made by the Governmentin railway freights early in the Govern-ment's career would account f or most of

[Wednesday, 5 August, 1964.) 9

the -increase In total railway revenue from£14,700,000 in 1959-60 to £17,400,000 in1963-64. However, even with this fargreater amount of revenue-3,000.000approxiinatels'-the present Governmenthas not, so far, even agreed to pay to therailway officers concerned a, reasonableamount of retrospective pay in relation toincreased salaries which their tribunalawarded to them some months ago.

Mr. Graham: They have the Premierworried.

Mr. HAWKE: However. I did notice inthe paper a. short paragraph to the effectthat the Premier had changed his previousstrong attitude in this matter.

Mr. Ttowberry: His stubborn attitude.Mr. HAWKS: Instead of insisting he

would niot -receive any deputation he finallyagreed to receive one, and did in fact-

Mr. Brand: r did not say I would riotreceive this deputation. I never ever saidthat.

Mr. Davies: You refused to accept It.Mr. HAWRE: I think the Premier is

splitting a haystack here-it is more thana straw. He refused to receive a deputa-tion from the Railway Officers' Union.

Mr. Brand: Yes.Mr. HAWKE: However, when the railway

officers' union gathered a body of indus-trial strength around it, and its memberswere able to get the Trades and LaborCouncil on their side, and the Trades andLabor Council requested the Premier toreceive a deputation, the Premier said,"Yes, Mr. Trades and Labor Council, I1 willreceive a deputation from you."

Mr. Brand: That will be the day!l Youare making out a good case for a sym-pathetic hearing.

Mr. HAWKE: My one hope is, how-ever. the Premier and his colleagues willgive this matter due and just considera-tion.

Mr. Davies: Hear, hear!Mr. HAWKS:. Should they do that, I

think they will make the decision whichthe deputation has requested of the Gov-ernment.

Mr. Graham: The Premier could im-prove on the Minister for Railways, any-way.

Mr. Brand: No; I can't say that.Mr. HAWKE,: I have dealt with some

phases of taxation: and I must say, Mr.Acting Speaker (Mr. W. A. Manning),you have been an inspiration to me. Eachtime I have looked around I have seenyou nodding what I have interpreted to beapproval. I may be wrong at that. If youhave not so far been nodding approval towhat I have been saying, I am sure youwill a. little later on in my speech. All Iwant to do further in relation to Statetaxation Is to mention the total amount

of State taxation which was placed uponthe people of Western Australia in thefinancial year 1959-60, and the totalamount which was put upon them by thepresent Government last financial year.

In the ig5g-60 year the total amountwas £9,000,000. Last year it was£12.000,000, or an increase of M3 per cent.In five years in the total State taxationupon the people. The amount of tax perhead Of population in 1959-60 was £12. 10s.,and today it is over £17.

Mr. Rowberry: The member for Mt.Lawley please note.

Mr. HAWKE: I come now to the min-ister for Works, and I amn sorry to disturbhim from his obvious relaxation. I quotefrom The West Australian newspaper ofthe 2nd July, 1964. The heading is "StateWill Agree To £15 Os. Basic Pay". Thesubheading is--

The State Government will agree toa West Australian basic wage of only£15 83,-

1 interpose here to point out that TheWest Australian newspaper, which is nota Labor newspaper by any means, put inthe word "only"-"only £15 8s." To con-tinue with the subheading-

-the present federal level-when theIndustrial Commission deals with theTrades and Labor Council applicationfor an increase of £2 12s.

If successful, the T.L.C. bid wouldlift the State basic wage (for malesin the metropolitan area) from £154s. 2d. to £17 16s. 2d.

A little further down in the article thefollowing appeared-

Labour Minister Wild said Yesterdaythat the Government would submitthat the State's economy could notstand a basic wage higher than £158s. This level had been establihedonly recently, after considerable re-search and evidence put before theCommonwealth Arbitration Comnmis-sion.

That was Published on the 2nd July thisYear. and on the 3rd July the officer repre-senting the State Government before thecommission had to make an apology onbehalf of the Government for the state-ment which the Minister for Labour hadmade. I quote-

Mr. Wilson made an apology on be-half of the State Government to theW.A. Industrial Commission yesterday.

His apology was for Labour Min-ister Wild's disclosure through thePress, without first advising the com-mission, that the Government intend-ed to intervene.

I am not blaming the Minister for Labourin the matter. It is the sort of mistakeany over-enthusiastic Minister could make,especially when he was trying to put a

95

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spanner in the works of the trade unionmovement in its efforts to get a more justwage for its members.

Mr. Graham: The Minister for anti-Labour.

Mr. HAWKE: Members on this side ofthe House have already made Public theirviews in regard to the Government's offer.We described it at our special meeting atGeraldton as a paltry and contemptibleoffer. I think that is all I need to sayabout it.

I now come to the part of my speechwhere I thought you, Mr. Acting Speaker(Mr. W, A. Manning), might become alittle interested, and might nod substantialapproval to the remarks which I proposeto make briefly during the next few min-utes. Members of the Chamber lookingat the document which I am holding inboth bands will notice that at first glanceit appears to be a Communtist Party docu-ment. There are large printed words inred-

Mr. J. Hegney: The only thing that ismissing is a hammer and sickle.

Mr. HAWKE: -on the top part of thefirst page and red printed words on thetop part of the back page. I shall quotethe words printed in red on the top partof the first page-

You cannot afford to sit on the fencewhen it comes to politics.

I am sorry the member for Murchison isleaving at this stage. This leaflet wasissued by and on behalf of the LiberalParty of Western Australia over the nameof "R. Withers. State President in West-ern Australia of the Liberal Party."

Mr. W. Hegney: He is not "with us";he is against us.

Mr. HAWKE: I propose to quote onlyvery small extracts from this leaflet. Thecopy which I have with me was sent toa Labor member of Parliament. I hopeyou. Mr. Acting Speaker (Mr. W. A.Manning), were in receipt of one throughthe post.

Mr. J. Hegney: Will copies be passedaround for greater accuracy?

Mr. HAWKE: It reads--We therefore fight the A.LP. Our

parliamentary members spurn any as-sociation with the A.L.P. We ban anypolitical arrangements with the A.L *P.even when such arrangements bringshort-term political advantage.

Mr. Cornell: Did you say the A.L.P. orthe D.L.P.?

Mr. Graham: I think you know.Mr. HAWKE: That is the end of the

first quote; and all I want to say in con-nection with it is that at the Federal elec-tion for the Federal seat of Moore some fiveyears ago the Labor Party decided to giveits No. 2 preference votes to the Liberal

candidate, Mr. Halbert; and its No. 3 pref-erence votes to the Country Party candi-date, Mr. Leslie. Nobody in the LaborParty ever received any complaint or pro-test from Mr. Halbert, from Mr. Withers,from Mr. Brand, or from anybody else as-sociated with the Liberal Party in WesternAustralia. In fact1 I amt sure that as soonas the intention of the Labor Party wasmade known on that occasion the mem-bers of the Liberal Party must have jumped.for joy, as it were.

Mr. Kelly: They held a celebration.Mr. HAWKE: They must have thrown

their hats in the air. They must havesaid, "This is it; the A.L.P. is going to putour candidate in for the Federal seat ofMoore."

Mr. Kelly: And we did.Mr. HAWKE: Of course we did. So al-

though the Liberal Party may spurn asso-ciation with the A.L.P., when it comes togetting some real, decisive, practical poli-tical benefit in an election from the ALP.,the Liberal Party does nothing to try towipe out that assistance. It does not sendany letters, or make any representationsof any kind to the A.L.P. saying, "We donot want your second preferences; wespurn you. We will not get on the Social-ist tiger with you. We will not have any-thing to do even with the second prefer-ence votes from any Socialist; we will notbe associated with you in any way, and wewill not allow you to be associated withus in any way; we 'will not accept yourhelp: we urge you to give your secondpreferences to the Country Party candi-date." Nothing like that was said by theLiberal Party.

1 would like to make just another shortreference to this leaflet. The quotationI wish to make reads as follows:-

Chamberlain presented himself atthe room of the Rt. Hon. JohnMcEwen's offices that evening. Hewas in company of his parliamentaryleader, Arthur Augustus Caiwell, whointroduced Chamberlain and soon lefthim alone with McEwen.

There is a, lot of detail set out in the leaf-let. and I am sure the member for SouthPerth could recite it as well as he couldthe Poem, "The Boy Stood on the BurningDeck," without referring to his notes. TheMinister for Health might possibly be ableto do the same-but only possibly. Thelast quotation I wish to make from thispamphlet reads-

The above shows the lengths towhich the Country Party will go tomaintain parliamentary representa-tion. This can't be a once-for-all deal.What must they now do to retain thefavour of the A.LP.?

The Country Party claims that itfights Socialism. Is this how it doesit?

[Wednesday, 5 August, 1964.1 9

A further extract from the leaflet in ques-tion reads--

He who rides on the back of aSocialist tiger may never dismount.

This was Printed by West AustralianNewspapers Limited. I understand that partof its distribution was organised in someof the offices of the Liberal Party senatorsof Western Australia. It is surprisingthis Pamphlet should be signed. "R.Withers, State President, Liberal Party",because had his father not ridden on theback of the Socialist tiger, so to speak,for many years, as member of this Legis-lative Assembly, Mr. Reg Withers wouldcertainly not be where he is today; hewould probably have been a street sweeperthese days. It is only because his father andmother sacrificed themselves very des-perately to enable him to receive a first-class education that he was able to starthis social climbing, and adopt an air ofsuper respectability and decide he couldnot ride on the back of the Socialist tiger;and therefore he had better join the Lib-eral Party and ride on the back of thewhite horse in flay Street, West Perth.

Mr. Rowberry: Ride on the back of theworkers.

Mr. HAWKE: I will leave the rest of thediscussion in connection with the leafletto members on the Country Party benches.I can see the member for Mt. Marshallscratching his head very vigorously, andI can also see the member for Avon de-veloping an aggressive countenance.

Mr. Cornell: I am wondering whetherthat pamphlet is a rewriteL of the Book ofRevelations.

Mr. HAWKE: The Minister for RailwaysYesterday made a personal explanation tothe H-ouse in connection with false in-formation which he gave to the Houselast year. Members who recall that in-cident will know I criticised the Ministervery severely at the time, because I knewhe was making a false statement. How-ever, he stalled on the issue right throughto the end of the session, and consequently'was able to get away with it.

The Minister had falsely accused apassenger on the Perth-Northam railwayroad bus of having been responsible forcausing delay to one of those road buseswhen it reached Midland Junction. Thefacts end truth of the situation were thatthe Railways Department itself bad causedthe delay. The delay was brought aboutby the fact that the first bus was abus going to Wundowie and Wooroloo onits way to Northam; whereas the secondbus was an express bus direct to Northam.Unfortunately a passenger who got onthe second bus was a passenger for Wun-dowie. Whben this was discovered at thePerth railway station, they rang theMidland railway station and told theauthorities there to hold the first bus untilthe second bus got there, so that thepassenger could transfer.

It has taken a, great deal of effort toforce the Minister for Railways into asituation where he has to admit the in-formation which he gave to the House wasfalse, and the passenger in question waslibelled by the Minister in the statementhe gave originally to us. I am notaltogether blaming the Minister for origin-ally having given the information he didto the House; because, naturally, in thesecircumstances he would have bad to dependto a, considerable extent upon the advicewhich the officers of his department gavehim. However, what I do criticise theMinister very severely about is that he hasnot, since that time towards the end oflast session, until recently made any sortof reasonable reparation in the matter.I sincerely hope and trust he is now goingto send a letter of withdrawal and apologydirect to the railway passenger concerned.

Mr. Court: Certainly not!Mr. HAWKE: That is the sort of indi-

vidual we have. He makes false accusa-tions in Parliament against a citizen: and.when he is Proven to have made a falseaccusation against a citizen of the State,instead of doing the right, reasonable, andhonourable thing in relation to thepassenger concerned by sending a directletter of withdrawal and apology, all hecontents himself with doing is coming toParliament and saying, "Toward the endof last session I gave information toParliament which was false. Subsequentinvestigation has shown it to be false,although I did not know it to be falseat the time, and I now want to have acorrection made."

Mr. Court: You are being quite un-reasonable about the situation, and youare also being quite unfair to the mnen ofthe railways.

Mr. HAWKE: It has nothing to do withthe men on the railways, but with theMinister himself. Before the Ministerreturned to the Chamber I said he hadgiven information to this House which wasfalse, and which libelled a passenger of theRailways Department.

Mr. Court: It did nothing of the sort.Mr. HAWKCE: I said, before the Minister

returned, that I did not hold him re-sponsible for that at the time, becausenaturally in this situation he bad to acceptthe advice given to him by his railwayofficers, and he had to put up a reply forus on the Information they gave him. Butwhen he discovered the information wasfalse, and the charge made against thepassenger concerned was groundless, surelythe fair and reasonable thing for him tohave done was to send a letter of with-drawal and apology to the passenger.

Mr. Court: The commissioner and I sawthis person on the 8th January and gaveher the full facts of the case. You knowthe story and have seen the papers; andyou know she will not accept any explana-tion.

97

[ASSEMBLY.]

Mr. HAWKE: I have seen the papersand I know the commissioner has donethe right, the reasonable, and the honour-able thing up to date; but the Minister forRailways has only Partly done that. Ifhe reconsiders the situation, and gives itthe consideration and attention he should,I think he might do the right thing.

Mr. Court: The commissioner and I sawthe person together. So how can thecommissioner do one thins and I another;because we both saw the person togetherand she would not accept any explanation.

Mr. HAWKE: The passenger denies theMinister did anything but insist thepassenger had been responsible for thedelay, and it is up to the Minister to clearthat situation.

Mr, Court: You have seen the papers.

Mr. HAWKE: The Minister can do it soeasily.

Mr. Court: I have done it in Parliament;that is the only place I know of.

Mr. HAWKE: Doing It in Parliament isnot sufficient. I suggest to the Ministerthat the man who does big things does bigthings in small situations; and even thoughthe Minister might consider this to be asmall situation, here is an opportunity forhim to prove he is big in such a situation.

Mr. Court: You are making a tremendousmountain out of nothing.

Mr. HAWKE: I am stating the situation,and I1 will leave it to the Minister to do.I hope, the right thing.

Mr. Court: I do not think you are beingfair to the men concerned.

Mr. HAWKE: This has nothing to dowith the men concerned.

Mr. Court: I endeavoured to have theposition represented fairly so far as theyare concerned. They should not have tobe pilloried because a passenger said theyshould do something, or did not say some-thing.

Mr. HAWKE: That is not the situationat all. The Minister is trying to cover up.He is trying to establish a subterfuge.The fact is-and nobody can deny this-that the Minister made a false statementwhich contained a false accusation. Whathas that to do with railway employees?

Mr. Court: It has everything to do withthem, because it was their information.

Mr. HAWKE: Since then the Ministerand the officers concerned have found outthey were wrong.

Mr. Court: And we have corrected it inthree places.

Mr. HAWKE: The Minister has made ahalf-hearted statement of withdrawal inthis House. The fact that has been done

meets the situation to the extent of 33per cent. WVhat has it to do with theemployees, when I say the Minister shouldwrite a letter of withdrawal and apologyto the aggrieved person?

Mr.' Court: This has been done in threeplaces.

Mr. HAWKE: It has nothing to do withthe employees. it is obvious to me theMinister feels be is high and superior, andit would be an undue humbling of him-self if he did the right thing by a singlecitizen within the State.

I never speak well on a full stomach.Mr. Speaker, and I have no desire tocontinue after the tea break. I now wishto move an amendment in connection withthe subject with which I dealt earlier.

Amendment to Motion

I move the following amendment:-But we wish to record our strongest

protest against the attitude of theGovernment in the State basic wagecase, and particularly against its pal-try offer of an increase of only 3s.10d, per week.

Debate ton amendmuent to the motion)adjourned, on motion by Mr. Brand (Pre-mier).

Rouse adjourned at 6.15 p.m.

I,'ritatiw AkisrmbtflThursday, the 6th August, 1964

CONTENTSpage

ADDRESS-IN-REPLY: THIRD DAY-Amendment to Motion : Speaker's Ruling 121

BILL- ..Supply BIll, £2.500,0O.--Returned .... 121

COMITT~EES FOR THE SESSION-Appointment ... .. ..Council Personnel_.. 1.

... 109". 121

QUESTIONS ON NOTICE-Ablution Block at Exmoutb Caravan Park:-

Cost, Architects, and Accommodation .,Basic Wage : Personnel of Inquiry PanelBreakwater at Esperanco : Contractor

Appointed by Liquidator ..Bridge, Dow River-

Completion Datecost .... .. .. .. ..

Drainage at Bellevue: Flooding NearEvans Store, Great Eastern Highway ....

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