Queensland

Parliamentary Debates [Hansard]

Legislative Assembly

TUESDAY, 16 JULY 1901

Electronic reproduction of original hardcopy

8 Addrr~s tn Replp. [ASSEMBLY.] Opening if Parliament.

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY.

TUESDAY, 16 .JULY, 1901.

OPJ~XING OF P ARLIA:VIE="'T.

The House met at half-past 10 o'clock this day, pursuant to ]Jruclamatiun, and short.ly after­wards proceeded to the LPgi"lati ve Council Chamber for the purpose of hearing the Com­mission.

On its return, The PREM.IER (Hon. R. Philp, Townsville)

said: I beg to present a Commission under the hand of His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor, authorising the Hon. the SpeakPr (Hon. A. i\lorgau) and myself to administer to hem. rnern.-

Opening qf Pm,liament. [16 JULY.] Neu: Members Stcorn. 9

bers the oath or affirmation of allegiance to His Majf'sty King Edward VII. I now ask the Clerk to read it.

Commission read accordingly. The following members thereupon took the

oath or affirmation of allegiance as by law required:-

Speaker-The Honourable Arthur Morgan, Esquire (Warwick).

Chairman of Committees-Samuel Grimes, Esquire (Oxley).

Annear, John Thomas (Maryborough). Bartholomew, John (Maryborough). Bell, Joshua Thom~s (Dalby). Boles, J ason (Port Curtis). Bowman, David (\Varrego). Bridges, Thomas (Nundahi. Browne, William Henry (Croydon). Callan, Albert James (Fitzroy). Cowley, The Honourable Alfred Sandlings

(Herbert). Cribb, .James Clarke (Bundanba). Cribb, The Honourable Thomas Bridson

(Ipswich). Curtis, George SilM (Rockhampton). Dalrymple, The Honourable David Hay

(Mackay). Dibley, 'l.'hornas (Woolloongabba). Duns!ord, John Henry (Cbarters Towers). Fogarty, .John (Dra:yton and Toowoomba). Forrest, The Honourable Edward Barrow

(Bri~bane North). Forsyth, James (Carpentaria). Fnxton, The Honourable Justin Fox Green-

law ( C\1rnarvon). ·Givens, Thomas (Cairns). Hamilton, John (Cook). Hamilton, William (Gregory). Hanran, Patrick I<'rancis (Townsville). J ack~on, George (Kenn- dy ).

.Jenkmson, Cnarles Moffat (\Vide Bay). Kate •.. Fr,.ncis (Cunningham). Kent, William (Burnett). Keogh, Denis Thomas (Kosewood). Kerr, Georg-e (Barcoo). Leahy, The Honourable John (Bulloo). Leeina, Vincent Bernard .Jose ph (Clermont). Lord, Frederick (Stanley). Macartney, Edward Henry (Toowong). Macdonald-Paterson, The Honourable

Thomas (Brisbane North). Mackintosh, Donald (Carnb,oya). McDonnell, Frank (Fortirude Valley). O'Connell, The Honourable Williarn Bligh

Henry (Musgrave). Petrie, Andrew Lang (Tuombul). Philp, The Honourable Robert (Towns-

ville). PlunkPtt, Thomas (Albert). Reid, Matthew (Enogg-era). Rutledge, The Honourable Arthur, Q.C.

(Maranoa). Ryland, Genrge (Gympie). Stephens, William (Brisbane South). Stephenson, Alfred ,T ohn (Ipswich). . Stodart, James (Logan). Story, Georg-e. William Ben nett (Balonne). 'Thorn, The Honourable George (Fassifern). "Thorn, William (Aubigny). Tooth, Nicholas Edward Nelson (Bnrrum). "Turley, Henry (Brisbane South).

At fourteen minutes past 11 o'clock, The SPEAKER (Hon. Arthur Morgan,

Warwick) said: I shall resume the chair at five minutes t<• 12.

At the hour named the SPEAKER resumed the chair.

At noon a message was brought by the Usher of the Black Rod from His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor, requesting the attendance of Mr. Speaker and hon. members in the Council Chamber.

The SPEAKER, accompanied by hon. members, accordingly proceeded to the Legislative Council, and, having heard the Address of His Excellency, returned to their own Chamber.

'rhe House resumed at half-past 3 o'clock.

COMMISSION TO ADMINISTER OATH.

The SPEAKER announced that he had re­ceived a commission from His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor authorising him to ad­minister to all or any members or member of the Assembly the oath or affirmation of allegiance to His Majesty the King.

MEMB'ER SWORN.

Mr .• John Dunrnore Campbell, member for the electoral district of Moreton, took the oath of allegiance.

VACANCIES AND F.LECTIONS DURING THE RECESS.

The SPEAKER announced that the following vacancies and elections had occurred during the recess:-

1. For the electoral district of Bulimba­by the death of the late Sir J ames R. Dick son.

2. For the electoral district nf N ormanby­by the resignation of the Honourable .John Murray.

3. For the electoral district of Mackay-by the death of the late Honourable J. V. Chataway.

4. For the electoral clistrict of Gympie-by the resignation of Andrew :Fisher.

5. I<'or the electoral district of Drayton and 'roowoomba-by the resignation of the Honourable \V. H. Groom.

6. For the electoral district of Rockhampton North-by the resignation of James Charles Stewart.

7. For the electoral district of Charters Towers-by the resignation of Anderson Dawson.

8. For the electoral district of Bundaberg­by the resignation of Thomas Glassey.

9. For the electoral district of I<'linders-by the resignation of Charles McDonald.

That in each case he had issued his writ for the election of a member to fill the vacancy, and that certain of the writs had been returned, severally endorsed as follow :-

For Bulimba-Walter Henry Barnes. For Normanby--George Fox. For Mackay-\V alter Trneman Paget. For Gympie-Daniel Mulcahy. For Drayton and Toowoomba-Jame

Tolmie. For Rockhampton North-Henry Turner . }for Charters Towers-J ohn Burrow~. For Bundaberg-George Phillips Barber.

The writ for the elc,ctoral district of Drayton and Toowoomba was not returned within the time prescribed ; and a proclamation had been issued by His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor validating the return notwithstanding this delay.

NEW MEMBERS SWORN. The following new members took the oath and

subscribed the roll:-George Phillips Barber, for the electoral

di,;trict of Bundaberg ; \V alter Henry Barnes, for the electoral

district of Bulimba

10 Papers. [ASSEMBLY.] Papers.

John Burrows, for the electoral district of Charters Towers ;

Daniel Mulcahy, for the electoral district of Gympie;

Waiter Trueman Paget, for the electoral di~trict of Mackay ;

J ames Tolmie, for the electoral district of Drayton and Toowoomba;

Henry Turner, for the electoral district of Rockhatnpton North.

CAMBOOY A ELECTION. The SPEAKER Raid, in pursuance of Stand­

ing Order No. 330, that on five occa,ions during the recess he gave leave to the Clerk to produce in the police courts of Brisbane, pursuant to subpama, the papers in ccmnection with the late election for the electoral district of Camhooya. The pa,pers were according-ly produced but he had been informed by the Clerk that they were not opened and have been returned to their place among the record,".

AUDITOR-GENERAL'S REPORT.

The S;?EAKER announced the receipt from the Auditor-General of the following reports:-

(1) lteport on the balance-•heet of the Queensland National Bank to 31st December, 1900.

(2) Report on Treasury Bills Act of 1893 to 31st December, 1900.

(3) Report on Treasury Bills Act of 1893 to 30th June, 1901.

(4) Report on Government Savings Bank securities to 31st December, 1900.

(5) Report on Government Savings Bank securities to 30th ,June, 1901.

(6) Report on Public Debt Reduction Fund to 30th June, 1901.

Ordered to be printed.

AGENT-GENERAL'S REPORT ON GOVERNMENT SEUURITU~S.

The SPEAKER also announced the receipt from the Agent-General of a report, dated 8th January, 1901, on the Government securities deposited in Lon_don under the ~uthority of the Government Savmgs BankSecunties Act of 1895.

Ordered to be printed.

PAPERS. The following papers, laid on the table of the

House, were ordered to be printed :-(1) Letters patent, dated 1st January, 1901,

and commissions, dated 29th October 1\JOO, relating to the constitution of th~ office of Governor of the State of Queensland and ib dependencies, in the Commonwealth of Australia, and of Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, and to the appointments of the Governor and Lieutenant-Governor of the State vf Queensland, and of the Governor-General of the Commonwealth, with Royal instructions to each.

(2) Despatch, dated 19th December, 1900, respecting permission to the Honourable -waiter Horatio \Vilson, C.M.G., to retctin the title of "Honourable."

(3) Despatch, dated 9th November, 1900, respecting permission to Messrs. \Villiam Henry Groom and Alfred Sandlings Cowley to retain the title of "Honour­able."

{4) Despatch, dated 19th December, 1900, from the High Commissioner of the

Western Pacific, transmitting Queen's Regulations prohibiting the unauthor­ised occupation of waste laud in the British Solomon Islands Protectorate.

(5) Despatch, dated 5th December, 1900, from the High Commissi,ner for the \V estern Pacific, transmitting proclama­tion to Ocean Island, otherwioe Paanopa, and Queen's Regulation relating to the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Protectorate.

(G) Despatch, dated 31st October, 1900, and enclosures, respecting decrees issued by the District Administrator in the Ma­riana Islands.

(7) Despatch, dated 13th ~1arch, 1901, from the Hit;h Commissioner of the \Vestern Pacific, tran~mitti.ng proclamation re­garding the exercise by the British Agent and Consul at Tonga of jurisdic­tion over British subjects and foreigners in the Tong-a Islands.

(8) Despatch, d~ted 29th January, 1901, respectjng His Majesty's \Varrant authoric.iug the continued use of the public Aeal made use of in Queensland.

(9) Despatch, dated 26th January, 1901, :md enclosures, respecting demise of Her late Majesty Queen Victoria, and acces­sion of His Majesty King Edward VII.

(10) Despatch, dated 30th January, 1901, and enclosure, respecting general mourn­ing for Her late Majesty Queen Victoria.

(11) Despatch, dated 12th April, 1901, and enclosure, respect,ing- period during which mourning for Her late lYlajesty Queen Victoria is to be in use for the corres­pondence of public departments.

(12) Despatches, dated 28th November, 1900, 8th, 12th, and 22nd February, 8th March, and 8th May, 1901, conveying the Royal Assent to Acts passed during­session of 1900.

(13) Despatch, dated 13th April, 1901, trans­mitting revised regulations for the entry of engmeer students in Her Majesty's Navy, and for students in naval con­struction.

(14) Despatch, dated 1st February, 1901, transmitting Convention between the United Kingdom and Japan for the reciprocal protection of the estates of deceased persons.

(15) Proclamation and notification, dated 1st February, 1901, respecting accession of His Majesty King Edward VII.

(16) Notifications respecting de<tth of Her late Majesty Queen VJCloria.

(17) Order in Council, dated 19th April, 1901, applying the providons of the British Probates Act, 1H98, to South Australia.

(18) Report of the Royal Commission appointed to inquire into and report upon the administration of the laws regulating the rnanufacture and sale of intoxicating liquors in Queensland; together with the proceedings of the Commission, minutes of evidence, and appendices.

(19) Immigra.tion Agent's Annual Report upon Pacific Island Immigration, dated 4th June, 1901.

(20) Report of the Public Service Board for the year 1900.

(21) Report of the Agent· General for Queens­land for the year 1900.

Farezcell Letter. [16 JULY.] Ministerial Changes. 11

(22) Annual Report on British New Guinea from 1st July, 1899, to 30th June, l!lOO; with appendices.

(23) Rules of the Supreme Court of Queens­land, as of .Friday, the twenty-ninth day of March, 1901.

(24) Rules of the Supreme Court of Queens­land, as of Friday, the seventh day of ,June, 1901.

(25) :North Queensland Ethnography. Bulle­tin No. 1.

(26) North Queensland Ethnog-raphy. Bulle­tin No. 2.

(27) Blue Book for the year 1900. (28) Report of the Police Investment Board

for the year ended 31st December, 1900. (29) The Infections Diseases Regulations of

1901. (30) Statistics of Queensland for the year

1900. (31) Regulations under the provisions of

the Pastoral Leases Act of lHOO.

FAREWELL LETTER FROM HON. W. H. GROOM.

The SPEAKER said : I have to report that I have received the following letter from the Hon. vV. H. Groom, late member for the elec­toral distrid of Drayton and Toowoomba :-

The Parliament of the Commonwealth, Parliament House,

Melbourne, 4th June, 1901.

Snt,-l7nder separate cover I hnve sent you the resig­nation of my seat as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland for the electoral district of Drayton and 1'oowoomba.

J.iay I be permitted through you, Sir, to take affec­tionate leave of the members of the House with whom I have been closely associated for so many years. To have beeu elected to thirteDn Jlarliaments, covering a period of thirty-nine years, is indeed a great honour; and I cannot sever such a long connection without expressing to the House my deep sen~e of the uniform kindness I have at all times received from the long roll of members who have been associated \vith me in the work and legislation of building up Queensland.

Had I allowed personal con::::.iderations to influence me, I might still have been a member of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland; but, as it was the wish of the majority of the electors of t,he large and important district of Darling Downs that I should be their fir~:~t representative in the House of Representatives in the Commonwealth Parliament, I yielded to their wishes from a sense of public duty.

There is, undoubtedly, great legislative work for the Commonwealth Parliament to do, and 1110st momtntous jssues depend upon it; but there is equally great work for the Sta1 e Parliaments to accomplish,andi feel assured, from my past experience, that the members of the State Assembly of Queensland wiU, in the future, as in the past, rise to the occasion, and by the exercise of patriotism and a deep sense of resPonsibility, devote their time and abilities to promote the happine'ls and prosperity of tht.. people, and advance the best interests of the State.

I now, Sir, through you, t~ke affectionate leave of th~ members of the Assembly with the expression of the hope that Divmr Providence will bestow upon them His choicest blessings, and that Queensland and her peovle will grow and prosper more abundantly under their work and deliberations.

I have the honour to be, Sir,

Your obedient serYant, W. H. GROOM.

The Honourable The Speaker, Legislative A'lsembly, Queensland.

HoNOURABLE 11Ei1IBERS : Hear, hear ! The PREMIER : I think this is r:>ther an

unique occasion, and, in view of the Hon. Mr.

Groom's long connection with this House, I move that his letter be put on the records of the House.

HONOURABLE ME~!BERS : Hear, hear ! Mr. BROWNE ( CJ·oyclon): I will second that

motion. :Mr. BELL (Dany) : At the risk of seeming to

appear unkind or unapprechttive, J rise, before that motion is carried, to express my opinion that this is a most unusual propo<al to make in this House. The action of Mr. Groom, in n1y opinion, was a most unusual action, and I am bound to say one which if he did underhke, he should have undertaken m any way but the mode he has adopted. In the House of Commons it is not unusual to find Inen resigning after long Parliamentary experi­er,ce~considera bly longer than that passed by Mr. Groom in this Honse~and after they have passerl. away from the political arena, I have yet to learn that any one of them has written such a letter as the one before ne.

Mr. KERR: H~'s making a precedent. Jlilr. BELL : From this it will seem open

to any ban. member who has had Parlia­mentary experience for _any period_ approach­ing a considerable penod to wnte such a letter of farewell, or dictation, or a letter of any kind to the Assembly to which ~e belonged. I am of opinion that the precedent rs not a good precedent, and that it is not under­taken by Mr. Groom~of whom I speak with re,pect; I bear him no ill-will whatever~ I say that I am of the opinion that he did not write the sort of letter that he should have written, and that the whole proceeding is one that it would be much better for this House not to have anything to do with. · Question~ That the letter be entered on the

journals of the House-put and passed.

PETITIONS. LICENSING AcT~SUNDAY TRAlHNG.

:\Ir. :FOGARTY (Drayton and Toowoumba) presented a petition from the Invincible Tent Independent Order of Rechabites, Toowoomba, protesting against the opening of hotels for certain hours on Sundays.

Petition read and received. Mr. McDONNELL (Fortitude Valley) pre­

sented a petition from the Fortitude [4 p.m.] Valley Branch of the vVomen's

Christian Temperance Union, to the same pnrport, and moved that. it be re­ceived.

Petition received. MINISTERIAl" CHANGES.

The PREMIER (Hon. R. Philp, Townsville): I have to announce that during the recess anum­ber of changes have taken place in the pe?'Sonnel of the Ministry. On the 1st :B'ebruary, 1901, the resignation of the Honourable ,J ames George Drake as a member of the Execuri ve Council was accepted. On the same date the resigna­tions of the Honourable Robert Philp as Treasnrer and Secretary for ::Yiines, the Honour able John Mnrray as Secretary for Railways and Public vVorks, and the Honourable J ames George Drake as Postmaster-General and Secre­tary for Public Instruction were accepted. On the same date the following appointments were made~namely, the Hononrable Robert Philp to be Vice-Pre,ident of the Executive Council, and Thomas Bridson Cribb and John Lea.hy to be members of the Executive Council. On the sotme date the following appoint­ments were also made-namely, the Honour­able Robert Philp to be Chief Secretary and Secretary for 11ines, the Honourable Thomas Bridson Cribb to be Treasurer, the

12 Leadm· if tlze Opposition. [ASSEMBLY.] Address in Repl;IJ.

Honourable .Tohn Murray to be Postmaster· General and Secretary for Public Instruction, and the Honourable John Leahy to be Secretary for Railways and Public Works. On the lRt May, 1901, the Honourable Do.vid Hay Dalrymple was appointed Secr~tary for Agri­culture. These changes were made, first, con­sequent upon the death of the late Sir J ames Robert Dickson and the Honourable J. V. Chataway, and further upon the acceptance of a seat in the Federal Ministry by the Honourable J. G. Drake. I further lay on the table a copy of the Gm·ernment Ga.oette of 19th :February.

LEADERSHIP OF THE OPPOSITION. Mr. BROWNE (Croydon): \Vith the permis­

sion of the House I wish to make a short per­sonal statement. I may intimate to the hon. mem· ber' of tbi; House that my colleag-ues of the Labour party have again done me th" honour of selecting me as the ·leader of that party, and that entails in this House, as hon. members know, the position of leader of the Opposition. I may say at once that I recognise, m<>re parti­cularly at the present time, when there are grave d!f!Jculties stari?~ us in the face, the responsi­bthty of the [JOSttwn, and I can say that while claiming tbe. right, for m ye elf and every member of th1s House, to fully and freely criti­cise and oppose any motion or any business that we may think to be detrimental to the best in­terest' of the colony as a wholE', still at all times I shall be ready tn assist the bon. gentleman at the bead of the Government in g-etting the busi­ness of this House through, and I feel certain that I can rely upon every member of the party that has done me the honour to elect me as its leader, to assist the ban. gentleman in aetting throug-h the public business. "

HosoURABLE MEMBERS: Hear, hear ! The PREMIER : I am glad to hear that

the members on the other side of the House have e)e.cted Mr. Brown_e as. thE' leader of the Oppo­stllun. Last year 1t wtll be remembered that we had two leaders on the other side, and T would much rather deal with one than with two.

Mr. BROWNE: How many were there on that side?

The PREMIER : Only onE' at present. It will certainly tend to working more smoothly and amicably during the present session, and it will not be my fault if it does not.

Mr. BROWNE: Hear, hear! I will help you. Mr. JENKINSON (Wide Bay) : He only speaks

for his own party. HONOURABLE MEMBERS : Oh, oh ! and

laughter. The PREMIER : I am afraid, Mr. Speaker,

that I am under some misapprehEnsion. I thought the hon. member, Mr. Browne, spoke for the other side.

Mr. BROW NE: I spoke for the Constitutional Opposition, which is now the Labour party.

The PREMIER: So far as I understand it, there are only two parties in this House. That is the Labour party, led by Mr. Browne and the party on this side of the House. '

Mr. \V. THORN: Where do we come in? The PREMIER : With this recognised, I am

su_re we shall get on very much better, and things w11l work _very much more smoothly than they have done m the past. I do not wish to refer to what took place last session. ·we certainly had very hard work to do, and we took a long time to get through it. I hope we shall get on much better this session. vV e have a great deal of work ~o do, but if we devote ourselves attentively to tt, we shall get done within a reasonable time.

Mr. JACKSO~: Any more private railways?

The PREMLER: I cannot refer to the busi­ness in the Governor's Speech just now, but in clue time I am certain that this House will have as much business before it as it will be able to get throug-h in the time at its disposal.

THE OPENING SPEECH. The SPEAKER : I have to report that the

House this day attended His Excellency the LiE'utenant-Govrrnor in the Council Chamber, where His Excellency delivered an opening speech to both Houses, of which, for great.er accuracy, I have obtained a copy, which I shall now read to the House. [Vide [Jag-e 2 of Legis­lative Council's proceedings.]

ADDRESS IN REPLY. Mr. MACARTNEY ('l'oowong), who, on rising,

was received with cheers, said : I ri;e to move that an Address be presented to the Lieutenant· Governor in reply to the speech delivered by His Excellency on opening this, the fourth session of the thirteenth Parliament, in the following terms :-

"MAY IT PLEASE YouR ExcELLENCY,-" We, His Majesty's loyal and dutiful subjects,

the Members of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland, in Parliament assembled, desire to assure Your Excellency of our continued loyalty and affection towards the Throne and Person of Our Most Gracious Sovereign, and to tender our thank" to Your Excellency for the Speech with which you have beE'n pleased to open the present Session.

"The various matters to which Your Ex­cellency has referred, and all other matters that may be brought before us, shall receive our most careful consideration, and it shall be our earnest endeavour to so deal with them that our labours may tend to the advancement and pnsperity of the State." It may· bA truly said that we meet on this oeca­sion under circumstances most extraordinary and exceptional. In the first place a change has taken place in the executive head that is pro­vided by the Constitution under which we live, by reason of the lamented death of Her late MHjE'ety the Queen and the accession to the Throne in her place and stead of her lawful suc­cessor, His Most Gracious MajeRty King Edward VII. I feel that every member of this House will approve of the very appropriate and fitting reference contained in the Opening Speech of His Excellency the Lieutenant­Governor to these important events, and that they will join in his expressions of sorrow and regret and of devotion and loyalty. Then, again, we meet at the commencement of a new century, and we meet for the first time as a branch of the legislature of a State of the Commonwealth. Many other important events have taken place since last we met, some of which are subjects for sorrow antl regret, whilE' others, on the other hand, are subjects of pleasure and congratulation. We have, among the latter, the profitable ex­perience of a Royal visit from th<>ir Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York, appropriate reference to which is contained in the Opening Speech. vVe have also bad the interesting experience of a visit from Colonel Wyndbam and the Imperial troops under his command. These visits must be as productive of great g-ood to this colony, as they have ghen satisfaction to our people. I feel that the Government will have the commendation of the people of the colony for the part which they took in securing to Queensland its due recognition in regard to those visits amongst the various States of Australia. As we are told in the Speech, since last we met we have lost two of our mc>st notable members-the Hon. Sir J. R. Dickson

Address in Replp. [16 JULY.j Addres8 in Reply. 13

and the Hon. J. V. Chataway. Members generally, on whatever side they sit, will approve of the very appropriate and kindly references which the Opening Sl'eech makes in regard to the decease of those two gentlemen.

HONOURABLE MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

Mr. MACARTNEY: And I feel that mem· bers will agree th~t the State has lost two useful servauts, that the Government has lost two able colleagues, that the House has lost two a,ble rnemberR, and that members generally have lost two genial, kindly friend,,

HoNOURABLE MEliiBERS : Hear, hear !

Mr. MACARTXEY: Hon. members will, I think, als<• join in congra~ulating the Ministry on the sele,,tions they have ma.de to fill the vacancies which have arisen during the recess, and I take this opportunity of congratular,ing the Hon. T. B. Cribb ami the Hon. John Leahy on their elevation to Cabinet rank. I feel aloo that memberB will support a word of congratu­lation and welcome to our worthy Premi-er on his return to Queensland after a well-deserved rest from the tedium of the routine attached to his very important office.

HoNOURABLE MEMBERS : Hear, hear !

Mr. 11ACAR1'NEY: The action of the hon. gentleman in taking a holida.v has been cr. ticised in some quarters rather adver.,dy, and jokes have been made at his expense, but I take it that hon. members whn are more closely intimate with the great care and re,ponsibility attached to the office of Premier will agree that his health and his family and the i:ltate had the first claim on his consideration.

HoNOUHABLE :\1Eli!BRRS : Hear, hear !

~'[r. MACARTNEY: \Ve are informed in the Opening Speech that the war in South Africa seems within measurable did •nee of termina­tion. That must be a matter for c<mgratulation. It must also be a matter for eongra.tulation that the action nf thi.s Stat.e in connection with th.o,t war has received suitable and general recognition. Our men have done noble duty, and their acts and deods have been recoguioed by tJJOse in authority as tit to he r,,nked among the h;ghest of the deeds performed during the war. Our men deserve well of the State, and I believe it would be the wi'h of every hon. member that, when they have closed their engagement, there should be no cause for complaint with regard to the treatment they receive from the State.

HoNOUHABLg MEMBErts : Hear, hear !

Mr. MACARTNEY: As I have already said, this House meets for the first time as a branch of the legislature of a State in the Common· wealth. Many of the mobt important matter,, which have hitherto attracted the attention of this Home have pas,ed to the Federal Parlia­ment, and it may be truly said that our fnnctions will in future be limited to matters of domestic interesc, and to matters calling for domestic legishttion, It cannot be denied, however, that the approach and consummation of federation has caused considerable financial strain and uncertainty in this State, and it is very evident that it will be necessary for the people of Queens­land to follow very closely the progress of feder0l events. I do not doubt for a moment the ulti­mate benefits of federation to this State, and prob,.bly in the degree indicated in the Speech.

HoNOURABLE :1>1EMBERS : Hear, hear !

Mr. MACARTNEY: I do not wish in any way to pose as a critic on federation matters, but I venture to give expression to the hope that our Sto.te may participate fairly in the appoint­ments which are likely to be made by the Federal Government. I refer, of course, to departments

other than the Customs and Postal Departments. l think it would be an advantage if we lmd at least one officer in each dep:trtment who had a personal knowledge of our State, its people, and its conditions; and I venture to say that we have in our civil service men equally as capable as those to be found in the various civil Sflrvices in the southern States. I shall not say anything further on this subject, except to add that I think it would be an advantage if our representa­tives in the Federal Parliament, particularly at this period of our history, would hasten t.he adj ''stment with reference to the properties to he taken over by the Feder.cl P<>rliament. The Opening i:lpeech very appropriately refers to the unfortunate sr ate of our finances. There is no doubt that a deficiency .,f £500,000, conring a' it dues with the changes and uncertainties attendant upon federation, is a very serit IUB rnat.ter. 'fherP is sorne satisfaction, however, in the fact that the c>tuses of the deficit are very htrgely apparent. Although it is a ma.tter of very sin­cere regret that the deficit is so largely doe to the disa.strous drought which has so long prevailed ill our \Vestern country, and to the ruin of a grPat number of our \Vestern settlers, still, while admitting thP. seriousness of the position, I de::-<ire to endorse the opinion expressed by His Excel­lency the LieutenantMGovernor that "therp. is no cau!:-le for des!~ondency, or even for serious dis~ quietude." \Vith strict economy and improving seasons, of which we :Jore told there are already signs in the rain which has fallen in our Western cnuntry, ma.uters will ~oon right thern~elvet-. and I do not think there is any necessity for wholes<1le reduction;;; or taxa ti<>n, 'or for heroic tr1easures.

As I have said, strict <-conomy and [4'30 p.m.] the return of good se<t<ons will soon

bring about a better stated things. The encourag ment of closer "ettlernent and the development of our va~L resourc~-s will al~o tend very stwngly in the ,ame direcLion. Th"re IS no indication, so far as we can gather L:mn the Speech, th:1t there is any intention whatever to }Jropo.-:;e any heroic measnreH either in the "lhape of a reduction of saLuies or in i. he shape of taxati•m. Ther~ is no doubt "'feeling of 'mxiety amongst a lar:e number of our civil servants that sorne proposition ()f that kind is likel.v to be rnade, and I thiuk it would be an advantage if some statement with reference to the rn"tt•·r were made at an early date. I venture to >ay that any proposals which wnnld have the Pffect of placing the burden of our deficit upnn the shoulders of any one clas-1 in the cmnmunity will receive very little welcome at the hands of hon. members.

:YIE~IBERE of the Opposition : Hear, hear !

:Yir. MACARTXEY : The suggestion, if made, is a very cruel one, and throWi':l unneces­sary anxiety on men who have nothiug to fall baCk upon to mee:·. their financial engagemrmts but their official emoluments. There is plenty of room for strict economy ; and I venture to say that the Government, in anjf reasonable proposals which they may make, Will have the hearty support of every member of the House.

HoNOUHABLE l\1Eli!BERS : Hear, hear ! Mr. MACARTNEY: It is not said that

there is any likelihood of increased taxation, but I also venture to s:>y that if there is any necessity to equalise revenue and expenditure, tt•e Govern­ment will also have the hearty co-operation of every member of the House in any reasonable proposals they may make. \Ve cannot forget the speedy recovery made hy this State after the financial troubles of 1893, and surely we are entit1ed to hope for something from thP factors which then prevailed. Enforced economy must necessarily bring advantages. We have derived advantages undoubtedly from the economy which

14 Address in Reply. [At:ISEMBLY.] A dclress in Repl;IJ·

was necessary in 1893, and many of those ad van­tages are apparent in the improvement since shown in the administration of the affairs of the colony. I cannot pass frotu financial matters without referring to the gratifying announce­ment which appears in the Speech in reference to the success which has attended the placing of our first loan moneys on the Austraiian market. It seems but natural now to refer to that great industry which has sn largely caused the financial trouble in which the colony is to-day. I am glad to notice that a measure is to be brought in dealing with that industry, and I trust that that measure will be a liberal one, and that it will be received by hon. members and dealt with in that large-h•arted way which its importance requires, and which the occasion demands. The story of devastation and loss of stuck, and also of the absolute ruin of a great number of our W estnn settlers, is too well known. It is to be obeerved on every side we look. Possibly hon. members will have an opportunity of hearing details from uther hon. members on either side of the House who have had experience ttt first hand, and who are better qualified to deal with the absolute necessities of the situation. The reference contained in the Speech to our agri­cultural industry and to its condition and pro­gress is decidedly encouragin~. The promise to throw open more land suitable for closer settle­ment will be hailed with satisfaction, as will also the measure promised with respect to luans to farmers. I trust that me,sure will find a place on the statute-book before the end of the session. HoNOURABLl<~ ME~IHERS: Hear, hear !

Mr. MACARTNEY: The references in the speech to the mining industry are very reassur­ing, as is abo the atl:-::urance with I'f:"Jpl:'ct to recent experience of extension of railway COll1-

munication to our mineral districts justifying fresh proposals being placed before us for con­sideration. \Ve cannot in the present state of our £nances too much encourage private enterprisP, particularly private enterprise which will have the effect of developing uur vast resources and faci!itate the progress of closer settlement.

HONOURABLE MEMBERS : Hear, hear !

Mr. MACARTNEY: I feel that any proposal of that kind will receive the fullest consideration at tlu hands of hon. members. 1 personally am fully in accord with tbe system of State-owned rail ways, but I can not see that any proposal for the consrruction of a private line of railway which provides for the optional ac<Juirement of the line by the State on reasonable terms within a reasonable tirne is any subversion of that principle, providec always, of course, that the line is one which the State itself cannot undertake the construction ,,f. In our present position, and in the uncertainty as to what the future has in stnre for us, I think we should lose no opportunity which will tend to bring about greater progreSM and prosperity, and, above all, which will secure labour for our people.

HoNOuRABLE JYIE1IBERS : Hear, hear !

Mr. MACARTNEY : It is gratifying to note, 1\'Ir. Speaker, that a comrnencernent has been made in providing technical education by the openiug of a school of mines at Charters TmvPrS. I am t-:mre the extension of that provision in other parts of the colony would be welcomed by hon. members generally. Such technical education must be a very useful factor in the more speedy and the more satisfactory development of our mining industry. In any brcr,nch of industry or business technical education must commend itself, and it must repay handsomely any expenditure which

may be made upon it, if not immediately, in the speedier progress and development which it will assist, and I feel sure that the people of this colony will not refw•e any financial assistance which may be required tn extend a beneficial system of technical education to the people. I will nut attempt to go through the number of useful measures w hi eh are promised by the Speech. I would like, however, to refer parti­cularly to that dealing with parliamentary elections. The Speech does not in any way indicate its nature. I trust, however-and I know that many hon. members of tbis House also desire it-that it will deal with the question of adnlt suffrage. ME~IBERS of the Opposition : Hear, hear !

Mr. MACARTNEY: We know that many of our people object to it--object to it on prin­ciple; and we know that many of our people expect that great trouble will arise out of it. But I do not share in t!Jose opini-ms or fears. I have even· belief in the common sense of the people wh~n the rn<>tters that they are expected to rleal with are fully and fairly put before them. The question of adult suffrage will carry with it, I ta,ke it, the discussion of another subject-I mean the <Juestion of equal represen­tation. When I look at the list or schedule of the number of electors on the ,June rolls, I find that we have anything but e<Jual representation in this colony at the present time.

Hoxom<ABLE MEMBERS : Hear, hear !

Mr. ::VIACARTNEY: I will take an extreme case. I find that one member of this House represents 493 electors, whilst another member of this House represents nearly six times as many. That, I admit, is the most extreme case to be taken from the list, hut, if the list is care­fully gone throngh, it will be seen that there is absolutely no equal representation at the preeenn time. There is also another very important question arising out of the que'ition of parlia­mentary elections, and that is the number of peoplewhodonot exercise theprivilegewhich they have. I do not know whether this question comes within the purview oft he promised measure, but I think it is a matter that will receive every consideration from hon. members of this House. It has been said that the privilege of voting should carry with it the obligation of voting; and I think the people generally will welcome any discussion which will tend to open up some way of dealing with that particular question. I notice in the Speech, that a local government measure is again promised. That is a very iruportant mea..;ure, anrl I can assnrH hon. Inern­bers that all the local authorities in and around Brisba.ne are very anxious to have it.

Illr. JEXKINSON: Is there any business in it?

Mr. MACARTNEY: I take it that it will contain the alterations in the local governrr:ent laws that are asked for hy local authorities all over the colony, as a result of practical experience standing over a long "eries of years. As a lucal government representative myself, I am deeply conscious of the benefits that. will be conferred on local authorities by these aHera tions. I earnestly snhrnit to the consideration of the Hon. Home Secretary, if there is any doubt of the measure fin-:ing its way on to the statute­book, the de,irability of incorporating the more important amendments and alterations in an amending statute, leaving the ques­tion of consolidatwn for a future date. I notice that the Speech also promises a number of harbour board measures. I trust-and I believe that hon. members generally desire -that the Bill relating to the Brisbane Harbour Board will be brought before us at an early date. If we are to hold our own in the competition

Adclre8s in Reply. [16 JuLY.] Addre8s in Repl;IJ. 15

with the other Stath of the Commonwealth, it is absolutely necessary that we should have har­bour improvements, and also that we should have every shipping facility which can be g-iven. The Speech generally is a hopeful and a satisfactory one, and I believe it is one thttt meets with the ('en~rccl appr<JVal o~ hon. members. It clearly mthcates the necessity at the present time "for judicious, resolute, and patriotic action." With thi.<, I think hon. members generally will agree. It is not my intention to impose too much on the good nature of the House. I must say that I feel indebted to hon. members for the very patient consideration they have extended to me; and I am also deej.Jly indebted to the Premier for the honour he has conferred on my constituents and mysdf in entrusting me with the duty which l have endeavoured to per­form. I have endeavoured to avoid tiresome details, and also to "'void too particular refer­ence to what may prove to he t.he vexed ques­tions of the session, because I do not think it necessary to trespass on the re lS<>nable forbear­ance and kindly feeling which I think should characterise the conduct of the business of this House. In the hcpe that the session may be fruitful of good work, and that it may be characterised by a forbearing and kindly spirit, I have very much ple<1sure in moving the adoption of the Addre'" in Reply.

Ho~OURABLE JYIE1IBERS : Hear, hear !

Mr. TOLMIE (Drayton and Toowoomba), who was alRo greeted with cheers, 8aid: In rising to second the adoption of the Address in Reply which has been so ably moved by the hon. mernbPr for Toowong, I n1ust, aB a new Inember claim your indulgence, if in the ctnm;e of my remarks I may in any wny transgress the forms of the House. As you are well aware, I am perfectly new to this position; I know nothing at all about the Standing Orders or the forms of the House. I would not willingly transgress them, and, if I do so unwittingly, l must claim your indulgence. I can endorse all that has been said b,- the mover of the Address in Heply regarding the importance of the session that we are now entering upon, and with regard t0 the events that have transpired since the House last met. The death of Her Most Gracious Majesty, who presided over the destinies of this Empire long before our Queensland Parliament came into existence, is an event that has stirred the hearts and saddened the whole of the Empire. In her son we look for a continuance of that g"od govern­ment t.hat took place during her long reig·n. I need say not hi ne< further concerning tbe<e events, because they have been spoken of so frequently, and I am sure that hon. members feel the position as strongly as I do. Consequently it is unneoessary for me to enlarge on those matters. With regard to the unification of Australia as I may term it-the formation of the Cm~mon­wealth of Australia- I think this is a matter for great congratulation on the part of the people ·throughout the whole continent. It is an important step. Although it has shorn this House of some of its powers, still it has invested us in a new national life, and I believe that the bonds of sympathy that formerlv existed between the various States is no ,v strengthened and that in the future Anstnlb will speak with one united voice. That will be of far greater impcrtance and carry much more weight than Ausc.ralia speaking as isolated Stace,. The loss the St:lte has sustained in the deaths of the late Sir James R. Dickson and the late Hon. J. V. Chataway, hon. members in this House are better ablA to realise than I am able to express, for they have had the pleasure of working with those gentlemen in the ;Jast. They know how assiduously they endeavoured to perform their

onerous duties-how animated 1 hey were with the desire to further the progress of the State; and 1 am sure that the sympathies of the whole of the members of this House go out to the bereaved gentlemen's families.

HoxouRABLE MEMBERS: Hear, hear !

l\Ir. TOLl\HE : But while we do our duty in paying a tribute of reoj.Ject to the memory of the dead, our work at the present time is with the living-. At this juncture we are told that the position of Queensland is a very serious one. \Ve have a deficit of £500,000 to meet. Now I don't think that is such a very serious po<ition altogether. \Ve have had to make up deficits before, and we have always succeeded in getting over the difficulty. From the experience of the past, we have learned that the resources of this State are so gnat, that this colony has such recuperative forces, that we may go on cheerfully, and that, in the nature of the course of events, we shall have surpluses instead of deficits. However, at the present time, we have the deficit to meet. A most important question that has to be considered by this House is : Is this deficit going to be met by placing further burdens <•n the people of this :State? I am S>Jre that the people of this State will not be behind the people of any other State in the matter of bearing any burdens that may be thought necessary to be borne ; but, if there is a way of meeting this difficulty without impos­ing further burdens upon the people, then it is our duty to take that course. \Ve may be sure that the people will look to us doing w before they submit to further burdens being placed on their shoulders.

An HONOCRABLE MEMBER: Somebody has to pay the piper.

Mr. TOLMIE : It has juRt been remarked that somebody has to pay the piper. I say that in the course of two or three years the return of good seascns will bring again prosperity to ~ueensland, and we "hall then have a "urplus as we have a deficit at the present time. Well, in the meantime, we have to make preparatinns to meet our obligations. There is a deficit of £500,000. That deficit can be made up by the issue of Treasury bills if necessary.

MEMBERS of the Opposition : Ah, ah ! Mr. TOLMIE: And all that is necessary for

us to do, is to provide for the interest on those Treasury bills, without burdening the people in any way. But we in this House can provide a certain proportion of the interest that is necessary to meet the interest payable on the deficit. If we are going to place burdens on the people of Queensland, we must commence by placing burdens on our own shoulders. This House at present can stand a reduction in the number of members.

HoNOURABLE l\IEMBERS: Hear, hear ! I\lr. TOLMIE : Every one of the members

di,pensed with will mean a saving of £300 to the State.

HoNOURABLE MEMBERS : Hear, hear! Mr. TOLMIE: Further than that, the mem­

bers nf this Hou"e can stand a reduction in the emoluments paid to them.

HoNOCHABLE ::\lEMBERS: Hear, hear ! An HoNOURABLE MEMBER : Ten per cent. all

round. l\Ir. KEOGH : Let us commence at the top of

the tree. Mr. TOLMIE : \Ve are asked to commence at

the top of the tree, and, so br as I am con­cerned, that is the Legislative Assembly of Queensland. I hope that this House will have sufficient manliness to commence with itself before it commences with any other persons in

16 Address in Reply. [ASSEMBLY.] Adclresg in· R'ep1);.

the State. If, by the reduction of the salaries of the members of this House to the extent of £100 per annum, and the diminution of the number of members of the House from seventy-two to fifty, we shall t.e able to provide more than half the amount of money that is neces8ary to pay the interest on any debentures that it may be neces­sary to i'sue in oder to meet this deficit, I hope that the members of this House will ,.eriously consider the position, and will endeavour to bring about such reforms as I have already indicated. This n1ay be, of cour~e, obnoxiou~ to snme-I have no doubt it is-but we all have at times to meet di;appointm•·nts, to face difficultias, and to do things that are disagreeable. It may be neces­sary, if my line of policy is carried out, that Drayton and Toowoornba should be represented by only one member, and it might fall to my lot tr; be a,k,"d to stand aside. In the interests of Queen,land, I hope I should be prepared to stand aside, and I think that that is a posi­tion that every member of this House should take up at the present juncture. When our population is much more tr.an it is at present it will be necessary to have more reprt-sentatives, but it seems to me out of place that a colony which has a population of onlv half-a-million should be represented by seventy-two members in this House.

An HoNOURABLE J'.fEii!BER: Hear, hear!

Mr. TOL\1LE: It has been said that retrench­ment may h~ ve to take pl&ce. In the ordinary bu,ine'8 of life, when we find that we are unable to make both enr:Js meet, we go in for retrench­ment. I have a! ways considered that the State shoulcl pnrsue the oppo,ite policy to a large extent. If there are any hraiJches of the service ovennc-tnned-if there are any persons \\ ho are paid f r doing wh>tt is practically no work-then it if> t.he d'lt,y of the State TO economise in that direction, but when the :::-:ervice il-> not over­mannerl, a·•d every man that is employed is doing the busine" of the Stat•·, a11d is doi11g his full share ol work, then I think it wuu!d be disastrons to tbe colony to effect any retrench­ment in that direction. In a State snch as ours a great deal of the business of the community depends upon the amount of Govt~l rnn,_,nt money tha.t is bPing spent. If private citizen~ and commercial men find that the Gov~rnmen"t are beginuing to retract so far as expenditure i~ eoncerned, they also begiu to draw in their horns, and the consequence r,f that is that a grPat many people are thrown on the labour market. Thr'Y become superfluous-in fact, unemployed--rrnd the num­ber ot unemployed becomes very much grr.1ter than it should be in a State that is in a fairly prosperous conditinn, Consequently it is the dutv of the Government at such a time as this to mail1tain a fair arrwunt of expenditure, not to abandon 1 heir works policy, but to go on with it, so that there may be constant employment for the people. Tbe public works as a rule are constructed out of loan money, o.nd that money is obtainable whe· her the colony is ahle to meet its en~af{ements in one yPar or not, because, so far as t.hP Briti"h money-lenders are concerned, a mere deficit' f " couple of hu' dred thousands in a State such as Queen.;land, with its great resourcPs, is not con.;iden-d to any great extent in tendering for further loans. If we proceed with the con­strucrion of pHblic works, such as necessary rail ways, during a time when the. State is suffer­ing a~ it is now, then when pro.;pErity returns we shall have these railways built and earning money. The !•olic.y which has been pursued in the past has been more in the direction of constructing lines dnring a time of prosperity, and almost ::ts soon as they are constructed adverflity overt 1kes the country, and the lines remain idle for a number

of years. I think if we adopt the reverse policy it will be a step in the right direction. From< my point of view, the path to prosperity lies in the direction of the development of ouP great primary industries. A few weeks ago I had the oppormnity of seeing some of the South­western district& of Queensland, and a more appalling scene of de.,olation I never saw in my life, and I never wish to see it again. The pastoralists of South-western Queensland-! believe it is the Rame in the North-western districts too, but of that I cannot speak from personal experience-are in this position : their country in fair seasons is able to prove remunera­tive not only to themselves but to the State, but in such a season as this, they cannot make both ends meet. They are now nearly at the end of their lease", and they cannot go to the financial institutions and ask them to grant them assist­ance to re-stock, because in the districts to which I allude the pastorali"ts-and of course in that term ·I include the selectors as well-have lost from 50 to 80 per cent. of their Rtock. They require money to enable them to re­stock, but the financial institutions wiJl, not advance that money on the present length of time that the leases have to run. It will bP nece,sary for this House to con­sider the advhableness of extending the leases. of the pastoralbts in the Western country. From my point of view, I think it is very desirable that we should do so. \Ve have only one of two alternatives. We must either extend those leases which have only a short term to run or we must keep them in our own hands earning nothing. It may be said that we can put other men on tiiem ; but what is the u;e of putting inexperienced men on \Vestern country, when it takes experienced men all they know to make a liviDg? I 'hall support any policy which will deal liberally with tllose lands su long as it is not prejudicial to the rest of the colony. I am pleased to "ee reference made in the Speech to the agricultural industry. At the present time that industry iH the mainstay of the State of Queensland. It is the backbone of the colony, and I hope it will cuntinue to be so for mauy years. [n tbe part of the State I con,e from tt•e agricultural industry has pro­gressed remarkably Lst in re,, nt years, and I am pleased that the Government recngnise that it is r:~pable of being made to progress even faster in the future. So far as cl•Jse settlement is concerned, it is satisfactory to note that the Government in tend to settle people in those parts of the colony where the rainfall is fairly regular, and where there is a good prospect of farming becoming ren1unerative. ~here is no part of Queensland where those conditions obtain to a greater extent tban on the Darling Downs.

Mr. KEOGH: West Moreton.

Mr. TOLMIE: If hon. merr.bers desire it I will include West lYioreton, but on this occasion I am here to draw special attention to the Darling Downs, and to appeal for increased encourage­ment to the agricultural industry. There are a great many estates that could be acquired there on very reasonable terms now for which in ten years' time we shall have to pay most exorbitant prices. The Government has be en blamPd for lettin!' the Felton Estate slip through their fingers. It is rather unfortunate, certainly, that they lost the opportunity of purchasing Felton, because I have not the least doubt that it, in conjunction with half-a-dozen other estates which might be repurchased, would become closely set.tlecl in a very short time. I hope in any proposed land legislation which may be brought forward provision will be made for re­pmchasing more of the estates on the Darling

.Address in Repl,y. [16 JuLY.] .Address in Repzy . 17

Downs. The success which has attended the re­purcha<e of estates there has been su great that I am .:mre no one will take exception to an extension of the system of acquiring these lands for close settlement. I have heard gentlemen on both sides of the HouRe express a desire that more of these lands should be acquired, and some have said it is the fault of the Government that this ha,s not been done. While I may disagree with the latter part of the statement, I am strongly wi h them in their desire to see more of these est .. tes acquired by the Government. I "m pleased to see from the Speech that the mining industry is progressing, and that the advan­tages of the extension of railway communica­tion to various fields are being experienced. Reading through that para~raph, I think we may infer that it is the intention of the Govern­ment to introduce additwual private railw .. ys during this session. I may say that that is a part of their policy with which I disagree. I have listened to the a•guments adduced on both sides. From a commercial point of view, I have no doubt it is desirable that people who wish to spend money in the direction of con­structing lineil of rail way should be allowed to do so. But I look at the matter partly fr,>m the sentimental point of view. It may not of course be as strong as the comrnercial point of vie\v, but if we were to run everything on strictly commercial lines, I think in the course of a few years we shoul:l find that it was not altoget,her to our advantage. Sentimentalism enters very largely into our composition, and if we believe that by adopting a certain policy immedia•e good mav result, but that in the furure a gre>t deal of harm may accrue, then I believe it is our duty to l'•ok to the future as much a,; to the present; and it is hec1use I have

ome to the conclusion that there is a danger h>et in t'1e future Queen-land will regret having

a d"al control over her railways, that I take the stand I have takEm upon this question, and cannot support the policy of the Government in the n1a.tter of the coo~tructi1m of tJri vate rail­ways. I am very pL,ased to learn that technical education has roct•ived an impetus by tlw estttb­lishment of a school of mines at Ol1arters Towers. I think before long it will be the duty of Qneenslaod to r"vise her s.··stern of education in the direction of liberalising and perfecting both Lechnical rtnd secondarY education. Tech­nic<>l education as we have h at preo-ent is not returning that service which we rnight expect when we consider the anwunt of rnoney it coAts, and that arises largely from the fact that it is not under such cl•lSe Shte supervision as it ought to be. I think if we more closely followed the system in vogue in Engbmd we should derive a great amount of advantage. Onr secunclary systdn of education will also require atr..eution, because at the present time uur grammar schoole are absorbing a Lngt> amount of revenue, and are not retnrning to the State the amount of service that we might expect from them. E:;ch of the grammar schools is e11dowed to the extent of £1,000 a year. £10,000 a year is given to ten grammar schools, in addition to what is paid in the way of scholarships and bursaries. I consider that we shall have to deal with the whole of our second<try system of educa­tion as we have dealt with primary education; that i~, make it free to all. The expenditure will not be nmch grc:1ter than it is at the present time, and such a syst.em would have the advan­tage of turning out a greater number of fairly educated men and women. Expending as we do £10,000 a year in the shape of grammar school endowments we provide thirty-six scholarships, which, being tenable for three years, really amount to 108 scholarships in currency at the one time. It seems perhaps hardly fair

1901-c

to say that 108 scholarships cost £10,000 a year, because we also provide the means of educating a number of children whose parents pay for them, but I do not think there should be any distinction between our systems of primary and secondary education. _They should both be free, and I hope that desirable result will be bronght about before very lo:1g. A great number of Bills, all of them of import­ance, no doubt, are to be introduced. Some of them relate to subjects of which I have very little knowledge, and consequently I do not pro­pose to discuss them. But in the list there are two which I should like to see passed this session. The first io that which proposes to make pro­vision fnr cheap money for farmers. It is placed at the bottom of the list, but I think it has been placed there on the old principle that the last shall be first, and that before very many clay, are passed we shall have that measure before the House. Such a measure was introduced last session, but unfortunately it was lost. If we are, going to settle people on the land we must also endeavour to keep them there. It is no use asking thPm to go on the land, and ttlen in a number of years, when they have ab,orbed all their small capital, turn them adrift. A man who has selected and occupied a small plot of land can work it better than a stranger, and that is the IT Json I say keep him on the land; and to ensure that, in addition to providing meu "ith land, we should also provide them with a small amount of capital to enable them to carr.v on. The farming class are the hardest worked and thrifti• st class of people under the snn. Year after year they put up with reverses which would paralyse other individuals, and still they have great heart, and work on and on until ulti­mately their efforts are crowned with success. It is our duty to keep that cbss of people on the land, and we can d~ so by granting them a reasonable amonnt of "" ;Jstance. In the other States of the Oornmnn wealth it has been the practice for bOrrte time past to grant assiR'ance to agriculturists. From llJY experience and rc;:adiug in connection with the a~sbtancA which has been granted to farmers in other :States I have learnt that it has been a pronounced succes~ in all cases, and, that being so, I think we have reawn to ho1Je and believe it '\Vill be a great snccestl in Queensland. The other measure in this list of Bills to which I aJlude is ttle one dealing with the inspection of dairies. That also is a question which affects the agricultural interest. The dairying- industry has progre·, 3eCi by enormous strides within the last few years. Last. year the manufacture of bntter alone amounted to nearly !1,000,000 lb., and that of cheese to over 2,000,000 lb., being an increase of over 30 per cent. on the previous year. An indnstry of that. description is worth fostering. Our market in future must be on the Continent of Eur\)pe, and unle~8 \VB send the very be.st article there we are likely to lose our reputation for making good butter and cheese, and once we looe that reputation it will be hard to get it back. Consequently, it will be to the interest of this­State to have all dairies properly inspected, so that the produce therefrom may be of the purest and best. Bnt while I advocate proper inspection, I desire that any Bill passed for· that purpose should not be of too drastic a character, as some of the legislation which has been passed in years gone by has been. Legisla-· tion of that sort defeats its own object. Every· dairyman admits that there is reasonable gronnd for in,pection of some sun, and the people of the State h~_ve c;om~ to rec?gnise ~bat the s~fety of the pnbnc hes m the mspectwn of daJries. Many of O\Jr diseases are milk-borne, and if we have proper inspection of <lairies, that will be a step in the direction of eradicating disease •.

18 Jo,int Com,nittees. [COUNCIL.]

There are other points in the Openinf( Speech which might be spoken on at length, but I do not wish on this occasion to tire the House, having only made my first appearance before it. I desire to thank the House for the courtesy and attention with which my remarks have been listened to, and I conclude by saying that I believe that the carrying out of the major part of the policy sPt before the House in the Governor's Speech will mean a return of prosperity to Queensland and prngress in the future. I beg to second the adoption of the Address in Reply.

HoNOURABLE MEMBERS : Hear, hear ! Mr. BROWNE (Croydon) : I beg to move

the adjournment of the debate. Question put and pase;ed ; and resumption of

the debate made ({n Order of the Day for to­rnorrow.

The Honse adjourned at nineteen minutes past 5 till 3 o'clock to-morrow.

AddPtss m Reply.