Parliamentary Debates [Hansard] - Queensland Parliament€¦ · ,,.e are. losing every year a tramcmtlnns an1ount of stock through ignorance of the means of dealing with diseases

Queensland

Parliamentary Debates [Hansard]

Legislative Assembly

WEDNESDAY, 11 FEBRUARY 1920

Electronic reproduction of original hardcopy

29!8 Adjaurmne1tt. [ASSEMBLY.] Stt]Jply.

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY.

WEDNESDAY, 11 Fl:BllU/JiY1 1920.

The S PE.U>f:R (llon. W. 8ertr11m, :tfarcc?; took t he r.hnir at ha lf-pnst 3 <''clock p.m.

st·rrLY. RJISI'":I!I'TJox o r 0o~DurrsE-'f£=>"TJJ

1\ l.I.O'!TEO DAY.

(.'lr. ,.;milT., Jlrr tkn!/, 1n tl• c rlw ir.)

Qu~stion-Thilt £27, L77 be !fl'anted for · ., D~rarronent of llgrir ulturo and StockChitd Oll:ice "-statecl.

The SECRETARY FOR AGRI(;t!L'l'l'RE (I:Jon. W. X GilliE>s, '8an11/1m) : ·wt.en th& ~itting <'lu•etl last nigh t ~ wa.s just c;xpl~ir;· JO g thj! l'Casons £01· th•J mct·en5od vote th l& veor. I was saving that th~ro 1n•re substaniial increasP.~ to prurlica ll~· all th0 olii~rs. as prtN·ribl.!d b,v the c:las>ificatim• of gcner.aT. ofli r11rs b" ~lr. Slol'l', lion. ntPmbP o·s wtll notice that the nmotlllt i,J Jo;-s~ a d eduction of £ 2,000 for work pel'iotmecl bv officer~ io the h~ac.l offic<- fo 1• Yal'ious ti'Ust 'fund<. Thll' lllllPunt i~ made t•P us follows :-Di~ea ~<'s i n S tr,ck and DisNtoco in Plnuts _-\<'t •. £1.350; Sug•l o' Expet·iwent Staf ioM Act. £50: R~gulatlou 11f Sug3r Cane Pric:cs :\et. £600. Theit<'m of wag.;s, t••ave lling expense!', etc., shows a ~-~dtwtlon of £250.

Mr. C'ORSER (H11r11111) : This is th& gl'Oil tosl tlc•J)artrucnt, ot' on!) of the gJ'Cl> tC~t dcpartn•<-nt~, of tht> Stat!!. The ~uec~ss o r thP who le State tl~ttc nc1s npo n pr o<Jn,.;ion. an(l J} l'Odu<>tion <lapend; upon its nu r sing hy the Ag t·i.-ulttn·nl Depo••tmc>nc. \Ve have quitt n. numbo1· of f.'~pf.'rts in the vn riou• bt·a.nches of our n11·al pu r.•uils-111en who hal'e been frnin P.d and arquircd D gl'eat knowl~>dge in nil thut pcrt·uins to tit•• information n c ~cs~:u·y to fndv>o· nn incl'Pnse i n our genE>r a l produCt io n. Pl•ob11bly th ~ grea.t<•s t fa<'t ur towards

Supply. [11 FEBRUARY.] Supply. 291!)'

bringing about succ~ss in that direction is the practical and theoretical training in agriculture of our )'Oung men, and our young women too. It is for us to sa v whether the Agricultural Department is fully alive to that fact. and to say whether what it is doing in that direction is sufficient. Our Agricultural College has bt:en established for a number of years.

::\ir. KIRWA~: You were a student of that college?

::\fr. CORSER: Yes, and I stand to the credit of that institution. (Laughter.) But it was not at that time administered bv the present Government. The Stock Department of Queensland should be a very big hctor, and one that we should encourage in every 1vay, considering th<> big part it plan. iu our industries. We know that · our cattle industry depends upon the export of onr beef, to a great extent, and our sheep industry depends upon the r!xport of our mutton as well as the future development of woollen factories in Australia. So it is to be hoped that the department, 'ooner or later, will play a far greater part in the affairs of Queensland than at prl?··eEI. \Ve know that Queensland covers a great area and has varied climates, and we want very great experience to enable us to use the v" ried soils a!ld climates to the greatest ndvanta ~e. \Ve are not dealing with one 'nw1l <'mmt~v, with one soil, and one dimah". The~·e fore, our Agricultural Chemist's Department should be used to the greatest extent, and should be available to persons in e·ccry part of the State, so that the true niues of the soils and the influence of the climatic conditions should ba made known gmtis to all those who wish to makt• their living from the land.

One of the greatest functions of the d<•partment is no doubt assistance in rcsea1·•~h work. Particularly might this be said in rC'-lW.ct to resistance to disease in stock. If we had n1ore encouragement in f hese tirnes .a.Inon,:r the gentlemen who are at the h<•ad of th~ various branches, I think we· could do mnch to save our stock along that line, and so save to the people of Queen•land millions of money _as the years go by. \Ve know that ,,.e are. losing every year a tramcmtlnns an1ount of stock through ignorance of the means of dealing with diseases. Cert.1in lm<11ch<>s of the department go in for the preparation of vaccine to prevent dis~ase, but not to any very great extent does th<:> people's confidence rest in the use of buch l'accmes. Something might be done to stimulate the confidence of people in the department and I would be at all times willing to assist such steps in the interest of the State.

The activities of the d<'partment might also be employed along the lines of the extermination of pests, and I think \VC might easily wake up some of the branches in this respect. If the entomolog·ist and vegetable pathologist's office is to be run in the same way as at present, then' will not be much chance of getting very much of a move on. The greatest encouragement should be given to those who are investigating cane diseases and fruit diseas<'s and all other diseases that are causing such havoc in our rural industries. Even in a good season quantities of fruit are lost to the producer owing to the fact that Queensland, unfortunatelv, is harbouring too many pests in every section of our agricultural and stock industries.

Another direction in which greater consideration might be given is preparation fordrought. I do not know that the Department of Agriculture has done anything very gr<>at iu this direction in the past. \Ye know that they are ront<>mplating the extension of the system of mpplying silos, but I do r;ot know whether the greater primar;· assistance is being givmr to the individual to enable him. to secure water on his holding. I do not know that it would not be a rnattt'r tlut~ the Ag-ricultural Deputment conld W<>Jl handle in the interests of the farmers, partieu· larly now that there must be some inspection in connection with those who make application for assistance under the regulations to the Co-operative Ag-ricultural Produ:Jtion and Advanc<'s to Farmers Act, 1914 Jo 1919. I do not know that the department could not just as well handle the question of providing \\ater to individuals without going· in for any very great irrigation scheme. The provention of dis<>ase, conservation of fodder, and the providing of water are thr<>e great things that should be tackled by the Department of Agriculture and Stock to a far· greater degree than has ever been attempted by the department under any Government in the State up to the present time. In the past, on every occasion I have had the· opportunity of speaking on this vote, I have· not spared the department in the criticisms that I thought due, not probablv because of any fault on th<> part of the officials of the· 1

department, but probably we are to bl~me b<>cau'e of the small amonnt we approprrate towards the ''xpenses of the department. \V cmust realise that there is a v<:rv small amount appropriated. No doubt, there is an increase· this year, but that increase is probably necessary owing to the administration of the· various Acts.

Mr. PETERSO:<r : I would like to see the vote four times as large.

Mr. CORSER : I would like to see very great increase in the amount voted, in the· hope that the department wonld take chief place amongst the departments of the State, as it w<Juld then be able to fulfil all that is expected ·of it. I will always support any increase in the vote for this department when necessary.

Mr. O'ScLLIVA:<r-: And then charge the Government with extravagance.

::\Ir. CORSER: It is not extravag·ance to. do anything. that will increase production. I do not think it extravagance to do something towards investigating diseases in our plam and stock ]if,, in Queensland or towards making the life of the man in the bush a happy one; or towards making possible an earlier· return for the work he does. Such expenditure could not be considerod wasteful, as it would be advantageous to the city and countrv dweller alike. ViT e must remember that what is the producers' gain is no man's loss. The calling is not popular enough in QuPPnsland. In some countries, particularly in Victoria. the rural population enjoy far· better conditions than in this State.

Mr. O"ScLLIVA~: Then why do they come up here?

Mr. CORSER: The Victorian rural people are being crushed out. Victoria is not in the· happv position occupied by Queensland, which. holds a huge amount of cheap land. Victorian lands are well filled and very expensive. \Ve are not nd.vocating extenRiYo arP,lS: of very expensive lands bene, but what I dosay is that we should encourage onr rural'

Mr. Corser.]

2920 Supply. [ASSEMBLY.] Supply,

industries and make the calling more popular than it is at the pre,ent time. \Yhatever we can do in that direction should be done. \Ye should be careful, too, that the develorment of our industrie,g is not hampered by the introduction of imitations. I really see a serious danger in 1nargarine being con~ sumed in Australia to the great detriment of

-our dairying industry. We know that the dair;ving industry is responsible for all the new settlements throughout thE' State. If we .had not the great co-operative system that we havP establish<'d in Queensland we could not have got along in the way we have; we

-could not have established as we have done a real solid dairying industry. I hope the Minister will take whatever steps are essential to protect the dairying industry against the margarine manufacturers. I .know there are many places where margarine is being eaten in place of butter, even in thi~ community to-day. I notice under the regulations that have been framed to enable

,people to secure advances under the Co-operative Agricultural Production and Advances to Farmers Act that there are some mattprs that do not go towards promoting encouragement to the people who want a·dvances. Under the form for security for advances I notice that the se<>uritv that is desired is an unknown .factor. 'I notice that under the Act the J1,1inistpr can accept even a letter or a

•statement a& sufficient sreurity; but, unfortunately, the regulations as drawn up are more east-iron like, and no payment of the whole or any portion of the a.dvance shall be made by the ::Vlinister until due soourity thPrefor has been gi vPn to the satisfaction of the GovPrnor in Council in the case of a company, or to the satisfaction of the Minister in the case of a farmer, dairy farmer. <'lr sheep farmer. as the caoe. may be ; and no .~ecurity shall be de.pmed dup security unless it includes aho the progeny of any stock ·secured on an advance under the Act. That is not a very lenient provision. Or-

" B1· wav of lien on wool· or bv wav of lie·~! on crops of ,,ll kinds/ . .

Then, in connPdion with the branding of live ~toc·k, the regulations provi.de-

" All pigs, sheep, or dairy cattle purchased by mean;; of any advanee under these Acts, tog<>ther with the progeny of the same during thP continuancP of the '·reuritv. shall be marked bv the borro\,:-er--'' ~

I do not know that that is es .entia!. A man ·cannot trade <lS he sl10uld be able to trade. It is e ·-sential to trade in stock as opportunitv offer'·. Thev can ask the Minister wlwthc·r they may sell or not.

The SECRETARY FOR AGRIC'FLTURE: The Minist<>r'~ permission •vill not be withheld

·so long a 1, the securlt~T is safe. Mr. CORSER: \Yith a fluctuating market

the ::\Iinistpr mav l'ot alwa,-s consider it safe in a eertQin district, whereas those living in another area may know that it was safe. I -do not think the reg-ulations are free enongh to enal,le the hPst to he got out of the dPal. No stoek r-an be taken on agistment in connection. with a property on whieh is running a ccrtam nuw_her of 0attle secured for monev borrowed under this Act. so I do not know that thP regulation' as drawn up are in keeping- with tlw -.pirit of the Act. I think the Act is morE' lPnient than the regulations. and I fear that it will not he of the advantage that I sincerely hope it will be. If there is anything that should be done by the

[il[r. Corser.

Agricultural De];lartment, it is to give enc<;uragement to those who have had a ba<l time through the drought. I was hopeful that a million or so from Loan Funds would have been made available to assist t·hose farmers who have lost their stock, whether it be cattle, sheep, or horses, and to. <tssist people to find water and also to provide assi,tance to men to i~prove their farms by increasing their areas of grass lands by scrub fe~ling, and to increase the supply of water m all ·directions. I was hoping th<tt an amount of moneY would be available for these purposes, a~ well as for the conservation of foddpr.

The bell indicated that the hon. member's second portion of time had expired.

Mr. O'SULLIVAN (Kennedy): I would like to call the Minister's attention to the need of establishing an agricultural c?llege in the North, where we have country smtable for the growing of tropical crop~. ~ore than half the area of Queensland IS withm the tropics and to do justice to the North and Centre'.ve should have an agricultural college devoted purely to tropical research and the growing of tropical crops. Tak~ cotton, for insoonce. Cotton can be grown m the North verv successfullv. In my electorate some yea'rs a"'o cottori: was grown in the Southern Cross district and if we went in more for the growing ~f tropical products it would he to the benefit of Que0nsland and would help to populate the North.

Mr, CoRSER: What about the Kamerunga State Farm at Cairns? Could they not put students there?

Mr. O'SULLIV AN: That" is wllPre they grow coffee. Cotton can be grown south of Cairns, and grown successfully. right along the belt from Ravenswood JunctiOn almost to Hughonden, and it would be a good thing if the Government wrre to demonstrate to the people thP profits accruing from cottongrowing. .\s we know, cotton has increased very much in price of late, and we in Queensland should rPa p some of the benefits to be derived from the high price of cotton. I hope the GovernmPnt will take that into considc>ration and go in for demonstration plots around Charters Towers and in the Kenncdv di"tri0t. Mining has gone down there, and we want to keep the population in the North, and to do that the people want <>very encoumgement from the Government. The Government should demonstrate what are the most profitable crops to grow in the North. Population has not inerPase.d in the }\'orth owing to the fact that they have not goiw in for agriculture. There is too much nf dragging people into the citie" in the Southprn portion of the Statre. and thp popuhtion of the North i, not increasing as it should owin"' to the want of proper protection and Oi>"'ing- to the people not growing those crops which the country is fitted to

grow. Tobacco could bP grown [4 p.m.] in the North, too. It has been

growing in the Bowen elPctorate for vears. and there are parts of the Kenn"edy electorate which could be devoted to it. When the tobacco expert was up there, sOlllE' fourteen or fifteen years ago, he demonstrated that there was soil there which could "'row a certain class of tobacco profitably. "Then there is the sisal hemp industry.

Mr. G(TNN: You don't hang anybody now; you don't want hemp.

Supply. (11 FEBRUARY.) Swpply, 2921

Mr. ()'StTLLIYAN: To !war hon. members -onposite o,nyon4' would think thnt the Dar· 'ing Downs wns the lnth or t.he univey~e. and thnt th€'l'E' was nothing outside it.. We have bc•nntiful c·onntr,v in the l'\orth which wotlld grow O!i'nr!y ever~·thi ng. Th~;>t·e .i~ no doubt n !m or mlr tropic:tl c-ountr~· wt!I be fp·owing wh+>M <>n the d 1· v farming principle in the fniure. •

Mr. B~BIHNGTON: Too expensive.

Mr. O'Sl'LLIVA~: Country which cun 11row bcautiCul grn'J'; like that t1fl the1·e will ~;row wh&at., wit.h ~ proper way of lor.king 11 fter h.

Mr. BEI!llJNGl'Ot>: Th~rc is a. difference in the expense in growing wheat and growing '\r!'llSS.

Mr. '{)'Sl' J_,LIVAN: It does not take a~ rnnc-h t.o-day 10 grow a bushel of wheat as it r;lid vears ll!ZO. l:ncl~t· present coni:litions you' can, garner a bushe l of w.h~llt :for something hke 6~d. n bushel, whereas fifty years al{O it C06t 3:;. or 4s, One rna.J'I can do niOTe work 1o-day thnn hnlf o <l<17.t'n men ~ould do then,

Mr. BES!ll:o;cTo:o;: You havo had no experi-ence. Go nnd try it.

Mr. O'SCLLIYAK ~ The hon. gentleman has- been asleep. He goes along in the S!'me old wav his Qt~ndfather went. We hM·e rrwcl~rn 'machin'i:;ry to mu.ke it possible to c.h~~p~n production. We can go in for growio;,: oranges nn<l Intits llke t.hat in the North. Round nbout Broughton there ne sorne of the best oranges which are grown in Qu,..cu;lnnd. These things require to be madl' public so that people can know whu.t they are doing. and how tll proceed in order to supJ>I~· the mnrket.o of t .ht> nonhern town· r;,hips u,nd ~·itie~. I hope ~he Minister will see hi> wa~· <1lear to do a~ I have nsked. I ad\'t~t•att•d. lit~ establishm!:'nt of ag~ieul· tmn I plot~ m dtfferent parts o f the North _year$ agiJ wlu,•n we were in opposition, I impre~-;l'd upon the A:zric•uhurnl Department then ThC' nl'ed for it. W e need lt j ust '"' lllll!'h now. :wd I tiiTI ~urc the s.''lll[H\thetic Mini~ter \\'C base tt0\1' in office will do nil he f':tll iu thnt rlircction.

Mr. nEBBI~GTON (Dru!flonl: ThC' hon. me•hller rt~rrHHkl!d how ohN•rly wheat ronld h·~ e-~rnerocl. T might infot·m him rhnL one ....,r rhNc mnrhin('S hr· talk~ abou~ cost~ £~50 fot• n ~ion. Tlw hon. rnembe•· st•erns 10 th ink lhl'l'D thing!< tu·e \ 'N',v easy. T hey >tre. nntil Y"lt rt•,· tht•m. ~1••n like t.h•• hon. rnPmbPr, who d~rry cupitlll n11tl wu.nt to IJLu·~t tho ·whole· rhit1g t•1', "ill · put 11 $ bnck to the d.,ys of Adam. Y£"t th e~· tfllk o~10\ll gtll'nt·r· in11 ,.:•·u i 11 b.v thC' latEOst muchm~>r.v. wilco thf'Y ure dccrxiu!f rapit<tl nll the time. I otn rather "urpr:~fld ltt tho ~mu.ll inct·ense io thi ~ 1·r•tc. A> th" hot\. OIPm'btot· ft>r l3•u·· IH'it ~" 1J. t hi• ,hould be one of onr mQsL 1mpnrt~nt d!!partmmus. 1 am not. blaming thi; Oul'('l'nllh'nt nn" mllrc thnn past Go· vPrnmcnt~. 'rht? A~ riru lClll'>'ll Dopa t·tml!nt. hil~ br••n nC'gll'l'te<l unde•· past Go,·crnment~ for ""'".V .v"ilr.. AgriC'nltnre htl" not rnken the plaN; it ought in Queenslat1d. There i.s Ml bNcn;;c> of on!~· £11.000. 1 wonld like to know if th!' offirer> or that dE<partment rert•in•d t·hA ~ame eons itlPration as h>we offir,·•·s of other depa rtrnent·s. Take fhe. Chicr Tnsp~ci.or of Stock. I SC'c n Yery ·amnii incrcn6e is down for him·. t nm (lllite ilure it doe~ not make up for the 1nrrem'ed •oost o f living. Tt la noi mot·e thar• aboul

5 pet· cem. or 6 n~r cenl., and the cost of liYin!:( ha.s gone up between 60 pet cent. and 70 per cent. We want t{l treat these offic!'rs {~ idy. 'l'he security o f any natioo lies in the lnnd.

]1.11·. Cor.uxs: R!'n. hcnr!

l\11'. BBBBl~GTOi\': Any oouni.~Y. which doe:; not. build it$ foundiLtions upon the land is building in tl.te nir, u.nd is bo~d to CC!me rlown. One thtng I most ccrtmnly ob]ook to 1s thut in the early seau. when there w~~ n. sm••Il ex·pl'ln<liturc. rcortain ~;peciul taxes were put upt>n thll> man on tht: land to meet t hP extra c>xpt>nse• unde •· the Brands Act and l'ther _things. Those speciul ta~t:s. at the present tun"'. nmouut t.o <Somethmg l1ke £46.000 01' £50.000.

M•·· Cot.LTSS : What t,ues are ~hey?

M, .. BEBBINCTON : The:;' will be found under the Special Trust Fun<ls at page 114. T he amount lnst vea.•· was £51,695. and this venr it i;; £46,390. I maintain that the ~''l10le of this special ta~ation should be merged i11to the Agriculturn_l Department. and put on tbe gener:tl taxattoo. When we have a fn.otory inspector in the cities his expen;les are not charged to the industries. to which they are due. There is only the callmg of t.h<' agriculturist which has tn pay for the whole of the ~ervices to the other people of the State, nnd then be singled ont sepa· rn.tolv to stand the whole of the e>xpense or t-he 'adrnini;tt;r~tion of anything conn.ected with agricultur~:. "'e wc>re t.old that tf we hnd n lnnd la.x all the~e small taxc~ would be merged into t.hc B'"'!leral re,:enue. Put. 6\'l'rv one of those stdl remnms on the prim.ary pl'oducc!'l!, . and. they are still on the llltii'ClllS<', Cxt~epttng Ill tlw en~ of fast ye>1r when th<>re wns som(> specul.] rensoo for ~ l'edtlCtion. 'l'h~ tmi(lue pusition of the prlmat·.v producvr calls fol' sp!"c inl cons!derllo· tion. E.e has io produae m the lnghtlSt ri1nrkct, undt•t· the grentnst expe.nse, and he ha~ to sell his proclurts in the cheo.pe;<t ft·f?o 1.\'arlP marknts of the W()t'ld. We an• pro· d11cing: double thP amount of stuff tho people of .Au~tl'nlia ran rousulllt'. We hn.ve to CX"ort it 10 11 rr~·e traoe ma.t·ket. The people in ' C•li[ornia hnn~ H rnnrkt?t of 100.000.000 people, ~ml they nre ~~~ " ' 't•ry different pos1tiun. 1\e ha" <! ~ Hnt)nr~ a lnt of onr implemC'nts :tl'lc'l \VPI\rll\!1' appnrd, nndet: a, YPr:V h!.gh tn •·ifl:. That i~. one of q1e dlffi· eulties wid1 whu:h the IJ;,!.'l'lcultural 1ndu.stt·~· hns tll c•nntenrl. J warn nrnv l.o refer to ~nmtt.h1n.,. "hirh t•srrdrtlly intc~e>L$ Qt~e~ns· land. oncl nE which ! clo not. ~Junk sllffH•tent. notice· ha~ hecn taken. 'fhar li' ~ho work of tlw dPpO rtmcnt in tl holi>hing tl1e l'1ttl~e lic-ks. \V~ KilO\\' thnt cnitle f'~llfl(ll, f~tten Lf tht>,. nr<' t.ick infcstr·•l. As for Jn>l'ylng. we kno'"' tJcrrectl .~ \\'i'll thnt. if the~· h~,·c a.n_y 1 ickF thl'r will t.ak(' at. lP»fl 25 per £'ent., >f not 110 per cent .. , of t he milk. Wo know th!\t the ra ttle will di(' ,-ery f)Ui,..k l;v . whe!' a dr;~> ""n~on com<~;; on if tlwy are> ttck Jn.fcostt•cl. I 11m one o f rh<>s~ who hn,·e not tho 5lt~ht. !t doubi tl111t thf' t'at rl,.. tlrk rat! be driYen from QncCnRinnr.l if we gn the r ig.l.tt WilY

n bout it. The f;EC'RETAI1Y roa ArHncrrm:RE: Hear,

hC'a.r! Mr. REBBT:\'OTO~: I !mow >1 nutnbcr of

cxp•..,.iments Iran' been rnn·if'd out in tho IIt>lidon distl·ict. in ttw 'Or>tyliort l!l_ector.at~. But tht>ro aro cert·nin people who b~ltcve >t rs nec·c~sar,v tn rct ~iu u few ticks ory their catt.ll·. Some of them bl'lic''l! th~t tf they

Mr. Bebbir~pton.]

2922 Supply. [ASSEMBLY.] SupJ1l!J.

clean the lil'k righL ou~-rhere are man)• (WC•ple in Queensland who bt'l i.-, e il- i£ an nurhr~-,k •..' f tir>l! f.::w~r cor.:(\<, t~.:. !o~~c:. ·:::H be ,·cry much headPt' thua thry " uul,l h~ if n few ril'ki' were retuirlt'd.

Au Ho:-~ontAUL£ :\1£ll8£ll : So tht'y will.

~tr. REBBlNGTON: I Mll quire sure there is no dilliculty jn abol ishing the tick from Q • t01.·n~lancl in six fll<inth~ if the p~oplll will dip t·••gularly every twenty-ono dn,y~. In 1916 a committee of ex_l;lC'l'ts c•timated t,hut ft•om tick !c.-e-r alono (,!ue!!nslnnd had suffered un to thnt date in monctury loos at lenst .£7,000,000. When Queensland lost £7.000,000 worth of cnUlo up to 1916, it shows the importance or tht• ~ubjr<rt o.nd the nocc•.its for dr i,·ing the tick out us fa r us we po~"ibly eau. There is Ottl v one wu,y to tlo it. You have to quo.runtin0 the &t•ea. ,·ou are goi n~r to clean up. If you a.rc going to a.llo1v ttck-infcsted cattle to bo driven thro ut:h on ur~a you are goiug to oluuJL up _vQu will never get it clean. 'l'ho.t has been the experience where it has been tried. I m~ intntn that if you quMantino an nrca nnd a lluw no cattle to en let• that nraa, c.>xcopt tho~o which aro clean, anrl cnforC'o <1ipping in the nt'ea, in •ix ruonths you will lta,·e tho a r~n oil' an. l'hat has been the cxpcricmre in the Helidon di~tt-ict, and I want to congratulate the rl!'pnrtm~nt a.ncl it& officers on the way they cl~>:u·ed up that oountry at lasr,. Certainly. wha.t could have been done in !i~ months look two or• three "c.>nrs, beco.u~& the tick-infestoo ra!ll<> wcr•• 11llowcd to go inlo dean areu. 1£ you ara goin& to tink~r with these things and have the 111.~pOCtol':5 humbugging people nod do .not qnnrnntine the nt<'as, !hen the iospeotors are a wot'l!e nuisnMe than the ticks.

'I'he Under Secreta.rv'e-or the Minister's - report is ttot plea~nnt rending b:y any mean~. If you take Gho <ln>io·sin,g industry, ' 'OU 'rill liud there are 18.000 1~55 dairy cows Jll milk than the year befo re. 'l'h('re uro 31,783 pigs less, !our chct'~c factories lose, and t wo but.tt'r factories le6$, a.nd that does 110~ spell progress a.t all .

Mr. BRtxSA!\ : There is cx,l·a--

Mr. BEBBlXG'fON: There ia nothing extra in growth or advancement in anything. It merely tl'lean~ sl11gnatiou.

Mr. BRt:Nl\A..": What about South brook?

Mr. BEBBlNGTON: b Southbrook a nation ?

Mr. BllEXI\AX: Southbt•ook cl06ed two fnetoriPs.

Mr. DE.BBINGTON: Diu1t't T tt'll the hou. ~nutleman tlte re nre four factories lOlls? Whon the hon. membe r for Dnructt, was speaking, the hon. membcr !or 'l'oowoomba. n!adc some l_IOt very complimeutuy r4.'mark. l'ow, U1ere 1~ an old saving thnt they wbo live by labouo~pcrhaps ";e ,.Jtuulrl ~!IV "~hall die b) it." But then• i.• anorltrr suyin~ that they '~ho live bs Lhe law ~h&JI die hy the lnw. 1 'rould rttther the hon. mrmber for Burnctt's position than lho hon. member for Too,~oomba'~. That hon. gentleman would do w('ll to $tick to l~<w :Jnd lu:we the matter or ag riculture to those who have httd CXpl't·illO~e.

Mr. BRE.I>NA:o< t Not like your~clf.

Mr. BEB"Dl!\GTON: y.,, : n.nd ! nul<le a .~\lf'('eSS 0 f it.

Mr. BIIEJ>XAi\': ~o, you haven't.

[Mr. Bebbingtnn.

).h. BEBBINGTO:o\ : If thr hon. genUe~•an u1akc~, as ~ig a liucccs~ !"t la'~ :o-~ I h&v,o -..~t•c- al ••u uuu~, J.c \U}, uuLo uv bao. (Conwument jr:r" tl'llption.)

The CHAIRi!.lA);: Order! )lr. Cou.Jl\S: You arc always crying out

abon~ taxes.

Mr. BEBBll\C'£0N: I ~hou ltl Lhink ~. All wo want i~ juoric-c. Unfon4r•ately, the number of JH:rson.- engaged in production in connection with tb i• industry i.s only 3.18 pet· cent. of 1 he.> population.

])JJ-. CoLLI!\11: Culti,·ut ion, not p roduction.

)!r. BEBBlNGTOl\ : Yes. Those few peovle may p t·oduce sufticient foodstuffs for Quccll£1and, but we havo a very large &mount of money lo pay in London cverv year for interc~t. and we cithcr have to export ou r p1·oduce-pay in pt•oduce-or pay in gold, and if the time L'OIU\JS when Queensland has to send gold to London-when he1· exports fall so low-money i~ goiug to be far more $Mt·ci! than it i~. lt is ~roing to have 1\ 'l'ery l!jg t•fl"ect npou industl"inl matters and upon production. becnu!c the . int£-rest 1•ill be ilenJ·er. Wo should not float loans locally. nt>ither shoulrl we encourage people by higher rates of intt•rcsr to lako up bonds in the Treasut·y-

.:Ur. COJ.u~>s: What would you do?

'J\h·. "BEOBIXG'l'O~ : B ecause e\'cry .£1,000,000 tak~;n UJ> loca.lly--

The CJLHR:\!AN: Order! The hon. member 3hould d<!al with thn~ on the Treasury vote.

Mt'. DEDBIXGTON : .But this has to do · with the agricultural indu.t.ry, and 1 am dealing with the diflictthies o£ the prim&ry prorluceJ· iu financing hi• nu~ans of production, and •wery .£1,000,000 you float het·e in any wa.v whutcvcr•, itt>tead of b•·irtging io here ~o hmd to ~ho rurmer and producer, you are mnldng that mont'y so much sc-.. uccr. Yoq are taking mouey int.o the Treasury tha t dhould be used for production; you are increas.ing the rare of inll!r~t to the pro· ducer, and in~tend or the producer being able to borrow mott<'Y 11t 5 per cent. or 6 per cent., on at~ount of 'the Treason· takiu.g the mone.v au<l paying 6 pl'r C('nt., the producer and the ruan who i~ going in for manuiacturing hns to pay 110 cxtrn 1 per oent. or 2 per cent. [t " ould puy eve:ry. farmer in Quoenslancl to·doy lo ~e ll out hrs farm and put his money into the 'l't·easury ut 6 per cent.

We ha.ve nnt dono all !hat wo should fo1· the pl'imary p•·oduccr. 1 om going to have u Ul'putation to wait upon the Mi.nisu~r Ior . .\~.n·icuhuc•(\ ao.. soon us I catJ arrange it, on dilfrt·cnt matter$, otherwi~<e there are other things which I would go into. The value of the I Rod dc1)end~ upon wha I you can rake from it, a.nd neither this Gon•rnment nor ptt.st Governments ha ,.1' done theil' d uty l<' en a blc the man on the land to make the best of his produru. W c lun·e had a Co-operutin• Production Bill, utlrl~r which ml'u nre lont money ot 4 per cent. That Wl!S introd ltced bv the Denha.m Govt-.rnment; :t wos an rxrellcnt thing, but this Om·crnment rQ.ioed tht'. inter<',t by 1 [ IN cent.

Ut·. BRf<:N:>:AX (7'1Jo!t'QnmllfLI: Wf' ha"e hl:'a rd a grt':J,t ,J, d dul'ing the ~->qon f••"u' t.h ~ Opposiriou rcgr. t•ding the mvn on the Jnn<l. a nd hi~ trrnnu~nt bl' tbP Labour Oo,·P.rnment. :lnd the lt>gi~lnt :on passerl by th i:o .

Supply.

Govt>rnruerit. The hon. m emher for Dravton, wi th h is tong ue in his cheek . r efers to the fart tho.t J1~5t Go,·ernments ha.vc done not.hin;r for I he farme r, and that neither has !.his Govemment. 'l'hr fact of his ussoriatiug past Go,·ca·nmcnts 1\'ith lhie Goverrtrne!lt, after the w~.1· he abu~<?rnment shine~; 011! ~$ fhe fr iend of tla ~1 farmer.

}lr. Bli!lOJXCl'fON : 'I11e others left them alorw; till',\' d id uot •·ob them.

(\fa·. BREi:\NAN: \Ve !snow the way ~1is Gm·ernmt!nl hn ve been out to us~lst the fat mer hy gi vi ng him at the comm enceme rtt cheap lund which. after nll , is the most importttll t fa ctor for ihe man on t he l:and. 'l'he.r g ive hin t ln.nrl at a price o.t wla irh he can pro<lu<'e.

:'~I t-. BEl!BINGTOX: Give i t. to b in t a t 2s. 6tl. 1111 !l.Ct'e.

-'!Jr. BRE='INAN: The hon. member fat· ])r~ytu11 ~aye lnnd is only wo1-th whJJ,t it. is ca pable of p~mlucing. 1'hll.t is this GO\·em· mcnt's poli<'y. The Labou t· Govermnent, , tan cl~ for IJP.l'!)l~tua I 1< a~e renta l base.d on o. \' lliuc at whicla tb"" land r.an produce. Thn.t i:s extH:tl.r the feeling which the hon. member fat• Dt·Ayton hns rcg-urding the vaJue of the laud, ao<.l yet 1 .. ~ suys that tlais Govet·nanent ha ~< not done the hest i ~ can roa· t he f:trme.t. That point a lone goes to ~how t.hl\t uh is Government is, and ha~ hcen. pa·otec:t ing the anan on the land. The m"n on the ll~ud wi ll llOL hu ve t n tout theit· Cllpitul ioto t he la ud , nor h., ve >\ mortgage from tlie b~>uk a t high rah•a of intere;;t. This Gon!rnrnent gin~s them nn a ppoJ·tunity--

The CHA1RMAX: Or. let· ! The question of la nd tcmH·e do('s not coma within the sco~ of this ' 'ote.

11 r. DREJ-;NAN: I ;;ay that dul'ing th~: past five years the r-arartel·~ iu Queensland hu.ve hntl u JH'etty hll.J'ti. Lrial. We hnd big 'thent ct·op~ on l.he Downs in 1915, but exressi,·e rains C'RUSt•d rust, which rnined the crops. Th., Government are not io be blumed f01· thnt . 'fhu Labour Government has fouml 01eed wheat for the fa a·111ers, and the ftu·mer~. uufo-rtunntel_v, ;~ore uunhle to repay t.hem. This yNll' the Labour Gov~mmeut w ill comt' to the res•·ut• as in othea· years.

Mr. M ORGAN ' 'vVhen i t is too late.

~h. BREN:'-I'AN: The Government. last year bought !;i?ed wheat., and offm·oo it to the farmers at a. vrice. Some fanner<> b ought i t at a low p rice-sonacthing liko Ss. 6cl. o t• os.- a. fl at rat!! : othea'6 wolald rtot buy it, ond the "\ g'l'ie11 ltur•d Dctlattment. hnd something lik E< 4.000 ha~;,"S left <>VC'r, and although the hon. member fat· :\1tHillu «a.ys it was too h~te, others J)Oid 7s. 6d. cash rather than buv f rom tho Labour Govemment on liberal te.nns a t a. lower price. That only goes to show how fay· their mind~ at·c poisoned aga(nst th[s .Adm1nistt·nt ioll.

Ma·. )•!oao.~:-~: Your fi g ures are vl't'Y m uch a stray.

Mr. :CRE::\'XA .. 'i: 'I11is Govtmancnc hn,; tried its hardest to prote<•t the fantle t• aguinst the m .idtllemnn. 'T'ht'r<' Ill'\\' two or thr~e mil..ldleaw·n in the Oppo!<iLior1 wlto mnko h uge profits out of form.~r:;,' produ~e.

Mr. BEBDINCTO'X: What c1ues the Pt·oduoo Agency do~

!111'. BREN~A?oi: The Stntc P roduce .Agt!n(v io; one of thC' lx•sf agonci<':.. in Briobnnt'.

Suppl 21J23

The ot.her d >lY I was in n D~~orllng Downs clccto t·Qte, ltnd wa.~ told tha b the Stat~ Produce : \ g"l'My will uuy aoyth ing at all -Jaon•~v. raubit ~kins. ('tc.-when tltl) priYate agency will tu rn t he111 down and r efuse tu pur~hnsc. But thNe is on~ lhin!f we must Jo :<o us to make i:hi~ agell<.'j a 6UC'' '" ' ' ; we nm~t htl\'e ac< 'fl rlunndafiou fo r storage for the fArm~r·' nrouucc iu B a·isbune. ' Ve must b~ in !\ 1)0I;'itio;l to }lliL jli'OUUCC into that stOt'C to :'ll\'1~ t he fa r111•· rs <lf!mut' I'D gl!, "-""d allow it t(l rem!li n there: uniil rho tnnrker. rights. il~t! lf. _\l the p>:<'R<'HI time then• is a 1·ing i at the Tio111o Stt·ert :\>lnrk~ ts-th<' pun:h~$e~ ther<' nr·~ c'onhollcd b1• the middlemen. F,,·ea-ybod.v kno,,·~ that Is tru~. So thut w e: must. as n (.;oycrnmcrlt, J!Oant out to the fnrnwt· ho \\ the nai cld lema n is .;till gott:ng bin a.

n·,. ~lso have honble about bnS"· Th•~ mid•llcaneu Hl'C robbiug I he far1!l\,..,, '. itlt •·cgar<l t <J bag~. Th~ fnrntl'l' ~el l s h1s PNlllll ' ~ t o;o llllteh per uwt . or ~lli'l' i,on, 1~ JLd is 1101 <lliowcd an \'tbing for the bags. rh,, ou tne >Y5km shoultl bo est.abli ~hcJ w ith regut·d ~o bag>i as nt lli'<'~Nit c>;j•rs w ith t·ega•·•l . to bottlt>~- ThC!J'c> is 11 bortlo ex<:hunge whH:h deals !11 one b•·aurl of nottlcs. W e should ha ,.c :t sv~tcau "h~t·pby uo pea·son enn buy or odl a b11g with a paa·tktt lat· ht•~tnd oJI, but the bu•• must hv n turned to th o farrner. nnd be mt;-:~t be "i l't'JI C' r~di t for it. Tbcr P shoulrl beno buyia1~ o1· t.••afllc:king in bag,;. ff the ~\ :p-icnltuntl DcJ1!\1't rncnt. wi ll take that; qurstton inlo ron ~idt.• t•nti on. it will saYe the farme •" ~0111(! tlwusuuds of pounds l' ' '<•l'Y yen•'· It. is a most itnpol.'taut question, und ;hould l>c looked into.

Toowootnb11 i~ r egartlQd as th•J grcate.~~ cent re of rurcul-growing in Queensland, ~llld therefore we should have th<' 1\'tM'ket reports wit·ctl e\'NY <'Yim inor from Brisbau•~ io the Toowoomhn pup~t·;;_::not. t.hat J o.m i u k!!op· ing "'ith lhe l'onclucl. of the ToaW\10 m b(h puper~, hut tlmy aro largely circu la ttMl an1ongst the fnt•mers-so t)Jat the fa.rmet-;; on 1lac Downs will koow the r uling rates befo re thav l!') ll th.,it• prodtH'"· I think that s.lwuld

· loe donr:. That will gin• the [4.30 Jl. lll.] fm·mcr on the Downs a big a ssist-

Rllte. The hon. member fol' Drayton t•efen't'tl to tho fact thnt t here ha;; b eet> u. [a!l ing off in eult iYlltior), but I would point out thut tlwrP. has been a fu ll ill(5 off in c ulti~a tion r ight throughout A ustl'aha .. ~ut. t h at has not lteell cau~c-:rl by the o.dmarusi rat1on of t his Go,•et·nment. Everyhody knows th11-t thi~ GovN·oment has done mm·e fm' the Eaa·met· tha n nnv other G ovet•nmcnt. Ever,y· bcdy adm its tha·t,. (Opposit.ion di~~ent.) 'r~k.e the ndvll nC<'" to f~rmel'S and s(•ltlers- how niwov n1en now wou ltl ha,' c bc<•fl well off if they. had boen nblc to get a few pou11ds when they first. cummen~ed fanui alg?

:\1 r. C'OllSffi!l ~ There i~ no fault to lincl wirh the !\et ' lmr the wol'king or jt is rorten.

M r. DREK::--;.1\N: I ~a.y tbnt thnt A11t is going to do a g)'eat deal of good for t.he farme1•. The hon. m ember for Drayton alga. refenecl to t.ha (act that four butter fu ctories h"'d rlo,<..-1 down during tbe year. Two of those factol'ies, 1 know, ha."e- commenced opcrntions again. I k now ~ private iod.iva.d ua.l has Hiltted , a L Soutnb l'ook, n condc:nseJ milk factory, and is payir~g higher p t· ice& for m ilk ihlln nny other Iuctory.

.Mr. I.lA \'LEY : There is no fllOtory at South brook .

.Mr. Brenna n .]

2924. [ASSEMBLY.] th,pply.

:\clr. DRENKAX: Well , Tllero i~ a factory at Wyrcema, and that is Ycry close to Southbrook. Bccau~c I made- a slig-ht mi$take in the locali ty, we find hon. members opposito quibbling again. Auythiog to Mnothl'r u_p the actual facts. They know that. orMm oa going from 'l'uowoombo. to W.vrecmo to that printte faotor:v. whioh i~ ~tranglinl!" two or thrco co-oper"nth·e concerns bOC'e.uso thoy olft>r 1d. oo· ad. moo·p for their 111ilk. Thur. is one of tho reasons why !!Ome of the fa,o. tories ore dosing down, and it is time the JarmC'l·~ wore protected ngumst thcmsclve~ ; and, if ghvn an opportunity, they will do ao. The Opposition are always very keen in humoUl" when tbe farmer question arises. I ha \"C twenty or thirt.y farmers in roy district \vho are now experimentiof in the con· scrvo.tion of fodder. One has ~ cwt. 111 s.n experiment to find out the smaUe~t arnou.nt of fodder that will f rrmPnt. The theory ~t t he present time is that 10 tons iH the Hmalh~8t amount that c&n be ronsc~vod in fOLider. That has be~n my idea for the last three yl'tus-to experiment in thcso things, bcco.use, notwitbstnuding the fact that 1 am a lawynr, I am great!! interl!~tt·d in the working of experime nts for the bC'nelit of the h .1·roers. The conservuLion of fodd<•r is a ,·e ry seriou~ matt<'"r. The twenty farmers who urv cxperimt>nting in rhos mntll'o· ar.· recci,•ing no n;;sistancP from the Govern· ment. and T trust that when they put bigger quantitie• in Lbeir silos the Governme-nt will &<h·ancc rhem £omething towards Lht•ir lAbour. After all is s aid and donl', even the censer· valion of fodder in small q uantities is a big hrlp to the farm er. ru this will provide him 11gainst t!J (• drought. I would lil<o to see the :11ittister offer somE' substantia.! prize for Cn$ilagc ever; year a t our t.!"hibit.lons. It will create ; nte~est in f•mniug. and tho reason farmihg hM no~ boau ~hll ~uccess in the past i;, becau;e the fnrm 11t· relic> too much on nature.

Mr. CoRS£B: 'Ensil!lgc is ntot on expert· llii'Ot.

.Mr. BREX. ·A~: I say th<lt cn,ilage i$ an t!Xprrimcnt. l'ractically 11othong has beon done •n far in thl' COn l'r,·otion of fodder, and I arn \'Cry glad tu ~cc that the Opposition JHe t aking tbe mntt~r st•riothly-tha~ th"Y "ill li~tcu ntwnti,·ely when ~pok!!ll to in a oNtsiblt• mn.nnc r.

.\lr. ::\JORG.~:\' (.Vtuillu): I am >Ot·r.v thut fot· mn m· \'t•ar• the JJen;u·tmeo~ o f A~;rieult u t·c hn; nor H'Cll fit 1.0 incn<aSC; thi~ \•ote \Ye lo~ nJ boon lold that during tho put yea!· ut· 1 1ro the ~u lvution o£ Au~ttflliu, 'lnd "r&rt iculul'!y (~u•••.mslund, is p1·odurt.icm .. Cufor· tu nu l d~· . tilt• Gove-rnment is nor. dn•ng wbo.t it ~houiJ do to encouxa.gc p roducti<Jn. Whilo tl11• ralut' of produce ha> IUrtt•ascd con5ida.rab]l . the amount produced hu• f!OJHI <.!own lo n g r·(,nl ~"Xtent. The>!' F:htinui.IC$ ~how unl> nn incrf' ,~.,. of £11.000. Pcr~onally, I woultl not lun-e ohjcetoo if they had increased 11noihrr £50.000. pro.-ide<l th11t lhe money had bi'Pn us...d to gh·e genuine encouragemc·nt to the people on the laud and b ring about production. There is ont> matter in r<.>of'CCI. of s.-Pd \1-hrat tb11.t 1 will rf!nd fmm I ]a,. r~'rort or I h e Direct<n· of A~riculture fo r till' )"Nil" ju~t expirctl. It ~tnt~"1-

" E'·"ry '""'~enable aHempt wus made to rnaftr· tlw publiC' n\\t:t.rt! of Ut" distri bution, but. the n~ults )1u,vc l:lt>l•n very di$appointing jn the light of the re·pre· se11tn tions m"de that tho farmor$ were wirhout scl'd and unable to obtain it.

[.111·. Brmnn.n.

"The following cotnparison of figures \\·ill illustrate the po.it1on:

'ntnb\'r nf lormor~ who X umber of Q,uontily w•tlo pru· !""""u olse•rt dls-llonlnarv <1opplled trlll\l~ed. ~~~~~lh:'Ltlnu. \\·Hll ,.eect. un~hel!i.

1916 1,809 .. , 1,389 ... 87,785 1919 803 ,. , 448 ... 16,794

"Ii'nmt thc~c figures it will ha seen Hmt there is 11 considerable difference between the number who made a preliminar,uppliqation and the number who1 complymg with the conditions, receive<1 the grain a~ked Cot·. Another grea~ dil· ference will be noticed between the total qnanti\y of thE> diFtribntions in 1919 and the ({)tal n~kl'd for in the preliminarJ a.pplicatioruo lbi~ v"nr. As a r-esult, the do!partment found it.sclf with a largo qunntity of gootl seed grain upon its hands "for dispo:.al to the he3t aclvanta.Jfe; and for a 911a ntity of sra.ded wheat ;old by ~o.uction tn Toowoombn. the high value of 11~. 4d. WIUI obtu.inod1 but. bha avc1·age of tlrt• sulo wu 9~ . 3d. per bushel.

"A curiou~ experience of this distri· uution, in ~ompllriSon with t.hat of former years, was the number of people who paid <'ll~h for their seed instt>ad of accept· mg the torms thot were offered. They numbered 248 people, lea,•ing only 200 who received 5P<'d on terms. .•<\t the time of writing-notwithstanding that more whMlt ond barley had, owing to ~be nUS• l ~ading inform.nion and advice tha.t was given to lhl' d epun.ment, to be sold to miller~ and other~ t.ha n W:\S distributed to farmer·, £or sce.-l~the net loss stood at £1,229 ; !LIIU it. lllll.1 be taken that a fair proportion of thu loss was caused b•. the boa vv ell.--pend..iture incurred tl; rot.~gh the 5C~d r.rri 1•irrg during bcn,vy wtoather. a nd to i t~ ul'iug staoked upon the wha.rf withcout ~hr.!Ler. The con!equenoe was that ~ovet·11l hundred bags w~>re wHted, and the contents had to be spread, dril'd, aHtl reb~gged in clea.n bng~. ' '

X u\\· 1 waul tn point vut thl' r!•u!'<>n of thi!, nut! 1 :.m >nl·n· rhut t h~ hun. lllCinb<'l" for TtiOI\111ttHb.l hu, ldt r hc l 'hnutbco·.

)1 r. C'Ol.f.Jl<,..: Why don't vou lini>h the pu n1gra ph~ 1 atn following ~ ou. if no oue "I>< is.

:\1 r. ~1 0HCi\. ·: \\"hpl iA the u~u of ~in ish· itt~ th co parago·nph "hrn ic. ha~ rlu l'alatiuu eo tlu suoj<•el. 011 whit•lo [ am t;o iug to ~IWIIk. 'l'h£> c;<>,.,.,.,1uwnt hull u<ot thl$ wh~:Ht l"t!ndy f"'· tlw fn o·o11t'O' "lot•n i I wn~ nec·cssan-. I ... an ~ri\(' biou m_,. prr~on~l i!lu.tro.tion iu 1c peN of thu: . f.n;,t ..VIn,\' I ut-tcudod tho T V<.'wuombu ,bo•\. I " "Df' told l•y the gentle· 1:mn in c!out·l(o' t•f rh•• "hrut bu~in•>ss that wlwat WU'- n' uil~tblc for di~trihntion, nnd he elww .. .t ml' »'!ltJ>Ios thoc wc.-e on ,·iew :tt the ••xhiloi tinn. Th t• qunlirv of lhc "heat wos ~rood. Thc- prier wa! right. nlthouglo not in at"rordnuct• with th:n quor!'d bJ th~> hon. l!t•'m'-el' Iror Toowoon1lut. The pr·ice Rsked for- hy tlol! Cull~ o·uml'lll wo, 8:;. 3d. tot:r bushel. nv~ 5•. or· 61o. a lnrshc>l n• stated. tdlhough 1 'I ill u-dmit I hat it wa;; 2s. a. lmsh~l rh ... o.twr lhoin tloo SC'Pdsmen were> n -kio« f.w ~cod whc11t in 'l'onwoomb& nt t,bat ti 111P" n I wnnted '"hr11t, fond I had only u. do v O l' twco fll"(•viously o1·detrd nbout .£23 wortl1 o f "('('d whrot. for which I paid 10s. 6d. a. bushel. r could ha<'e obtained this whca.t

$1.1pply. [ll FEBRUARY.) Suppiy. 2925

from the Government ~1t Ss. 3d., but I .Uid not thou know· that t,he Govetnmc\lt l1ad it.. But even if 1 h~<l kuown thl'y had it, it was then too )Ill.~. Ir is ridic:ulous to pla.c~ seed whuat iu the hallll$ of the furmet·s ill June.

Mr. 11.\RTUW: I have seen whcut sown in August.

Mr. MORQAN: I l1avc seen wbeab sown in JauuMy, but it is not advisa.ble to Jo it. Wo o.1·c talking about the avero.~e yea.r on the Duwo~. From a graiu point of view, wheat in Queensland •houl<l be sown fro111 the 1st April to the eod of May. Of course, we know it is po$sible ~o get .a crop somat.imes if w)1ea.t is sown i11 J1•lv-but thnt is extNUl rdina ••y. IL is a l'ecognised fact that in Queensland the sowing of wheat should commerJ('c iu April tmd cont inue vntil the end of :Vlay to secure the be&t results. If the Gu,·c.rnrnen~ were anxious to assist the fanners, ihey ~houlcl have the whe.at available vchen i t is necessary, and in t,ime for p lanting. Wo see that 803 a.pplicatio'(lS were made for wheat, whe.rens only 440 applicants n:ccivod i t:, owing to tho Iaet t ha.t mey would not, wait. Thc_v were not going to miss the tirne when it wo.s necessary to pla.nt. Again, 1 would lila• to ask t.be )([iuister why the Govf!nutlont is ~oin~,] nothing th is year 7 No douht a deputa1' aon will wa.it on the Govern111ent in May, and by that time they have the wheal, l'Cacl;y for the fttrm e.r it will be the end of June. I understand that the South .Australian 00\·ernment ba,·e written to the Qucen~l a.nd Government asking them if tl}ey wanted seed wheat, and if t hey rcqun·e<l any they would re~crve it for them. Rot, unfununately, thf' Queensland Government h ave decided to do nothing in tha.t. direction, although we hnve just oome throu,llb one of the worst <houghts 11n ncor<l, and this set1d is particularly scare(). I cnn· not understand why the Govcnunent s.hould not do evcTyt.hi ug iu tlaei1· power to assi~t thl' farmer when we are t.nld bl' the l?ross that a li.xcd pl'ice o[ 7s. lM. a bu.shel for whl!at ht\S been g1'onted for the next crop. Look at that l'!llormous JrricP.

Mr. Cm.r.INS: Look at the prlco o£ bread locally.

'Mr. ::1-JORGA )<: ~el't!r minu about the loQa) p1·icc of llr<'acl. If Wtl ILtu gol ng to encolll'age loc11l J)l·oductiml we 111\tSt assist the fu ruJe•·· If the uuiuns applied to the Arbitration Court. ond tl11•y con sl1ow that wheat. and hr<"a.i aud other products huve gone up in prico;~, they can get an increase !n wal:l'es: The wnge·e~.mer a lwu_ys gets a.n J!ICtf'ase w wu.ges to compensrtt~ film £ot· the rise in products. -~~ fnl' u.K thf pl'i<Je o f when~ is concf'rnf'd, we h<we u right to got the world's parity, and lho 'world's parity fot· wheat is eqw~l to 7s. 6d. a bushel in Austmliu. If we 1\'C'Ii the worJJ's parity for our wheat >~nd other p~oducts, it may incre&se the co~r. of Ji vil\g', but our Arbitration Coutts reguln.te that by corltiu onlly jucreasing the wages o£ the worket•s.

Mr. 'iJULCOrK: You know thP worker i3 under u. hon<l for twelve months wbon he get~ an ownrd.

Mt·. :}£0RGA ~ : Tf w~ !!"t a high rrict' for 0\11' wlH:ot.. wool, aud otlaer produ<·ts in t.ha morkrtts of rho wol·ld, W<' l!.l't i~ bu••k in t he form <>f gol<l or it;; eq•tivak•nl, nnJ W•' a rc oblo to puy grellter taxnriou. Tl'wn, ;,g~>in, if the production of w1Jertt increafes I.Jy millions of hushl'ls our railways will

heconHl payable, and. in _e1·ery way we a.re likely w IJe _l,e rt~ t> of! OWIUS to the f_act th•:t Anotl'~ l io. <·.lun,utlcally and geogL'11.J>IuC'u lh· :,; .wited for producing the wu1-l<l's food suppliC'~. \\'<: d ~eud for Our lil'O~perity OH who.~ the ~11i l wi'll JHO<luc('. 'l'ha. c [LiCIS cannot e1L!ople aro gradu:dly drift in~ itJto the citie~. '!'he repot·L of the Depu.t·c:11<?nt of Agricu lt <ll'o ,;hvws Lha.t there Wet·e 6.259 less peoviP- t'ng-u~c·d iu cultivntiou in 1918 thun in 1917. That 15 a. dcplo1·ablo fact.

:V!r. 13 tJWOCK: That is not p~:cuJ iur to Queensland.

Mr. MORG<\ N; Simply bceause it is not !Nculi<lt' l<1 <,tu<'en;;lond, s iUJp l ~· IJc•CJ:tuse then• i$ a. cJiseuse hore that id d1·iving neople off tho land, are we to Jet matters ddft '! Are we not ~;oiltg to check that d ise11se? Are we going tu sa.y, ·· Ll't it 1·ip, we n~eJ not botht~r" '! We know perfectly well that it is not only UJl!)licahle to Qu~onsla11.d, but the fnct is thitt pt;ople nre leu.ving the country, and the only th111g we C'!I.U cJo is to t.·~· and encour4lge peol' le to go but'k into the bush, ami we can only du t-hat by making conditions in the country mor<> wospe•·ous; by making the ernolwncuts whir.h '' man gel;\ in the hu;;h greater; by bciug ablo to slac~w those men who u re prevaroo to N\lllc to Bn~bane und join the.> t1'8 >'l'IW tys and the Police l\"orcc that there is more money t.o be made in rho bush. until we l'(•co~rn ise tlmt ft\ct we ere going to drift, drift; drift, and Ql(l'

pountry ie go ing to go back instead of pl·og_n1s~int as it »hould. Take the whole o £ <.tL•eonsland to-Jay, with tha. exception of a f~w isolated spot5, and what do '~e find? T11ke the vast areas in the West ond Centl'a l portiollS o£ the State: do you find the progress there lhut yon had twenty years e~o? Do you not liud th~t the ootmtl'y iS t·apadl." deteriora ting und ~oing into pear and the different pC6ts anultapl_ving ? P eoplo are not k<'eping their landl! in the s;une ~ont.lition to·tlav that thev were ten or Jifteen yeors op;o. · Go wh~rc "you will and vou find ienc.>.s are not kept in rep•tir, l'ingbatking i~ not being done, and the home<;tcuds ure fal!hag lo pieces. Then• ill doray whel'evc r you go.

Mr. CoLLTNS: Oh ! cut it out.

Mr. MORGA.;,~: It is a foct, und you aan· not gc;t out of it. .And u11til we cease fl'om b leeding r.liP. nu:n on t.he land, as we <ll'e continually bleeding hir(l for the sl\kCl of rlae t'itv p\'ople. we at•e going to have this ('Qil·

t iuu<<l drift frorn the country. 1.inforllt11Htely. th.- peoplt- in the bnsh hnYe been the wot·king bullock> for t)lc JH!oplo lu the r.ity, and the aooner that is "topped the lwttcr.

l want. to stly a wo.·d n .. two in regard to the bonus tiHat is paid 011 rox skins. The dlffel'enb bou.rds find that the £1 bonus which has to be paid fo-r fox $kins is ruinou~ nrt<l will soon (Jy ing nbout tho i nooh·enc~· of the boo r·ds. 'rh£> lime is ripr. !or thr• Mini$tt!r to bring in n Bill to t·educc the bonus O!l

fox skins. The dingo at £1 h not o\·erva}uPd, hut fox skins at tho pl'C$cnt JllOment ;ne wortll anything rrom 15s. to £1 e.1ch. and if the .skin were marke-c:l iu iiomc ~~-a~·· all iu Victol'fa, and t·eiul'ned to the t•·n ppf'r. rhen ho would get £1 or mvro for the skin and wltb o. bonus of, say, 7s. 6d. from th~ boo rei, b<• 1\'0uld he well t'Pmunerat<><l. At the fHPsout ti.me 1\'heo n .•kin comf'~< a long it is iako>u charg-e of l!.V th<1 board unci d<!>tr(JyM. 1'hPy ure de~troy anp; useful !ur.

Mr. O'S1A.Lfi'A);: WI'Ong llg"niu.

M1·. Mort!Ul ,]

2926 Supply. [ASSEMBLY.) SuppLy.

Mr. MORGA:'Ii ~ In rm10y tiiSo~ the ski n i~ de&t~oyo:-d ;m.t in many cases the J«·u lp onl.Y is tak €·11. wh ich is of no ,-al ll ('. Thou~ancls of pounds wot•th of good fur ('\'l!ry n•nr :s

·<lestro~·c~ owing to tht> s~·~tC'n• in op~rnt i on >.&.t tbe pl'e;.eut t ime.

l wish also to ra re1• lo the question o r icrigntion. an<.l no doubt the ho u. membc:r for Bowen will be intereHetl in th i'l. We find t h« l in lht:' vt>•r 19l~. uccoNling to t.he rttporL tlwrc W!'I'C 11.904 uc:m' under irdga· t iou in Qul•{•mlanrl. while i11 1918 there wel'<! onlv 6.947 under irr ig:H ion. During tlr., n •iin\(1. o [ thl' Luhour Uo\··· •·nmcnt tilt' nrP.a urid~r in·igation he,; <l t>f'Tt>ase-d. from 11.904 al'rt>s to 6,947 act·e;;. and ~·et wr· ~ rt• told t.h<'' nr<' onr ro n;.ist inigatiorl. The fu~u re of Qucol'mlund <l<'prnd~ n g t·p.,t den 1 on wpter <'ons('l'\'acion and iJ·rigutiun, and , .... het·~ the conditioos HI' sui tablo i n·ig~tion can be m~dc a profitublo cnnePI'n. L'nti l th is is dont> we UJIC 110 }."Oiug 10 iTtCt:C'USD tlu1 i11 l' i.l iti~s i n OUt -countr" dbt ricl•• Money should he spcn~. JIOt in'thons~nd~. buL in m il lions. in l~~rking the pt•incip<d ri \'Cl'~ of ! he State, and t lw Govcnuuent ~hc1uld go irt fc1r 11 ~(\hetn~ of ir~·igal ion.

\\' ith ,.eg•rtl to tl •c tnl in~ of sel!d$ by th~ dcpar l!ll('U t. I would li l;e to poinL out t.hat th£• ~ ·l?Cb wp haYt> LP.cn gE'tting during the last two or thJ·N• -.·Pn>·s frr11 n the- >ee<l nlN· chants ban~ Hot h!;~'' ' in arcot11lanrc with t,he $tuntl;u·d . I know the cle r»trt.lnenr h~s carried out mnn.•· I'XJ)eriml•u t.l. a.od I would l ike to know what is <lone ll' itl• tlw •eetl that i~ ~ondcmrwJ? \Yhen t hesc seeds nre. found not to he up t.o the t·equi rcxl germination slunclRJ'ion uf b.1· ih<• depattme.nt. or is the seed n llowcd to be dist1·il;mted uroongst tbo fn ,·n•e•·s? I );~low t h<tt <huing the war t.here was rlitJicul ly in obtain ing sreds bccau:>e a grea t maoy o£ ttur S~.ecJs we~·e impor!Nl f1·om Germany A-nd other parts of the '''orld., bu~ thtt tim<' has com(l whQH there $hould be more cate t" ken to ~ec th11 t Lh~> sc"d met•cha nt.s are nor al lowed to sell to L!rrner~ lli'ed four yt'tlrs old. Some strict measures should be adopted. IIH<l >L few p roseontious iust ituttld. It is only necessar.v to prosecute.some of these se!?cl merchants. wht>t1 the? unsal·tsfndory state of things will be donl' away wir.h. t would also like to draw th!' Minisier's attemion to the fact that h<> is not pro,·id ing money fa(· lht> pUJ·chase of dai ry he ifers. In the

<llhl.'r States durin~; the ·d rought they pro· vid ed money and a.lso l:>ougl1t a. gt·cat number of dairy heifers, and whe.n the drottght broke they we1·e able to dist ribute rhose l •eifers ~rnong>t tn<• farrnNs. To·da.v the drought has bt·oken in Que!'nsla.nd, and m a ny farlllers have any f!mom:tt of reed, bttt no oa.ttl l'. \Vc ha n• a n .Act which makes provision for granting up to £ 200 for the pu.rd1as£> o [ <lait~l' cattle. bur the •·egulations have so altet·e.rl the snirit of the Act that it is not in accord· <IncE> ·with whar. WS$ inteuded. We were told by the ~1inist~r tha t if "' taan ha.d cecei v<1d an <!dl't\llCe from the Agricultural Bank. and t,he .Agriculttll·a l Bank refused to advance an;> more owing to the (act that. hi$ liability was fully a bsorbed, then he could conte <~long to the Gon:-mmer.t and obtain a loan of £200 nnder the Act for the purcl1s.'e of dn irv cattl~. but whut do we find? 11lo r·~gktl atioll fa.\·~-

• ''No payment of the whole or any por· tion of aU\' ad~nnco sha11 be ma de b., the :\fini$ter until .due security tb<• refo~· has been giveu to the sat isfaction of the

[Mr. i.lf organ.

Governor 111 Counci l in the ens~ of a. cou'!pan_,-. or to the satisfaction of the Ministet· in the onsc of u farmer, dai ,·y fa rnwr, 0 1· ~h<'CP fannC•". a.s the case may be; and no sec•u•·itv shall be decm~cl due <ecu.rity un l ~>•~ it includes-

B)' way of mor l(!age ovet· a oy sheep, <la•ry calt le. or p1gs. or aoy horse or other lin:- stoek be longing to the npp licunt fl.t the dntc of his applicat ion, or about to be aoqLtirt'cl by him on rN<eipt o f ao udvance. aud the progeny thct·eof d n l'ing t hf' Ct1ntinuance of the security."

Whet·ewr these men ha,·e thei r cattle a nd otlu?r stock mortgaged to Llle Agricultural nank, they \l' ill be turned down and told tha t they. h11ve nut the seourit.v; that a lread;v the AgrJctd tural fl<tnk possesse~ a mortgage over l lwir stock and JWOt•ct·ty. \Vhe11 this DiU was going t hrough hh<• llousl•, we were ~pecially told by the Mini~t.e1· t hat if a rmw's r:r<!dit l!Mi been exha usted with thc A.gt·icn lm ral Bank o r any othe1~ bunk, be could come along: t o tht! GoYemmeut and borrow up t.o £ 200 for 1 h<' purpo'c o f stocking up his <'Oun t r~·. yet t.h,·se regu lations dchar !ti n• f ro 111 doing· so. That regula t i"n v•·acticall.v defle~ •ucmbcr.; of th i~ Hou»' who wet·e in favour of nllowiug u selllc:-r to obta.itl all a<h·anC(\ not· wi t h~cnurliQg tht• fad t hat his )Jropcrty was

<\l roady mort.ga.ged. '!'hen, again, the M inister cnu order a 11 Hpplica lll t(, t ·O tlll.! to .flri~bant', He ntust ;.pend £7 or £8 coming 300 or 400 wilt , to B1·isba.nc in order to int<"rv iew the l\1 iui>t.<••·. I rln ·not knnw whelh~>r rh" flPp~rt· mt-nt ir>tcnd to ~rivC' h im a free pass or not, hut I ce•·lainly think tl1ey should. 1f an aRPii· canL has to ~prnd £7 or £8 to come to hrtS· lmne. it will he a. pretty sev •re i11terest. Thl!n. in c:-onncctiott with the p roduction of title-., t.he 1·egula.tion p rovides-

,. Anv applirnl1t fot• any advance sba!J, f re~ .of charge, produce, o r ,•a.u;,e to be pt•ocluced to tho Minister, or to any va luP..r to whom his appl ication has l.leen sub''1 i ttf'd by t.he Minister, 01' to any officer aut.hmised b.> the Miniotot· in that b~ha.lf, all dN!ds, in;truments of title, plans. rero t•do. oncl other docutn('nts re l&t.ing to thE' SC{1U l·itit's oiiered as afot·c.said. as the M inistf•t ot· ~uch ,·a lucr or office>r so a'uthorisoo may t·cquil'o.' '

A man who has ah·ead.: got a mort~ag~ on his p roperty must produce his aeed,; before h(• can get an acl nwcc, and yet we wr.re t.old that this Act was go ing to help the ,<~ tru.g~liog settler. 1\ tuubcrs of people in mv e lectorate ha,·e lost 15 pet· rent. of the ir stock during tho drougnt; they have plenty of gt·ass to-da._y, but ~hey hayc no monPy. a.nd thoy have been lookwg forw:,nd longinglv for 1h 1s Act to be paR«<>d. I s~nt them afong an applic11tion f cn•tn and also the pamphlet is8ued by tbe department , and. when they saw it. they ~·ere gre!ltly dtsappmnt.ed. If these r ogulat tons ar~ ilt a~mrdanre with ~he v iews of the hon. mombcr for Normanby, r !1.111 5lii'C tho~y ,,·ere not rhe views that he expr~SSF:~l wheu thf' B ill wa~ ~toing through the Hou;;e, and I r.,·cl sure tTtat lte will ha '-'t' somethil1g- ro sa.y on lhu nwtter.

'l'hc bell indic·atccl that tt.e tiutP nl lowed the hon. member bv the Standing Order6 had expi red. •

Mr. PETERSO:'I: (.:ro rmt'''b?f): The hon. mf?mbet· for Mul'i lln lnid pa-rmel).lur stress U l~on tbe Jnot that we hn ,.e luul a dect·ease in the matter of tn-oduction. Not one mem· ber on this side of the Holtse has attempted

Supply, [ll F..e.a.RUAlW.) Stbpply. 2027

,o rli'fiYO\'L' that >ratcnwut. but we <'On put up n ~noel cGEc in regu rtl 'I? tlw rt>aron r.or t!w tl•·crl'a,c. I um not jlniO!f to apologtse anti 5U,. thom• should nnt hnn• hPcn 11 d~rrcue. 'l.'Rk(' lhl' Drorlin;: Down~, tor

instuu<'<'· for vpnt·s thr farml'l'S [5 pm. ) iu thott urea lan\·, bct>n attempt in&!

10 grow whl.'ot. P('rhaps ono:-ye"" in fh·e or six th!!y may br suc~cssful wirh u.cir •·rop. hut in ... nriabl,\' it is a f&ilure. !-<~.t<'r years hast' proved that morl" . rn~fit. '!.bl.., returns <·Rn b11 mad!! from c.lan·yJOg, and tht' n·$ult hu8 bel'n that th~> farmers on th .. Parliug Do" Ob, in (t)mmon with thoS!• of olhcr parts of Qut'enslnnd. hav(' determined to go m f1J1' something whil·h will give lhen• 11. quicker 11nd b~~rer r.•hlrn. 'l'rav!'lling over .the Uurling Down~ d uring the pnst few Hnr:; oue n"tic-cs lhnt instl'ad of the fltrmer• going in for intt>lllill t·ulti,·nUon, as thry unve don~ in former yc~r>, t hey nrc now going in for int~Ur!!' duiryinq.

l\lr. Ct'!OI: liow is it that dairying is f~llin)ot olft

Mr. PE'l'l!:RSO~: Thr· hon. mu, her knows j'l('rfPC'rly wt>ll tlwt. rlurin!! ~he pnst two yt>ar1> wo hnvc lmd in Qnccn.Elnn<l ono o£ t.he most <li~n~lrou~ d •·oughts "''' hove PVM hnd. 11nd lhr> Dnrling Down<. C• ~ well o; other distr icts, went tltl'Outth " mon· >1'\'C'I't' period thn.n hru; b~l'll e\'JlCl'lenccd ut nny time i11 pn~t years. Surel•· tbe hon. g•'ntlemnn . who comrs from 1 nr l ~nd. i~ £1ti1· !'1111\lgh to ndmit I ba.t we c-annot >how inercafcd pr01luct ion when we ba,·e n ri.Nngbt for n>nr• ~

1\lr. Gn:t-:: How ill i1 thnt sh('en nnd t'nttlr h~''" incr<'!lfrd 1n nu m her?

~Jr. P£TF.R~OX: !;ho.:"IJ nud 011ttle have nothing to do with rhe <tUI'SLion of increased t••ouuction t<» far as it rdntes to tho growic::t of crop>. Tht· :-No>OII$ are sv \'Priahlr thnt th~ former~ do no~ go in e:octon~i,,tlly for l'rop~. but u.re !!ning in foT dairying. A.s far as the Ccntrnl district is C'nrt('rrnPdand my own cl~torule particulnrly-there ha~ ht'I'O no d<-crr:m:. J nstea.d of se! tlement d!'ercosing, wt> find that cluring- the drough~ period, do.y a.fter dny, farms were being sold at enhanced prircs on the Dawson Valley. The<·(' were people coming from all parts of Austl'lllia. one! th(' SouthPrn J·>oTLion of 0Ltl'Pn~Jnnd. who \\'!'re determine to get in tl1o~ di~tJ·ict and 1·urn n dcc~ut. living. I ~no givl' ligni'C$ to prove conl'l usivcl~· that 1111 hou!l'h t ht>l'l' hu~ bc~11 d!l~rcnsed JHoduction in QucE"nslnncl. witlt the l'Oturn of no1·mul e~u;,ons, wi< h tl w rc•l\1t11~ uf c;lwc>-<c, buttPr, and other a ll ied prod11cts, we will be nblc ti> put up a rc.>cord year.

l\1 r. B~l'IIISS'l'Olit.: And the t•ctum of the ~ot innnl Go,·ernm<·nt.

~'ft• . l'I!:T.C:RSON: 'i'br .Holmnn Covemment in r\!'"' South \\-nlns is A t'\ar.iona,l GoYernmen t. und we BL'C how they tre11too the ~cttlt• r• down lh~l'(' i 11 rc.l,(a.rd to the wbei>t: l<OII' millioos o£ bn•hC'l~ of ,,·heat were ~ llowcd to r01. Xo C'TO\'~mmcnt ~·E't has full.'· rt'nli•NI Lhr ro«~i~lilitit'~ wi1h r!'gard to inrreased prodnrtton, unfortunately. Although wP rriti<"i"c Co\'l.'rnments, '"e han! to ~ein• <'t'edit •omctiml'•. 11nd make some allcn1 n nc >· 1 nul Jlr~pnred to nllo\1· thM. us fn r a• Qnec.>n•la.od is conc('rnl'd, in rhl' t<~king 1\\\ltr of n lnrgt' numb!'r of m('n to the war-\\IH<'Ii tcndl'll rn~uerinllr to decrease rroduction-.tnd in the l'Onti'nul'cl drought~ we ho,·<' had. tbert' is on dn!wel' to the contentions of hon. memt,er~ oppo;itc. Those thing~. bow<'\'er. ~hould not deter m from try<ng tu overcome our difficulties. t:'p to

the present Qul'cn•lnnd hA, don<' prM'lir~<lly nothing in the '"IIY of >VaiN C'OO•en•ntion ancl irrigation. Hon. wcmber~ havo referred to thnt malter Ibis 11ftcrnoon. J •un n keen bt•lil'\'Cr in water conH't'\ation nnd irrigntion. nnd T hold that tlw J)Ppa.rtmenl of Agriculture should ha\'C rnntrol of thot mnlter. An,·thing hudng rt'lntion to ag-ri· rulhtre should come und~r tha~ dc.>pnrtmcut, and not hl' rl'lt.o,!!alNI 10 dilfcl'l'lll dcpnrt· menb;. lf we hud \'oriou• •trl'um• !ockl'd up wr would he nb)P to fight drou.:ht~ io 11 grea.tt'r mcn•nrc thnn hitherto. I hnve here evidetwe of whn t c~ n be do no by water conS<'a-vntion ond irrig:ltion. There is a. gcntlcmuu. 1\lr. C. Kirk, nf :Vloonnwrn. in nw t'lcf'toratt~. who h:•s gotu• to 11 greut dc:ol o( expf'nSP to irri}tut<• his c•urhnt•n. \Yhil011 al l oth t>r Ol'dla.rd, WC' I'(~ p!'rioh iiiJ.!'. h)· nwun, of water con•en·alioll und i<·ti~ntion. he hus l•<'f'll ~hlt- t o prOlJUI'I! JnUOL'!,'OI'< like> tJWRO. (Y.xhibild t.wo larg.,.sizl'd uHIIII-:O•·~.}

M.·. t:>ETRIE: I rise t.o ~~ J)Oi nt of ot·tl('r . r~ tilE' hon. rnewbcr in ordor in in tt·oduc ing his dinnPr- to thi8 Holl!<l'? {[ >)o. will t·huso articles bn la1d on the tn bJp of the Hcn6e for tho benefit of otht•t· membt'I'S o[ Pllrlit\ment ~ (L•l ughtl'r .)

Tlw CHAff! MAN; 'I'h!' h<>ll. mNnbcr i~ q11itl" in order in exhibi ting l hns!' moneroco,; to i llnr;trate his lli'~Llll'lt'UI. T 1\'0uld ~uggcst. howeYer. that. ~t• I1C' cannot gl?l tlwrn into "Bnnsnrd," it would be n gn•<X'fHJ lll't lo lay them <>u tlol' tlible of thl" Tiou~<.'. ~o t hl\t they <'an be clioposerl <1f in ''nother wny. (R<'0£'\1'1!<1 l!lnghl<•r.)

l\Ir. T>t<;TF.RSO!\: 'l'bc last time> I l~t~d $0me example!! like thi~ t.hey disnppeured b••fore 1 l1a.d 1\nished my ~peP<•h. Howc,·er, l do not introduce thl'tn merc.>ly 88 11 mntt!'r of leYitr. but to •l1ow what c;tu bo ))rodurcil by ml:'aris of wnt<>r eons!'rntl ion and irrigo· don. r sm con,·inl'ctl that if nu orchardi•t in dr." weather Ntn produr«' 6u<'h fruit a~ this. which I thiok will hold it• 0'1'0 with nny grown in Qul'enslond, whn.l can WC' not do b'· extending th6 priueiple dl O\'('o' Qnl?cns· land'! J think tllP time h~~ come> to lea\'c joking- Alon!' in mntt~JI'< of thL• kinJ. Wo want to o:ee H ir is oot Ill) to U!l to mitigate Lhc effect-~ of drought. l say \\'1' cnn find a. remedy if wo •re only ~rami' ~o tnokl" the m<~ttcr thol'oughlv nnd PTtlor mto •rhcmcs ut tho I':LI'Iiest riiJssi ble moment. There is no use. saying "e have not suitttblo st.1·onms in Qucenslanfl. IIIr. Crc•wlcv stn tL'~< t lu.•t·n a;·o ~evernl good streAm$ avniinblc fnl' wntnr rcm• CI'Yntion nncl in·igal'i<'n. Unless we get to btl&ine>s at thC' enr lie!t posqible moment w~ wi ll be in a. worsP stntt• wh1111 Uw next drough t comes thnn we were nu 1 his filL!'·

tioular occ~tsion. ,\t i0n minute's JHI.<t 5 o'rlock p.111.,

i\l(r. KtllWAJ< rPiit'\' £'d thl' {'hviruotlll iu thl' chair.

Mr. PETE.RSOK: I hope membrrs will not hll''C to be rcotiuuall~· spenkiug of wnter cons ... ,-,·ation and irrigation. As a Go"ern· mrnt ~nd n~ :1 Parliament "''' should ent<'r into l hf.'sc ~clwm~• with• 1\ vigour whi~h will t'Nlound ro the credit. 11ol onl~· of th<' Go· ,·et·nment conrt rnt'cl. but A l•o or the rrople of Qurt:'n>land.

I wmlld !ikt• to drnl with the ntlmin••trnrion of tlw Co-opPratiYe Agrintltnral Pro· duction A<'1. which I eall the Dair~· Cattle Act. 1 am plea•Pn that that mea.sure has berome lnw. nud I run hopdul that a considerable a~ou.ut of b~ucfit will be derived

Mr. Petersr.m.]

2928 [ASSEMBLY.] Supply.

from it. Upon p~ruoing the J'egulu,t.ions, I admit thn~ the Minister has beo:>n very open and frank. Evory -person w,ho int .. ods to borrow Irom the d<?parrmrnt Clan Sl.?C i11 black. m1d white- exactly what is e.xpt>cted of him. l looked forwao·d with n great mea.ure of gln clnc;s to the paS$age of that Bill, and l !>hall be k eenly dioappointerl if it. is not adrnioistei·ed in the spirit in which Parlin· Jllent pn.$5ed it. I S<tJ: tftat candidly, and I makt' no bou~s about 1t. It can co6r me my $eae and the refusal of endorsement. If th is Act is 110~ adm inistered in the wa-y we W<!re led by t he .Minister to bo:Jlicve it would be, l will take r-he respou&ibility of cl'iticis i 'IfS it. 'I he MinistE'r, l hel i~Ye. is lL

gentleman who kuows the h·ials aud struggle~ o f 1 hf• produr('r in the ead,v ~tRgc~. and will set\ t hat the setilers get the fairest possible a~\a l. The hon. member fo•· 111urilla., in criticising the regulations, omitted tu mention tlult in one portion tn<tre is a. provi;;ion which euables a settler who al read;Y is mortguged up to the J11lt to t,he Agricultm-nl Department to ~xrange with tht' butter factory concerned to re1)ay to the department, per uredium of \,art of the cream eh~>q oJe as secu!'ity. If wat is gonera.lly known amongst settlers it will ove,·coUlt! the difficultv as far as dairy cattle-of which the hon. ·member wM complaining- aro conr.e.rned. I think when applica.tim1s come along to the l\l.inister they will be treated cm tl11:~ir merits. I havB .:~e•·y reason to b<."lieve ~he hon. gentleman will gi vo everyone a. fait· and ~·1ua.rc go.

Mr. MORG3N: What about the Ji200 fot· ;;h!!cp?

:\Ir. PE'tERSON : 1'h~~e may bo something itl the hon. ''10111ber's contention about sheep. I a m more c!once rn~d at the prese,nt moouent about getting the settlers started with thei1• dait·y he1'<1~. I am sure the Minister is jusc as ntu!'ft concerned as 1 nm, because be realises that if the progres; of tho State is to be maintained we I)Ju~tr make available immedia te assistance to those po:ople who ~re anxious to assist in production.

M1·. .!\<lOfiOAN: Regulation 13 daruns the 11holo thing.

:Mr. PETERSON: I am vcrv thankful to the departrnet1t for some t<me' ago sending up Mr. Brook~ to Rockhampton, aml csta.b· lishing thc re what is known ~s the .Agricul· tt.md J3urcau. Mr. Brooks has been of inva!Hable a.o;sistance to the farm ers o f tl10 district. M.nny farmcl's ha1·e ;wailed them· s~· Ives o ( h is set·vice~. .and I f tJel sure they are rea.p i1ll!; Lhe benefit. l have many rooords of the :,toad work perfo rn oecl b.v that gentle· man, und .( unn assu.tc rh(• Committoo tha.t J ha1·e not r"ceivt'd a. single word of pt·otest or an.vrhiug o f a Jcrogatory nahm! regnrcllng ::11r. HYooh's cfi'ort;; towa rds ass ist.iug zht\Sc people in ~hawing the1ll the W<ty to grow erop5, and in matlers of that par tioula.r kind. I hope tht• department will not with· dra\1' l1im from t!Ht~ distr ict , hut will ·allow l1im to ro·ntinno the good work he is doing there, and ino•·en~c his u~cfQiness. Tbe Central cli~trict is ~oing ahead lJy leaps and l1ou.nds. Orchards are being taken np e''t'l'J'· " ·h··rc. l'incaprlle ~towing is being gone in for intensely in Ya1·ious local ities on the Da.wson Valley. Evet·y a vailable piece of land has b~-cn taken up. I can say truthhtlly tht1t. ~;;; far a; the Normanl>~· e lt'ctorat.e is cot1N.'l'!H'<I. T an1 ·not o.hle to )!;et land opened f:o,;!. t•nough for the people "ho a. re desit•ous of gett ing upon the !and in order to increa>e prncluction. Only the oi her day rh ere waa

[.Mr. Pete1·son.

at m.v house a gent.leman " 'ho came fro!'lll the oorth ccatit of .N.;,w Sour.h \\-~le~. Hehb come up to Queensland for th~ purpose of im·esti!'g .£5.000 in grll1.tng and d;ti.r.l"ing po·opert.v lll Quuensland- tbe Central dlstrict Jll'Cft!n<KI .

I woultl lik~ to a~k the ,!\linis teo· if ho oan state wbNhor llllyrhi ng ha~ beco done with regard to rhc Harvey ft1J L& lure.. WirJ1 tloe hcJU. merllhor for Lockycr I have bMn out ~tnd inspectt'd this h·uit luro, a11d I am COTI\'HJcuJ that, whnieYer m".'' be Lnc cxpert"i' oprnoon of n, tb11t fo·uit lure is one of the greare~t su~cc>s<!s of its kind. :M~. Harvey Jemoll~lrHtcd to me at h is nurscr·s rhat it was an eutire success. I bt'lievo that if it werc a<lop r<'d it would be the moans of' saving r.hcusand;; of pounds to the O.I'Chardisr.s of QueC'nsla.nd.

I would l ike to ~ay a woo'd or two no1v- with n•g:ur.l to tho ·warren State -~~nl'ln , which is siwnl<:(.! in m:v elcctorare. Por ln~nv yeaJ:s that farn• has been perfol'rn ing useful work. Jf rhe :'11inistor could sec his ' way clc;u to pa_<r u vi,;ir, io it at -an early date he would see tha t M~:. Colledg~. tbl! manager. is a VCI"l' competent man. T ltcr.e io no more painstaking or ltardworkin.f$ man than Mr. <.:o llt'dgc, \oYhcu tJ1e d~purtment se lected him they sc lerted it man to whom thev ~ould enti·ust th<' management of the p luc.;. I dehope the .Minister will pay a vh1t there, not so much to find fault . hut o·ather to assist the managt'r to put the place on a better footing than at present. 1 also wish to put in u plea fo o· the establi~hmem of a tra ining furrr o on the Dnwson VaJie,·. where t.here i~ a vcr.v l.ao·ge sett l()ll><'nt. Warrcn, at prescnl. rlocs not s.crve ~uch ~ large district· as the Oawson V;~llcy <lo£'s. A great number of the fAl'nt<'~s in the Dawson Va lley cannot find time to go lo the i\ al'r<'n State Farm, bcca'lsc it is on anot.lwr line 1\ rtd means a con&1dend>le l\llJOurn of e..xpense,

I hope thut at the ~end of rho coming year - which has befill ushtorcd in so w!.'ll bv the· beautiful 3nd houut~ous 3howe•·s of J:ainthe clepnrtnwnt. will have E'I'CI'Y rca$nn to be p roud of its record, a.nd that wh11·11 !hi' next a nnua,l repol't is plac<'d before Parliament 1t w ill be able to shoiV ~ood •·esults, and' t-hat hon. n•c~> [bcrs on the otl1cr side will h:~-ve no na.ason to com)llain.

Mr. SWAYKE (Jlir(l,ni): At one time, when the agricultural industry was rle>C'-r ibed' as the most impotcta.nt in the State, there would be a ~mile all round tl1c Committee, but during the• pasb four years, ~iuce the importauc.e of food production has been: forcecl upon 1.1s . and the fact that unless our a(!'l"i<.:ultural indu1'tl'i('S are t'ncoura.g-ed people will go short of foc•d, I tloi11k the Committee ~eneralh beznn to rcalil\e bl:'tt<"r than they pre>ioush did the plare whi<'h this industry f.akes in our life, 1 finrl that in Queemla.nd the ngricnltnral. pMtornl, and like industries are somP.thing like 64 per cent.. of the whole or Olll' indu-strin.l life. There is no department in tbe State which C"aUs for greater initiati 1·e and grentt'r enterpri~e on the part of the :llinistt-y than rJ:oe Agricnlturu l Depart. ment. Those who can Took ba.ck to th& eighties ,v;u ren1ember how the dairying industry was; :~dvance<l by yttar• through the i nitial;, E· of the ::11in iot"l' "t that r-ime. othrrv:i~c -it won1d 1Ht\L• lwt"'H ,.l'-llrl= ·l~ ter hefore r.he industry attained rlw ·,~im<?nsioM it has. :'lfuch can he don<> hv rh" 1-finis· t~·1·iul hoa~l of this department in ihe wa y of establishing new jndusrdos. In view of

[ 11 FEBRt;A.RY.] 2929

t h<' ~··c.•ut food shortagi.' that pr~\'a.ils in rhe thickl~ ·flu)lul:ucd row.tri•·'> o ( l·.ut·vtll-llh•••c ~ornc·rhiul{ liko 100,000.000 p eople ao·o nn 1hu vr.>rgr> of ~tan•urion and n re dt•pen<.lcm upon on•r•cao rcRourcc·, for the i1· food-it bpCOme~ imt)oralil'\• upon u; to do our utmo>t ro dl'l' t·lo r our gTt<:tt n•!\oun:es. Arteo· all, we ur(' <Hdy u handful-nbou~ 5.000,000-occupyil11!' tL continent. l very much c,ue;LJOI1 wh .. thN wt.• ••an mak!l !;OOd OUI' oln im to a ouunupul.v of it uulus; "''' do !oooncf,hing fM our fo•llmv-rncn iil the \1'11,1' of l'~lllll'l rnl{ food.

l fiud that in Queensland, insleud of proj;tC>s. tho•r;:- i~ rctrog'l'l'!$ion. lu tbe> 6Uga1· ln,hHI'~ thrre is a falling off of over 15,000 Ol'o"; in uwizr> iltl'r<' i$ n. falh111; ofT of 15.119 ao•r• ; pnra tO.."', a. falling oii of O\'~r 4.000 ucr•·•, antl su on. It has b<'o'n ~Pid that the •lUll•' thing is happl'niug in other :)tatcs. Dut it 1~ nut happening to nnythil1g liko the •ani<' t>xwnt. In romt• o f tho~c 5tntes tli <:-rt~ ho' ll~t·n an in<'rCot.c. Acct1rding to tlu! ''Yt•a r Euok'' lil:'urcs illt'l917-18, thcrohas ll••o•n ntl int•ft'ih<' i t) Xo•"' ;;;c111th \V nlcs of lOO 1\(' t' ['~. Ill' tlwr;:-about,;, in punt 101'~. r IJ 11 notll<'t' !:i tntll t hPt'r• Ill\• l)e<'n an iolt't'c•asc in the HCI'C· ng•• ltntl••r l(l'<'t'l r foddel'. u.nd iu onotlter Stntc nu ino•r<•l!.!'c in the nct·cup;c un<lcr hay. In ")11\l\ other Statc>, also, wheat t5 fni1•ly w!'ll ho l din~t its nwn. Tht• Calling of£ in the wh~:nt nctcHgf in QuNmslancl is nppnlling. 1 do uut think the ··Commonwealth Year Book'' figun~ arc ye~ complete. but I am afnid, when t hey Rre, thl' po.ition will be do••• tn disa~trom. The :~ci'Migc under wheat ha~ fRII£'u off from 127,000-in r ound numbers - to 21,000.

l\Ir. (.'QLLINS; What nrr• )'011 IJUOting from?

Mr. SWAYNE ; From lhc '' Yoar Douk of Austr~tlia ." And that I'Crn inrls 11W of tlw f1·uit production. ~We will take Bowen, w!Jich ;g Jookt'd unon as one of the ltu·gcst fruitgrow· inll <.listrJcts, and where there a rc. very ontorpr rsing t~nd up-to..cJate grower~. F rom 1916 the1'e hns heen a steady falli ng otr. I nnt quoting from the months of _\pl'il, Mn~. June, .July, and August. In 1916 thero was an export of 95,000 cn!es. In 1919. du1·ing lht' •t'ason, tht're w e-re only 55,968 cases cxportL-d, and in the inrcn·emng years there btl\'l' btl'n decrease •.

)lr. Cot.t.J~s: "'hcrl! did you get thoso figures fro111?

:'.!1·. 8\\'.\Yl\E: F1·our the tlt•JIOI'ltlll'ut.

'fhi- <l~'l'"'·t mr•nr i~ r~nc 1 hat •'"'·t·ynt~>! I-' r~H!Illin l y inrcresrerl in , nnd wr ~tll,ttltl, f<a fn1· ~~~ po>~i lole, di,;cn~s ir with u. \'inw l·:. irnrn·ol'ill~; the pns itiou. lllld not with a \'irll' o f ull<' party >cor i t~g f1•ono the othcJ'. SpC>alonr: from l'XpPI'il'nCi:'. l ~ny tlon,t. atrikt'• ar c u very big fnctm· in tho disrourllgllment that is tnkiull' pluce iu regard to fanning. I can concelYe of no go•cater ob~t:wlc to rhc int..Tt'asing of produ('tion lhan strik~ •. \\'ith regard to the pastoral branch, "" ktoow th:~t among>t the food tCCJ,uirPmcnts of thu world mt'at has a \'('1'\ 1mportam plac:c, nnd Australia l?al'licu)arly loom$ lurgl•ly d3 & L'Ountn who<'h ~hould be one of tht' great <ouo'I'~S o'f supplic~ in dutl t·cgard. Wo find t hut, from about 1895 wr ha,·e bt'en Ktntionnry in tegnrd to our herd~. >nmt'times c>xcco>ding and sometimes dilllini~hing the numbro· we had in 1895. buL \\ (' hn\P hung .nbour th11t limit ever ~in<'l'. ln tl tnt year Austra,li&t h~d nearly 12,000,000 catt le. At the pre~cm Lime we Jta,'e less than that num· ber, .>\s l'e~;rards Queen~l..rtd, in 1895 we. had 6,822.401. :since then it has Jccrea.sed, and now we are only just oyer the 5,000,000 mark.

192(;-8 R

On thE' other hnnd, our population has la.rgely iner<'aocd. £t tlwtt'fOr<! looks ' 'O'I'Y much a• if. in the near futurl!, .Australia would hardly prot;luc<! •'nough m~ftt 10 feed her own popula.tion. The populntiou of Au5tralia in 1895 was 3.491.000. 'I'hu populat1on io now just oyel' 5.000,000. In (.!uccn·lund in 1895 w& had, 1 th illk, 443,000 pl•roplo

Our populo• iou to·tlay i; 700.000 peO)Jie. So lhut it •,1 ill bt: ijr•,·n thnt o•l 't'll in Au~tra Ji~ o ur t•uvullltiott i< itll'n'tl•iug in n lJlUC'h t; t'!'lllt:'l' rnLi(J Jhllll j, m n· •rock. The only cout:fu .. iou uuc l•n u t"'lflh.: to i"l thu t Wl• Jn~bt ah~>r Q llr tut:t ltllll•. Sp~:akitt~ n., or!£' 1\ho hu~ thQu~ht on·r thP !II.LU t*r arul itd:: .... ol!lf' p1·act i · ':.! knondo•tlgc ,,( the-o lhllll!'·· 1 say "".nail i ulY'~ ttJ u j du l•~otu;h iu c,UlJUll••tiou with ottr pa.~t urnl "t.'-·uruuJons. 'rh~ old day~ whL•u we dt:pt t•d .. d enti rely upon nature.! )!J'il,;,;c5 IJ:l\'o' 1••1 " ' J. '"" Shu ll JlaYC> lO f~unch OIH in llt: ll' :owlhock The COlloef\'0 · 1 iun of !otld<•l' ttllll lrr&l!'al ion hu; b.-<!n JnNr· oiotJt:' I. I J,l ll(ol thi11k that i rTigatiou 'l'lll e1·. r 1>1:' 11 ,.,.1')' hi!.\ I IIUllt>L' in Qn«Cil~lnnd; 1\ •J <'tilt !<I'Ciltl,l' t 'X J1tltltl llflOJI 1he j)l'C~ent p_c,,it;on. u11d. ttK i ur ''" un~ valuable ('l·up~ <ll'(' <'OIIt't•o·nr ' I. "'' droul.t irl'lg'lltioo will i.>tl tt-"'1 in rhnt coiJI>t'C'I iott; lont. n~ regdl'do fe~d ing 1i1·e 'ro,•k, l thiuk Wt• nouot tlcpt>nd mor~ il'•ull the coll><· •· •··•~ onn tJf folid"t' that ha• het•u produl'l'cl dUI'I IIt;' Jh·• ~<l<ltl \'l'aro. Aud •iout Of'•'l~ LIJI tuo• 11 ~lit I'~~; Wt' • l'.all hardlv exll"<:t tl" f ur:n••r • ... lttrr: 0 \'t' r !Jilt ~lock• of n :'~---<lf'lhl <'OJii tal-t'onps 'lhil'l1 1oan~ co·t h;m !urge ' llllh uf m,u~o•y to )orudur••. wiihouL <eme tt~•i<t.1nce ituru dot' :51ntr•. l u :\ew S~nt ll i\',11..,~ tiu~.~· l•tt:ld<'<.l dlt.' pmblem tu n IltiUOr t' XIi.' IH Juh•ls. f!Jc-~· IJiitdP ad\'ltiiCP~ upon fotldt'r ,rotl!d in tht• pu<t. lf WE' want to a1·oid 1!11• huge lo$oCs thut O!!Cur hom time to t i tue o wtn i\' r·• t l t ought.<; if "''' want to ~·1\'e ouo• pt·oduri11g }IOJ•Uinrion from l'Uf1niny luto debt M tlwy O!' c QmntH!I led to do uc oUt'h I im ... ~. \\'t:! KUJO 11 ' ' ·II' C 10 COili'ider >OIIIC way of liuo11cing- the fli'OJucN in cat'rying o,·cr t hi' Hll'pi U'i f r·um the good sen.ons to the bm·e •Pn•Oll>. l thltok rhnr is " matter \1 orrh.v of the .\J i tu•t n's n tttmrion. { rend J·o.'CI'ntfv n ,.,.,.,. interc.ting .uJdn!~ dt!:iYered hy tht! 'JJrincip'dl of we Gatrun Collr:>£e ; und, while on this .uhJrl't. 1 may atate that it I< r~h :shing- t~ •t•e Go\ }'mmem oflil'ial;o going our.tcJ,, dw•r Ollll \olll'l!' and ronL't'rllin.; them.-·h•t•s in thr hi~,; fjlWotioll< of rhe cle~·Lel'OU>e d tb i, ono to! !11'! nig qne·tiOits CJ f rhv du,r how 11'" cu 11 u t'l't't the l'H' ir.as ruinous la --es t h&t fro tn tiruc to rime al'ise tllt'Ciuglr drought. ln l't'A'"''U to tJ,., snma ,u l:oj ~cr rheJ'o• i. Utlo thfl r ""'thou th<tt w~

C": n d.•a l with tu htC:l't"u~t' ~h~ (5.30p.ltt.) C<\J'l'~·inq rapoc·1ty . lt 1111 se.-m~

to Hit' thn t "c> t m do o lr•t more ill the ll'l1V of nrtilifittl ~ t'i1S5CS, nnd I tltiuk the Departrnt>ur o f .-\grirulntl·e ~hould l~;o~cl the \\'a\', 1 think a 'hould C'BI'N on a th'> rougb · ,l'>lt'to& of iu, r..;ti .,.ution and experi· !ltt!llting iu ohi, o·.:-gor.l. 13t'foo·e I l!er away frolll th•' que,rion o f focltl£>r con<t>r-,·arion I "·ould likl' in puint out tlw ncc~.,;;itv ior a m<:>r" ron•:•l~>tc •.1·11·u• of '141ti•trt'~. I do olOt; thtnk th~ D••·J81'tlll\'ll~ ,,f .\!!ricuftur•' cou!d : <•ll to~ \\hilt JllhJU!ll uf fox!d,• t• i t r•'4llll'l.'> to c~n~· Ui ov~r n 1wo ~··at-,' dJcru:rltt or a tln·c" ycun.' tlrnuc-ht. If w<> at·:• goin!:' to l•.r by a -to1't: fen· n buu E•·a~(,u, 11'0 ~wa t it "'.o k ilO\\' w)Htt nmrJ>tnt CJI fodtff'J' we 11't1uld J·equi >·e for thui •r-n· otl. 1 think it i• tin&<~ rhat Wt> kt'll'W otrn·n nh•J ut Otll' rw"~ tiJJtn we ,;o. k11 Qw: thl' depn 1 IJ&tPnt •ltnuld d o more than they ur" doing itt 1h11t n'SJl !'f't . 1 noticed tho otltcr dny the reortarks 'J f the

Mr . Swayne.]

'2930 .')up ply. (ASSE~lBLY.] Supply.

ruJK'-' iu the .\ rbitrution C:vart, "ho .Lutl'tic• wen• th)t cnmrh.•rc with rP!Xunltu the .ug:sr imlu·tl'\. Of cnur.•l'. tlwt '' urwt!.t•r manor. GHt:ng hut·k In rho r.ohll~o·r of nuiticinl gTth•<'. an~·ont• who uu~ ' ''" ••llod o •·~l'lor.d nottlr oi Roekhnrrrpton know• what Clill he lltll l<' in Lhc '""'' of <;u ldnniu)t thO:SL' gl'l•Sscs. Ir Pnn bf' ~o~·J) ora t hr· 1\orth t'oitill lint? iu a ~nn\1 1 wu1 •I hnt ronll) cn u IJe clotoc, oncl 11·hnt 111lditlons to :Hll' gruling l'B poci t~· c:w be made Ul' loying nrPtlb dtHill with Ul'liHcia l lJ:I'n::.><'·. ft 1\onlcl 1101 <"O~t \ ' Cri' much to rlenr llu• timber. !•'ir-.1 of all. what thro '-!Pparsuwn!. ~hould do rs to find out tiro bt>H k111d of urnhcutl ~ru~·. I u m~- di-rri~• we h~1·c '"'o ,.,,n· auod grn.~e .. - Rhode" nnd (M~fHtlunl-oul ~ 'Jl'ltcr grab$ tb•n c·itlu•r of 'he~" t wu mid•t l.lt• fount!. Thut thPI'<' b the matu·r nf rrc1•nrin!l: thr· lancl work .hould bt> doni' in rhi, l't'JlllrcL

1 ruillhr uat'ntiou that nur ,·ulut- of <'xport of bt•••l la•t yl!ar 11·o~ on•r· ~E'I'Pil ruill ion~ o: 1110111',\. thl' I'XIIN !I lll<JUllt I.Joinl( £7.322,882. \Vull. if "~ c:hn <mh- u•ld onr-tiHLI l11· tlll' ntlopt ic•n of snr h IH~il o ot.l~ us l ho 1'P · rncu· •liOIH•d, 01' YI'Cll 2o pe r Ct.'llt. \'011 wi ll t'Ou l isc wh~t 11 11 addition t h t• r·c \\ On ld l;,, jn LhP ruo ne \' P ii•Ndn:ing in Qut'Pn~ l nnd. StH't'l l' tha't

hou itJ not. bl' Ueyond 0\ll' JlO II'P r In inci'C'IISe the outtrut IJ:V 25 pt•r C'C'IIJ. ! While L am ~f'(·Hkin~ un ll<'w sulojt:Ch rlrur rht• Gon~··nn•t•nt util!lrt ~;o infO-and 1 rni:!ht nwntiou that I hu n• ur·)!elll-<-th<'rl' '' tiU\ mut tC'r t.f l tOit iNrJ ngri<'u)tut(' a)H\tl frl'lll •U~Ul'•l{tOII'• IIJL•. I am nor !!Oill!\' to •peak nn tho• •u!rar qU(• t~nu ~usr 110\1': l 11 ill du rh ut llltl•l' on who•ll I will \jnYc· oil fiJIJtOI'lllllill· n[ doiug •n Ulld• I' tlllothrt• 1'01\•, "'•• kno\1· h011 llt'lll\' nttic·k~ cuu ,,._. !(rOII'lr iu th<' lropir:nl clitlllllt;, thur urt• indutlct l irr •Ju r t.loih rli\'t. One t imu in Qul•enslund n l n t:gt~ ctuci,ni r.~ of rice wns ~··o"'": the.-~ 1\' I),S ntl'Q n lun:c !{ ll lllll it\' of cofl't•t• }'roduccd <Jt one 1 i tl 1C'. l•'or· >nuo'co rett ~flll Ill' OLh(? r the,;c ttldll"t r i(•S hul' o• JII'UCti• cally d~t'(l righl out. Tull: ing ubour c·xtleri rna:rtlul fur·u1s. I tl1ink. 111\',e)f. that IH• •ho11ltl lruvtl one in a suiTable lol'l\lih· in tht• Xorth. ThP orw 11t Cuirn~-Knna .. ruti~G -1~ uot in u ~uitnule loculity. Purti('ular uttl'ltti<~~r •hould bo rnitl to rhc•e indust ric• !.1· t'r Go,·crn lllent. 11111J. i£ it is found 00 fiUI' JII'P>t•lll <tunchtrd of l:rloour thnr tbC'I aa·c unt t<'llllln.:rrni,., .. the Co,·crii1UNH •honld I(O tn tlw ('omrnonwPnlrh 1\llll JlrO\'P th.tt w~ C'!\11 ;rrr•w rh!' ar·tie!P,, urwl lun .. n \"'otccti,-1.! lnril£ pl;wed ou rlu~m. T)l(lt wou d euabl!' ll> to <urrc•sfu lly ga•ow t hr"' u t·ticlt·~ m Qut·rnslol'ld nnd be intlc·pl'll\lrnt uf t lu• ftlr~ignt· l' . The suga r i nd ustn· j, IIH· onlv Ollt• curri!'cl e-n in t hE" t m p ic·'i irt· tlw p t'4'8~r it ! i n t(•, l~11l lhl'l'P i~ p)C'I Ity of r<lOIII fOl' lltl ret rndu-rtw•. ff U1P Go,·eT·nmt>11t "oultl onh· do no~ 1 lraw sugge•ted. tlt<'l' wouhl f\nu otir Jrn11 fur th<'•• aniclcs. coulil bt> •llct·r~,fulh· l!'rown rron• ~ :Onm:erciul •tntiUJl<>im. •

At ten minun•s to 6 o'c·lock p.m ..

Till' <.:II<UJULI~ re;umed rhe t·ll~ ir.

::\lr ITARTLEY (PituOJI): I do not intend T•• ton.'' •·cry mu,.h on this 1ote. I do uot intPnd to po-e as an expl'r t r•ithl•r i u agrir·ullttr'P ur farming, but I l\'Ould likr to a~k nn~ nr two que~tion.. o f hot•. rncmbers vf tht• Oppooition. 1 would like them to t ~ll 1110 how it 1voul cl he rossihlc t u r cJic,·c Rllllll' of lh" cl iffirn lt iPs th•• flH'llWI'-thl' m an on thP lnnL ·i ~ ~nfferi ng from- thut i~. if he i• Ht{frdng .':-um nn;v hig di fficult~· bnr the <·~Nhrtunt upkP<'P t•f t hn~t> 11·ho nover grow

[~l r. Swaynt .

~:J~·tlliuJ, who novl'l' make atJythrog. Tha t •~ the llur•t tbin;r the mo.n ou the land sufferl! ft·om.

.Mr. B<BB!~CTOX: Likr· your S tate Produce A!!'eflC,I'.

::Ur. JlARTLE \ ': l do not th ink the ruan 011 rhe luud cat•cs a sn11p of the f\ugcr for 90 per t'COtl t , u£ ilot• IIICI!tht ·r~ oJ P a rl iament ; if Y~•ll will o uly kt•t'\l t•l<•.tll' of him 1\lltl ,rr il'(• lmn ll sqUU I't' !.(0, IC \\ tJl WOI' k (l lil his 0 1111 tlc1tiny on the Jnnd. {l}c:nr, hE':u· !) There ar·e "otue g~;t\ t• dt~ohrill tcs thni t he man on the lnnd nnd rill• """' n·ho wants to go on the• ln11d nnd t'a.nnol get there--who ;s th• mnn I am nru.t l'OIIt'l•flli!U uhuut-ilal·e to fll<'c. end nil thc•P !(O l·~ck to the >amr thin!!: Tlw !!'rahbing selfi~hnt>·~ o£ the mun who bad the nrom•y und botuchl up the wholl' of thP laud in rhe l:irot pluc£>. Thnt is the bigoge•~ Jucntwc thnt the farrn~r hus to face co~sy.

l\1 r . .l:lrBBl~GTOX: There i~ plenty of chl'ap l:uul in lhro HtK'khuuaptort d istrict.

l\h. JL\RTLl~Y': You ll'uut the workt?r to t o il fllr u pi t l,u nt'f' , to to il (or vou so that. ''ul\ rAn , ,lll 11Hl l1(' \' in t lw hutik nnd dti ,·e • nhout in your utotol'-r ars. a·nd such JikP. I thin!: t he wot·kl'l' hM bt'cn Yer;v good iu .,fnnd it <n lnn!,:-all this humbug n ru l c •:_•ntin~ by}JnCrt~.'.

~~-. Bt:B!II~CTO:<(: Lt>L him product> his 0\\'11 food.

~!r'. HARTLE\' · I hnn:- no hP~itatiou in sa,"i"~ that 99~ per CC'Ill. of rht• worke~ of QuPt>tJslnnd could 1101k .-ou blind in one hour. ·

:'tlr. B~RBJ~GTOX: Till'~' must be n.>ry much tliffcr,·•lt fr·om you t h ~rl.

M r·. JJ AR'l'LE \' : If you ll'llllt to \l"ork, I will wch·k ~11'0 hotll'~ Lu you1· o ne, and I lli ll h nH! .vou o il ,vout· bnrk in two ltOlll'S.

'fhc C' LJ.\I Rl\JAl'i: Ordet·l Or(lt>t' l

l\I r. IJAHTLE\": \\' hot I want to J)llin t out is t uat Ctlle of t Jw bi:; di~ltbiliti<?s o£ the 111nn ou tht:' lnnd. untl more pn.t·ticula rly the "'"" who wam~ to go 4)11 the lnnd. is the high rricr bu has lo puy for ~uitable land 1 id1in P<l'" u<'Ce\1~ of ~ railwa> liul'. There arc plc·nty <>f ,foung 111!'11 "'lin are willing tu tub;,• up lnnd ond 11 ho wouiJ t~.ke ir up if rh~ \unci wo~ ul'lliluhlc. but it has already U<'''ll grubbPcl by tht:' 1111111 with. ,money. Take nil thar land on tlr~· Et~ogt,:t•t·u·'lt>rl'eot·'~ ('rNk li!w. I know throl loud ltui! bco•n ~trabh£'<1 bv u big D,·i~lulltC' 1l•·np•'''· tlltd t kn-ow thnt i'r i5 uu1· fault for- u l lowill~ il to ;;u. It i;; nn iur)'o• .. ihi lir,•· no w to loll~' l on~l in rh ut pan iNt· ln1· d istrict ttnlc~s u ll tOfl is p repan·u to J>U I' :£30 Ol' .£40 u.n ac r·o• for· it. T hat i- the big <ii!Wdl'"ntage-noL w!wt the :Min ister for Agricuhurt': J)M'~ rc.r -et>d wbeat 01' whether hr cli<rribute> :n . \ pril nt· :\.Iay or ony other nronth. Herl' i~ another thiusz: which I wa.nt hon. member• oppo•ito to telr me something about.

Mr. S!7.En: \Yhut lril! Bl'ibbane draper aro you n•ft•t·rin~:t 10?

~fr. H..\RTL'EY: Tf ~·ou w ill ~to to tho Lauds D!'pa ri ll1£'nt rou will find out for yourspJ f. You will li11d that onl' o£ tlw big!!'est dr·3pers in the Ynllc.1· hM that Laud. •

:Ull". SrZ£R : Dn ;oou k nvw th(lt t be Go1·ern· r~t cnt h n,·e gor thnt lnud now t

:'Ill'. I'b\RTLP. \" : l\o. I do not know it, a nd I do not th ink f.h ('~· h uvt>.

M t•. B EBBP.\.;rox: You hn\'e fa lleon in a gain.

[ll l!'ED1WA.&Y.} Supp~!J. 2931

Ml". BARTLEY: My info,·olation is IL:;

n•t·c:. t 113 lnst week. It i£ rhe grt-at~st hum'b~t!! in dw w•Jrld ior ilw hon. mP.mb<'t for D,·~,·tnn ~nd tlw hnn. m"ruh~r for )!Ltri llo w r. :~ lii nhrr.a rhc rNui'Llin~ r. f llrodur• ic.n wh<>n -th inp;• lik!' this :tl'<' goiug on. T:dk about r.rrx.luctioJI : v\'ln·, I nntir<J wc·1'e ]'l rs.ctioll,\1.< coll'ering :1.tlythi 11!.1 the.'' !l k~·d . j n•~ bccRU'~' th('re was no outlet fot• thi& c1·op.

.M1·. &tZE I.: Whnt about _yuur State C~ flJiCt'y·!

l\1~. HA RTLEY: We!J, rhe Stute cunne•·v ha•. o .l;v hcen going eight or te11 <luys. AnJ jt •s g'•l ;ng HS fast o:: it con. \.-otL cannot ger an.'· lousines., int•J ru.nuing or~er i n 11 wPek. T(, get that plant unn I'UIIntng ord<'r wil l :akt' at lva.>t three or four weeks. J know 1hat thP shippi 112 strike hr ' somewhat l'~tarcled the c:xporr of fwip lnt~lv ~o othet· markNs that would hu n~ bPcu open to rrcch·e ~ hem . anrl this i; :\nutiii!J' mattot· lhnt should br• lookt•d i11t0 b~· thP de partment. \Yh.v should nny man take up farm ing land or ••nzrt!!e in dairv ing put·suits nr rh~ pr~sent lim P. -wh ~·· h,• ;nn 1·un <'«til~ and !1'~1 u hig p r it·e for hi~ bed?

Mr. BFBBr.>GTO:>: \Yhcn he l'nn eam more monts i n the- Glties.?

:Vi r. H.'\RTLEY: Ht< eom"s tn thf.l cine,; },t,c u::P hi\ cannot !!'(\~ awn,~ : hL'<'aue~ he can· r:nr gN lund i'~f'l'pt rot a bt,!! t•tice orhcn than .• r .. .,. at·res of ( I'OW71 lnnd5 ItS I hi'\' a re rn•inl! OJit'ltrd; UIJrlcem~>nt oi th" ".11· ten·!ti\IH!'t' wirt• was qtwtvd at .£10 1~ t rm , 111Hl mo (nher da:r I ~0 1 n rn1otnrioo anJ the p r ie,• quoted \\·as .£47 IL <Oil . \\110 is gvir . .: 1<1 fene.c n 40-~l'l'e farm wirh wirt• 11 t th:<t - J>rice :

M 1·. Gn;xc Cnn•t he p11t up a "dog-leg" f~n ~l? 1

M r. HARTLEY: C'annot b.- S?Pl 11 brush {pr;cc, ;md allow nll the pmlrlies- of his n(lxr door n<•i~thbour to cotni' iu ~ Wlw ClUliiQt r.ha hon. -member talk ~ense? ·

Mr. BtnuT~GTOX : " ·e ha Ye bl'l'll feeding ;;o!l l'hP!btaininv: dit·Pcto•·~· (1'1·~ hrJ!Il fout• companies. One of the load~ t hnt Lhe man <•n the lnnd has to rn rn• io the director~ of these "h<'C'c and hntrr t• ·rn~tndPil. 'Yl•err is the it•st.ifiea tion fol r pay-i11g £47 a ton fo1• wit·e~ \Yhero i- iht· iHCJ"POH> in tho oost o( win• ~ lL is i lllfl<; r lt•J. ft•u tlt o' «neao, .;ncl wages in those cotmtrits han.• nr.>t i ncrenscd b." lOO pe1• celll.

Mr. i\10\JR£: Ni'wcu~tle is rnnki11g wire.

Mt·. H.\ RTLEY : Xewc:astiP i' makiug "i! i'. a11d th~y u•·e rh31·git1g the sou1e •·ntL?. 'Yo11 t•!uHIOi hu Austyalinn wire 3t le~$ (han a. c-ounl t- of 1)ounds chenpe1· than Engli~h wltc. · T hi;; incn•u•e i~ g<>i ng- hack to the canirn list <. Is that noi rcwrdinr• prodttC· t.io n : If ,-ou p11 t up the twice of U1e implcm<mt• a nian must lwvC' to wMk hi~ famt. is th at no• go in~· w retn::d JH<1d llct ion ·: Clf t•ot~rse. it is. 'fah' an~· otlwr lin£' you like. 'Ink<' nnil•. Nai1s han· incre11~t'~l by 300 per c~u l. tn 400 f><) r cent. Then tuke hoJt,. YnLt coul d bltY 1 lb. o [ 3-indt bolt8 fnr 3d. a.t one ti111e. and now sou c:annot b11y n single bolt for less ~ha.11 3d.. and n ~mLill

bolt 111. that. Tlr<~se Ill'!! nU rcwit·e.d on a farm . Take holn•l (lllDLP-' o r rower J)Ullli)S, Ct!' a ttyrhing ~·ou lik,•. Four :V"nr, ago ~ · ou <·niJlcl l,u,\· n hand IJlllll[J for .£2 15;., while yu•.• <'a ll llut bas >t i111nd [JUmp for less thnu .£6 DIJII . 1111d ~t't tbc.v were mos1ly mlpo•·ted I'I'I OJ· I •J the war. Ta k<> the ord innry lonr... hartrll <•tl &hon•l. 1 .1\l uot know that ho~. lll l'nlhez·s oppoiitt' lire very wt•ll >wqua inted with t hat implerHPn t. I do not s uppose tiiev h urt ih"il' bttr·k;, or han• tu Ur<~kc their l iying b~· wMI:lng it. bot they must know the price. l t wos 3,. 6cl. brfOI'e tht• "at, nnd to-day .''OU hn\'1! to I>'"'· 12o. 6<1 . for it ut ~n; 'tori> iu B r isbau<' , 'fh()n. hon. membe1·s oppo:;it~ sny. ' · \Ye want to incrensc p r·odul~tion"; J) llt 111o1·e 111Pll ort the <and to buy more !!ho,·<>ls ann more pumps .lnd u:akf:' b:gl!:l.'< <liddrnds fm· ~·out· Quecon strl'!et farmP"1·$. That is whui W<' haw' to g:N a "'"Y £rom-t.he middlcmo •l

:Yh. B£DntXG'l'OX: Aocl yet you won't ll.'t us put Olll' tlrOdUCt! in thC! fr~e t rade loa1·ke: of London after hnviug to pay tht ,~ pncf:'s.

lVlt·. JJ A.H!I'LE Y: You cun 1113ke your speech when ~·ou get up. We hncl a big lh·ought raging up lill th (' Xe '" Yeat·. and I hi s G<I\"PJ'oment t ried to .g;rt fod<lct· · from rhc South. \\hnt d id rhc Queen street far· Ht l'rs and the Hum a stt·ecl furnwrs do? Did rhoy 1;.~y. •· We will give you lnng credit? \\"(' will sell i~ to yoa >tt the low.,st. price~'' Th~1 " a; ~a > <l.1· rht· huJHIIUe thing tn do.

r.tr. Gl":>l( : ·w hat t:lid the St~tte Age.ocy do~

i\h. 1J ABTLE'L: Tl te St~t<' ,\gewy toLtld no& gc1 ir. I notic-L' Burne:; and Co l ~~·~ify Bat'Ut•s aud Co .. llecaum th"s" g-etJtlemcn c re " wubt•r< of thi., JlctU3l' and [lO;c ,,~, the h·i~n.cJ~ nf tile fnr•me1·, itlld though I ha,·e no pe•·soTt&l uniu1us in Sl?cc iryiug them, they ;;houkl pmc~ isl' what t hey preach. Just bt•for~ Cluisvums I ltappeoed to look iliroug lt ll •c ntlll'ket rPport• null J ;n w cha.ff w-.Js someld.l'J'e in t lw ,-ichlly of £1 to .£1 ls. a cwt. s~ I' Ill'S an(! Co. off~r·ed a b ig lot•. and £1 ~wa;, the best olfer. ami it Wl'IS pn~sN:l. Why wa~ 1101- th!lt ch,tr sold? Stock were dying and nwu wl'rC being ruint'<l. Why was not i·hn\ cb~ff sold~ It \1 as a big eoougb offer . l supno·t! it did not c-ost two ' 'bob' ' ~ bag, hut tlwy did not sell it. 'l'he.r wanted to rAkt' i <t hi~< di ,· iden<:ls. It is just s,bout time rhis hYI•OCrisy and humbug coas<'d. and th~ u um on rho l!md understood that his ~ro h·otion lies with himsd£ and i11 his own <'omonoll s"use. I wu n1· to ma ke this $uggcstion to t hP Minist<!r for Agr iculiu re : tl1at lho> so lution of a. good dea l o f thl' retard ing of ~t.ttlcna•ut li es in 11111king the implements whir l• th\' m..on on tht' lnnd requires 11 \'ail nblo lo him nl the che~pe~t possible price. And wi th that obj(X)t in view I wa•H him to take liw matter up ~criousb·. oncl 11~k lhe depart· ment to go into t ht" question of i ti1porting tools whiclo the man on rhe land reqt~it·es. I do nnt Wt111t lht' Go,·N·nnH•nt to stm·t un n~rril'ultural implcmeut factor.<". ae that will ta kP too lonp-. but to bu,v thn implements in the hPst market and sc>ll them tn the bona fide man on t.ht' land nr a sl ight inc r<'ase on r o;;t f')rit•(•. Jf that is done theu ;;rtt.lemPtlt. on the land will bP ginn a big impetus. and \'ott w ill ~top the coMeiP5!' )l'rincl of the man payin!! ofT n plr!rtga[{~ and. h~lp ing t o build tltt:'~P. birt U11t lclmg:; 1!1 Bl'l'barrl'. i\It>ll are I'<Jrninc- to Bt·i•bnrw h<'cau•o: the fn 1·ms nrc mol't!!~ge,] up tn thr hilt [(I bu: implem('nts tc> ww k tht> l ~nJ.

M·r . H artley.]

2 932 Sttpply. [ASSE:IIBL Y .] Supply.

l\11-. C'ORSE:R. 1 migJ1t -ay that th~ n~:ri· C'uhul'a I iudn,try right a.long hn~ ~uftt>red frnul tin• fat•t rbat implcnwnu and wire hll\'t• iurr!'AS!'C) in )tl'il'<!. uut nn the top of ull 1hi• W<' hnn~ ('nntiu twu•h prot~~tNl ngaius• thf! inrr<'11•ed hu1·<l~hip< In th!' way of fllX:I Liou.. \V hen this itlf't'•'Ml'd tn xntinn hu:~ lwt•u nut on " " rti',.N h.nrJ lwll . uwn•ber~ on 1,he other side utltu inin!( that the fo •·m•' l' has h>td 11 bnd tinH.' b<'oau~o o f tho i t11'1'tiO~~d ro,t nf imt~lrmcnL!. Ab fell' a-; implcmc·n•~ go, :'111-. R,,.on. w!•en hu 1\)lllen led V1 1he elrctor> in 1915. proma•<'d the f" •·m~•·s thnt ht• Kotdil start an iu1plemcnt worki. IIr <' li•inl('d th;!t tbttt had lh•Pn do111.' in W<'<'tl'rn ...\u<lrulin, and be ~lrollli'-t'<l ah~t he Wt.l\llcl irnmNlillteh· srurt an rmplc.'llWnt work~ iu Ouccn~IRnJ, so "' to )ll'O' ide t>lo11~h~. IJiu<lN·~. rt•apt't5, chalft>urtt•t·•. and otht•r m~~t·hitll'r" f<tr thl' fnrmet'j, and tlt<'r~l"· cut out I ho••l'. sn·nt ··omLin<•• rbllt \\ ('r(• -uppo,ed to 1 ~ worktn" to the detrim•'nt of I hP nra11 on rill' lnrotl. Wh:v hM't! nor thl' liO\'l'rnment doow rh t? The" laon. tul'tnhtll' for Fitr.ro.v puints om how llC't't'"-~~ry it· j., th at. snntC'· t.h i11~ ,houlcl b~ done 111 ordl' t' to do tt\\'ll.\' wirll t h El J)Ot~Pib ili ty of proplc Pl'N't ing hugn bui lt.lings in Bt·i ~bunl'l out of tl tt · p t·of\r~ mncle on th•·•<' implt•urt'll(, whit>h a rt• ollld tu lha rnrm<·r;. \\ hv dol·~ nor the Co\'Otr.tllt'll~ f11ilil ir• promi>l! unci munuint·tur·c rhe implcu1<'nt> here~ We knctw i~ wno onl;v ttll

elc.>ction rt·~·. Aud they hrl\·e !IO intc oti_on "'halt•\ t•r of Joins: any •uch tlnnl(. A• lur wire. our La.nd:! -Dcpartmellt .cot'l.bli~'l~d a ~ysil'tn ~·t'nrs :Igo wht'reb~· w1re. \\ " 'liJ?· Jllit'!l to the (a a mcrs .ut. co~t prl(.'"• and tf 1:1 1111l~· dunn:; till' rcgttn<' ol "'" Labour Cr,, ·c•·nnll'nt ohtring the lnsr few. \'•'Ut'S rhnt lh t>y hnv<' co>t~serl.to supply wrrc.ro t.hc [o t'lil<'t at coost pr1ce. l1ndcr pr~v1ous Go· vt.•t·nrltl•nts wir(l w"s suppJi~d to the farmers ut £12 nnd £13 per mi le. T he l'e Wflj 110 Jrt·olit n>nrlo o n that tYii·e. \Vt• ha \'c !1<'ard IOC 111 Ui'l'S o f thco (.;Q\'f'l'UtnC'Ot ('OIIIJlh\in nl)OUt Rhips coming out here- from I he old rount1·y withmat 11nv o~r~rtJ . Whv did uoc iho Stntc Go,r•·ntnl'nr~ chl'ring tlint rinlt' till tht'"' bo!lt• with iron 1111rl wit'"· ~o tb ro 1111\ke good lht• shtll'tnge in these Nrmmoc.litics? \\"f' know thnr wire • nd iron luwc been high 111 priet>. but rhr [Rrmcn llil vc not b"cn rl'lic,· d in un' <lil't'<'ticm bv ~ny al'tion of tht• prl'6l'nt G<i\'crnnwnr. •

\\'irh n•gnrJ to the pric:e of land . • tncl the ft'w J'I('Of'l" that. aro holding it; "o' must r .. mt'mlJI'l' that on l.1• 1\ little 0\'1'1' 6 )1<'1' c~nt. o[ th<' lantl in QU<l!'mlund has bl'o'll Cohcn· tllo•<l n11d i{ !hf' Q11renstan,l W\1''1-' l'lll t H'II~ f.'n nu'ut >ttppl,v lhe ft~t'me•·s . .'dth onffit:i<'l)t lnrocl nn whic h tr. mnk .. a. h,·,ng·, tht•H 11 '" .u :nutter [ot· tltc t:tl\'l'l'HIHI!nt. nttt.l no~ [m· the nt~•n with n little hit o f fn!e holu. T lwow tltnt SOlll£' of the bc4 land< RI'C •till he(tl bv the• C'r<>\\ n. Goool fmit l~tnJ~ rould be ui•<'fii'U, unci if there nre ton many pi:1cappl~o; being produced to-dRy, why o ,ntlllllo.' the ev-t<•m of ~<'ttlintt •oldiC't-s at Jl~rrhur·t·um ~ \\'hv h .. ,., w'-' Aood~.i Be~>~bu•••mn w11h 11in"· npp.le ttrtm """ if hou. m~·mbcr~ <llltiO•IIi' uy tbcrt:' ·~ n.lrcnds ol p,lut 111 th{' mnrko>t, dnd ~~~ -houlll no~ produ<'e any more!

;\[r. CoLLlXS: );obody ;aid "'' •hould not Jll'Oihlf'O IIU}TC.

~ l a·. CPH S.ER: Thnr is the infe r·o~nct!.

) 'lP . l\.mwAX : You know t he gn~ol 1111\rker is in the. So.111~h.

M•·. C'(IRSER: Tt is no tasi' lhc GoYI'r ll· naon~ Asking us fo•· -a remedy. It i~ for the

[.lft. C'orsc1 .

t;rwo:rrmu·nt ru •nh·e tlti• problonn. W e hare petntt·J t)ut for "''nls rhl' oli~abiliti~ of the r,,.·nw•·· "hl'n thi-~ <'nnnut gN d)eir -;tuff to a rnarkt·r and "iwn llh''' uo gl!t at to market th~r·c i~ ,l(l'n<'rnlly n. gl11t.

Tho' IJ,.Il itulirAH•d th11t thf' hnn. nH•mbe l''& tirno~ h"tl !!Xpit·l'd.

:\11'. BEHHL\"(;'1'(1)1: !u r·ep ly to the hon. m emlwl' froa· l'it?l'll'\ 1 wnt~ld l ike to give· tme r·•·n<nn [o r t he r•dnnling .,£ ~enlt>rnent. This i· tdrut u fou•nwt· "l'<>te to me rt:-cemly-

" l ... kt .. l r .. r all •'xcmption. stating my incontt• for rhl.' ."''UI' ••nding 30th June "'~" £167, n:al thAt my l!'l;p•mJirure was £253.''

You •r the t.lilletCII<·<'? .. I hno.·c }o, t 30 heat! of eo"~, . __

:\Jr. (.'(ILLI:c\S: I ri•l' to a point of order. I ~sk os •h" bou. Uh'llll•c·t n.•a.ding a private Jcrr .. r. •n.l tf '''• ,.r,,r h\,·ing rea.d t&. wil l he In-- it "" thl' I hi•• vf tll<.! H ouse so th~t 1 11\ltY 5t~,. th'' !(i~uucurc?

:\lr. DEBD!Xl:'l.'c)~: I bo1·c no objection wltH<'Yt?r. The \\ r·i t,•o· ~ny'\-

·• O tt tlu• 4th io,tnnl T agn in wJ·otc, -tatiHI: t lu11 so far o.~ I c:o u!J gnther 1 \\'11'> lt••D \'lh' t OXo!d, and J askn-J jot nn ''"l'n•J'ti<~ti. nnd •uut>d thnt 1 had. h;r a r.odt~r lift.v h~ad oi cattle."

tSilli••!l ~11.</Jll'tl•rl from 6 p.m . lo 7 Jl.m.)

)[r BEBBlXGTOX: This farmer's income was £11'>7, and In~ expenditure .£253. In oue c-11•1.' he! l~t thirty bead of cows, and in the othel' he lo,t 6Ct_y head. These returns WCl'e •cut in to th~ Commissioner of Taxation, unJ yet he· in~i,red on baYing .£7 6s 8<1. oat of tbot man.

Tl1e StC'RET.\fU' FOR AGRlCVLTrBE: I ha:v~ "'' conrrol o,·cr tiHLt.

:\lr. l~EBBT::\'CTON: Thr~~ are some of the t~a.•Jru why p~oplc u•·e lmwing the lan.d. Because that man dad not nay, the Cot:n.nnsJ"i~ot!<'r !nfiictc<l a penult. of 10 per cent .• alllountlng- to 14s. Bd.

The :StrllET.tRY •on PcBttc \\oaJ>:::: Did b& apply unJ.r H'Ction 41'>!

:\lr. BEBBIXCTOX: The Commh.<icner iu>i~t· on rhar mono•y being paid.

Th<! SE<"RETIP.Y ron Pt:BLlC ·woRKS : He could ba.-e got relic•[.

:'.lt·. DEBBIXC:TO?o; · Why do you fore~ n. mun tu bo1•row rha.t amount of 01011ey to puy it t o tlo" C:ommi~•ionc;l'? Hcre- is the; Commi--ionl'r·- 1Nto.•t·. So thnt hou. m emben. cu11 see it, I w ill lP.II\'C it on t he tab le .

l\lt·. CO!.LI::\' :4: I ~!'present what. maybe, i< thP mo,t irnptlrlnllt Ofl'ricu lturnl electoro.t& iu dw wholt' or Qut.'en~luocl, which product"'. not one pal'tieulnr pl'Oduct, bur a \'a•·iety of pr·orlul:lo. .\11~·unr: who tak~ rhe rime to r<'ud this ,·nluablt.' annual reporr of the Dep3 runC'nt of .\jp·iculturl! and StO<'k will "<'t' thur th<tt -rntoment is cot-rerr. { r:m ~ick und ria•Ptl of li•tcning t o hon. me-mbct~ oppoQitl', whn 'N.' tll to thiuk thE'.'' r<'prn<'nr Qneen-luntl " hen thcv do not. \Ve ought ~o han• u 111ap nn t he ; ,·all ~howing who does l'C'po't'•ent (,ilh.'o.'n•lancl. Thi~ ~ide o f 1h~ Hollo•) l'Cpr<J;ents Q,uoPnFia.ud.

:\.(r. B~kntXOTOK: Cwn tr·ees.

~Ir. COLLJ~:;; 1\o; people. .And t.h~y ure inte lligent peopll', 111· 1 would not be t n this House. (H ,·a•·, heot·! ttnd laughter.)

Snpply. (11 F.E:.B!HTARY.] 20:13

They arc inicllig"Cnt [arniCt>-i:Uitil·ator- or tht: ~'lil.

1-J on. W. 11. B~R:<E!l: Y11u Prr t> pr!letical funn~•· · tli'C' ''"ll uor:

M1• COLLll\~: I told tbc cit·ttor- of B owi.'n dun. whil<' I m1ght not he ahlr t l.l pl 'lugh 11 •rrniA"hr furrow. l knt•w whn.t tht·ir n•)uireuu:ut~ lll!tC. Tht' fuc-t tlwt 1 wa~ r<:tllriiC'd L 'CCOnd t imt' ~hO\\'E that t hc1· recc-o;nioec! tluu. (Henr. heu.r !1 I kll(t\i Fom!'thing of rile r~quirmuont~ of il•r mun on tb" laud. und I han• rhampionec( hi~ cnu;,c since I hn,·e been in this Hou8c. I v.aut 11 011. m<>mber- to runt to pn.gl:' 19 of the r<'p<>rt t•! tho Dcpnrtlllcnt •1! _\v:rin•ltur•• :Uid Stock. bccau•t> th\'re i< th,,r.; u n~ry irnponant 11nrngraph Ol'ldin!{ with the conbUII'lpti0n of nH•nt ilt this Sta l ~·. I t ••eads-

" Tlw r<.tnSt!motion fo1· l'nc•h bead o[ ptlpulati<m in thi~ :3tnto now stands 1\t 161.21 lb. for the vear, 11nd i! a <'Onsidcrab(e roouction from the total for 1911. when it rra~bed 278.89 lb. fur l'nch indi· v•du<~l for lhc vt'!ar. Sine!.' 1911 thcrc> has bee-n , $tcn<fy <leclino in the annu:J.l comumptinn, but it still r~mains higher ~han probabl~· any o1her e<~untr·y. "

1 am ono of 1 ho~c who fort'(.&<tl!d n decrease in the ron>mnption .,r meat in QLteen<laud. Tnat decrcn~o ha• bcE'n bn)nght ubout bv th0 high pl'ic• <)( meat, ln other WOI'<.I :l, we ha.n' lowerru the Hancln1·d of our romfort CVN.•' YNir • i ll(<' 19E. and \\ I' uow <.>at 117 lb. pH hcnd o! our population le•s meat than we did in 1911. 'fhat is a ,·en- bad sign i ndePu, nnd ha' been brought about bv the hi!!h cost of meat. •

:Hon. W. ll. BAll:-<ES: And n Labour Government in office.

Mr. COLLl!\!'': It j• not the fault of the Labour Go,·ernmcm in ofhcc. The Labour Covernme11t are doing tiwir ,.t'1.,. be>t to rc-m~-dy thnt. Goodn~<s knows what would havo hnllpencfl hnd therl1 not b~•en a Labour Go' ~rnUJt'nt ilo office to cetnblbb State butcher$' shop-. \Ye migh~ hu,·c tome down to tht• IE•vel o( tbe ltaliall, "uo>P consump· liCtll p~r h~ad of population, f bcliel'!'. j~ the lowP•t in Europe. \\'hut noultl rcoult? You talk rrbout the fifhtiug quu li tie• of the nnlive born .!\u;tl•ul!no and rlt.., p~r.plo who live-d in Au•ll'ulin I The l'l'U'OII whv thev """'" ~uch g-oou fighters w11~ i he\· had hocn fed ,,.<'IJ on good bcef ancl n111tion. Tltt>re ha~ be•·o uo clt'crca;;e in our cAttle; rather ba5 thNP been nn incrPn~e. There wns 11 bil!' incr~>a ~~ fronr 1917 to 1918. yet \\'f' ate a lot less lll~Ut. f[ hun. nwml)CI'~ wj( l turn to pn.~r 83 they will find the1•c n.re 5,786,744 cattle in thi" !'t~tll•. und tha vrtnl number of ownP1·~ is 42,735. I h~>n rrl tlw hon. •nembt>r for ~lirani oil\' this n£tPmoon we wsntt-d to cltnr ~ome of' ou1· ~l'l'llb land' on thl' <'OU~t, ~ow ~ rrificinl ~rn~,e~. nud plbr:CI cattlo ou thMr lnnd~ tdh·•· tht> s:ru;•t•• hnd gro .... n. t quit" ><grcl• wid1 tha.L .Let. us exn!llinc th<" ownet, of tho•<' 5.786.744 c·nttle \Ye find that 819 own 3,421.336 of that total. Iu other words. 819 pPoplc own Jll&<·ricallv thp mco.n> of rroduNion so ftH· "'" cat.tlii nre C'QOCf.'rnf.'tl in thi~ ~line. Lrt us e-xttmino shf.'cp, wh ich nrt' mentione-d in thi,; r eport at page 84. The total number of sllcep in 191!! \\11 18,220.985, and tlu.• number of own<>r! 4.030. \\' e find thu t 445 person~ own 12,955,.5~7 l\o wonder w& ho.,·e hud u dt.>olino in tho consumption o f meat per head of our pO[>ulution ! · 'J'ht!~(' 819 rnttlt•·owncr~ nnc( ~45 fihecp·owneJ'fi own tl1o bu(k of out• ratt!t• nntl

;!•C'<• '· . Quel'tJ>(alltl uughl I•• t.~ c:.r•r!o:~ rhtt•t.• lHI •t"::oo ljll UUiphf'·J· 01 t'Utt P tf i--.carr 'lU;.:'

a1 1ho• t•n·-cut tiu.,• 1f thl lanr.l- W•·rc p _i t to tht ... i ... · .. ,, ... , ll· ... \'.

\\'hilt• on this qm·~linu o f IHIItins: land to it-. Lc.•-.t n'l ', l \\UHt to tli'iiW th•\ .. \liuj~tt .. r's atH·ntiul to what hn' rukeu r,lan• in dw .\q;t·n l lllC'. \\' (• nil l..now that 1 1• ,\r:n·ntiue i> 11 ~o:r•·ur 1 unlt• t'Oumr~. llliU hus bo>conm !ttu h IH•t l1~· rr-n3on uF the ruttut·td gra.s~l !'o \\ hic-h ).\1'01\ tht•l·t•, lrlll IJy th(' ~ll't, ifiC•i·o l !!;l'US.t'S whio•h " "I'<' ~ow:1 rlr"l'l' . JH'iuripu ll ,,- lu<'•·r ll('. 1 would •uy tu tilt' ~\gdcttlrnta l Uepa t1·1111'ut I hut tl11•~· <.tlll!ltt to lw, <' expPrim~ntol plot~; tbry t~u;:ht tt• gu Ol't'l' t h<' 11imlt· r 11·il'~t·J II Orlcl. nrul tll<' t.:u·r 1\hidt is not d~i!i; <1, and on tlu•-e P.'\pt'r lttttontnl JJlrrt> plant tho dilf~>t·•·••f t.trus;c, of t h!' wud o nd bl' l' if W•' t'UIIHOL iui)>J'OI'<' upon rhe nntivv grlll!i!Cs. 1 ht'lit' l'i.' t hl',l' <:tlll bl! inlp l'?''t•d upon. It ;.hould ill' tht• duty of thi! Agru•ulturnl Ut·j·JI'rlllt'llt 10 (·flrl'~ (tlll ('X)Iel'illii;'OIS witJJ U \ ' i.:W l•J mak,n~; 111 o lJIIld~ of grass j;row ' ·h!'rl' C.Jt('

io gro•1 i111-1 at the w•·sout tinlf'. Mo,t countries h•,·u h6d lu bMrow !ht•il' trrtloi' ·~ f•·o1<1 orh~r countrit''• :ual that is 1 h•ot "''' ;. hoult.l th. During m,r jc•ur•w~· tht'l)li!Ch tho ()11lf country, l was &lrttck with rht• widl'' ri1·ers u11d cre<'ks in thnt I·Ort of Qut't•nolnurl. 1. my!l<'lf. have cxrw-rilnt•urcd i11 .1 -nlllll wa~· with what is kno1•-u llo Ell'ph~lll gmss. 1 ht•lic' o if that. grass 'll'I'C' >UII'n in the bt·d~ of ~ome o( tl10~e C'l'ceks nucl l'ire•·•, it 110uld Jllrd,·e an ol'dinar,1· Oood. nttll during a tlr~1 timj! it would do 11cll, with thC' resulr that the cnttl~ whi1·h ltnw di,• from drought woul!l bl' ,.:t\'ed.

A fpw 11\lllltte~ ugo I I'Pft•rrcd to thf' oumlJ~r of p1•r.<ou• who owu lire bu.lk of our sheep. 1 bcli,., c thu.t f1·om I bt' Tweed "L' to Cop., York our C'OIIi!t i• quill• r:upnblc ol supporting more sheep rhnn the· re "I'C iu t !tu wc~tcrn c-ountry ut th·• pn.~~t!lll 1noment; be<>Jtuse. afwr :;1!· whnr ar.- 18.000.000 shee1• in u great SratP ltkc Qu~enslu.ntl ~ I do uot 6ay we should !(O 111 fo1· ~Jrrino~. Th.- rc n1·c other ~hl'CJI outsi tll' those•. s1.11·h as Lincolnshires, Lc.h:<•slcl'•hil·,•~. RouHW\' :Marsh. a11d scores of otn<'r&. Them is n ·~ple11did work iu the Jillrar.1· dl'nling with thr ditfcri.'nl kintls of "hcc)o in th~ world. All that I"Ountry could bp dt>\'l.'loped. not b,,. to few pl'uplo 'owuing 12.000,000 ~hN·tl. bm b.1· rhou~ondd. maybe ten~ C.tf thous;a n<ls n( 1t1<Jll sf'ttlcd llfiOIJ lhe land. N~t·h huving ~n1u l l fiP<'b of $hl'('il. Thut i-< whn; " '' \1:11\l iu tlol• C'OIIIrtl''' \Vf' do no~ wanr 11 f,.,,. 1111'11 Ollltiug the hulk of the ht'rds uml !idn~t at Wooi0(111IOOloo and St. Kild ... und othl'l ri<>C!'~. allfl ••Juandt'ring the wca.ltlt which is jli'OclucC'd, '" the .Engli.~h luudlords usrd to do in yru 1·, gnno by iu l'<'g:u·d to l1't.'land, IJlllia. and ('lthcr C'ounrrk·'· WP want to •l'l' tb<! wrn lr h distribut(-d amongst the ] loo plc· "ho ~Ntl<• liiWll th" soil. If the1-o i• au.1· Ollt' u1casun• \\ l' .hould hC' proud of. it i• doe l:u·I>!)CI't\ti'' '' Agl'irnh.uml Prodlll·tion .-\et. "hi<'h 11mkc n.hlinccq for ~h<'PP, cuttlc, and uigF. Anyvnt! who has gone to t.he tn.tul>le 1v look tlw ll1UtteJ' up know~ t·ht't't? lltC \'1.'1'~' fcow pi!!S Ill ,\u~tru)ia in ))roportion to rhc nu111ber in 01 ht·r countries of the world, w ... >hould <'llrOurage people to go in lllot·c fiJI ' pig·rui--in:,r. Thnt is whnt I prl.'ach in '"Y t•lrrtorate.

l)m·ing the I'OIII'H' of the debate mention was mud" of irrij!Rtion. H hon. gentlemen will ruru thC'ir atwntion to page 15 of this rc~ort tht>y will find that out of 6.947 &Cri'S •rngnrl'd in rhc whole nf Qucenolund, 4,520 ll<'re; nri' in lht: Fkrii'•'TI l'l,,ctorut.c. That pt'ol·<"s wh11t I Fa id nt tl1u eommenccment of rny spcorh. Tobncco w:t• mcnti.,ncd this aftor·

ltfr. Oo/1in.s.1

2934 Supply. [ASSE~IBLY.] Supply,

urun. urul u• T re!HI'•tJnt t.hr •ICOIIl'rt to iu;:tr·uct thll twoplc hul\ ro /.!'1'0\\' tobar•co. rr the hon. lth!tnbel' fur· ( 'nrnur'\'Oil look~ lip his figur·c5 hi! will liml rhat r anr cor·tecc. and thnt while ho r·• 'P'"~c rrt~ 1 hl' lnt'l!'" r tohorru·a;rowilllt d i~tr id, I r '~l• •·r·•rrr t 1 hl' &:corr •. l hn·ge~r ,o fur 11 ~ pr•n•lnrt ion o( toharc•o i• l'onccnr~d. On poge 114. L linrl dw r dwre \I'~S 20,503 lb. or tobnc~o vr·cu.htC'nl in Bowcn arh.l Proso)rpin~. The Iron. nro •mh~r for )lirnni. whn 1~ nlwn ~s a J Premiuh. i- nlwuys c:n·ing ··Stinking' fi,h" and lx>lrulin,c the ).'onh--

Jion. \\' . H. BARSES : llc u always ~tickhrg Ull !or the Xonh.

)lr. CO!:LT).'~: Ilo i ulwn.•·l> •3~·ing thnl the luurl lo gorng Ollt Of (·UlU\'IItion ann IJf'llPl ~ n re going nlf the I:Lllcl. lu Ill\' elt!o'· lonrtc tlwy ""'' going on the lnncl. Round aiJnut Duw••n t her·u wRs n dt'c~•!a~o of 22 al'l'c1~ iu tire culti ,·atiou !'(tobacco nnll 2 acrl!:< of 1111 inc•rc..Lso' nt. 1' rohC rJ)l rw.

~J 1·. :11oHt. ~x: W ht·re 1

:'\ fr. C.:llf.LIXS: I n t h·~ Howen ••J c~tor11te. The l1on. HuHnhN· r1;ay laugh, hut ono! of the v.orlu'~> gtl'RteH rhinlw1·~ und philn-oJ•hl'r• low~ lot I""· Ho (<il' hue!: us he 1 •'nr '83. tha1 till' \l•ry foundation of •ociotv ih·pPnds upon the cultivation of the •oil. • (Hent·, h .. nr !) It ,., uo laughing mntwr whl'n dealing witlt tbr nH!rl who hnve to •· ultivate rhl! ~oil. This pn~t.V. <ta.nclo; fo1' a;:sioting dwm, •1ml we arc 1\Sil>llllg t hl'm tn the bc.o;t o£ our· ability.

I " unt to <'tJI'I'N't tlw Iron. llt<•rll ll('r fo1· '!-'lirl\ lli \\i l h l'!'g<lrol to $llllJll' . JI,• w•••rl 'o fn r· in hi~ QIIOta t iou t~u rl th~n rani!' I•J n ful l ~top; why, I cln r1ot kr1 ow. ' VhtH h•• snitl "''· ' tr·u,~thn t t hl'r·c Wit~ 1L d••ct·rn~o in cultivuti'" '· l n 1917 t hl'r't' 11 eJ·c 175762 ~tt·res •·rd tivnwJ ul rd 108.707 IH'J'<'~ cr·u~hl'd: ] walll tho hnn. ~ctlllmnan to t ak!' uuric .. of t h~r. Jn 1918 tlrrr·.- wl!r£' 160,534 a.t•n•, culti,•atetl aud thf'rt· wt'r<: 111,572 arrP> cru•hrJ. 'l'hl'rc w•·rc mnt<' n<'rl's crushed in 1918 tlrlln ft·om 1914 hl 1918. r do not know wh~ hon. llll'lll· lu r~ will Uttt b~ houc-t wh~n quouug figure~. I ~-ill 'l!•••to; ~he "lrnl': ~f thPut if th!.'y ~le•nl'. J I "I'C 1" no cr·Nht 111 quoti!rl!' figut'('il , .1.•t to try an.! ,;t'Orc on" aglliiJ!iL 'our nt>['Otll;ut. Un(onunately th(' hnn. memb<•r fct~· :\I imni io not hl'rl'. l!nd J (lo not wunt t • nrukt• un nttaek upou him in his nl.seoce. Ju 1917 thl' p rndurtion '~•~ 307.714 tons o f 11111(111'. l 11 1918 it w a" 189,978-o ,.,.,.v large fu iJ ing ofl', nJth oug Jr t h l'rC Wl'I'C' 111 tll{v 3,000 ac•n·s mot'P. r rnshed ; buo that w~s owinl!: to droul!ht, for whi rh we a r " not r·!'opone•ble. Srtrl'l-!v the hou. mem h!'r fot· Bulimlra would not b. a rne us for the cJrought. he would blume Pt''" odeut·' f~t· t!.taL Bm \1" can Jll'tn·itl<' for that !.) e:trr·yrn~ (out-as rlw mrmlwr ior X Oi·· mnnh, JKllllil'd out- Wiltt'r· I'Oil•<'notion and iJ·ri,:r otion. This r.:pon o( th!' Sl'<'rNnn· for .\frll:uhun • is a •·alunble onl', Rlld I ~h111l tu k.• ('OT(' that mnrC' lliRII on the lane] gets it K• rlrnt Ire cttn know wlutt i• bein~ done in th<' Sta.tl' of Quet'n;;lnntl.

1 hn\'1• not llll.'ntioncd the fruit g rown in m~ cl,•!•t.>rate. bu t hon. •.n••nr bers cr p po~ite lwnw rt ts about th•• t hr rcl la ro.<'st fr·u itfti'O \\ i:tg di<tl'ict in Qnceuslnru.J, uvtwithsrancf· rng I ho• fif(ut·('~ quoted by tho hon. tnembcr· Io•· Jl1ir:rni. He h• lkC'd •o low t.hat 1 <'C>llld 1101 follow !rim as t']OJ<l>ly a..• ) ahou ld like.

[JI[r. Collins.

lf he '"llll•l ~p,.nk ,, littl<' louder it would be f11r o.'n•it•t· j.,r nr,. to rcph· r., hi:n. but I grn••ndly hn\'(' I J \\~it arltl. rend .. H:tn!a.rd" to know "hut he •••,dlJ dui •ay .

l 'luitu u.;r•'•', holW\'I't•r·, tlrnr thi~ dtf):lrt· mem -houlrl r··~t:i•·" ltlOI'I' ns,istttnr.: than ill rh·• pa.-t. wi t h tl 1·io:\, to qinru latiug preodnc· 1 io11. ) J,, ,.o tfii'JI •houlri go 0 11 rhv l;ttrd1

lltll (olll, in QtH·<''"lJ iltl. but in t'\'C""S ~nnu t ry i11 rh.-. w0r ld. bJ ,·,·rv c•l:lcourngement will be g i,·•·n bv this Go•·ernruorr t to me•l who go UJK1rr 'tilL• l:11rd . Thnt is whut thC' .-\~;rl'i,•ulturul U"partnumt ullC! rhe Lnnd~ J)cJHII''""'"' tue lirt·, fiJl·-nor so much to l!>: ~'lOidng {thPt" J C'\t'nul•. hut to gn·~ assi ... a .. tll'O to "'' u '' bo ate• willintt to <'Uiti•·at e thl' roil dnd uccom• fl'<>e ""d iudcpiJmlent citu :•·· "'ith all dui' re~Jh'\'l to loQn. 1nNnl.rers oppo~it!', who ur·tJ ul\\ n• ~ pointing out how povNty·,;rrirken l1r i-: the ruau on thl' l:tod '"· or ought to bt·. tht' IIHl>t illdepNrdcnt man in thC' commuuitl'. 1.'hc hon. member fm IJrayrotr ;;:dJ thi~ uft I'IIOCilr that bP was n. surt'l'i!~ful mnn ou the• iarrd. The man on the lnud hu~ "''' tu go • •P in hnrul bogging lcu1·<' tu wi l fo1· ,,11tc other· tllflll. He hos a l \\'a."~ plt•11ty o f w•t r·k-(Opposition ln ug.hN·~ - nnd i4 111'\' t•t· <IUl or (•IIIJ)lrl) IIICO t. He >h(IU ]( uot .s"el l rtw unewJlloyt•d if lte dM> ju•t!oc to tht! land und cuhivu tts nnJ imtH'O\'P> •t.

) I r. ) ! OOH£: liP ha. lo dt> a jolly lot ior nt•tlring:, t hou~h.

)lr. C'O LI.!XS: H•' i, 11<>1 rhc oaly '~"'' wiro Juc• \\Otl.. for norhinc. If I !'(nt _rold fr·om <'VC't·y dnll't•r sltJ ft "hr.n T was p ros· ro•·Niug, l would be tilt> riche.•t man in the House to-tiny. I tun 110t '>Dying he '.hou!d w~>rk for· 1101hing. p,,r·!Ht£1~ the hon. member i, willing to t!mtrloy men fur tle~"t t o nothing

J.!t:. )iOOll E : 0 h ~ 1111.

.:\1,•. J A~! E8 f {;tJf/<111): I wouJ,] like to soy a fe\\ words nn th.• c•mduct o f t lt" do.opnl llnJ?!lt ~c•nct•ully. '!'h .. rt' ore vul'ious tlirt::crioJ1>, I thiuk , iu whic!J t!tt\ intt're,t:; of tire furmcrs ~nn [)(' ,wdi,.d rn advuutug-C' loy the Govt>rn· men! and nw•nuo:rs g~llt'llllh. Sou•c .ra ,." lu.'•'" poimcd o:u, and Wl' ~ou'"' iuH''> rncct witlr Gh·ntditw•. In 1111' tl'gllhllior:, go•ern· in!! lht• uth-lllll"l'" to d it·,· (arnlc~, z:nt.l so l.lll. \\'l' litrol thut thl' ntol'igage r~ hdd. not onl~· 0\'1.'1' thl' <'•llrlc• on "hidt the ad•·alltCf

arc mad!', l.iut o~er thl' j>rogeny thcl'l' to dur iug t ht! routimutn<'£' of tat- ~L'clla·lry. 5o tin1l if an ndYun<'<!llll':lt is rund;; ngn i ,.~t t!rc dairy cn tt ll!. the dr•pllt' l rf1l'm t•l' the f::;r , ing, Hanl< lln' t: tht· right of HIIJl'lgugc <.•Yl:lr rl 1e eo,,·cs of t·hn cows 1J1l whio·h the ndvnurc> is mud!!. 1t would , r lw rt•for-e. Lo di fliculr, f rolll a 1eg ul point of dew, to linfl whcrt? t lw uwo~l·•hip ot t he l'ulf b,.,(ills uu th•• pu1·t of tho) iurnrt:r, or wiJ •!tlwr 1 hi' ~ulf r·cnlly bl'longs to rho Go•·~t·nm.:m fur th<• tiur~• IJ('insr .• ,nd what r ighrJ< tlw furtncr hn~ in the wa~· of d i,opo•al or ;;a)~ of thnt col f. Thu~ i,; one of th ... a l'~<l•rtli:i,... Tht're ar·p mam· differ~nct•s of oprnion a; to huw far the G(wE>rnm.,nt havo 11. right to} int••rf~n· ot· tokc part in rh" roll· clurr, nut tJnly nf hu-im•<,. in geo!'r~tl. hut of ngl'irulturc: and I think the Gun•rmn!'llt dt•parltnems llrl! l<>Urning now that c.xre$sivo iul.:tfo:n•nt'<' iu clcpnrtllll'nts where tllC,Y •·•·cch·e I.•E tl~~i>rln nce £rorn prin ne incl r· .-id n nl~;-I tlrinl< th~y nL·t• fi nd ing out that th~y hn{( bet.t er lcnvo audr th ings alone " nd devote t h~>it· a tten tion to those fuuctious of govf.'rnrnent whid1 nrc o llownble and ten-d tr> t he de••clopment o[ l ht.• Stutc. For iustance,

Supply. (J l FEBlWAlW.) SuJJpfy. 2935

>("icuti(ir res,;,n,·ch und gcncral imunctiou of tho r;n•n•t>li> ia ihe teehnicnl U>Pl'CI> oi ngr;. cultut·c Dre ulwnv~ dc~irable. \Ye notico thot t!J c >ail is tapid(, bt:'ing wod(c:-rl out in 1110~1; iu(hlst l·ies-:;urh nr. C'lllll\ f•·uiqp·owingt eh:.and H'rv little Elll<mtion i:; l>!!iug gin•n tO tho> pa-opet' ;otatfon of mop>. In Eugluu.l, \\'lal"r(l .;oil hus bo.!<'ll unJ~r cuitivnlion for 1.000 ya:are, it ia rithl..'l' and Jlwt•e fc• l'tilt thtan cv•·r l>l'itJa'f', null in llJAny orl i«t•·i~r , \ 'OJI will liuJ •oil which has h"011 oO long cu!r.ti'Uted, 1·ery fl!rtii C'1 wberea;; r.he nalur·ol fot·tnu.tion of tbe soi l ii! poot·. This i~ one direction iu whieh the Con•ralna~nt, I tl>lnk could, with ad1·at>· tng<•, cxwnd scit::utifin rc.> .• earch in p<uticu!ar relation to the climutic <'<Jil,Jibons nnd requir!'IH!'llts of Qu••<•ll<'hllll] nud also in thC' in&tl'uetion of fai'HlN·s. Ou(• in;portnnt point rnht'd wn5 in conn.~ct iou with da~' disahilh.il'l; whi~h fllt'lners sutrcr as a .. li t·ect l'esult nf Go,·ttrru1H ~ut uctlou, and £hnt j :;~, rhc cxcc5ts i,~c numho'J' o{ r(.>turu; 1 hilt llQ vu to he made out in l'egart l to difl'e•·ont taxes. The1·e at·e. 1 think, ouch t n.u•s as Cl\l>e pri<'£· hoard~ tia.:>. au·d din~•·cnt other petty t11xations of t.hni ~ort thot could wC'J I he put iu 1rirh tlaP g'PIIcral tuxatiou. so that inst.ead of a fenHCI' lllYin;; scpn ~nt.:! ly and nutking out sepnn•tc r••turns, t!JP wlwle of this taxutiou, witl1 thE' l't•turo, coukl be con~olidatc .. J ~o tbnt. t h,. ontl retu1·n llnrf 1"\1\n nA"\. .. t'0•1nr 'rHtl•~ "''\'."'' thl"1 1 ...... .. ,..,J ron1c ou t · of consolidated rcVPI1uC. t sa id th<~t the depantnt:~llt was l'l'uil,v IJcginninq tn find out wher>.! the! natural Jin> its of r.hejr oc·til·itie~ cn<lcd, bui wo.! tliHice iu the I ns~ ~nmtai rt•pon of the Dcpartrut•llt of A gr il'u ltUI'Io', it ~ay!'-

·• The disclosures in rlll' .fe.:Jcr;1l Pnrli~mcni con<'erni11g poo l ~ ~ntl thP eJfpct <Jf i h<'m, ad<led lo tb~,; e~pe ricnce of pro" ,]uct•t·,; ond ll)finiafactu rer~ in Queeuslnnd, wou ld 11or sec111 tu eucour11gc fm•thcr ,.,dvt:mure into that kiud of Lusinc!is uo·..th.nt tl ao IYIII' is ovN and trade is r(•turn· illg to notnHtl av-~uues. "

'l'h is is t l<tJ rP.J)Ql'l of the t:nd<'t' St•orctllt'Y for Agriculture to rh.- :\1inistcl: fc11· .·\gdenlhuv, ancl. tl~ct·efor<:', we eau tukt:- it u, tht" adv ice of rh~> df'JlUI'tlncnlul heRe!. lli' the ret~ult of h)., expt:ri cnc• ·, to Lhc political lu> 1d t>f thi!Jcpurtmom. lu another place we find--

·• Duriug rhc c•ad.1· yuu.rs of the Wal' the !ootlsruffs that could hll lltudt! 11 ,·ailal•JP. for rhe TIHfHlria I Govt'l'tllller)t wet·., ll~go riat<'d thro11gh the Ageut.Gellernl ; hur inter ull snle>i were n~s\,lam•d b1• the l~~'<lc rul Gm·ea'tllfletlt-. The JH•iot· $)-~t eu1 wu~ 111Uc•h more .atisfactnry from 1\ blt•illet;$ point o( vi ew to tlw State und to the produ<'f'l'S a lw; a11tl now dJUt not•mal <'OII<'!ition;; arc retl)rning it is to he hoped rhat the intcrfc renc<' of the Common· wc'{llth in rl>o <'hnllllels of tl'ade will llc <li5conri ll ll ed, Duriug the wo ~ no ohjecrioa, coul,l in any 11 d ,v be raiB•)d. b11t ~m·ely 1\uw tb: l pcncf' lla,; been <lcc lnted the producer-; nnd lla!'l't·hoats ought to b•J alloweJ la pmsue thci1· culling-~ without bring r('quired to ~ea I th1·ough nn a\·cnu!' t.ho~ may not b(! satisfacto•·v to thr•tn "

The L'1,rlcr Sccrdnry. in this rep<>rt, rccognisPs the limits of Got·crument tlNion and interference in the ordi r.a1"• course of business, uutl it is pl'ohablv due· jn some tlleasure to tbe di~astrous (•xpcricnCle of the d epartment. in their ""' 'J I':;;imls into the puh·erising of l imQ, "'hl.'r£' "·eh~, . ., an instnnee where ~tate cntcrprise wa.s indulged in with the laodable object of providing fal'mNs with chen.p fal'tilis~r. J might remnrk that r think ihere

laus iJC't'H any arHOtlllt o f scope for a;sistlu!; tile itll'lller ill :h.e WilY of ie ,·tili•~~·~. 1Jct''lltse for Sl;arJl' ,·~:a ,., a large 1>al't of the mt:at r..Cll.' • f ·rtill•cl'.> Ill Qucl'nsl~l!d i!ll i ' Q been o> xponvd tu .J>t!HIIl i11st~:u.l o f b•·h1>; l'•?tninefl he, e. Th,• GC'1 c:·utHcnr ~h•)UI<I lt~ 1'\' t ried

to n~si ot the fnrml'l' in lhe ;:u'll'ket [7.30 p.w.] nnd u•ctl their fluunrial l'e.sourees

us puuch ns lhe.r rould. Ae<:IJtd· iJ!'.!.' tv thl' .-\tHii ror~G t/O CJ'UI·s l'C' l!Urt, 1\. n.:ry fAmilia•· ••nt~ llte!H i• tlwt rh!' wofi t a nd lo~s ;t('ClHIIl l, fmn > Sl'plt'n>bN· to l)"ct'rhlac·r , a·e· "'!lie<"! t\ I<!: nf .£411 171'. 6,1. , and ·howed tha t j( C'Ool £447 to prO<iiiCB 20 ll'lnS of JimeHOllC'. o r .£15 8.• j)l'l' ton <thca· th~ Go,·ern•n•'"L's own enimnte tlwt il would cost 5s. or 6~. w•· ton. Subsequer~tl?, n11 rhc 30th .Tunc, 1919. the flctuu I rost w:.t< redureu to £"4 "•. l f I. r~>l' t()IJ, \\"(' !inn this 1\< the

'· noal '"' t''"'P itt- thnt th~ nuh·f'J·i•i,,g , r lime il'lS ilf'r'" di,;co"tin11ed, showin.l!' that the Go\'C'ruiiJCIIt had found on! that there i s a llmi~ in th<' fi<'ld.s of manufacttu·e.

'fh A HoMe f\EC'R6'l:\RY: ThPy ~''" producing hum!rrorl~ of tons of lime for !.he canefields ill '"-" district.

::lh. J A :.VIES: 1 hot>C _vou !ll'e <(oing H more .•w•ccssfull.v thnn in this ~mall place la!> rc·, and 1daich, no douhl .. the Government ]Jfl\'(' tl'iNl tO MVCJ' 11]1.

.111'. l,;ORtiEB : l iH!.l' tiiJil t lli'e tn~ trUtn.

~h. JAMES: :\>Ieution hus been made "' •Jut tbc Srate Clutuing factory. l do not know 11·hut t ·Jnllccricm thRI has with agricultni'C. but iuott•ud o£ that [a,ctory being ready for dais pin~IIP!'lc oeuson. tlwy la:p ·c only b, C'U a b!" to t•op•) wiLh 1.000 c:asl'•. \l:h:;·, a. l ittl e t'<>·O JH)I'UtiYo fa<'lOt)' iu Sta.n.lcy 5h·e~t, whiCth h;~,s oulv ca.pit .. l t.o th•' e" t"nt of £5,0{10, has beeu handling tlte bull< of the piTieapplcs ln .Brisbane without alljt)liug like the capi1 al fmtlu id hy the GoYernmonL But thev had IJI':tlllq behind them, and, in oneit'l>ru:lce. ha n· •~our!'tl ti11pl1!ccs r.o luH them ''"' il 192!. I wuu Id 1 ike to know if tiJe f'.hlf(' Gon·rnnt~>nt have looked o~ f~r ahe:>d " ' rhill "itlt dtt•lr tinplaie>.

)ll'. SPENCER (Jffln' I'(JII): l do not think tla•t (hi' Mini~tcr hh, h oa~d any suggestion;; f.-om ml!mhe~•• '' hn hnYP woken that are goinp; r o t•ncourlll{l: mPn to _produC'e more '• ~alth ou the luntl. T admtt, tu common 1dlh cY>'tYbtlllY C'lse. that in QuN•nsland- in fact. Austrnl in--moro rl'Oduction shoulrl tako plar". The mainsprin~; of rroduction is profit. un1l if a11~ product ion is profitable ••1<) 11 will gfl on the lnnd nncl pt·O<Ince wealth. Tilt' fi•·•t rhin:r i" to con~idl'l' l1ow we ar~ g-oinJ:( to g-et meu ou tlH• In od.

Mr. H .<RTLBY: Givt' th"111 hnlf 11 ~ha~·e Q£ \'lt~t th"Y produc!'. 'r]>():' will be satisfied wit11 tl1vt.

.::lh. SPB!\CER : I \ln not thilll< t.hat the prc~l'llt Govcl'llmelll'ri n<'tion i~ likely to <'ll('OUI'~l:'" produrtiou. 11'ov instanre. tal;e the llllfuri unHtc• ~p]C)C!OJ'. 'F:I'et·:v time there is a n•apprai~clltcn t of rcmt the Go,·f'rllment nlwM·s appl,v fur au i nc1·P.a~ed rehtul. Soms iir;·:" ti:nc ago in nay district rh~re wers about fori~ or 11ft)· l'C•nt~ to he unpprnised.

The C'HAfR:\1AN: Orrle-r! That is not within the ~cn11£' of this V('Jte. H comes underthP T.and Office E~tim~tes.

11r. !"PE:-<C'ER: I jn~t w·r ntPd to show how it afl'CI'tcd production. ThC'r e i~ increasP.d frl"il!hl·, in<'rt'asE:'d ta~ot.ion , and ot.her things, nml' men w ill not ~l·+t l <:> •lowo in the country and pror\ucP- wealth while th<>y have to fac&

M t• ] L r. vpencer.

:21>35 [ASSBMBLY.l

all rhLH! r. toubk~. T htm, the hou. member f,r B•,\1 ,.,, quotNl >Ot.ncthing ,;ith regard to ctndu. Ile ~ l!owl"d us tiHtt Q i!l'~~t llltl•lber t•f rh<• l!a r·t ~ '''' ~'" lreld h,· l:lt·gc l•wuers: but ~t;ttl, t ic; ;;btf\o\' that the bulk uf thtJ ctn ll<' orr· hr•ld iJ,- 40.0(10 ho l tk r·~ of liiJtl""'' 300 h r •111. u!ld if .fm; i'11<il'ie!'r " ir)l the >nlur of lh{•ir· 3H>d< it 1101 on lv hits rbe birr man bur. l! ,r Slu~ll mnn toe•. • \\~irh regn]·d to the ra1t le. r qnitc a gree-and I think en~ry

111'Jll , m~tnt•~.>r "'iil agrce-th8t. thf' smulle:;r Jt.·i:orr ar'rtt. thai ~-ou can g-et a man to settle oil thr• b~tt e r·. That i• a mattl'r that tht1 Gn,·el·nmC'J1t ;h.ould find ont-Whnr i~ the ~"L 11»-t nr·rn thnt i;; possihlf' for " mr.i • to nnd\ t' :t Ji \'r,.a- nn and ht· ~H('CC':Ssfn l . E,·r n ·bcdv <-ou mr.et talks about the potei\tin~ i tie, of Qu~~n~lattd. Thera ls no doubt that IF' ha,·c one of the lin~st countries in the world. Prnctic:1ll:v cvorv aer!! of ground in Qut'~nsland is :tvnilable for ~ome kind of scl t,l~lllOrrt. and you eau p roducr evev.vtbio(f that i; r<>\!!lit·Nl. Wp rnn produce English f •·oo~H. I"(>!Jicul fruits, whcnt- in fnC't evP.r:V· thinrt, T :1m \'er~ sorry to see that (here is snrh n '-lllfl)l nm(lnr>J pul · down on ~ht' AJ"riru Jt.,,.,." I R~t imn tA>.

i\fl•. C'.IRTER: WhP.t d.o JOlt mean by En~rl i;h fn1it•?

Mr. RPE;\CF.R: Plums. Pc:>lll'S. and o~her 'fru i••.

Mr. r'I.R1'E.R: They are not English rruils. 1\fr. SPE?\C'ER : I am· not going: t,o di s

co•• no1v wherhcr lhev ar·e Ens'(lish fruits Ol' llC\1. but I am goin~ to ~M· tJJat wr can grow ' fruit in D tropiC'n) climate, a cold climnh•. nnd 11 medi11m olimare>, and it i$ to be reg rell'ed tbnt wu havo not more pofJU· l~~otion to om it. tn th<· bcot use. With regard to the flUt'~lion of the tai~iug of wJJE>at. } f :vhcatgrowing i& n p11~·ahl~ propo~ition, it rs vo:-r.' ' easy to ge t. pPC>p le to produce it. Uufonuna.telv. most o( tht> set:tlcr;; have found other ·n,·ennc> give better t'f'Sttlt<: th 10 farmi11g, anrl I lcnow tll!tt in my district the.;· hrm! gin•n up fnrmin!t and are gojn;! in for d!til·yin!!. This whea.t fnrming. I think. shou ld be a siclt> lint'. Mixed farming should he QnC'nuraqt'd. Let r• man grow wbt>at. Jo a, liltlc dairying. nnd have 11 few s.be~·p and cnttle.

.l\11·. C'.1:R<rr<R: You nre \ ' l'n· good a~ adviB· ing ot her people wlu1t to do:

Mr. Sl:'E;-\C'ER: I could g'ivc von some ,·cry good <~d ,-ice. I 8:1.\' thut th~ Go\'ernmont s hould find out wl1nt, is o li,· ing area th<tt <1 mon l'an c:arry on aureessfnlly, and help him nn to that land; but if ym1 increase hi~. l'llih,·ay frf'ight~. hi~ land ta'x-rhe most UtlJU>.t l<•x a mnn \\'as c,·er a>'ked to pay--

M!'. CoLT.r~s: \\ho pay~ it? NI.!-. SPE:'\CER: You a11d 1 ))av most Gf

it . '1'11ko. for inslan<'e, lho ~torekel?pt'rs in Que m ~u·t•vL

The CJf.-\IR:II..L"\: Order. order! l\h. SPE?\CER : I wanioo to point out

~hat ih(' mniu object. of rhe Goveroment shouhl hf' lo tt·~· anJ eneourage people tO· produce more WC'alth , nod we must makE' the land more attracti,·e for them. Then you will lra\'1? t-o u,;sist him 11-'l far as water i ~ concerned. r,ook at the amount or Ios; thac \\'4:' hn1·e just suffered through the.> late dr(Jirght. '!'his t:ot1ld ltan• been aYoided i£ we li~d had n \l·~tt•t• conserl'at ion ~cheme.

'Tht'n . 1 say that n large area. of l&nd f-hould be de\·eloped and made ready for 11. selector to go on. Then there is the matter o£ seed

[Mr. SpencB'r.

whNtt. Th i~ ~-cur fru·mars. M is well known, wit! he \'('t'Y s he>t't o f >f'Prl ,,·h~nt, and 1 am t'O!·ry to ~~~y dutt thl' Co,·er·nmE'nt hn.ve made w • IH'o '· isiun fo r t.lwm nt 1111. T he )lon. , ,.."'l"'" f1w :,lllll lw t· l'l'TLHlt l.' di>tl'it">t-11nw!'n -•~ .''" thn the.'· ntc• uot ~fuWiug wh r nt. (."r ,fortunately. ihry nre not.. But w(' ·want ro cnC'olltuge rltt'lt\ to do so. 'Ye have had mng-nili'c!!nt rains rlm·in![ the last mo nth. a.nd the soil at t.ha presNlt t1ma is io m~gnificent o r·tler fo t• l~ll\rtring. Coming down through my distrfct the <lthet da.r, I could set' pe>ople p lougbing up t,hc aoil, but these rnen will haw no ~rt'd wheat to p lnnt. I tl1ink the Milli stl.'r .!!honk! mak(' ptovision for the supply o[ seed •rhea t io these {u rmers.

Hon. \\'. H. DAU:\li:S: He should hll.ve made it "''3 il!!.ble b~'fare this.

i\Ir. SPE:\CER: Several membera sa.y thnt the farmers o[ Queens) n.nd a.re he hind to the extent of a bout £47,000, nnd are cnnkin3' u. lP'<'at twi~t' <tiJout it, some of them remat•king t.hut the Inri_Tlers will not tJa.y for the wht!M. I say if you g i ve them £50.000 a y< al' it would be a good thing to cncour>~ge them to g:o on the land. In m;\' r. r.-t •·ict Wt' ftl'{' P"ying 6i<l. for 8 2-lb. lo"f o{ b1·eud. Sl)rely there i$. more room for wheat. \Ye have just passed a vota fat .L40.GOO fo r thl• rc:li!if of unemployed . .and yet n fu~s is being made bC<Juuse the farmera cannot pa.y up for their seed wheat. 1 kno\v sc,·era I farmers in mv tlistriot who W011!d not l~tke tl1e wheat offered by the Government, on ~C.('Ollll!. of th~ inqnisitorin.l questions that had t.o he nnswPl'ed in tbe application. I know of seYet·ul farmers who to~e their applications up.

M:r. KmwA:>i: They ask the same questiorns in Victoria, under a LiuE~ral Government

!\k SP:E)ICER: Here are the conditions 11nder which &he Government of Queensland otfei' the wheat-

" With tbo •ecurity of a. lien 11pon crops ~tnd o pr·upot'lional p!tym~nt from tlalrying veturn~. Ol' other security. for the rcp•ym<,ot. o f tho debt th"t might be. 1J ICI1l'rC:d."

Just fnnl'y. asking these m•ftll' ttJna l e f>trmers to g-i\'1! a lien oll thoit crops to pay for their \\hNit:

Hon, "'· B&RT!l.\~r ~ Would lh~y g1:0w wbea.t if yol.l ga.n? it to them fM 11othing?

Mr. SPE:'\CER: Ye~. I bol it>''e tl1ey would H you ga,·e it to tbcfn f<lt' n<>thing. At the Ronlu St<HC }'arm we hu,-~ nn ~xcent'nt m!ln in charge. probably the best man in Austmlia fo~ thli' hybricli~ing o[ wheat, and I 11·ant tl•<' .MinisL\11' lo allow the J;t'~d whe~t tha t i · then• I o remain in the dist~ict for the fMme rs. lt i3 an a• dimtttised wheab, au-d r can !tiisure the holh gentlem~n that a. number o£ farm ers tb~rc w ill 1n1t in whea.l; if thev can. gli't the seed. At one time we nsNI to hat·~ 60,000 uere" under wheat in mv diot.rid , uut, unfortunately, the MC/I> mid.-r cultivation ·has dwindled <)own \ tOti1 nul\' wP. hn,·c only about 10,000 acres of w.he>tl.

Hon. W. BERTRA11 : What is thE' reason for t,hn t. decrea.5e?

Mr. SPE)iCER: The farmers have found tha.t it is not profitable, and they have gone in for dairying. l believe it would pay the Goverrnnem to give a. guarantee to the fnrmers that they would get a certain pl'ioe for their wheat, a.nd i~ would also pay them to give the farmer ;; the. wheat. 1 believe the

Supply. [11 FEBRl'~Y.) Supply 2937

farmPI'~ are honPst enoullh to pnv the Govern· nwnl bock fol' their seed wheat if thl'y get !1. crop H~1n. \\. B£BTR ... ~: Frcc whcnt will not

soln! rhe problem.

~[1-. l'P'E~CER: I do uot think it will, bu t ir would l!'iYe a big impetns if tho Cort•rnmcnt would $how 11 littlo mote energy in tlu) motter of supplsing- these fMmer~ with whcnt. Jn conn<'rtlon will1 Stnte fo.>·ms, D Jrcnl <lca.l of ass.i~tnn~e could b1! given to lh(' rnmH·r~ by $Upplyin~r stud bulls. In .Roma we h:wc a stud bull. It is suppo;ed to bP a Durham bull. but the hou. mt>mbt'r £or :\fm·illn s!\W this bull. n.nd he ~nid it is onlv a eommon herd bull " orth about 25

, gui'neu•. Mr. :\IoaCAS: I would not put him in my

11crd ut oil.

Mr. SPE':\CER: It is. just M well, whorll you ha.ve stud anima.ls 011 these fauns. to hn.ve Lht> ve1•y best, and nol the worst. Thl'y 51wulcl be an examplP to other people. Thero i:! :~.notlwr thing that retMds settlement to a l:lrgP extem, 11.nd that is the Government dcnv- the farmers the 1· ight lo have freehold IILtld.

Th<' CH.-\lR:\fA~: Order! That has nothonit to do with this vot&.

Mr. SPE~CER: The other di\S in Brisbane there "'"-" an advertiaoment fo1· men who "ere prcparl?d to take on dc;iryiog oo shares. nnd do vou !mow that one 6rm bad ju.•t unJer 200 ipplica.nts, and mogr of th05e men who :rpplit!d to become- sha re da iry farm<'r• were meu who bad lost tlwu cattle ~uring the lost drought. (t wn~ a. pitia.ble sto.tc of nffair, to $!le tttch u hHge nul!lber or men who, huvi•lll' lo~t their own stock, were now prcp!Hd:l to L>ocome shNre dlliry fu.rmcr~.

llfr. ll.IRTLEY: 1£ they Lud a fl•c<'hold, 1 5U pposl' they would not have lost. tht'i r slock.

Mr. SPEXCER-: I do not know whrthet· th<''' hud rr,•l'ho ld or no~. hut wt- ltnow tbat tho'~e m<>n did lose rhE"ir l!tock, and a.re now willin~:r lo w.kc on dair,·ing on shares. I ho.''' not sueh a great fai th in irrigation as i'OfiH' people h:t\f/. I think rnr bett<'r resuJt.r c11n be <)btuinod with the natural rc•ources or tht> country if ths-y are properly d<J\'elopl?d. If ~·ou gin> th<' farmt'r~ and settl~rs a..isistRnc~: to J)rovirle water. tbl'y will he much more •ucro•~qful. l do not know or nny pu.rt o r ,\ll•lr&li!t tbnn has been prot\rablo under Hri s-u t inn.

Jvfr. l\lou<:Ax ~ lrrig-ation is vr•·y p1·ofituble o n lho 1\liltlura.

:Mr. ~PE::\C'ER: Such crop• M fruitf!, potato(•>. nnu >t•ga •·, rw·l'ltu p>, tn o.y be profit· 11bh· l'''O"'Jl with irriqudon. but you cannot irri"l}nt~ such things a!. wheat, nnd irl"igation i• no~ going to be the wontlerful thing that seomc J'Npll' think. The proper thing to do i; to ~i,·e th~l' men a Ji,·inl! area, ond gh·e them ll'$isranl'l' to provide water a.nd otber things.

Mr. BCLCOCK : There is one phase of agriculture that has nor b~n dealt with dur· i nl! thi~ debate. and that i! the qul'stiou of pJunrbrertfing. 8<ollll? \'I'I'Y \OIIIUid<- dotd huve b~Pn rl'cei ,·N:I irom the Burbank Institute in Amcrian. thnbank ha~ beQn tl'rmcd the wizard of plant life, and in his gonern.l culture and h~·bridising he has done th ings that scientists a few genertltion; ngo asserted were ahsolu~ely impos>ible o[ a.chic,·emcnt. For

iw;tanec, he l.ns cro .. ed the plum with the aprtcot. :::\ow. 1\'1' hut! his pnraUel in Aus· tralia in tht• larr Willin11t F:nrr•t. lllr F.orr!'l" nn~lurl.'ll •· F•-<lrrat ic:w" ~nrl mnn' othm· wheot~ lfhich wPrt> ada(lted to tile rlimute of Nt>w B'outb Wales. }le COll,·crtl'd the wcsteru portion of Xcw South \Va.les irom ~~ ptt~tornl uron into a. wh~atg.rowing area simph- becot.t!e he wos oble to evolve t'<'jlCS ~ttiLublc for rhc climate o£ those a.roo.s. Take. as one eltaruplc, "F~dero.tioo." When :_\(r. Fun·t•r Hr--~ -"lH c~~~~dnfl in fi~illJ.! . r F~doratiou," the roiller~ of the South Ri ,·er inn and Yi~tori8 paid ld. pe1· bushel more for "Fo.'<leration" wheat than they paid for othc·r whl:'at•, Fimpl~· ut'C'a.use it was a strong wheat a.s compare<! to the other wbeats grOWil at thl:' tirtll', anu it WRS worth & penny a bushel mur!' fcot• tIll' J•lltl'll~e fJf >1rt>ngthen~ ing thl' w••uk•'t whPHt<. Sub-<'quentl~·. ~[r. Farrcr wn~ ~ucl·o .. ,•£ul in prmhwiuc- whrat> which wet·o much stl·on~er than "Federation,'' a.nd they drove ' FooPratiou" from l}l'ioritV Of p~ltion. •rake, IJ.S !\D e~amp}e, "Firbank" wheat, which you may sow jn August iu the Srru~he1·n Riverina. 11.0d which ,·ou take off first. He converted weak chafE ;vhiwtt' into strong chuff wheats, and he mado wlll'>tt ll <'OIIlltii'I'Cin I nropo~itiou in Victorill a.nd ~ew South Wules to n grenter extent than wot~ld bun' bt>cn possible had i~ not been for hi~ work. R~ set to work to produe•' bunt proof, rust proof. and smut proof whrat , nnd nil o£ them promised to be a big succcs~. For n number of years "Flor l.'nce" was 11 ,·cry pnpulat wh.ent. a~ongst the llTowers in ronst>quenrc of Jts tt>SJsta.nce to bunt. I tu kl' it that the reason why whea.t· ~rrowing bcu; 110t ~u<:reed~><l in Queensltt.nd in the wu,· we· would have liked is due to the f.tl't• Uiat we lnvc not C\10ived the proper ,·ar·:f1 io•s ol whl.'uf Wo know that plant· b1•t>eding a.nd lt.9bl'idi!ing (\of" e.<~sll_ntia l for the pt·o•l1;ction (ll tl fixed '' a.r•ety au1to.ble £or the dillllltt• of II<I.V f'lll 'tirtthtl' ni'N\. Jt is pOll· ~ihlt>. in \'ii!W o£ what hn> bN' Il .don<! Ill the Sotnh hv l\Jr. Fnt·•·cr and in ne\\· of whl•t hM been don•! by Bt;rbn.nk in America.,. to ('\·oh c tvpeo of wht-a.t in Queen>land wh1ch bnYc not Yl't bcl.'n e•·oh•e<l. In Ari~ona they hav£' ,.ro,;n wheat on a. lO·inch r!iinfnll. In the :-forthern States or America. they have two distin~l ,·nrietil:'s of 'vhent; they ba.vc a. mmmer wheat and n. winter wbt-aL. There are :>t•\'1'11 l•u•i<' ,·no-it•! i('~ eo£ who•lll oud bOO or 700 Y1!Xieti••<~ c,·oh·('n out of tbrw, nod wo ea unol ·~ ~ for ono moment tha.t. we have txhn u.t Nl. th~ pn>sibilii il'<' of pl~nthrePding in n•htion to whcnt nr nnything E.'h.e.

:\h. M o«r.A:>: In li1C1 :1-fttllce. in V it toritt. fh!ly hnvt.! tt•·owll whcnt on un B·inrh rainfall.

i\lr. ~(' 1.\0C' K: Th11t i-. •dwr•' r. corno from. Th11 I'06itiun is .th.is: th.dt if lt htl.l! hrcn Ol.'monstrntl'd thnt ll tS po~1blc. to br~t'~ whl.'at ~uitahlr £or •outlwrn chruattc condt· 1 ions. ir is Quit<' loaira I ro suppose tha~ •Ut'h a cour..r i, po«:~iblc in QuN•n,lnnd. When wr> ha"c thP right vorirt~· of wht'at t-•·olvc:d in Queensland, tllcn will Qut'~nsland again take het· place 1\5 a wh~>ntgtowmg State. lt i• simplv dul' to thl' fn<'l that we haYe not "et b.;rn ~ttCCP'"ful in C'H>Iving t nr ri){ht \-ariPii<·~ o£ whrnt tltut Qurl'llMI\nd ha.~ d<>rlin~d as o wlicatg,·oll ing Shttl'• and it. is essi'nliul that thi ~ matter should bP l'mb~rkl:'d on. lt tnkes ~I'Y<'n years to fix n \'arietr or wlwM. nnd f lwl'e is no gu:J.I'antca of pernlaiiC'I It fl~OllOll Ulldt•l' t1'!1 .)'t'afS, ltfl,d con•equ,•ntlv th(• •nmtN we c•mbal'k on th•~ wo~k the IIO!luc·r "rr Wt' goiug to get r!efinitc•

[Mr. Bulcock.

2938 Supply. [ASSE)lBLY)

r,•ult•. J h·•ard tilt h(1ll. lll>'nlb.•r for thl' viJ><·urc· cll,tri<.t of )Iarl\uua ,.,.,,ud< that thl·r~ wus a gootl drul of "h• utbrct•tlin,; Blllll!.l" on at Runlu. t al><~ lon1e hl'nrd Q( !Ill' 1\0o'k t•f th,, ~l ht:cntun ''htJ , .. in duu·f"~ v£ th~ ,.,l•~·ti· ~~~··nt;ll •tatiOJI aL Rtollll\, 1111<1 l hu•·e heard h1o wol'l: I t'r_1 [avou r~bl_:· COI11111\'IIil!d oa. l it UI' l' tttk~··• omc ( .• 1do•1·uulo ;,,.,n·>t iu llltllllt••·c•·ding . mol'(' ,,-,<'cilt! ly ill n•ln tiun to 1\hl'llt. I m1ghc stltlt• tltut :\h. lo'nt'l'~r died aftt•r hr••\•d iug rert . io wil t-HI,, nttd " llunYIJJ/' ·• Ftrbnn_k," a nd some of thos!' wltcat~ wbl('ll llttl'o >In(_. LCCOIIll' fnmou s in ='iew ~out h " ' " ll-; auJ. Yictoria "t'l'e 5ullscqut!atl~· h~ed. h~· 1\ l~bottrPr. )lr. llursL. "ho wa~ work1ug nudrt· tht< t.lir<'Ctinn o f )lt·. l"utrPr nt tlw \Ya.gga agt·kuhurul cxpt:l'imt'nlul 11lnt. :\h. H msl !Jus Iully Jcomortsh'<II"U to rhP Xc•w ~om~ \\'ales :\ griculturnl Dcpa•t· nu•m dtt.d he IS I'<IJ~abll! of canyiug o n this \1 Otk \J~ Wht•uturc~'<hng, uut theN WR3 n C'Oil· su.lt•raiJil' lap•<! of time afkr ){r. Farl'rr'3 <i.l·llt.h to~fore i\Jt•. Hur;;t was cHpable of func· ~10111:1!( "' the way )Ir, Fnnt•r wn~ futt<'tlon-111~~ . I !ay thn! to indif·&tH rhc necessity of ti'!Un ttlg. .:\d.rrn t.tedl.1· , WCl hnve " good man a~ Lloruu , but, ncv~rthe l e!.,,. ft is cl~sit·ablo t!• ~ t •omconc should bo. t •:n._i n l'<l iu his pu•·· t lt llla r mct.hods of h~ brtd•••ng . Thl'l'~) ;~ u. goud de;~! o f Jnra required tco ns<'crlain 1\ h4?thcr we are IJI'UJ.p·e,..ing on right Iincs. Frout un~ :-eed o f who:oat [ ha\'!' •ccn wheat grow 2 r~el high, anti wheat grow 6 feet h_iglt . T!tBt h3s be<:tJ brought abOut by sclecttou dur mg sucCCoSI\'C reat5, 11nJ it iF nccesoory that one •11an should be in tho confidence of th•· man eat-rying out the work. Ml thut he ".ouiJ uudct·<!taud the who!" >Y~tcrn. The New South Wales D~pnrltnPnt of . \gricultnre t'Cc<Jgn.ac t~c n ece5:1ity for ('llunriJt·ct'<iing, nod mow. r•p('(' lally for whearbrc"<ling atu.l th~< " Dn.tiY 1'~lcg~aph," u r·on•N'I'MIYc puper pul>h~ lwd 111 Sy rlncy, •·:iluhli,Jn•<l " J•'an·cr fund und " Jo'rt r rc l' ~tdtolur~hi 11 tenable !or Ollll _vt·ac· ~~ tbo Dotth!u·st. :\ g l'icul t ura l College o•· I hco \v ayg" Agrwu!t\u·u I f 'ol l••!fe. I do 11 01 wpl:'ose 1 ~~~. " Courict· " would l>t! pro· part>tl. m lhc tnrcrests of C'itizcnshir. to ~xt<>nd the samP Q)Jportuni~y to farmer~ son,; 111 O!>PCII~(aud "' ltas been oxtrnd i'd by the " D4tl) . 'J'clegnph" io ~ew Soulh Wales. Tlwr~. 1~ another ~l10larshi\l "'hid1 makes pro-:1~1011 fo.- h.-o yea.-.. at 1 hl Sydoe_v Uni-1 c t~tty for l't'"Curch wot·k , and onll ' '•' nr at the {J.~ford Cuin>rsity, ~ltould thr -.tudcnt nfte>r two year$ nt the ti)dnoy Uoi , ·c1-.itv dl'mon~tt·at<; that he is suited to rc~earch ":ork . Thts sc·~olarship is kmHHI 811 th'l I• tii' I 'Cl' •t:!ou!ars htJ>- .Funds i11 rt.'tnC IItlJt·unre of Mr: \\ Jl ltam Fant:>r wt•C;> l'lli.5~d l>v Jlllblin 6ub>CI•1 pi.JOn nmor1gst tho milll) r·s untl wlt cutgt·o,~c~·s, •to cl a111oogst tiHJso who prrmn t11mtly pnt·ttt•.'pntctl 111 the u~l\ antng.:s >tt•cruing from Mr l•un·•~r·, work. fhi ,Fdiolur-hip i~ worth

about £78 a ~ t'W for 1 wo \'Nil'" [8 (J. m.] and nboul £120 for tho • fin~i . year at Oxford. Supposinf: some·

lh1og of tha t nature were en1bark.-d on in Queom~land. the sons of fnrmc.ors ot· otlterR who ~ho•.•ed aptitt•de in thllt dirl'<'tion. and were tramed o!o!1g ~he line.. of ugricultur11 1 rC'8carrh, lty,bnchsa.tton, and. plant_br..,diog ~1ould be obhged 10 place rl~tr spcctnl rrnin!ng ut the service of t he Stnre, bt>eo use th,•r.• ~s no ot.hi'r nutle l fo r such ~pcr iali sed trn••tJng . \Vheo we r·emcmu~r thnr tlw ru.ub.1gB we _lmve to-dny Wof-s l'llioccl ft•om iL wild •Fruu,,! whtl•h was growmg o n tlH• r h ,\l k dill's of D'?v<'r, .nLld see the g-np wlti<'h hM bcl!n br11lgcd ns n <'<ms~qu<>nCll of ~('lct•tion und brcoo<ng, we 1.-i ll JUtlurnlly S"e the nd\·ao-

/1/r. Hulcock . ]

tagc5 of hn\'ing 5<11lltbnd" in Jlrucc;> o f tr•iniug o,y rh.~ Sr.uu to ~•rc.tni~,. p1alubrPcdJng ;,,,tiiOniou, alon~t th• ltn..-~. l>l!rilnp. of t ~.o .\J ••mid ii,.Litlll ; .. n~ ru ,. ,·oh·c tho c Yat·ictio~ •du1'11 Ill'\' ••· ·"lltiltl ivr tlw sntisfncwr~ t'OJI· du<'r uf u;;til ulntntl , !llPl'pris•'" iu Qu.-.-n~l<11lrl. \\',, h,. ,,,, 111 QllcCIIol:tncl th,, llraitt, whid1 •u··· n.:ecsi'nt·y i t>t• this i'ort of thing. Tit Cl fnYill t~l''"·· lua ll flf:ot\ und \\ hPat ~l'O\\' Ol'S or :\ew South \\'n l••• 'ltowed n patl'lotiC" spiriL Ro fnr 1:~> tlwi r Btn " ' \\'tt,_ cu•lct'rncJ, wltc.t tlw.• found•'" thi~ Fno'lll'bt'holurslrip. 1:'~•-lri\J)S it _tllij!'hr nut l•c llUI of plncP. th"t a scholar~lup should br foulldl•ci on ~imilar lint'S in QtWCII<Iand, bUb·t rib(·J to by the-<> who woulo ruu·tiripate in rho bc.•tu:>6to' aCt'ruin~ i ro1n a bl)trCI' so:lt>ctiou oi wh•~t being a1·n •lablc fo r •JWiU)(. M,· t •>urrunttant! tow·'i'ta·,t~ ir~ ~:~ :""t oblislun~m thf,,. would bt• oloiug ;;omPthiag for thci1· own aih·ontll!f•' and the ad,·am3-gc or thr• Stal.e,

~11-. Sl:r.F:R: Probu bh· l wonltJ nol bnvo ~pokru tlut·iug titi; d••bii.rc hud ' it not bt'e.n . for d w t·Pma •·k, marli• IH the hnn. lllernbcr fo t· Firzroy this nflt' l'ttoo1'1. One o r r.wo cou· du£i<11ll> at which hr· <ll'l' i1·1'd were cert.tlin ly illten•stillg'. Otw WAS rlwt !he t.remcmJous co.t or inqtlt'mrtHS \la• a gr~ut di;auvnntage lllN witl• b. u 1111111 • ho was anxious to go on the I1111U. 1 um i;,dined to t hin k that implt>mem< an• nl un C':<tntordiuan- bi~h pric-t> at th,• Jll'l• ••tn lim<'. But I lia\'il m my !tend u llllllll•hlt 1 i- ucd in 1915 b~ the Lnb<..tur t>art'' "hrn thc 1· wer" discu;siol{ this 'lll<'~!ion uotl ttt•tn·llliug for thP •uffrui s of ~hl' pcopl~. Tht>,· ru ltl the d~ctot·~-l>ati ieulatl.v tho• running ''''rion-t lun if th• y were l'l'turn c>d to 110\\C•l· rltry 11uulcl do "'"lY with thP ntirldl •'llt:t:l tll' >I in~ wi th agrit J ltur~l iwplt•n" Ill> uud c.rubli-h irr his ~tead State imp lentr'llt \I Qrk,, I th iuk that Was :1 part of the l:'t·•·mir•·'s I>Oiiry. \ \'hen thnt was u•enr iunrd t.o-da~· 1 h•• ..\'lini~ter in trrjt'ct.~d rhat t lmt would folluw t.hQ Sta,te steelworks 'J'hp Gm·Mnm<'ll r htt1'o• hu~n tu lkinl! for five y<'nt·s nbuut ih ,• t'HGbli.hmf'lll o f State ironun.t ,;t('{'! work~. auc.l tlll'J h ft i"C not yet. dt'rt't'utinc•l d1" •itl•. \\\> hasP reasm1 to bdicn! rhar it 11 ill nrobabh- be .Uioth~t· vear bdor" toe it!' i~ ll<'to'nni•icrl. :\lr. Ihonhy t',tinlnt t·~ rhnr hr 11ill rnkl' four 't-ar·s at least to ~.;t th" n 1\ot·ks into f:~ll upe;·:11ion. That wilT he r •n ~ ~at·,. 'l'h!'u wt• must assume i~ will be pl·vbitl,(y two ~··at·, befot-e the itnpl>!lllt'nt works t'llll b, c,tnhli~h~d. so that thnt Wtnl ltl lllnkc it lllt•h ·l' "'lll'~ at tl1c lowest, ot· ~""''" y .. nt·, ft·on• the' prm.cllt dare, ll<'foro thrt·e is nny !IU><ibl<' hore nf the Srato lruplt'll1l'llt work~ l>e in r; e!tuLiish.;-d. What i'<l l' t (If hvpl' i'! tltllt for •~ rnnn who wunt.~ t<J go nn thn lund ? 1 fc•e l >urc it. will givo thf· lJ<)n. ru••nobl)o· fo r Lof•lrrt'r n ICit of tonsoJu. 1ion when hi' get• ho111" to bi~ new farm lo know ihnr in nr l••ast iC I't:ll vearo' time he will br 11blc to get <'l>t'!IP impl.;mems from the GovN'OJncnl. If 1 it(·rc Wt' re an injustice -and thcrt• wn.~ Qll('--in 1915, and tt \\'llf ret:u·Jing production. what ha.ve lht> Gol'ernment b•'•' n doinJ> f rom thut ~-ear until now, renli•ing rhar fact ~ Tbcn they will come down to the Jloth~ nnd ct·iricise those people who. tlwy ~ay, "''" f ar111i11!': rhe fa rmcrll." 'By their inncLi1•it,Y they arc farming theform er:.<. ~\norh,..r · lnL~re~tiog )Joint raised by thl' ho11. m!'rnbcr fm· Fitzrov was the holding or land ft) th,, dr-rl'ill\cl)t <Jf tl1ose men who· w!luted ro go (JI1 l'itt• luncL lle instanced <':UI'$ whe t'f' \an J wus b~ing h~h.l, presumably for >Pe<''lllllrou-llnd wl11•11 11 man wanted l~nd hr hnd to p;tv £40 an acre t o a svudi· cntc before he could get lt. He maintamod-

Supply. (11 FEBR \:"Ain'.) 2939

and probnuly rightly-that that 'qas rct~rdin& pl·odut·ti••n. That \\OuiJ lll' nil right i£ '' , ... ,., .• -onliurd to Olll' s•'rt-ion. hut '"' find 1t ,;•lt·• on in urhl!t' wnll<!' of )ifP. uud that lnnd 1~ lt••irur ltt'ld IJ•· nl!"ll you would le•h t , • ..:nerr tu holcf il·, unJ' w~ he.ir uothtng of it. J do nor lf,.licn• in rntm holding la11d fo~ '(h!tul•l· i h·,> JlUl'[)ll•e• "·hc•·c il i< rcquiro<i fo1· prodl)c•tiUn. 1t i.~ ju,t us well 10 ~rcok 11ln.inly. Vrny nft~n. whC'II I ucn ll'a\'f'lling in u train uart icuiHrly up the );m·th Ctlll ~! lin t'. I s•!o 1!•1•11 I in~ id[.-. clnoo tn dw lfut•, ol l\· iousl ,v lwld f,u· t h~ put·J)O•"" of •Jt•'<:ulsriun. I nnii~ed. in lookin!l' m·er ;onw tile:i, tl11H in 191() tlt~re WA'- an agri•·ultnral >P]<•ct ion oJf 775 acu••. ponion.o 132 aud 134 of thc• pori~h of l31'f'r\Hih--

'fhl' C'llAIR:\U:\: OrJI'r! The 1.\ue-tion lll.'ftwro rltc Chambor hns nothing to do witb land ~I' I !'Ctiou.

:\Jr. STZEH: I am rrft' r1·in~ tn this fad whicn .:M rui~•·d in dl'biLt•• •

'fbr C" IIAIRl\JA).r: 'J'hr uou. nw•nb••r llHI\' rl'fror W the matter in passing.

:VII'. !:;;[~ER: There i• 01 1 ~ hloc-k uE luud of 775 U<"res and a.notbo>t' o f OVI' t' 300 nc1·es l nkt• tl up in 1916, ju~t. bcfo1·< · tlw pC't'pl"tuul lt'II!L' 'yst<'lll c-ame into \'OI{U<'. lloth those fnrnv; " ·ill l>eectmr fn•o•hnlcl ut th<' end of 11\I'OLy-flvt' ~-eor>. Thry \\I'W tak~n up o t 10• en ure in 1 hi' fil"<t l'li>e nnd 13! . 4d. iu the '\l·•·ond. Thrv r~>rnain th~t<' 10-do" and ha• c llot LL'<!n c·ulih·ared. ]• it not•·easimable to u -um~ tha.t that land i~ being held fot• I!P,!>CIIIalion? I ask the hon. member for l• i1-.ro:- clot· he thiuk rh a t that land ;, h!!lcl fo1· ~pc-cula liOn '! \Yould lw b..· ~uqn·i~cd to lu·llt· rhut lhor land i$ lwltl hy th~> :'.liniotcr for \ gricultm·c? ·

The Sf!<'RETARY ron Aca•crr:n:ns: Will vnu t ' kc it nnd wrJrk it if I gi•··• lJ to you? •

.:\J r. !:;lZER: r Mll not flnying thn.t, lf llto hou. J.rcmtlt'man w<'r•• to g ivt• it to 111e

110 douht I \' ou ld tlo thl' "'''nt• 1 hlng ll..' he is •loing-H•ll it on tlw 1·i•o if I ~ould. The ~li 11 ist •'l' f~··· Agricult~ rt' IO Uft >n y .. ithcr thnt tht>tl' l!i> no huurt ID ~peculatlu~ in );1nd lllld holding it "itb u Yit:w tO 8 riu• null kc•etling: it out of production. Ol' thnt the bon. IJ;ll'mbt>r for Fitzroy wn" •vrong in his contenl!Oil that thP holding of laud i~ dot1·imeutnl tn lil'uil n t•tiotJ.

Th~ ."ErR<.TART FOR RATLW.\\'S: You lra\'1' not O<'l't'jHI'd 1hat. clwll~ng" yet.

)(r. CORSER: I will tnkP it fo t· nothing.

T lw SerRET.IRY FOil AGH tt:Pr.Tt:nr.: Wil l you work it'!

Tlw CD AIRMAN: T. l'Piltind tit"' hon. ntenthl'r for Xondalt thnt "'" nrc not dea ling with th" Land DerHu·tmcnf5 E>rit tlHtes.

.\J r. S I ZER: Wt• ba"e to ronAider this qu,•-lion uf incrcasin~; produrt ion J nn1 indint•d ro think •~e will ha\'C to mnke our nlethod. '?{ I~U~d settlement 01t.ier thun it i.~ . The ~t)ll'lt of rht! tim<!~ i~ that men nrl' not pre!pai'Nl w dn tht: samp bullol'king M tho old pionl'er fa1·mcrs clid; and 1 do not nltog!!tlll'r bi!Uile them. I think the Go\'e\'0-ntl'nt •hould consider tho fllli!~tion of 111uking ud~QUI<k pt·o•·•,;•on to meet the ohnugc of Lim•'·· . 1 bt•lieve i.t wm!ld ]JOY the Govern· mt'nt, • n~tt•nd of 111vesttng •• hll'ge sum in Slaro t iiJt~rprise&. tu iiJ\'CI\T •• ~fl\', e25 000 000 ;n clMring land nnd making l'illldy·nl;ldo ft1rms in Ol'Cl.e•• that. m.en o~n. go on to thosl' luotl ~ und. 1 n~tct1d ot Wllltltlg fi" e 0 1· six scr•rl! for a ··etutn. be able to get o. return

•n n. compnl'<lll\'"lr •!tort lime. If it .h,l«ed n iO<<- in tho• ilu{iul "f ·t:B. roe (tliUltrY would b,•nl'fit h_,, h·u1"' ami bouutls ot tho l'llci uf n '~' l}' ft•w )!'Ill'~; if nO! acrually in thqr dil'l.'<'llllll, lH· rlw incmut' tax r~rurn;; us " ,.,.,u lr rof th!l pn•fit~ "hi" h \\ould b•J •n:Hie frocn 1 hnr i>1nu. Jt, would jJl'CIVid~ innnl'<'liato c'll'l l ,hiYII1!'1lt fn t· ~~ ltll'g'C numbet• of nnflmillo\'l.'rl . ltlul ti ll• o•ountt·v would be ubi<:! to say tha 1 £25.000.000 .. , .• n '51111k in th:1 t dirPctioJt \\'llnld brinz in •omc todN} uate retnrn,

)Jt-. Bl''I'Ll:;lt (f,,.r/.·•t• I'). I think ,,.e an fortune re ill ),a, in~ · -u~h a S111l}1aJher.i" )fini~rl.'t u• dtl' Jll'~'-'llt .\I i :1i~te1· fur AgL•icul· rur". (IJra r. h<'ttl :1 I lind rhut the :\Iini-tl'l "'" ,,,f,••·o:d lnud to tJ, .. , hon. 11lemh .. r fo•· :\undnil. pro.-iJ•'•I ltt' "ill work ir. I ;,·oulJ Jik<.' to know frotn th<! :'lliui>tcr, when 1 stL down. if rhn r uffn i~ op••n to nu.\'botly else. !Lnu!!hfl't.l l t i~ r·nth•••· amlli:ing to notice l1Wirthers of lhc 0)1j'(t'ition tl•ying to illllJfl"' ' 11(10 11 ihP JW'II'll' <Jf Jlt-isbtuH~ thlll th·~~ l'i'P I't' •cut r bo fr"'" '"~"'· So r~~· ~~~ r kuow ther" i;; Oltl v one farn tl'l' ctrl tl1ci•· side. while thPrc '"'C ai 1;-urt, ttl Ill,\' kuc)\1'1; dg<' . four on tbi< ~iclt•. (0f'J)IJ"itioll lu llghtl'l'.) Aftl'l' the next ·· 1 ~<"1 ion rhrr~ )'t'lb:ll •l,v wi 11 he many more. Hejl'al'(ling "ltttr rl 11• hnn_. tllelllbl'l' ft>~ ~)rnyto,n ;.n id u Lour n fu 1'111('1' losnllf £100 on nt:o ~·eut s wot·k Hntl dll'n hn\'in(l' to poy £7 income to~.x. I do not think, if hn told the truth. t b at he told du' wholr• 1ruth. Sontcti"'"" it is politi<'lll rxtwdil'llC'\' tn H•ll a pu r·1. but uot the wholo n·mh. 'L will dtcllcn~ro th~ hou. rnem· h·n· to pro•·•· tlt,rr the fuct• u1·1' ~~~ he !'tOtes: ~nd. ii lho• fnl't~ hnH' ltct•tt plnccJ bt'fote rht propt'l' nutltori ti<'S nnd 1hut fa rmer bus 1101:

l!OI u l'l'fund. I 11 111 quite pt·epurl.'<l. with th•• hou. lltl'ttlltt•t· fut· Dt·u,·ton, to cnndemn tho GoY•'t'lltnrnt. '

1\ir. Rr.cmn:c't't)li : llt• Ju,. to JIB.\' the lllOne:·. ha:;n't be '!

~r. BI ''J'.LER : Tha Opp<)·· it inn c:llltinuully bus<' rbci t· ntlncl; ~ npon the Gmet·IttrH"Ill l1y •tnrin~ hnlf tt·utlt~. \dtic·h i• Wilt''<' rhun ~iu.t · in" d~lillP 1 At!'! lir" :\ow, th<' hou. m ••mher ha' f'lt'3('Ti('nlly adlllittl'u l hllt t his man hns ~tlt tht) liiOJH-'\' h.ark.

:.\11-. BEBBJl>CTQ~: ll c ),,, 1101 gut it h~ck. He hos nm )lni<T it ~l't, hut he ha~ tu nay it.

:\lr. Bl'TI.F.R: lit• nuurit' rlmr he cun get the tllOilP\' I !tl'k. Solll•'thint:" hu• lwen said l'~l(urdin~· thr• llorvroy fmit-A_,. lure. 1 am p leaE••II t hnl tl•!l prt ·~nt 1\liniHcr for .-\ ~r-i,•ultur•' ho:1 rnkl•ll this up, and I hllil<' th~t rllP Oo\'rL·n•,rrm will ~, ... ,,tu.• lly h~\'t! ~he mouopol~. Svn 11 •th ing hu!lt•l•n bPPn >aitl - r th i nk ),y t.h r hou. tllCrll iJN fo•· :vltll'anou nbon t. in<lepPrldc•nt l ift bt' iug- un induc~>m~nt for a man to t1·,, uu,l !fCL ntt r]rQ lu ud. Speakiug personnll), tlll't't? is 11 ~~liS<' o} _safetv, esprt"ially if n r11au holds Jll'<'tdtnr_otn•Hou;; 1-n smne suhjL'Ct~. ,nrh Cl~ I do. S•nce I h!J\'('1

h\'Pn intPrP<f!!U iu furmiu~ .md ha"c l1ad a linle more rimr for r"ndrng. Ill\' ··iew~ are more exn·~ml' to-<ln• thHn \\hen I C'alnt' £0

rltis H on>t'. nncl I 111i1 •norc k~·en ahom ;:ecing n I'Oruplt'tc chnnc.r in the '"''ial --~·~tem tl~au l <~\'t'l' WO>. f ~Ill lliOfl' k ~etl C.hour seemg men go on tilt' lonJ in ordet· to !rN this i nclepend~nc~. hr~a11~" I !,.•li""'-' they will then •'XI'Jl'P"S rhc ir l'i~w'' ond know tbut tht'ir wives and chilcb·rn will no~ have to ~ufl'c1•. I cun now <lXPI'C'~ m y vi~>w~ to tltc full. and T know th~t my 'wifu flll\1 t•hi ldrcu wo11·t be fMcetl t.o s llffc t· by the /lt'rtt lemen opposite nud the J' Rl'I,V ih<'Y I'~IJl't'•~ll l , as th~y hB\' 1) <lone in rhr I'D~t. (lieu•·. lu ·• r l) .~nd thn/ i~ the J'~?nsan J wl'nr on 1 hr land. bt'Cau~e I

Mr. Butler.]

2940 Strpp/Jt· [ASSEMBLY] SupplyJ

Utrl bt•(•(llloitH!' l oJLll'(l n11t\ 11101'(! P:XirPml' Lll my Yicw, Mnd ;;; lliJ hat red ng nin,t the Jll'(>SOnt

""r twi a I s: .\'~t~n·.

R •·~n r<1 iJ.c "h •. t thl! hnn. mPmhcr fat· :Lo!!'att said nbr,\;1 tllP dairy farmet', i woutlt't'<'<l C\'~l'v time 1 heal'Cl tha t l1on. me!ll· bel' >tiC:~k · h~- hf' ldt tllP Labour parts. I hnrt• fouucl it out now. It is loacnuw of some ~t'lt('m ~ o[ tht> Mi11i•tc·r's IJ\' which tlt t!r<' js a mortg-~!!C' or• ell I ~""· (Lnug!',ivr.) l think /le \\"U" jn.tifh·• l in INtvin~ the pa•·t.y.

?.fl'. ilEJ.llll"iCHOl! : Are .)'OLl nil mottg:+lgNI on t.hut ~i de?

~fr. lH'TL"ER: Repu<.liug: wl1at t lte hon. Il1Pmh11r fo r Logan ouid about the StaLe cauovrY. I would lil<c io poiut ollt that it is a. mo;t up-to·da I to fiH:tOJ',\' . and wi ll b.; ablo to cOp(l with thC' ft•ui l, 11> il C'OI)ICS along. l<'o~· peo1?h.! to '"·" it. !.a~ l>~~n a fa ilurP >imp l ~~hc"'• u lnllJt•nt.Rbl•• iguorance of the 'rho!<> siraation. As Wl' know·, tlw canneries haYr. only bceu wot·~ i ng n ~hort t ime. Illr. _Sparkcs has been IJO!dong i.;l(·k ro that he tlught get tbc fl'llic ft'OIJ I the ~old i <"rs' J>eitlt'II1N>t. ThE.' fruit is riow J,J;Ilill~ a long' t•ml hP will be aLl>! to tell nnymoe tba t lhc futul'e )11'QS)l•'cb; of t-he oounery llt'!' W'l'y . \'f'l'Y bngl1t. I went all on"" the cnllnN'V, n.nd I bh ink th1tt in Mr. Sparkes we have a man who will make a StiCc€'.~5 of the St!tte •c,.nul'l'Y•

Rcga1·diog Gatton College, I \\oult.l like to say tiH1 t. L hu v<' endoaYom·cd. from time to time, to get sorne sort of reform carried out at this coll~ge. At preseot I do not think it retul'1!S to t.lw Star(' all that it might return i t\ ihe way of value. I do nnl· expect jb lo make a !Jtoflt, l)ut I do think th<lt mau.v r eforms could take placP tht>rP. So fal' n ~ 1 h"llot\•, thC" pr incipal is very kE>en uhout h1$ work a.Jtd is ~~ vet·v efficient man. The hon. member hr :\br;noa, s aid th~t fhe mainspring of production is profit. He should ha.n• said that the m!l,iuspriug of production is the chance to exploit human labour for profit. I would ju~t Hke to put him right on thnt. He refern~c.l to the losses of $took a.ud said there were 200 men owJJing dairy faml$ who lo~L thc i r· stock 4hrough the <.lrou!!'ht eJ1cl \\'Pl'!t in Utisbane I o•y i11p; to got it hack by tukintt up a half shnr(' of " dnit·;· fl11'111, 1 >l !:'; l'\'(' n·itb hizn tbal tlli;; i~ H haJ thin\4. but tln•r•tl!~ lwut Australin- iu 13t·i;;ba~tft, 8,\·dnP,\', )l t"] ht;UI'IJ!>, and othCJ' gt',Nlt citif'SWhal of ull tllt' hurlthf'<h of ullloni:;ts •md indll>·rialis!;; \\'ho ·trt! i•J th(' 5n tn e ~orrY plight. nnd do 110t know wh£'t'!' lht•ir nuX:t <C.1 ·n:~r is coJnlug fro1n ·~

I th ink rh!' Dcp11rtrn~ot o( Ap·icultu.rc should negotiate' wi th the Depa1•tment of Publlt· Heultl1 anu >CC i[ somet.hing cannot be do11e for making it better for t-he people in the r~motc conntt·.,- ·dist1·icts to gilt beHe~· me.di~11l attPntion. Tlois is " lllost sel'ious ma1rer to the UYPragl' person l iving in the country: it Js sel'f ous tmough to those who ]i\' 1" j\Ornewh&-t near to Bri~bnne. I would sug~eH " Qo,·rtnment subsidy townrds this.

.An OPrOSITIO); M~~reEa: "Vould 1t come 0111 of ihis Yote ?

J\J r. DU'l'I,.~n,: I do not care 1vhat vote it comc-s ou1 of. 1 could qnotc on.ses where mt>n have bP<!n compelled to see n doctor, and it has taken them t hree clays to go there and comll bac\;:. nnd the one visit and the doctC1r's uill has me,\nt an almost unendur'.1.-ble load of debt to t;he roan.

~Mr. JJ1ttler .

Iu epite o f Lhe [net that it i ~ now pro,·crbiul that th!' farmer a lways has a griev;mce--of cono•,o ht! has, n ncl a Jot of gc11 ube grtt'\'U ttc~s-thE' tll'l' rag<.' farmer is Yel"'· much hCll\11' oft' i rl t'\ ' PI'\' wny than the a.vcra~~e ind~totri».list.. 1\ll thi;; t.alk by members of thl' Uppo;;it ion ohout. lhc poot• farmer ju6t stmggliug nlong1 not knowing how to iive. and bt'ing t.axt:d out of e.xi. tcnce n.nd all t.hn~ sort of thing, \\·ou ld lead one to think tha r his lift1 i:;. ono conti•mtd round of tears and 1ni~en·. But such is not the case. I thi.Jlk the> uo~~ojori~y of imhtsbt-ialists would gladly C'h11n~c plnce5 11·ith the farnHli'S i[ they could. Set~ now ntrerl .1· impC1ssible i.t is under our ab.urd @yBtem nt t11'eECnt for anyone t.o get on to the land. SulJ]lOSing I want to tal\e up a. selec-tion nnder pe-rpetual leas<>. I have a. ,·er_v limit!'d capital. Before I get anything gmnt<·d. m.Y capital is all eaten up--

'l'lle CHAIRMAN: Order! '!'he question ot land tenure do<.>s not come uudnt· thh vote.

1\!r. B'CTLER: I am t)ointing out how difficult ir i~ to get on to the lnn:l, and I waot to Jeud up to the fact thnt the dcpat·tnl~nt :dto1.dd t ry to make it easier.

Mt· . .J3 ,n'Lh~ v\''hy didn't :you take lease· ho ld:

Mr. DCTL.ER: Because I rould not afford to.

Mr. CoRSEa: \'\'hat about Sta,te Sa,vi:ngs Bunk a;siatnncc?

Ml·. BUTLER: tr ~hat <!<tme under thi~ voh•, I wonld ha,·e a lot to say &bout it. I think it is a good thing, anJ l do noc mind tbe whole world knowiog that I have ha-d :1ssistancC1 ho1n t.hc Stn.te Savings Bank. If the hon. member ]s; hinting at that, I .might <ture th;lt I dcpo·et!ate al together the bt·in!l,' i.,g; illto lh~~e ell'hatt's o£ anythingp!·rsonal, and so long aE I am in this House jt will n~,·cr come from me. If I could g et unotloer £100 to-mortow. l would run from loere lo th<> Saving,; Bank to gee it. because 1 bcl il'\'f' 1 (:ould put it to good ose.

1\tr. C<lHf:f:K: You say n ma-n oannot get tlll.v i £ hco has Toot a perpetual leas~;'.

l\h. DUTLF.R: 1 df<l no~. The member fat• KtmJ•h dirl the ~nme thing in pa ra.di ug to t,)lr:; Hon~f' the kuO\dedge he had pjcke-d up about tlw Minister for Agriculture being \hc:o owner of two or three paltry bit. of land. 1 wu.m to s;ty that if t.\1<' torre !lf thc'o dob;ltPs is goi ng to be lowered in thh way, it i~ a sony thing fo•· I his House I kncM of men. friends of the Opposition, hol·h h!,'r() and in the Upper l!o~o, who 111'e holding big tra<:ts of country Rgl\iost unc:on rnNI incr·emcnt, and we dl lcnc•w it,

but it is not on that fa.ct that we [8.30 p.m.) aee going to debate; i t is on

lh~ runin p rinciple o£ the thing. T.ht> rnombel' for 1\undah'~ big grievance ng~ iotst ilt(' Go\' P I'JliiJP.UI. i>< that the Oove!'n· rzwltt has done- nothing. Afte1· l is-tening to tbo me.mbN for Dra:vto11 triaking several ~neeche> in this H ouse, one would come to I ht> c-onclu&ion t.ha.t the Goverumeilt have Jone wrong iu certain directioru. I congratu· late th Minister Ior Agriculture upon his ndrninistratiort of tht:' depal'tment, a.nd 1 belic,·e that. under his administration ~ne department will berome of greater v!~,lue to hht• thnn on the laud llnd to tlte St.ntl'.

Mr. THO:\IPSOX (n'i•Zc lJaJtl: I tllink t.ba.t the question of the settll"llit'nt on the

.:Jti.pply, [ll FEBR!JA11Y. ] Supply. 2941

l~uJ am! UICricuftul·tal ptu.luctiv•• i~ <HIC lh•t thi< ( 'ommtltW 11: i~tht well ~:n·<' ib best aUt•HLiou to. \\' •' hu ,.e ll•Cd\Pd 11 t;oud deal of crih,·i•m f•·mn the Oppu.ition lll rc~,:ard to lan.t •<'ltlemt•nt. nml. .iudging by thei•· remark•. out· would he· IC'cl tu bchc\'t~ that W<' ,,,_r., nut to eli~uru~e :otl·ltl<.•IIU!01 on 'ne Js=n.t .:cnt·t·lllh. bur I do um rl1ink that we roulcl ~Cl anv ltt·trt·r iJltbll'lUicm thnL we arc makin~ a .u.u·,...s of lnucl ~t·tth•utl'nl und t>ru· Jurtiun dwu tlu.u uu•utirtnctl hy the hou. g••ntl~mu n " ho !.us ju~t rt·MIIlll'J hi~ ••e>•u wlu•tr 11\C'Il. l'\'it\l"ntlv J..nmdul( 1hi! iu,itl~ wot·kiug~ ol tld~ JIIITI\, 1111· ,.ot i;hc<l that Sl'tlfillg \Ill th<! l;111d h R I:'()Orl IHt<iUU>S ro launl'l• out iu Tlw~· hnu• ll•lllf' •0, 11 nd 1 \\i·h lh.'JII ~ucC"r·,~. For '"Y ow11 I"'''• I )Ju\C 'll<'llt Jli'OCtirully ull Ill\ liio• tn DJtl'i· cultun'. 1 hu"H u•o•h• my }iyfug · ,y it l'\t:r eince I hn1·f' htl!ll uh l" t o <'l11'11 n Ji,· ing. I havl.' he<'ll 1lwouglt till' wllolt· bu>ill<'~. anti f kt tow rhe U[ls an< l d <J \1'11• 111111 th,• lwnrlic·aps tlt~L ~nt11e tu t.lu' 11tllll "" tlu· latltl. Onr of t..hr ~l'C'UH .. ~t tll't•<l~ ttl f"lllefHII'\lg\-1 ptOfliH~t.iOII is tn cn~na·e lu t l11• ntun who l•l·<.uhw.:• a tll<ltkrt fo1- hiM Jll'tJdu r t•. '1'1,_, qt~,.sriou n[ di 11·i . butinn uaul ti ll' Jll'f'~l.'l'l'llt i on ,,f OU I' ;urplus l"·nduct~ lll118l b e I'OIIsidt•t•E!(I, 1\llcl coltsidm·ed ,n 110 n1rtH1 IVa~·. In rhi~ ;:n•ut c•n untry, wirh snch •••JHt.ltltlcti ,.,. •nil, i11 ll t.V <'Xl>~l·i(•lll '• . ;anthin,J! dief'Otlri.lgf'R a U l tJll f"lll tlu' lnuci rnorc thnn tu ~· ·eo u •nl••lldid r1·op r,r"'' iug und. w·f1t•n ha 1'\'f'l'h •tl. H rnn l'l"t~\ c~ uunt ha found fm· it. Cnl•'~• •ontc thltlg i• don•• to Jll'C~~f\'P thl"'l' ~rO)IS unri I 11 11111 rkt•t ili nvHilnblc 1 h~t·c Clln b.- no ~tahilit)· u~ fm· a' thi.- indu$lr) is l"Oil\"Vtlt('().

:\:lr. i\JOKCAX: Snikc,. too. )lr. THtntP!:;ll~: 'l't.l(lu:;l• my long

experit'ncu 1l wu~ not ~tnkc,; that coucl!rned rue mo&l. \\' hut couct'l'llC<l me "'" thl' handling uf p•·othtl'l' by rh~ tllltl.llrmen. Tha~ " the thwg "llich i$ lltO>i~ di•cour~tging to thC: man on tht• lu11d. J kuow of 111cn 1\hu work hnrd, da\" i11 and dny out, having to lt·ust to tho'O who spr•culo t•' in {arm tlroducc Rnd who 11re m.d;illl! ~ntnll f01tuncs out of tlH• !nrlltt't'. 1 h<1\'C -ccn many t·t·op• rot 011 tho farm h••c·nu•c it \\'BP 11ut \\urth while harvt•bt ing' t lwm, utul I tliH p)t•nstod that the Go1·et'llllll'lll l1u1 t' c-•ruhl ishl'u the Stuto Produce A!fcllf'V. 1dddl will du much to l'{•mtdv that C1:tl i( th•• institurion i• mnnuged auJ del elopeJ 1111 'IYillJtnthctic lin"'· Tit(' ti<ltab· Jishuwnt of till' Stnt u t'ttt lnet•v wol'k;; "a~ a vc·I'Y good IIWVC. In c·ertuin sl"nwus o [ lbe YI'OI' wp hnvc• pnldttc•riou in ft\Ht CI'OJh thot (juiu• oJut.di,tuttC'C rh,• consunlption, 011d we ~hn ll tind rhiM u n•t"\' .;('rvirentJI,, w:ty of u·e•u ing tht• ""'piu, · JHOtlncts of tho fnl'm nnd orchtn·(l. 1\ notlwt· good tl1in~ i~ the prupo~NI r .tu l,(iahnwllt of rho cold storr ; . and t hi~ shou Id hP gone 0 11 with as qnickl., us pqs~tblo. M11n) .trticlr~ are pro· d ucPd ut IJI'I'tod~ of tlw >"C'~ , . wlv·n a ready markt•t oonnot ho lnutt<l for tl tt'lll, nod \lithin a few montlt5 th,•rc anuy ~"' 11 gJ·<?at st..Jrcity <Jf tltut fllll'tir·uiAt· nl'!il'lr• uncl price> go u\1. !.t10k nt th" cu-e of poratort·ec<'nr y ! )b· (IWU t').Jl~l"il'nce hu; ~hown nu: tlwt in oOIItO CIISl·5 ir hns n<>t h!'cu worth whilr hnr\C'>ling the crop, whert'n' withi" a. fp\\· JOOiltll" thnl ptn·tkular lll"ticlr h11> ri•en to 1111 ,.nor111ons pdc,•. If thl' Go,·crn· mt'nt "•ill jl'n !liOn!{ thc•l" lin<'~. thco•·r is 110 douhl that tfu~y will ••nronmge produr. tion. Whal IS WRttrl"cl pnrlicula1·l\' i~ organ. isation ~~ far n, hundlin~t <>f produre i~ concl't'Ot'd. I might ngoin rl'fer to the establishment ol the Stutt' Producl' Agencr. i lookl'd unon the cstubli!hlltcnt of rhi~ ag~nt'y

u• UC'('Olll(')liehing ••>ml'tltins b 11: a~ far as i11111dlin~ p t udlt~l' i• cunret'llt><l, lout the work of that >H!I!Ilf'\" !ut~ not <'Otllll UJ> t<) th!! :'tnnduld T"11a,. ;, set im· ir. Th••t"f' an' limitnrious I k1,ow. bur it "ill lal\·e 1t1 ue l'Xtl·llded a gl'('at •teal utnn•, uud it• fuucnon- will !m''" ro I~ clisttiltut<••l u\"l't , "tdct urea, •ltiH•f\1 iot> i· will he ·. "lhwlc=. I tuu , .. ti,.tied thnt then.' ., ulltlll(' I'Oiltlt fur derdo)lmcnt in th111 <hl'loerion. I tun lookimr fotwurd t<> the rim(' "lwn the Go,.,l'llull'ut ·ill · 11'!1 <•ur iuto hi~ lin•'' iu the tlircciiUJ I~ I hu'" llldicato't.l.

.-fou. \\". 11. ll1ltX£S: \\'hat do lOU me tn hy hig ltnes?

1Ir. TIIO:\IPSOX · I lllPttll lo t.J'.P tltc pl'O· uu, e dil'<'l.'t irom thtl f;~rmc•• ur.cJ lnll(l iL iuto lit~ bvtne of tltc ~t'"'""''l'. (Ill'~ I-. h.-n !) I '' aHt :o ,,.,, th<' t•o;pt<ll~t' oi t.!i-rrihtuion cut •!own u> low uo J)u>•iblt·. Klul l Hill ~itli>lictl ;],at tlt~J nnll' ill!•titutttllt tlu11 c~" dn Jr, 1s the ::itoto•. y,-., ·1111 \'l' bt•ur•1 " lot uuut1r. tnsatio11 a~ ;;omcthing tha.l will ili,com:t ll'<' tht• •nan 011 flu· lund. T'he membet· In•· Dru.vtou rH·oduucd u St;,tcwcut with ''"I{QI:cl to chc inlpo>ition of tlt<• lanrl IlLS iu u c•u•t• wf!l'r" hunl•hi)J hod llt'('ll o•xpPt·ic tt ('(o.d. 'l'hi ., i~ I hi' Bt!C'Otld OCCII!iOII nil wlti('lt thi~ IHVIllhl't' ba< pul [u t'\\ Ul'd ;I CtlSO .. r thi, ,,,rt. 1\It•tuh<'•·~ of rht• ('1111HHit tl)t) will I'''""'!IIL~t· ·, hr•n rho• 111P1111Wr fo1· Tlt·n~·ton pt·c· 'Plltc•d rh•• nther t'U't\ awl T thoup;ht he would lu· llllll''' curco£ul in hringint; anoriH•r ea~,.. bdot·t• thP ("unnu i\tt'l" 11 frn tltl' hnntllinl.( he l'f't't·i\'l'<f fi"Olll I !to• J't'PIIIi< I" 1)11 thl' JII'I"ViCIUH flf'C"lt.~iun.

~1r. Bt~tlli"XG'rOx: It i" corn,ct. null vou ium· ~·>t it thrt·e. (Puinting to rhe mble .. )

:.Hr. '1"110:,\IP~O:\: Cniortuuutt•ly [or the !ton. tlh'llllo<'t·. h!! did not stole the full fcu·H "I lhc f'ommitree to-night. ~Ir. BEBBISCTOX: I statl'd the case fully. )fr. TIIOl\lPSO::\: Yes; hut the bon.

member did not read the memo1·a.utlum that was Si'lll ro rh<' fut'IIIPI' with l'('gurd to the ~a 51.'. and J int,.nd to read it ll<l" .

:v!r. BEBBTXGTOX: \V ell, read it, read it ;\fr. THO;\IPSOX: This i;; the momoran·

~111111 wriuun h\· :\h. Ur!'nllon. tht' Co~t~mi~,iont:'t of Tolxt•s. It h tinted 28th Octobt>t·, 1919, :1 11d I'I'U cJ,__

" With refere-nce to your application for l'emi;;sion of lu.nd tnx for the year 1919. you are nil,.ised tbnt this will be con;;i<ll'!'ed on receipt u£ 1our income tax ti'Jturo for the yco.r eodmg 3lsL Decem· ber, 1919, which i~ clue in this office in J'nuunry next.

" When furni~h ing this l'Oturn, lot mo !tal'e ful l particulars of nn,v losses of ;;rock Ol' t'ropo that sou may have sus· tl)int•d dmiu!f the yeur.

"In tbe meantime, the tim~ within which the amount of land tax charged shmdd be paid hos bt)<)n extended to the 31st January no~t without peunlcy."'

'!hat was the extension to the 31st Jnnuat•y lout. uufortuunteh·. tlt!• [armer m·c,rlook~ thi~. a.nd did not pay up until the 3rd Februat-y.

:\!fr. BrostxGTOX: There were no incomo tax forms asnila.ble.

::.\h. THO~lPS'O::\: The income tax f orms will be out any time no'"· I am quite satisfied, ou th<' statements that ha"VP been made, that the Commissioner of Taxes will give that farmer e\"ery con.idcration thl\t he de"ervcs.

::.\lr. BEBBrxcrox: fie may do; but he has to borrow the money to do it.

J[r. Tltomp>on.]

Supply. (ASSEMBLY.J Supply.

Mr. 'IHOMP:SO~: The: hon. member for Dr:~.rton wouiJ htn e led lhi> C'ommittt•o l~ beJie,e thut th11 Commi"ioner hod imposed thi& tax "ith\lllt l'<'!l"l.lt'ol to tlw la;,~ >u~· tuHH'll. wl,,}rt!O"\ ~url, il'l uot till' t '''l'.

The C..:IIAlRM~\X: Order! Order! :\lr. THO"l!PSOX: I was just trying to

teply to thl' hon. member for Draytoo. I wam to ~>ay that I am oati~lied that in this ca~o. as in other cas~s. c~erv consideration will be ginm by the Commiss1oner of Taxes. {lieor. hear~) I regret very mueb that the hon. me111bcr ror Drn.~· ton has led this Com· mittee and the country to belicYc that the G(J erHill<'llf Wt•t•t· (Jut LO illl!)O.~t.' uniait• '"xt'6 ngain61 tho-e "ho n re producing.

Mr. BEBBI:SCTO~: The Govl!rnmont did. The CHAlR:\l.A:'\': Order! Order!

}.Jr. Tll0~1PSO.:\: l am ~orry that 1 am not nliO\\l'd to ~n ,· tuor·t• on that mutter under thi3 purticulnt• 10 !1' .• \11 T can Sill' i~ that l am 8\lr•• ,.,·ct·v eo•<' wi lln•c<'il'<' the' ~Ottoidcrutioll it tkst:'ru· •. <Jnd no hn•·tl!ohip will l>!! irn roscd. t l h•:tl\ lot•;p· ll 1 htopl! rlmt the :Hin i~tt·~ for ,\ griNt ilno't• nnd ~ltl(•k will do ltolll'h lr• b t·ill)( dtotl oiTio·" t·i!ll1t up to <late. llt• i~ a rn:ur 1· ho l1u~ ha d po·ncticnlo•xJH'l'it!nl'e -tlto.' 1 o•1·y t.l JW of n11o11 who Khould o<•c·up~tht' position. IJ<' i:<•~J;ge•t ion8 fruno whotPI'f'l' •OIII'tf• th ••1· mu\' ronll'. nml 1 r~el ,,,ti6fit•d thnt hi. ll<il;tillistrotion will be for tltl' gootl o£ rh~ N unt •·y. (ll••ur. he:u- :1

Mo·. G'CX::\: 1 think this i> ono of the mosL important deportment> we bn,·c to de&l with. llnd it appt'urs to me tbat this oeput·~nltllt -houltl lo•• 1li' i!lrd i1110 tin). Tlu• DepurliiHmt of ~\griculturr '" quite big omou)!h to ha''l' an Undl'l' Secretary, if not. a. ~finistl'r, for ml'lf. The grazing industry i-. quite big cnOUjth lo he,·c un under Sccre· t&n c11· a :\lim~ter for itself. The two dt>paruncnts ore too gig-antic on undertaking for oH(I .\-liiOJ•t<>r. I l'l'tnl'mloN· n•n- "·'-'\1 when lbt> Ul'tlO•iticm ~n r on the Trt>:1,1iD· b<'nrhes. tuotl cn•rv \'t•n r. \fheu 1 hP«' E•timut~• came bdot'(• tlil• ilon•l'. the Lobot1r port,:.- u•Pd to •ov. of onh· their JUllty rould ~C'I int? powPr thl':l' would bo tho means o! settling the vcciple CJn thl" loud. One ideu was to give tht•m cheap machinery by means of some Stare enterpi'IMl. Another idea was, particuJarlr thut of 1\lr. llatxlncrc's, a land tax. so thsi the land would bo prodncing. so ~hat tlw pt>ople would bo ublc to gei on to the land,

'l'he CH<\IR:\1Al\: 01ode r· ! We are dealing " ' it·h l.he· Dll,r.ud,meut of Agriculture and Stc1d,. Ycou wtll hu.ve nn opportunity of di.scu~sir1g that latct· ou.

:\11'. G t ' :\)i: l do not wi11h to dunl with 1he lond cwc.tion. bul on lv with the UJ~Ticult to rH I part of thl' tJU(.'Stion.' Oth~r !tau. member· fio,·e ollucl('d ro the laud ta:... ><nd one ,..f tht' itlens of tht' L11hmu· pnl'f.t· wlwn rhcy ~~-e •·~> in oppo~itiun to gel land under t'ulli,·3-tion \\R<o to Jllll on n lnnd ttn:. Well. tlt~y put on that lntul Ill>. und rhl'.l' ho\'1' hi'Pn iu po11Pr fot· lin• Y'' IH• unt.l 1ht•y hnn• not rsrnloli!Jwd un' ch<·llt• IUfu•hiiiL'IT for th<' inl'ml'l'. The,· hn'" <'Ntldnl~ srnrtr>d a pl'oduoe a.rcnc,·. and t tlunk it i, n n!rv good thing for tliP pri,·utr procluec ctl!l'nt, ·in Bri-bnnr bf'<'ntl·<' now thl'.'' c~tn .ay ... T.o•lk at what your Stlltl' P,-ntlucc .\JtPnr~· i~ cloin~t. It is nor dniro!!: ao1 hrll•·• for rhr furmer~ tl1nn tht.' (lnYMc usrrnt-." Fn•·nll'r- in m,· t?l~tor arc huno ~cnl thPit ~tun· down to the State

r.vr 'l'lwmpson.

J'wclucl' .-\~rl'oocv. tl:od uftu a tiouc they titt<l. ~urn,_•Uoch ~lsl' IJC .. (.'()lttt' uihn:: to thl• t'tute ~\c-,..nt~,·. ·~!#;U~itt thcit :u·odu_t·(~. ltua.Jn·rl it VYt~,· fl\ ~ ). r[,-ar" ti~t~nt ... ural lunch_ H•vnC",f •1U it. Thnt h.t• hr,;n rqtt•ntPtlll dotn•. Om• ~>'•J•'Ct uf thl• ;5rut • . \!l'l'IH'Y WU• 10 I'I'CI'elll d"nhn!! 111 · rntlllCt!: thC",. were :c;uppo'iet.l TAl lit onh- au lli!'L'DI nnd noi o <ll'nlcl'. r"' 1 find tlw~· haw [!'ODe to thl' Sontlll'rll Stttr('< und vurt'illl-ed t-ow . wheat. thaf£. unci "'' on in the So.tthern StaH ·. und l•roul!ht it up to Quet>n•lnnd und rNn1led it ju•L lht• ~nrnl' os b <lonf' h> am othet• jli'Oclucr UA't'llt'y. und thi:' furm~r ts ·not a. h1t l><'Ucr ofi thun hP "a- hcfort•. The Stnt<' Prudut'l' Ageroc~· i~ J'lll'l'fltl'dl.'· hringinl( up ll·uin lunds '!f stuff fr<,m tloe other Slat<"; In •·on)Jli'Lt• wnh ~h•• fnrrn('•·•· "·~ },a,·e hoard 11 good tlco I uhout, whl'utgmwlug iu QuePus\and .. 1 l'('lnfllJo!J<'r whrn the· Labour part.1· WU'- 111 orpos1toon thC\' <oaid I he want of SOWCilti~ iu ll'hl'.ltgrOII'IIltf had nothin.,. tn do with tht• diru:tfl': it Wits m r in!!' to the Ton Gun'r!lnl('ut: ijlld ir lhe,v !l:Ot into power th~' 1\'0ttld uo·ccf1 o diff,.,·,nt Pla.s of ,,.b ... or tn ~u i1 the r·lilrlnlr·. ond thr Dllrlin~ Downs nntl tlu.o Morano:t wotdtl ur wn,·ing field, of wht?ul . I suid tllf'Jl. nml I s•n· now. that Ll11• c· linwtio l'OIItlirHliiM o[ Queot>n;,lunJ nrt· uoL •uitu.hlt• fo•· wht'nt>Zrowing.

.\fr. WHLTrORl•: lr is the drou;::hi.

.\lr. (-:(-)i)i; If yrm )(.o()k Ut lht' l'aLII lll:l.Jl ~on will tind thut 1hc untu t·N ic rnin• t·r,mc itp throu.s;h vio•toria. South .\uoLnliiu, 11nt.l a p:~t·t ll• X""' St>uth Wnlt••. und now 111d n"oiu Tht·,· romr to Quct•n,Jnrod nnd wr lun·e ,,';nrer ruin>. and 'lllf'n we hu1·~ wiut~r ruin• in Q<w<.n"l•utd .,.,. IJ.o.,c a wlocot ><'O..OII. l">uull~·. bowc,·Pr. our ruin• nr•• tropi~nl o·aim;. uo!cl th .. ,- gC"nr"8ll~ fnl! in Jununn ut)d frtJrua•·,·. :wa l'c·l>ruun ru111s nr<' nut •un· a bll' for '"u~ulgrt>wing. [ mu intn1n I hut Que<'n~Jnnd i- n~l'<'l' gt>itllf lo lH' the gn•ut whC"a!gt•owinp; counh·~ !hot tbc J.ahour Jlnrt.v r•xt>L-et it to bt• uu\!l!;s we• ht<'Ni ~omr ~urt uf wheat thut "ill grow uftc·r t l:t! .Tu nuu r~ and F!:'hruiHI l'nin.. If Wl' do that thr '~h,.nt will not' be p·o"·n on th!' ])cl'iing Down~: it "ill hl' !!;rown up in thr .:\11rtlwm pnrl oi Quren•la;ld, on the Bnl'duy Tnbl··lnnd: wh~re lhl'TI? is an rnnplr• r~tiufoll, ond wlwrc 11 rntn'\ o)Jll.<" Oll<'t' in tlH• ~·(•Ul'.

).!r. W RtrFORO: Do vou hlnmc d ol' CO\t'Til· m\lnt for the r·uinfRII! ·

~:fr. Gl. :-i'X: l l\'i6h vou would ~hut your HIOII!b alld gin• U~ ti C'litoOC!', (Luu~o~htf'o·. )

The CHAJR.\-I.-\:-i: Oo•,\t•t•! Ot·rh·r!

~Ir. Ct'Xi\: W~> nrc goinl,l' as,ptimt nuturo when "''' tn· to g-row wlt~•tn iu Soul ht•l·n Quec•rosland 'with thl.' po·r~t·m t•uinfull. Wo !taw! pll'ut~- of rnin <iuriug- lhl' ,V<'Bt·, hut it falls at rlo<' " :·ong t.intl), u~ I) ··ule. fut· " ·heut. The Lnho111· Cm·er·nmcnt ~u od wheu they got lnro pawN :loey W<·t·e goilllf to iuct·NtSf' pro· duction. hut re-ult' are hct!N thntt thoor~ an~ time, nold "''' find lhat lust 'uur tnrre \\'~·, :J dt'<'tl'I\SI' in tho•c PII(CUR'I'd 'in ll:CIII'rttl fanhing> or 2.059 rnale~ lllld 2o5 (.-nonlt.·-. ond in clH in in a tlol'l'l' WM a tll.'<'l'ett~" of 1.088 mnlc;; tintl ·2,907 [('llo4ll!~. or 11 ttJIUi or 6.259 peon\co le•& wPre Pmpln: lod on ~rrn('rul far111ing and dair.-ine- la•t ,·ent' than in th!' Yt'lll' bcfort'. :E,;dentlv tlie Lahnur p:nt~· di(l not <ettlc muuy pl'ot;ll' in thl' farming indtHr:o ln•t ;car. ond thf'Se Jlt'nple mu-t hnvu •lrifoeod into the ffl\\'11 - nnd l'ttit ••

.\.lr. \\HtTFOBD: Did uot the tlrought ha1·o nnytbinlZ to do with thnt!

Supply [ll F13BRU.illY.) Sttpply . 2943

}[r. G!':\:'\: The dt·oua:bt wns just as :1ud in the otlll'r Slulc-- U$ hC'rl.'.

)Jr. KLRWI);: .\uti the ligures arc wor.,e !n the othcr ~tatr-.

:\Ir GC:\:\: Tbu rC!'O!'t L 8llJ quotin~r is tWl'he month. old it i- from Janunry-

)!r. WunruRD: Fror.1 Janu~ry to Dt>Ce1J1· Dor.

.\I:. Gl':\X: 1'1oi, ro•pmt \\J· \tr!l!<'n and prin <-<l hdorl' the droueht.

.\fr. \\"HJTFORt>· WhC'n \\U tha1 ? :\ir. Gt:x:-;: llr. ~onith. I must ask vour

pr•l'Prt inn fr<>m oloat itli·Jt. \01lpo-lti<>n l~u<rhiPr.)

:\ir. \YIHTFOR ll : You <.lon'l !ik£- tlw truth.

ThP C'H.'dlf:\J.\:\: Do I und!'t:'tund that tb" ho11. IIICII1 1WI' for l u rn:lrnon C'tllll'd

·anotlh!l' mPmbet· nn icliut ~ ~Ir. crxx: Ye.'•. I o.lid. Tlw C' JI . \IR:'o-1.\:'\: Th,•n I onuRt r·ull upon

tht hon. ow•ut bl'l' 111 ll'ithtlrltiV rhnt roxpro~~wn. :\1~. Gl":\X: Pl'l'ltnt'" it i• j11<l ns "'' '11 to

put rne Cluo lllH l hA' I' done with it .. ThP ('11.\lH}I.-\l\' : 'l'lw hon. mPmb(!r m nst

rero!l'ni•1· I hut thC' tl'l'ln .. idiut '' i Quite 1111ptu•hitlll('lltHL'\', I \I"Otolcl nlso likr to r•oin~ oat t<J hon. nwmbrra on both sidrs of the Hou<t· tl111t i11terJ•·dion~ Il l all timL'S nrc di~or·tlpt·l~·. I n l ~o wish to tR kc tlli~ oppo t·· ~ul1ity ..,( iuformiug tlw CrJrnrnitb!e thnt m\tt~· f'lt•rol'liiOl ollthion~ aud disordowh inter· j••di<"" urc bt•ing nutcll' ft·um time io time " 111ch nrc r:ot ltkt•l•· to tiP\'IItt' tho ~tnudurd o£ dl'l1ntr ill tlus C!tnmllcr. I think it wc:uld h" helit.'r in the intrl'l'•l• of Pal'ii~trnc>nt (!• HC'rulh· if thNo wnF much lcs< of rhat ~han du;t·c i~ ut tltt' prt'>C'Ilt titl\1.'. 'l'ht' hon. mcntl>er for Cnrnn n·on mu~i rl'eogni~l' that thr tt'rm 1 ltn,·o n•kt•d him to wirhchnw ia tttitt• ttllpllrliumcutnr~·. und 1 h?jW. having

rrgar,l ro m~· rl'quP•r, that .hl' wal rarn nut my lin•<tion~_twJ withdraw the P~prt>~,ion. I IJOtw l•l' wtll rl<ll pm 1111' tn the rathcr I•~ inful Jlf'•ition of lt:l\ in~ to rnke an,· {urt her act:.m. ·

)lL C:l':\:\: Out of rc!l:arcl t o '<Oil. :llr. "milh. I withdt'u\\ "'·'' rc•ttwrk~, bu't I hope ,.,,u will prntcct me> f•H inPll'' ~nt intcrj<><'t· rin·1~; 1 tlo not llliucl pl'l'linent intc>t·jrctions K.~ ,_ n\~ t i Ill (.~.

:!HI'.' \\'utrtOllD · Thp~· ore J•Criinent. 'l'hr C'H.-UR:HA:\: flrdrr! l llll>t nFk tltc

hen. llll'UJltet· fo1· Uu n·um to c.•utse> from. ir.rcrjt'ctius::: ll tHJ nllow tlt!! ltou. mt>ml>er to r.rntt!rl'Jt• hi• s)•CI'Clo 1\ irhout ihlen'ttl)tion.

''l r. (..; C:?\X: r 11r\.lll to point ou t that lnnd h~~ g-on~ oul o f <'llllinltion sinl'e I hi3 ht•nven· bol'U C:o,·.;t•anteo t gor iut(l poW<'I'. In 1917 wt• ltad t ll ult·r ('\'Qjl 727.958 nc·t't'• und i u 1918 w~ ha<.l onh· 525 . .517 tl('l'l'' untl••t• c-'rop. or a d•·crcn;(' o( 202.441 acn~>. 'l'!.at wa• land und~>t· t•rnp. Th('n whnn " o ctnlw to lnnd J.~in:t folh". w~ find thnt in 1917 thrt'i' w<>rc 85.6~1 IH'I't>< undt•r fu.llo"._ n nrl in 1918 there w.:>r.~ 2i9.809 1\CI't'" l~· ing follow. Thut nwnns nn IIIC'rt'u•c of 193.()('18 ucn·~ of [nntl hnYc ~one •n fullu"·· .

:lit-. W l!tTI'ORD: You mn·t oclmit that that i> owinr: '" Ill!' .lrou!!'hr.

The ClT.~ lR:\1.\:\: Ord<>r' nt·dpr! -;\lr. Gl.'X:\: Thl' Lnbour purty ha1·e stated

th<tt nnl' rt>n•nn wh~· p<'nrl•• ll'ft the land w~ts hN';ou•~ of \\:lltt C•: irril!ul ion. \YI1en tht.>~ we·r· in <'l'l"l'ilion. thr·~ u-t'<i to •ay irr i~t:;. gation. ll'l'i$l'ation l'\'!'ry time, nnd ii tliey onlv go\ iuro pO\\t'r whnt t he,· would do in thl; mutt~r of irti(!'ation. XO\:' they ha\'c go& into p01'•01'1 und { find ihll.f in 1915 Wl' fiad

11.8<:2 acrca undN irriga.tiuu in QurNtsland. That was when w•• ~:wt• urJ flu\\ er to ~ho L l.mur purty. In 1918 the Ht•a. un•l.·~ irrigoi · t ion hnd rit~rt" "'d to b.f. 7 Ml'l'•. <>•· ~ tlc .. r~a~l' of 4.895 ar·r~.-. ~o thut lht'l'l' n nothing in rhi~ it·rhrntion ea~·. It -•·rt,t• to me that I he Juan "ho 0" n• lund 'llld who i~ putting il to " ltood n•P -hrnhl not 11(.' ,uiJjC<': t e> ;o l:nul- ta-. u~~- "."m· th~ n rhc •nan who ha:; a :J!entn eng•ttc -,uouf•l •tt\\C nn l'Xtr<t tax on him. If n muft with u ti!B.IIt l'rll!illr mak<3 a profit. hi' ha~ I<' pav int'OOJ& In-., but a man with 9 fnrln. whi~h i~ his mochin.,, ha~ to JliiY incoutf' tnx and land lux ns welL I wouJd lik(• to ~ay a. {~w words with tT!!arcl to seed wheat. 1 Wll! one of tho~e who iutr'lducc>cl n deputation to the :.\•Iir:ist,.r sotnP t1nH• altO und rrqur>lcd that the Qo,·el'llment ~hould buv aotm• t'f tl1e seed wheat that was th~n beir•'g gn.lhet·cd in the Warwic:k dish·i,t,. Thci'O wn.~ nut n grtlnt tl. ,1 of it. but iL \\'3S vf'r)' good ~ced wlwu.t. untl we sn ggc!'teu to the :\liui~le o · that he >hou ld purclw~l! it nnrl nt a h1trr pcriot.! ciistr ibutE' it amongst thn r~l'l lll.' l'o. tll' said he wou ld con~ult t.he C't1hi"et. ltllll after n. t int €' it wns <.lccided to t :~ kc no IIC'Lion. 'l'hl' con>equencc Will' that thnt ~('Cd wbcilt \~u~ onld tu the millers and " gt•e~t d!'nl h 115 bC'on gristcd nncl tul'llt\d int(> nuuL'. tlnd nn\\, if tht• fnt·nwr~ wullt s('('t! \\ hrat. thl'~' will ha.vr• to go to the S<Jitthrrn Stntc•, a m\ lwin~t it to l~nc>cro;.lnnd. f 0111 no t 11 \\'Jtt•tlt [:\I'IOC!', bllt I atol told that 1111' H•t•d whC'ul horn the Southern Stul<'l' i- not nl't•li•nati~C'd o~ntl is not 8$ good as thr• •'1'<1 wbrn; grown in QU<'l'h>laud. and not nul'< that, hut the people \\'ho arc gatlu~ritlc- wh(·nt in tlw Southrrn Stutrs '"" ::atlu•t·inl!' il for gti ;till,; purpo-cs. and con;.•rJucntly 1 hrPe or four· rlns,cs of wht"'ll «l'l' mix••d lu!"rthrr. 1111d it i~ not ~~~ all >ttitahl!' fot· ~Pt•d wlwnt . It is not gath<'rcd ,. ith rh~ idea o[ it bt>in!( uwcl for ~N.'d j)Ui'Jl<*~'-'· f know ~hl' ::\linhtl'r poiutd to the lo~' lnst ~-1':11' and the:> ~·ear bcfot'l' in councMion with tht' t'llrrhuo:c o[ st>ed whC'al. CPt'htiuh· lhl'v did inc:ur u J~s of £1.229, but that is ~ H'l·~· >mrll In<,. in conn•'<'tiou with ,<1\l'h llo hig rh it:~ 11· •c>ed whrnt. rt mu.n hr l'l'llWillOt'tPd th:tt tlw farmrr i. n j!'rt·~t<'l' uo>et to tlu• i:;trotf' th1111 the \\lttid 111111)ll't or anl'bod\' t'(,.f', ontl lh<' (;nn'l'tlllll'llt Ul'!' ~fll'lltl· ing £40.000 a year tn n•\il'\'~' tli.tt·P_.. ThC' f:tl' tl'1t'l' h:t• to gi ,·e !l <lC'f."INI tiCI'OUnt of C'\·ecrthiug he owr·.,, a.ml hP ltM lo gi\" ,. lllOl't!!A!,t<• oYCl' hi· PI'O )Irt·t~· \•t·f0t'l' lw t•n.n get An, a~~i!th\nC'f', ~rht? (Hht'L' uu1n i! u•kt .. <l

• 11u Cl'tt·•t ion. 1t11d hi• food iH (9 p.111.1 han tl t•J O\'t•r to hi111. 1 t•ctm·ll•·

bet' Oil(' 111t'n 1\'hO WUiitc'<) !<N•cl wltr•at f 1'C>I II lho• l ex:~.! ~tol·ckc!"pt'l' l t.• whOt•. he o"·rtl a hig hill. llr ., oirl: .. I will mnka upplit•at iOII to the r:o\' N 'n lll011t f t/1' •eed Wh· t•i." He- did ~o. null !{ot ll Ll.'l'l'ihlt' UO('U· ment, which lw lcok to tht' •tn~·,•kr>t•pl'l' nnd snid: ·' \YI1 nt t:houl Figning- rhul ·~ ' The stur<'k<'Ptli!T looki'J nt it. aud !1J1111rl lh11t th~ witolc of hi• printh~ fran~:.t·tions Wl•uhl ht> tli,·ul~l'tl to an in;;pcr'lno· Ql' to ronw olht•t· pl't'J;oiL Hr did not "'" nt hi. bw•iiiQ•~ known, nnd ncithPr did thl' mnn: nUll thl' 5l1trr· kePpl't· had to t·urry loiu1 (m . Thnt i• rltr rNt-on wh•· sn much wh!'nt Wll> ll;tplu.•• • fot· nnd not t <lkl"lt. Ei!!ht hundr.-ol ~llt1 thr,•r• pl'ople madro nppJic-aiion rur •t't'd Wh• 11t )n<t yPar. nnJ unlr 448 wok it. Th<"'" d•J•·nnh:nt$ fri~rhrrncd tl\\'.ty half tht> r•e<>J•Ic '"''I t.•oda :tp{llii'D.tiun.

.At 9 o·<'!ock p.m ..

.llr. 1-i:JRW.HI rl'lit!\'E»J the C'h~it·man in tho rh air.

Mr. Gunn.]

!!944 Supply. fASSEMBLY.) Supply.

Then we come to the tlcc•·cu>c.• in •cttll!· mcut gt•ncrnllv. \Yc ura told 1..~· the hou mc·mb~r for 'xo,·•uanby thllt proplc \\l'r..> thinu fn,m the whco.t inJustQ' t.l dnirying Wh.:-11 \\C look nt the figures rcga•·<lun; clni•·.\"· i ~~~ 11 C' lind that Iu.t ycnt· ·>tm~•· dcclinetl b~ '6,559,U5 lb.. tlu•t dll:t·su drrliucd ~Y 2.6Qfl.414 Jh .. ltJit[ lh l'() \\'Ui' IL d('t'r e:tSC I ll 11\C c·owR of l B,OOO. You tlltt>t rc!11H'In001', too, thll l t h C' hcg iunin&" of the <lro• t~J, t _wn• worRt in 1'\cw Sonrh \\'ales than 1t ll'tb Ill Quecnslund. llu lt10k ing- up riae );ew ::>outh W~lt~ l'<'J)Ilrt, l fintl thc t·e '"''' lill incn:aw in buttc1· nt tlw ""m" rime of 1,1G3.536 ll>. So th~<t the H l!lllrlcllt <t i 'Jllr the urllUI!'ht tlnp, 11111 hold 111111'11 WUtCI',

'l'ht• TJ-.)IPORARY C:II.UR.\L\.~: OrJcr! 'l'hc hon. gcmlcmau',: time h&~ c~pit~tl.

:'llr. J-~A\'LEY: \\'h.:n "'' think of the la:tt81a lt·eutm.:-nt !ltcwtl om to thll primary prot.fut•ca·s within the la•t lb<· \'<•Ot~, it i' 1 ndt•l.'tl rl'f•·•·shing 10 •<'c the maiiiiCI' in which 1111•111INt'S of the Go\'t:JIIlllcut alt.l ut•PI'vUching this \'(111:. f hopt•, fot• lh'-' gootl ur the faU'Ille\'s ~~ond ngt·it·t dl tll'l~ts ~t·llt•t·a lll·, it. i> nn indiu~· ti•111 tbttt rh i11.;s ure ciiiLI IJ,;'tug for the lmt.t<•t·. '.l'hi• shoulcl IJo I lw nH,n!l im portnnt cl~ JMI't· 111~m in the ~ ta1e. \\' hen \\C c-ot~>i.l<'l' tlrat l;a•l '"'"'· u nd t'ut· sr-w•ntl ~·eu ,.,_ '''' less than. 97 !><'''<'<'all. of the lotnl cxpo1·t• fnotu _Quccoslnnu tal ne ft·om tlw llllHC>l ~~ nncl >~g•··r~.Jrural it.dusrrio:s. it •hO\\o in n Yl!ry emphatic wa~ of \\nul iurpor1nocu th05e indlls!ril'• nt·e to tlw titate and 10 .-\ustre.lin. Onlv 3 p~r cent. of thP o•xpol'ts was matle np from uuning Jll'ocitt•·t• und mannfactur '· J n•to:ncl of tl!"i<t• inclu~tttPs-u;;t·it.1thural, pu~tott.l, untl dall'c'· inl{-;,tcnclil~ ••mploying u. gn'3t<'r rnunbcr of wor·kcr~. w.• liwl for· th<' ltt•l Y<.'OI' or two t lwt·e hu• L>!'en n llll\l'keci <lt•rr·ea.... T.nH year. aC't'tJI'ding to the t.~blc~ I hr\\'e h~re, ouly 3.18 pf'l' "'' '" · o ( the pl?oplo iu Q,Lte~n$luncl were e ngugc,J in agl'icnlturol plll'>ttit•. 'l'l!at is till tJx ra·not·d iuar · sta tu of nffui 1·s Wht'll \I'll ('(lllbidor· that thrs j; natlll'al ly a lu ntl of p l'i· n rnt'\' pt·oJ u,•tion. It sfn1ws thcr<' io something 'IYoitt; with t)a(! life on tht' hwd, thnt ir is rllll b,•in~t lllndE' sufficiently attructive--or tl!nt )if~ i~ oeing made n~r.v much lliOr!l nttractin• in the towns antl citie~. alld Jl410plc prl'fer· to l11f' there tban to ~to out intu the t'OUIItl'~ di-u·ic·t5. Ln•11l 1·nlu••s, ton. hale• •le<-r·ca.•cd \'N\ l'on:i,lr~ablv .lm·ing tlw pn~l !11\1 year·s. Fn.:,,holclland lui,'prRl'ticutly nn vnlu••. Time nntl 11~ain quite recently wo ha,·c seen .uses of !unci which u ft~w ~·c:\t"' 8f:!n 11 11~ ~old nt £6 1 o £7 un ne re c•hnngi11g hand, a.t pri<'e, J•nngill~ from £ 2 io £3 p .. ,. aCI't•. That cloc~ 11(11. >!Jtt::J) t>l!CCC~S or i)l'O~(Wl'i t y

M•·. \\Tan'rh'ORD ; r !mow tame people who WU II L £100 IITI ilC1'e [Ol' it.

.\lr. BAYLEY: I know one glaring instnntc whet'!' 11 fint.' propl'rty 011 the Downs, \\ hich lt r \\ Ye 1;U'~ a~O t•htrngt'fi hand~ nt 0. lnntt' ~um ,,..,: a,, ,.,,, \,·ns sold l'<'<'cntly nt £2 p1•1' n<'rl', tfl{' OWIH'r drO(J(ling 11~(1,.]~ £50,000 m·f'l' tho: cll'al.

The ~ratl' of tlw Couuuitrcc wn• •uch 111 this SlAIN thnt the bells haJ to b.. 1'\lllg to obtain tl IJII(ti'UIII.

)()·. 13X\"I.EY : Ic i- 3 bnd Otlll' ll "ht.'n w, li:ltl ~urb a sruw <lf nffai•·~ iu o ;·oung Stai\' likE· Quet:'n~l:ll!d . Th ... n• i~ 110 inflow of ~e t tlcor· from the Sout hrl'll Stul<·•· . \ fpw yun a·~ II J\O settlPr> wcl'l• romiug up in lit l·gll rl lllli l'K'rM f1·om tlat' Sou i ht'ru S t tl~< tutd fm 111 l'\"11' Zt•nlnnd. That hns cen•ed .tnd ut t ho p•·c•~ut time no laud is being tokrn up in rhal , li•·crt inn.

[Jfr. Gunn.

A goo.J dt>al hn~ been ~niJ in r<.'!fard to tho a>~istancc th\' Go'• nuncnt ltuvc• rt'ndcrt'tl to rhc J'tnn on dw l1111U. In 11 hie), directions hu,·e this Gni'Nntlh'lll ~iH'O u,si,tnnt•e to <hCl pri111ary ptoduc<:>r,~ h h!b bt.' .. n baid th!lt eon>ltJ,,rnbl" lt~si,l:tuet• was git·pn iu tho llit .... ·tiull of proviJing •••eJ wll£·nt for the f,,,.,,l! t'$. l....J>t n~ar. ureordiug ro ritr• t·epoH iS"IJ!'d lJy th" D-::.]lU I'II•h•nt ~1[ . \ jj'l'icultut·c and Stock. l'('l'v ft!w ftu·mo i'S rook ndvnn tagc of the WU~at' ~Ch~IIIC' bl'OIIghr fOI'II'IlJ'cf b,l' tJae Gon•t'11111<'1lt. Oul~· J.\8 faHII\~1' dicJ oo. \\'hut wn;; the l'l';Hull ~ Ht•~ttuoo tl• 1.· tt'riii.S !:ud tl01·n loy thl! tlt•J'nt·rrall'llt lll'l'l' •o srringent uutl huroh that fnnu•'•·~ ,(uliu.,d 10 u<r•'Pt the wht•at on tho• tnut Ot tlw 443 who did pun·hu ~ "lwRI, mvrc rh an onc-half paid l';t>h. 'J')ai~ )li'U\' 1." C'Ollclu•il·dy thdt the lt•TIIIS lilid dowu by tlu: Go\'C•tllm<'lll wert' alr.olmc!y un;YlllfJitt!tcti•• und uut•nlk·d for. 'fh<' farml'r« huv.C1V<I'~ littl" 10 thuuk !lac ocput'tlllC'Ilt and tlw (,o,·erlllll~nt for. _\ ll'OCJd .te~l ha.> bt•t•n .nit!, too, in t<'IC•tl cl to rlac !<'cd,•r:tl wh~at J>Otal. I t lu1~ t'<'•'ll •uid in thi~ Ilou~P tuno a fter hll'lt' . twd u(,tJ ")Jili'Ul':; m the t·c, por t of tlJ,• DI')Jlll'lll\l'llt of .\~l'ic·t•lltll'fl nnrl Stock, t ha t ~,\UCI.'IO> I II II d \1 . IS drol ,\ t1'f'd f i'O tll l'lt(cr illg t lw ~-C'Ut.'I'Ol wltl'nl ponl. 'l'hut i~ not cm·t·ccl. ha 1918 (.,\ I I.:OL'l>~ l nntl wo~ llf'i!'I'NI the oppM-1\IIIity of t.'llll'l'iiiJ,: 1 hol FL'<leral 11·hrnt [.K!OI, athl th" po.,l wn• 1-.t•pt open uutil the ~ud of Dutet'Hibct in oa·dt•r· thnt the Stut.- t.:o,·crnmr ttt might hn "'' an upponut•i1y of making knowu it:> "isltc~ in thi· thrcction. llut th~ rt~tl c•f thr year 11 us n •Mhctl without thl'ir tnking an~· nction. '!ltt· ,um<; thing occurred ln;t ' t•nr. Tlw Still· t:tJ\'('I'tlllll'nt took no uction in the .ti•·••r·tion of lll'fll'\laching rho l<'l'cicral aut hvai ail·~ wirlt tilt' idea of ha.-ing Queen;lnu.d ndtuitrt'd to the Fcdf'rt\l wl1cat pool. T would like to hnn:! an explanation on t h is poim In.lllt the :'olinister.

I sec on pugc 3 of 1 he FcdN·~ I t·eport , . .,fcn•ncc; was 11 111dc to t h u butler poo l. 1t ~U)s~

- " Quccn~land mnnufnct11rcrs ohould not hn\'1! l.w•t'n po•nali·'d 10 the advaurag~ ot rhe Southt?rn manufactm·et"."

It abo says-.. From another 33l'L'C~ the butt•'t pool

wu· un·uti-fac·wr.' lu l~u<•cn•hurd in :o fa1 that the prit ·s fixed d1d not ulways apply <.'Quirabl? n• h·•tw<.'en State•. Prociuccr-" in the :)ourlaC\'11 5~tucs wt?re abl" to sell their produ~L' ar tht• fix,,d prier, "hiie the mouufacwr·ca·, lwal) hnt.l tu ttccept thot.t price l~.s fn•ight."

h i; pus>in~ •tratll.t" ll 11tt rh,• Co,·('rnmcnt a re ta kiug u)l rlu' cucl.;t•l~ 011 lwh nlf (If the ]ll'iniU I'Y jii'Odtl<'t'l'< i l) rh is ll'!l,17

• " ' IH\t is tho fl·<• ighl 111• lnlfft'l' fr·nnl h<'rl' to Sspnt'y o r )!t•ll oulltll ~ cnt lllllll' t'cl 11 ith tltc ,h ll'crtJJlcc httii'CCIJ t llll p r•ic,• "hid1 the Jll'IHluct.•rs of hu11~1' I'CC't•i1·r.l ur tht' lut11tls of o!u• :'>tatc (.;"1 Pl'llllll'nt ura<l IIHtl whidr tla~~- C't>Uid hu ,.u re<:cinxl ltu•l tl11• Ou\t'l'llllh.!llt allnwc,l rhrm I•) I'XJ)ol'l th•·i•· I.II[Jt'l' tt> rh<' ~.mdh'l'll Stntcs tlu·~e or four yror.. ••~to wit, .. n th•' pric~.; ran!!:<'<l from 180~. 10 200•. pet C\\'L? D>d not- thE> Gtl\'<'l'llnH'nr fttrC't' tht> fn••nrcrs to ncrrpt 149•. iu Bri·h:lllt'? y,,,, in th.:-ir I'CJit>l'l. 11c tind rh,'lll fu:miuatin~ a~ainH the Ff·d•·l·n I Utl!tn 1 •<111l l .. ·u\U·•· tht· b1ttr\'r produ~ca·, wf'r•• p luct•d nt thi< di~a·h·nntuge. :\II'llfi<'n al~o i• 111nd•> of thr> Arnncl; Departrncn t. T w11nld like• In ttnl' r hat, in mv or inioH: lhl' '.\',:rr111 111 prP•rnr in Y(lt:uc il>· nor >o t ,.fuCIOt'v. It l o • t i d~ 10 ~ !(Tent deal of Ponfwoion. lt i•n cl ifl i(•fllt 11111ttC'r in \ 'I'I',V many ca•e• to hn\'C nnv I'H'O•>f n; 10 who put on t he ln.r brantl. lt ·;. 'almo~t impo~~ihle in nry

Supply. (11 FEBRUARY.] Supply. 2045

many cases to ~as to '~hom the beast brlong~. About twelve n10nth6 ago I approached the Department of Agricul~ure and Stock and ga.ve an ontJine of Q. syStem of branding which, I arn sure, would ue ,.. very great impro1·~ment. on the sy•tern at presem in vogue. In fact, tbe hca.d of tlw t.lepal'tment admitt~t a3 much and ~aid he woi1ld take stt!ps to have t,hat :\.'{Stem investigated with th<· l<.'u"t nossible delay. I hope he will do ~o. I hof'(' that if thut t<yst<•1n i• uot unoo;vtcd some ot 1er system will' be densed whereby the stockowners will be uut to very ll'luch loss trouble and i11convenieJ11;e, ;l& fur <IS the br~nding of cattle 5~ conc:crued, than they are at the p 1·esent t1m~.

Mention hus been mndC! of the B ill l'C('Cotly pns~eo, providing for advances t·o fnrmPrs and <iO·Opc rlltive companies. This Bill is an excel l en~ one. and the advances to fal'mers no doubt will be of ~reat ad-..'Rn· tnge to t hem. But I would ltke to point out that regulation 13 will debar a very large uumber of the farmers from rcc(>.iving i hA udvances thev so much tN)nire. Under th<tt 1·egulation · it is i mpo:~.,ibJe for a faNner to r eC'.ei ¥e nn JldvnuCo' unlcs~ he can give some sol id security to the department, nnd some of thosc men who require th~ h()lp h>tve not that stcurity to offer. Wh,•n a 111nn has his deeds in thP bank. \vhen hP has a l ien on his ~ •tt.le, h" is not in a. posit.ion to !l'ive any ~ecurity such u.s the d~partmf'nt requu·cs. 1 take it that it is to lH•Ip thc!<e men that. an Act wos uecessa.ry.

ln n>.gard to slJo con~truction , I would like to N>n~tratulatc Lhe deput·tment on the attitu<l~ they have tn lwn u)> in Lhi~ re~;ard . Ensila;!t' ha; been made in Qu~eusland for ma.ny vears paat. The hon. mcmb~r for 'J.'oowooruba. st'ems to take a lwen interest in ~Silo construction and the manufacture of c:>oailage. and he is on the right tl·nck, Loo, although, in my opinion, th., half. t.on ~ilos lll'El not go ing to be of very mudt use to &he f11rmers. Jt is high time thnt the farmers and stockowners took more intct·est in the making of ensilage, either iu the einck or iu the ~ilos. The con<'l'c:>t(l silos, ,.; su.ggestad and ,·ecom· trJl'ndod by the clep1nbruwt, at·e the /inet't T have ~~et>n iu Austrnlia , a.od I have seen many during rbe last twenty years. 1 only hope the Ministl'l' will ;;ee his \vay dear to ~ive the fartncrs requi1·ing silos every considesat)oo and rnnke it us e:tlly uo I'O~!;iule for them to receive the advanc·~>.q which they need. A g1·car. den.l has been done in the So1tibem States ~o fnr 11~ eusilage making is concerned. .A nrl in Americu they ,...,ga-rd silos as b~iu!S ubsolutely essential to successful working,

They would no more think of farmi ng wi~hout a. sllo or si los thnn the,Y would think of dait·ying without C?WS. o1· fa.J·rning without a plougll : nnd v.nt•l the fnrmor> and stock· 0'f!>C I'S hero adopt SOrT!!! Stt('h ltiC(hod, !hP\' will not cnny 011 thei r hu•incss aa ouc:cessfully as they wonld otherwi$e <lo .

I:n l'CII'ard to seed t~•ting, this department b~~ <lom• eJ<cellent work. Vole huve 1111 officer in thnt depnrtu1011 t who take.s o. keen imcre~t in Iris work, and certa.inl.1• for the good of the produrNs gene1•ally. I would like to nrg-P npota tbc Governol()llt the ucce;sitv for iml·oduciug cr<lp$ otht't than <'01'11. " :hear, ~11\d pot11t0e>. Many ,years ha1·t' p<!s;:ed since cotton·growmg \I'll$ first started i 11 Qu.eens· la ud, ;mol practically nothiug has been <lonC' to date. \\'" know thnt <"OtLOn will Bonrish in v!'ry llll!fi.V parts of Queen"land. lt can be i\url<!tl~s{lllly and profitably gro'YD. and I would nrgf' the Government to talw steps at

_J-920- 8 s

nn early <late to place eotton-g>owin~ on & c:ommercla.l basis. The whole world is at P!'t'>c-nt c rying e>ut (or cotr.orl, prices are l11~h, atrd jf we- pwclucfl(l cor.ton on n la.r~e ~o><le j n Q1.1ec:nshmd it would be a. splendid• rhing. Coffee has also been growu for many years pa.M and it thrivPs exoelleml.r i11 lllaoy d i~tricts. but pnltt.ic:\ lly 110111:' ha$ bet>n grown 0 11 a t·oulnlerCi;\l l.nsi::. As 1·cgards castor nil, tohaoco. fl11x , and t•aw lllillet, very l it.tJe ha; heen done. 1 would like to ask tbe 'Minister ~o take steps to try and opc.>n up fre.•h avenues in t.his direct ion. to get (IWav from the old beaten track. \<V:e IHI\·i- eXjJCrts in tlw depMtrnent 'vho should he able to lend the way. Ever since the deparnuent was estaullsh<'d there seerus to be o. tendency to u.llow farmers to lead tbe " ·ay >tnd, whilst I arn only too pleased toa.dltl it that the department has done e.xcel!ent work in n.any .Jirer:tions, if mm·e wt>re <.lonp on a. lul'J;e ~cal e tc;> open up otherayenues of p·rodut'tion. the department would be c!oing splendid work. and the money would· Uf' l'f'turued a th~>usund-fold. ·

The hon. member· for T':lowoom'oa depreca'ted the fl\ct1 ~ha~ the condensed milk factory at Wyreomll was affect ing iujuriously cheese ~nd bnbter factories in the districts. I would like to ~~~Y t hat that oompany bas bc.eo paying excell.ent p rice!> for milk-some· where about. ls. a gallon-and I only hope thnt very mou.v other companies will comE> here wi'th as rnuch money a.s that company -eo~~esse;o n.nd open up in other part<; of ~ueen$I And. I wonld hke to ~efer to ihe dry milk powder industry, whieh the bo11. member for DrAvton mentioned. Those who take an intet·ost 'in rh~$0 matters Jwve heard a great cleal about t.he gre11t success whidh ha& attended the initial etYot1.s of this indu~rrv in: New Zenl6.nd and ClthH part~ of the world. T hopn th"' M.inlster 1vill btke step~ at an •·arly <late to m11ke al l IJH;! unee;;sary inv~stis:ntions, a1t<l see if it [8 not pos.•ible-1 know it is-to have these and kiudred industrics stnrto?d in Queensland. It would menn· e. tr~m£Oudou;; i nc:<rease to I h<> revB.Ot\e of th e State, nn.l wonld plooc th e producers of Queensland on a. hill'her pls..ne altogether.

With regard to il'riga.tion. I noeiQe rh at Mr. Crowlt>y. an expe~t who possesses very wide kno wledge, hns rectmtl.Y i1;."1ed a repoTt rega1·Jing the po510ibilit.ies of irrigation in

·QuPensJand. nml f WO\Ud urge upon the Minister the ne~essity for taking advantage of rhat repot·t . 'vVe have splendid streams i~1 va.t·iou~ parts of. t he Sta.te where h:riga· t10n couJd be outru~d on very extensl''ely, ;10d I hope the Govet·nmeot will take steps at a.n ea~l" clat.e to go in fo r schemes of il'l'igation by which the people o£ Queensland would be su ,,ed frorn th~ th ra ldom of dcm1ght-so that when a. drought O<'<'Urs we ;hall ha"~ some reserve fodder to save t,he etock. wl1ich would benefit the people nnd the :3tare as a. whole. Thi6 is probably the most importnut mH~ter which can engoge ibe aht!ntion of ~be .Ministel' o.nd the Government nt the present time, and I hope it wilt ;rot b("J lost. sigh~ of.

At fifteen minutes pu!t 9 o'clock Jl.Ul .• a lJllMum wns formed.

)ir, ELPHI::-.ISTONE : In my opinion thi~ depRrtm<'nt is the CirJdcreUa of the departments uudel' the Go\'emrneut at the present momeut. For ~orne reason or other eao~ dE')>urtlllf'!lt ltas bet•n tn ken in hand by some active. enterpl"ising M ini;;ter. som~ innova· tions ht\\'e bet>n introduced and some li fe has

Mr. Elplvinstone.]

Su.ppLIJ. [ASSEMBLY.] Supply.

be~n infused u1to them. Btll this dop:uLm.,nt •com~ to go on much in the saaw position ~s it hn• done uudcr pa~( G()vcrll· ment1. 1t i'l A pi1y 1hat that is ~o. because 'thoRo who ha,·c ~tudied ~he 11Qsilion uppreclatc the f:.ct that upou rhe enterprise and !urcc..s of ~hi" dt'partrnent depend~. to an enormou~ c>~tent, the fuwre welfare of the Stbtl'. A grenL dPal has ucen said of what tbe dcp~< rtm~nt should or should tloL do in it• admina>trariou. But thc•·c id onl! particula;r phase nf aCti ' it.'· which l want to ~lrC!s.

:and that wa! briefly toucbed upon by the hon. member wJto hM JUSt rc~umed his seat. I rt•fl'r t!3 cotton-growing. To those who bave_ s1ud1ed th e> position. IJOlton-growing i~ nnthmg n•'w t? the State. It was tded many yenrs ago, With more 01· less suooesa, and wo ha\'..! gon~ 'IO far M to e~tablish 11 cotton mill.in Ipswich, but that mill was a failtrre. Posa•bly Quct-nslnnJ was 1\ little ahead of the t im~s in 11ttcmptiug to C~~ta.bl ish the oC?t~on industry in thi• St11te. Hut tho oon· cl.J&Ions hove und (Jrgone an entire change .s1nco then. Queensland is now in the for~f~o,n~ n~ rcg;u·ds ll1 1l oo tlon-growing possibdyue:; of tho wnrld. 1 now II' BJlt t o rl!fer ~nt>fl~· to tl ~lllllllrllry of whai trnnspir!'d 1!\ the y~nl· 1906 in rt•gard to nn in>'estigD.· t1on wb1eh took Jllncc in the matter of cotton-growing in Quecnslond. In that vear a man nnrnt'<l IJ. P. Wvnu wos instructNl tr1 cott rt' uut twn' nnd 'tlwroughly invc;;t.igal!" thf' <!Uf\•ti<'H of cotton :~ruwiu!l" in Quecnslanc). IJI.' wa• instructPd. ou behalf or _the Br.t!sh. Cotton Growing Associ .'ltion. wluch ll"SSCintlon was foruw<l years ago to enMurage <'Otton-growing with in the Empire. The objN't was to st't' what result<; ht:d been obtained from dilfl.'rent seeds which the Qnet-nsl11od Con•rnment hn.d distributed to CNtain fnrml'rs. Mr. D. Jone~. who was then apparently .the Co,·crnment's cotton e:>.pert-and po•!ibly the same gentleman Wit". 1; .'!nurg 11i~ bi'Sl In b.rin.fC .to life tbe po•~•b•hllt>s of cotton-grotvtng 1n Queensland at prescut, " ud wlto is reCI!'i,·iog appnrently. ~cant attention and very littl~ •up(lOrt, unfortunntoly. in his elforts-wa,; placed nt the dispon.l of Mr. Wynn by ~hP. d~p;utm1mt. Mr. V\·ynn wo~ C> satisfied With Whnt hr> SOW thnl he oonght the eutire !'rop nntilablt' 11t th1lt time. nncl dispo~ed of 1t profl tt\bly in Melbourne on his wav home On h is rehu·n tQ England he wns I'Cqu ested to gl\·~ D full rCJ)ort o £ his visit to the M llMhester Chnmber o f Commerce whose !7l<'lllbPro "!"flb.riL('(' the B1·itish Cot;to~ GrowIll!! A,.;;;ocutt1on. \Tbt>n he 11howed hi~ Ql!eensland ~tlfT!Pl~·s, E!r_o wn f~om different wcll .knnwn ' 'orlellcr, bts a udumce wns in raptures, purti<'!llurl)· in •·e;;ard to a Rample from nn ArnerH•!tn seed !(rown near Brish~n<'. This 81\lllpll' wo~ valtwd b~ those pres•' tlt n.t lo. fll't' lb., ut u t ime wlum the <;ami' <'otton grown in America WJI6 only Vlllucd Of 4~d. p~r lb .. nnd thl! wns in pre· war dn \'~. T1 ws~ f'I'I) \'Cd thnt the climate and ~nil of Qucen~l~nd was suited to cottongro,~ing. ?llr. 1\'ynn retmncd to Qul'ens· land and l'xplained to tla• depftrtment the opportunitie~ whil'h !'XJ~tt>d in ths Stil-t~ for ootton·growing. Since lhl'n he has bP.en oackwurd on.J forward bet'wi'On EnglBnd and Australia many timl's. ond ht• fr• cnds nt home ofl!'n wondt'r why QuPt'n'!land ha6 not tfLk"n 1h1• mottc>r UJI. lt h11s bet'n proved olrr>noly thnt l.,)HI'Im-land. 1\ith it~ ,·irgin sr1il nnd •uitnbl<' t'lima t 1•. N111 prorlueP thP be.;;t rot ton in lhP world, a nd dt~>rl' i~ a market vmrtin~ for th1• outpul. This comtDent wa.~

[Mr. Elpllinstone.

made in pr<"-wa; time·. wh~u Ut~ \\ l1nlc future nf eorron wao u vcr.v ddl"<'rem om• from whl\L it is at prt>5ent. But now wo know that <'UJion ha~ tro>ulrd in Jll'ic•e. Whnt \Wr" pos· ~ibilities to Qul'l!n lnnc! some fourteen years ago ar<> now outstanding opportunit ies for thoso of U$ who wanl to puih QueCn!land ahead.

Mr. "W HITPORD : Can you tell u~ why it hns doubled iu price?

::\lr. ELPlll~STO:'\E: Thnt is a phase of the mntter that 1 probubl\' would not be allowl!d to deal with. Up to a few IC&r ! ago Amrrica could upplv }~nglaud. with all tb• cotton t.hnt she nel'i)~d for th~ Lnnoo.bire

mills. but o f late there has been ("9.30 p.111.] suC'h an enormous extt>n~ion of

cotton-.;pinoing in America thnt already tll£>re h::u been a ;;hortogc. This shorrnge wi ll inorcase rapidly within thl! next fe w yf!nr. until f' \·entu,•ll): AmPricn will spin :tll that the) eo n grow. 1lw •m port o f t ho.t comin gfrom n mon, wllo [~ 11 cotton spinner, oleu.rlv goes to Jl"how that AmPricu. u~ u cottoi1 11"P01"1 conntr.v, is Gea~in~;~ la •wi~t. ond Ore11t .Britniu i.; looking Io1· oth<~r Clhamlcls, und "ll'll know ltow E~r,vpt h~s ~C'velCipOO in that l'<'!rnrd b"Cttll3<' G rr ut Br1tau1 wo.nt~ h or produot. Here is nn t>xJWI'i~uct'd cotton-~pinncr from Grf'at Britain. who hu~ tf·~ted t)m Jtl l?l'il~ of Qn<'enoloncl ns 11 rotton·g•·owing centrt•, rlc•a rl,v dcnronstruting lhe value uf this in(i ustt·y. 1111d we nru r losing our <.'ves to its no!E>i hilitic~. Thl" propo>o l whirh th ig<>ntle>nuw put hcftwe v~ iA-

•· 'lour Gm•f'rnmcnt ~hould \'O tf' £50.000 for conon-growing_ anrl IIJ)rnd thP monev 011 Sl'Curin ~ \'irg~n loud, oncl plnnting. inNensing the area Yl'llt' by year. Dy the t irnP th" industry 11 h('('ull1i 111: f'f •oml' impol'tllnr<', I think the qu!'~tion .,r ro$t of labour will be 8!•tiiNI--"

Her(' i~ onf' or rhe poims thut has •tood in th•' way oi Quf'r'n~>land nt> to ri'CI'nd.v-

.. as nati""~ in Tndin nnd the nl'groes in Amcriea urr waking to their irnt>ortnn<''-' and dom;anding higher wage~. In the mrantime. ~·our Go,•ernm•~nt c•uuld surely de,·i<e Oll'Ous of pirkinp; to Ol(let compctidon. 'fh" p il'kt•ra should bo noit.! by results. find in this wn~·. knowing whOL rht> roliou woulc! x!'ll fo1·. n wo g<• or houu< rou ld be lh:rtl thut woul>J J)ll\' hnnd· somcl_\~.' 1

...

H e go"" on to >ll ,,--' · Thert' i~> no r!'nson "it .. vnur ~tntc

1>hould uot &r in and Wf:'nvc nll ' th l' c•ot ton !'lolh r·~uuioed iot thi ~ nut! othrr Stntc> of the Conmoonwoc;~ltlr, If vou would like it . I C'oulu send you the Yeiu· Book o f the Oldbam C"hawbcr of C'omtHM<'t', which !.tivN on i·dea of th!' mugni tud" of the Lancashire eotton {nill. I (•s timnl!' t hat Australiu ea u ~upport u 1.\' rcztL ntunb~r of such mill:;. nud, giYCII fau· and ~tll t~hl(l ront!ititm>. r·apito.l 1111<:1 la1Jou1· e au l'Hi lv hr; olrtainl'd. rn VOII I' drv climn ll' YOU '~ould tHt• lmmit.lilic·r~ in· thE' mi ll ~.' 11s they do. in Tndia7 nnmPly. jPt6 of ~~~am thrown mto th" spmning-room~ to J)roveot th E' thrPacL> hrl'oking u> thr' AI'(' brin iZ drawn." ·

Th:1r di>posc·s of the fnllan thut cotton ('811 only b(' grown in humid climate• thero now bl'in~r seienrilic nwnn, o f Ol"IJTI'OII1i1ia- 'hat h.v humidifier•.

•· Bombay nntl C'nleu!to nrP, ns .H>u. arC' nwart•. ~rNtt cotton mnnuft\l'turing <"Nitrt>!. and. in •pit.:' of thr dimnlie di!· advantagl.'>, thP indtl'!try thrivf'a in Jodiu.

S1c.pply. [ 11 JJ'E.BB.ORY.) Suppty. 2047

'rl;e mut!'rial. pt•oduccd th!'rC· a<·e l•fiOl' in qnalit \'. owing Ll'> the shnt't sraplt'd 1udi3 n c•or.ton u~ed. You lu"·c to ask yolll'•el£ tho qw.>ticw, wh~· ha• I11 diu pl'O!fl'eS~t<d in cotton zmwifll!' <tnd ~tlil1llilHr, whil•t no rh in;r i~ 'toei ng- done 111 Au';n·alin ~ Tht• ari~w~r is want. of enH'l'pri~e. l:>ul in dlt! new conditions rhut the wcwld i~ fnct' tn face "·ith. Au~ti'Qiia will have- to play ht>r purl.''

'That i;; nov contcnt iou, H m·e j, an OPi'ort unitl• thut' ~hou ld be seized with both hando. All 1t ncfXI~ i~ encouragement from the Deoartm~Ut of A<~ric·ulturc. r tHhnit that the department i~ domg 'SOmething to en{'()urage the ;rowiug of cotton. I t is supplying the ~e d ftCP. of cost, and it is tindiug a nuHket for the •·otton wh(•n it is pickt'd. But we want S•Jrneth ing ruore than that. We want area.; ru land E;{'t apa rt. 30 th;lt the growing o£ cotton should be cnrric-d on in a 'OlCientific manner. not in the ,;lipsbod wa,v,

The ho)o. l'nembcr for l3owen ol o l't•fcrrcd lo tobJ.Ct'O·go·owiu~. The secre t of 5Ucccss in that i itdu~rrv h centralisation. ~ od the same thing upplies to cotton. I nsteo.d o[ t>uch indi\•idual ~trivin~ ro establish a new inJustr.v of thLs desC"riprton. it ~hnu ld be doue

oo()ro a ('Otnmunitv lousi~ fn on~ n11ntr e. The Gm•NnlltL•llt cao' m1,1ch bett<"' assist in advice 1Hid din!ction in the plnnting. growing, and t~euttMr.r of the crop. \-\'hat b~Ltet· me~hod could be udupt<'d for re tu med soldiers' e>mJiloyrnent than what I ,;ugge~t ~ 'l'he troJUble in Queensland with n•gard to the introdu<·tion of new f'rop~ Ions IJe>cn ~hat the Agricultll!';ll DPpnrtmelit ha~ !ltouse<.l the intcr£1H of rbe g-rowN i.u mattN . o f tobacco. ·i~ul ht:ulp. connn. and so on, surt>lil!d the ~(·('<1 , a11d th('u idt tha grower to ~h ift for laina.clf. whl'o·eus snch cxpl'rimcnt ~ should bC' c~lltra l isecl iro 1'1- suitable nrca where the ,.,,.,...,~sa n· fucilitit•s to oom 111erc ialise the llrod;.~ct · c-111 be intt·oduc£><1 um·ler proper sd~ntitic aud financial direction, We all know rhnt itt the l:nito:td States of Amerion, -co ttOtl· lfl'OWing is lJ<'Utr"<;l in one ar·cu. with t.ht' rl'oult that all t·hP more enC'Otll'llgement is !Cl l'o~ll ha the g rowth of cotton_

:Mr. H.~RTLf.\': then~ is negro .. nd child labour then•.

i\Ir. ELPH:D:STQ;q ,!;: 1 have alrl".tclydealt with <hat pbu~(' of the qttf!stion, ontl whatever di>arl vantaiH' Au>tralia has -bPen in ll'ith re1nu·tl to tlw rate of 'Yage is, as this re-port ha~ silowal. l'apidly di5oppl'u ring . Tit~;~ di>nd,·nnto..:e of wage~ is Ur}t again.st Qu('f'lH;)on..t at th"' nrcsrn r tin>f'.

Mr. COLl.l l'S ~ You C'II11110t p roY~ that b,,. fnc>tt>.

1\Il'. ELP FH:\STOXE: Ir. cart br tH'rJYecl l>.1· ..'nc n<. T'hP rcpol't go<'s on to ~i\.1'-

" I ,·cut ttre to sa" that cotto11 will never aguin come down· to pre-wa.r prioes."

I tun inclined to think thn.t that is Lrue, and it i~ aL;o ttue with l'egnrd to e,·pry other similar <·ommodit.r1 not only her.ause o£ !.he oosb of oroduct.inn of the raw material, but becauFe of !.ne COSt of i ts COil\'E'tSion into l!pparel.

"'l'lw present hig h pric~s wil l easily JlDS flit white labottr picking if th~ cotton so picke<l "'el'~ spun and W(n·en on the spot. a; all imermedinl'e pt·ofit~ would be cut out. and I think that the qnalit.r of staple to bl' obtainc~d fl'om' Australia would go 11. long way to per•uanently cn.•urc white picking if imistcd ttpon."

A GOVEI!!-"lf£l'T M£lJB£R interjected.

i\1r, ELPHJXSTC1:-o:B: Tf you will read "Hun,nr.l '' to.-tnorrow vou will •t'e all of this. •

· 'A fa<::torv. s11:·. of 100.000 spindles and the nece:<sa1·:y finishing and wea.ving plant can IJo insta.ll ed for, say. £200.000. and this would l><" rn·oviding work for a large number of o·eturncd sol<l ier~ aud Lhl'ir fotmilies,

'' • ..\.$ rc~;ords the e:q )f'rL kuowledge rec,uiJ·ed. let me re fer you to the begiuniug of ~ha Japanese cottou industry. A Mr. Sito came to Oldha.m about 1885 and ope.nt six months in my brothtlr1s mills."

:\>Ir. HAlU'L£¥: 'l'herc you are agairo. You <ll'e up ugainst the coloured luboux.

Mr. ELPRl)iS1'0:-iE : I arn quite preput·ed to udmit that. years u.go tlutt was a great clrawbar.k, hut the question of incre115ed wngtls aud n Ji,·ing wage is jnst ns rife the-n• as het't' and every other part of the world. 'l'he t ime i.!' not fn.r distnut when the disnd\'>Hitnge Queensland has su.ffered will be eliminated.

~1r. RA.ll'PLE'Y: You cannot }Ja.y I Os. a day agar nst 4d. Et <l~;v.

Mr. ELPHl:'JSTOr\E: 'l'he hon. mt>rnber for' Fitzroy is not up to dnte a~ mgards t·he w•g€!S in J a.pan . They ttl'll shillings per cltty now, nnt fourpenre~.

''He then returned to Japan to managQ the first mjl( ~rccted tht•r·c-uamely. tlie i\•Iiye Cotton Mill ill Osaka. A secondJapanese, l\11-. Hatori. followed him a.nd had six: months' tt·niuing. Since then the .fnp>We$0 ha\·e tattght each other. and, as you know, the cotton iuduFtry in Japnu hns growrt to u vast extent."

A GO\' I:R!OIEN!l' MEMBEI!: Mr. -- ha~ irrvented n rnachiue to pick oo~ton.

Mr. ELPHlNS'l'Or\.E ~ If be has done so, h~ has so lv!'u u problem which nobody cl;;e ltu~ been able to do, 1 understand t hat all the pods caunot be pirked from the bush at thE> onl' time, some pods maturing before other;;. Dealing with cotton in Americ~t, •his cmp is of ~"cond v~lue of t he "rhole of the crops in that continent. Th~ system ndopted there for the f!:towinl\' of cotton is wh"'t we t~o·m here the •· share ~:vstem-that is. wbere thP. . actual grower of the cottQn worl-~ tbe laod for the> owner and det"ive~; a half profit. I ~.u.bmit trug to the carefttl conaiderat,oo of the department. Take, for iastance, &ho hon. ltl~mber for Bowen, wlro ha.s a oon~Ldera.ble amount of unem ployed in his Jiet1'iot who are applyiug to the Government for relief . If t hese men will ouly look roUJld, within h~i'> o1~1lus from wh~t·c> I hey nre ra,nopcd they WJ ll bnd an acre of coLtou growmg nnd in full bent•ing. They would see that r.bey could be well occupilld in the growing of· cotton. Her·t> is the wocld looking for the output '"lrirJ1 we ore capable of producing, and if the Df!plU'b:nent of Agrir.ultnre had onlv some of the dm introduced i1Jto it tha.t .;,·as inc-ul· o;atecl into somo of th11 other departments. at wonloJ assume the tmJ;JOl'tanr.e thllt the State req\til'e~ of it. It has been the" Cinderella" dcp:ntment. It has 6topped in one placr wl1ile the other t,lepa.n· m~nts have fot·ced thems(' lves ahead. It is "- depar·tmcnt that should luwe spotrt hun· dreds ll-llU 1JhOli&Bilds of pound!\ i11 &:e>e!i.rch work, wbereas it ha$ spent practically nothing-. On the other h~~ond, I think the

Mr. Elph£nstonl!.j

2948 Supply [ASSEMBLY.)

fllnnl'rs and otht>r> ar£' looking lo the Go,•t•rnrnent to do too much. 'l'hl' Cc.,•crnmt'nt i~ look~ to to find th<' sohnion of all our difficultil'~, wherea~. bv co-operation, the furmors could overcome lots o( diflkult ics themselves.

At ten minuleb to lO o'<:lork P·'' '·• 'the C:R~1n·:.r~:.; resu1l1e<l t he ch11ir. :\fr. Ji~LPIIINSTONE: Some hon. mom·

twrs onr•usite have inh'!J'jCcted rc!T'II:rks {r?m tim,.. to time .bout my a•sOCIOtlon w1th cn·orerution. Let me ~~~.Y thH there lll"t! mR "' failur·es iu n"" countrte~ bcfor" one nrri~ ~ at :;ucce~s, and IUJ~· lalun who ~eu out to .. cc'OmJlli,._b somPthing in this State •hould b<' cornplimented upon J11s plurk awd d1 t..rmiuatinll in •Hlrting_ it 1·Miwr tl~an bo.' oriticiset.l because he d•d n,ot meet w•th the ~U<~·e..;~ he expect<>cl. We w11l ha,·e mi!.IIY tomhorone~ on the path of pro!(rt'!>i in Qu!'ensland and thou<•h tlw.re hn''" bePn fu ilure.s thP\' ·~hou ld be an inrentiV(' tO furtb('l' effOJ't. ln · thio rcga.rd, 1 1101 suti!tied that jf th<: proclu!'C•r would only look to CtHIIJ('I'IJ,tJon t.o solv 1 thl' noauv d i fficulti~s " ' lt ich nrc beforc hi rn , infil.cnd 'of r<:"lying ~". •••uch on tlu• Cov~rnment to look ufte r hmr and protl'rt him in l'VCJ'" dirtoetim•. th<•n WfJ 5honlt.l hose morij development and more succeas in primury _prO<luction. The boo .. member !ot Bowen 1n rcfcrnn .. tr) the JII'II'C o{ meat. coruplo'iuerl and re;r .. ttPd that the prire of rueat in Qupens1and had gr·own to >u<'h ~'" cxt Pnt that th,.rl' wer<> ma.ny le'>!' mc•at e~l·'-'' in Quccn•lan<l than previousl.v: 01·, )lt'rha!'s, 1 ~hould put it that the amo_uut of mcar .'Oil· suml'd in Qupensland now hi much les;; per he&d tban it was ten years ago. Bo tlHm sttld that if it had. not been for the S'tote butchers' shO))S goodnes• knows what ~he Pf!Sition w_ould hn vc> been. Let me ask lum th•s qucst1on: ls he awar() that o f the 11,300 hc>od of <'little wlri<>h tlw Stattf put cw thu mnrket last ye_ar, only some 700 werP put ruto ('() H~lliY!PtJOfl tlnnugh the State bntchcr.s' •hops·? Wh,' ~~ il that the other 10,500 head Wt~re not eold to th<! r•t-ortiP o f Qui'Msla.nd at a pric:c in keeping with that at which they comrnnndct•re.rl th.? Nhcr- man's rm•ut ~ ln~tPo.d of thRt, tht• Government. who.e plaudits hl' i• •ingin~r. !iOid rh'!~c 10.500 b~.>aHs in the hi!rhe•t pos•iblc mark<'L and got the highe~~ obtninoble price1 "herPu~. if the'l' had bet:n ~•nerrr•, tht'y woulcl hnvP Jlu! thcsc'10.500 cattle_into the hanrls of the consumers at $urh a pnre as wo\lld htl\'1' permittl•d the consumers to bu~· rh_l'ir. nwaL at n les. prire t!tan they rarl ~tet. 1t '·" thP ordiuarv bntcher s shop. Th<' ""'"Ct't·•b· of ll•e wh'olco thing! I run ~tll'lll'i"'Pd at· tb!' hon. rtlt•n•h•n [or Rowcn. Ila lllttSt kn011· th!' whol'" t•i J·c·urtl8tl\-n<'P.S. Tlw hon. nwmbet· for Fitzrov pll.'aded for t hP. primary p r·odur<•1·. 1111d I · cptcle f•ndorse his I'!'IIIM'k:<, l.t'<'~U<r [ hnH' b!'NI in 0 ;;imihu· ro~itiou .'"~'l\Pif. The man who ~uu·ts out tcl produce 111 lhc~e day!> hrt• .<om" tretn<'ndous hurcllt•s to t:et m·er, pa•·riualarl,,- in regard to drt' pri<'C'ii hE' ha> t_o 11ft' for thE' •n·r id<' ne<'~•llry to 1\0rk h•s fann. \\'1• all know that ij tl'llr, 11nt.l th~> hon. m~mhcr appeal~ to the Go"!'rnruent to !-';,.,. thr primary produrO?r a•.i!<l&n<-e in that diJ'(•C·Iion. As has bel'n poimPd out tO·tJight. tl1e Government did go to the a~:'is1nnee o[ thc- prim;u·y t•rodut'ers la~t ~'enr in the UHittC>' of pnh-~?t·i~rd liml.' . Two .•·r~ •·s ngo 1 wn• in•t 1' 11111PIIIa. l iu offt•rins: w thP Co'''''·nm~m pulvc>ri•!'d limf'; im1e .i.r n <'O•I of Hi~. a. ton. That wou ld bl' the prir~ rbis w•nr. But tl•l' C:<!vP rnm<'nt turned ihat c•ffcr down. They snid: " No: " 'e can rn:il;l' pul\·,.r•~•l limestone murh cheaper than th11t. Wc. r11n

[Mr. Elplzinstone.

turn it out 11t ~- 11 ton." We k now what ~ di1·p failur(' th,•ir etTor1 wa-. a.nd that inst<>&d of the pulvt>riot'd liml'<tone co•ting bs. a torr ir <'tJ~t £15 a tOll. :\Tow, the hon. mernber for Fitzroy appe .. ls to thv :\llini,;tt•r for Agri~·ulturf" to n,;sist him in his trouble. l l.."'Jow his troubles t>xi~t. I hud Ol'l'a•io:n to buy eerta in implemeuts quit~ rcc<'mls. and theprjees stngge•·erl ono. bur tl>E.' so lution of it rlo"~ not rest in uski ng ~he Governm<'nL to ··~·pea~ tht:' •' J•isodi' whi~h t.oC'lk Olace iD l'lllln~<'tiou w·ith Hrl• puh·et:i~ed lim,.stone. Anorhcr qtwstion I would point out to lbahon. member ioa· Fituoy,. tllld also to thG bon. member [or Sow('n, '" that there are prin1:u·y produrer• in Bowl'u tit this very moment who 31'1/ losing hundreds and tboul'a-n<ls of pound! b(Kau~e of thi> infernal .nrike.

The b<:'ll iudi<'ated that rh<- hou. •rember'« timl' had expired.

1\Ir. FRY: A city man must de-pend on the eneq;d~s of the priuurr.l' producer for hisfood. and that bt'iHg the caoe. the city man: is directly inh:i'f•stcd in the prospE'rity of the pr-oducer. The pi'Odll(l('r hps hud a hard time d11ring t,hf' last h•w months. and his. <'U~<' hlls bePn <HJO whir h we "an readily tc•·m as deplorable. I can well undPTstand' the repr~~~ntntives of the farming commuoity in thi~ House cryiug out ngaiust the taxation whid; has b.!en ploceJ on the primary producet'l'. Every cily man ~nd evel:Y m('lll· ber oi Parliament repre•emmg a I.'Hy elretore.te should ,;(!C tn it that the primar~ produCN'S at<' cncourngt'cl in e\'ery •hapt' and io every form. ff tlw former is not prod11cing, thl'n the supply of fnO<lsruF.< i,; con~idPruuly redutccl, and whru the dt>mand exctoeds th~ supply, "" has been tbl' ca3e in the past, then jJI'ire~ go up, und the purchas•ng power of a man's wagl"s i" gvh•g to i'omu down. That being the oast', Wt' h11 1·e 10 >tnnd by the: fanne r und •t•a t.IIIJt h~ gors a fair detLJ. Watl'l' ct•m~n·:Hinu i~ an important fnl'to•· in connPNion witb JHOclUPtion in this State. 1Jncl I :<hnuld liJ..c 10 >I'~ n. \'Pry vi~orou~ poliry o f wa.tcr con.<eJ'I'ation undertnken by i.hc Co,·ca·llmtnt. [ w11nr now to refer to tbe question of taxutioo which w.r.; iotrodoced into thP dchnte and "hich '' .r> to some l.'xt<-nt set 11side bv the hun. ml!mbe•· iQr \\'ide Bay. The que tion of t3xation i> e \'(~ry inrere>~in~r onp to tiJ<• null) 011 the lane!. e~pE'cially if h"' is not making RJwthing b.- which he can pay the> taxation. T( hi~ in.-,)na• is not ~-uflicient ltJ IUC'<!t !bP JiabiJiti!'~ \\hir•h Rl'P UJ)Qil him, tlwn hi~ r~t.se bc<'onres unc which is very \'t:'Xill!l' to tho irrcJi,•i<luul concel'llcd. In tbe rase t1Jat wa$ beforr> the Hvu.sE'. W<' find that the circular which "a~ •eM out by the LanJ and liiC'OilJP Tux 0P!Jil-I'Pll ... llt was u ~!'Tiet'al ci r l'u il!r : it was 11nt 11 c iJ·cular Fent out fo r 11. speciol ea~··· Tlw~r. cin·ulaJ·;; WPte run off by th<' thout>a ncl. and "'"·'' b~ oi)ta ined b.~ th<? handful al tlw ollirl' uf the ln<'Oille Tax Commissiom••·. TberP i~ thi• fart: !hat this 111an rould not <('('tJJ'I' inrome t:rx fornr5. but he went tO the truuble to write a lt:rter setting- our hi• ell<('. and hr show~ that for thf' ."('(11' cnding 30th JllnQ, 1919. his i1lconv• wn~ £167. wh!'rea~ hi• rxpo>nditure wa• £253. Thm •hnw·s a. I~·~ of £86 in cash. He al.•o lo•~ thi•·tv lll'ud of rl\ttle whirh , .. Ne 'l'l!lw•rl a.t £5 p~r hl'ad-rh•t i • the Cornmonw!'alth GoYemm._.m·s -.·aluaiion· makine; a total of £180. 'l'lwt $liow~ rhar hi• total lms fo r lh-' vetn: wn< .£206. Ont• wnuld A• <wno:> thnt nn thest> figures thf' anon would rwt be ~harged lnnd or income tax if the Go,·ernment were going to encourage production.

Swpply. [ll FEBRUARY.) Su]J'[Jl!J 2949

'l' he CHAIR~lA:-1: Q,·cJN·! The hnn. n1PnJber will hnxc !Ill Ojlf)OJ'tUn itv Of d Palin!!" With th? quest ion of taxation on nniJther YOI e~

Mr. FRY: I w:onl to d ea l with tlw qut?stion ("I{ cnc·ouragcmcnt to tfw man on tht> land. n. i~ not a q<tes tion of taxatiou ~lone; it i; the- efl't?~t il i~ r:roing to lia 1·e on t hB prioouo·1· po·IJdtlcf.'T This ruau·~ hind wx wa, £7 6S.. 8d. un ci 14s. 3d. penal t;y tnx. \\'ill nny sane man tell me that that 1s going to onoo,>•.n·agc that man t•> <any on farming ? Is it going to inspire thllt man w ith ~n~- hope in The future? It is not a question of taxation ; it is a question o f lcuc ping tho p1·ima•·1 Pl'n· ducer iu that frame of rnin-d whi<'h will spur h im on to t(\'t'll !<'t' c·ultj,·ntion. Greater •cultinttiun nle;uls grc3ter production, and with greater produ~t i on cotoc;; <'h~np!'r oust. of li1·ing to th~ mun in the c itl. and I would b~ lacking 1n m·· duh· wJ;>rr• 1 not t<) ~t:md u;, in this House to-night and refer to rhis mattu, because, after ot.U . the <'rtl~ of tbe whole que$tion of vhea(l living depends entirely upon supply meeting the dem;UJd. H the Sltr>ply does not 111N'I l'lt<' d<~on ~ ud. the n pril'eJi are going to go up. nnd if the suppl.~ exc•eeds the dcmnnd, theu rhf' (•osr of lil'in.!!" in the city will bt' c•heuper. I might be permitt<ld tu refer 10 the que$tion to. which tha hon. llioonber fat· Wide Bay teforred.

'l'lte cm AIR MA;\' : Order l l Oldh·d thv 'boro. rlt1.1111ber for Wide Bay to order for dea l· ing with that mn t.ler. The hon. member wi ll not be in orde r in -d.ealing with the irtcome tax:. as that is a matter that comes en tit·elv within the saopo of thfl Treasury Estimates. •

Mr. FR, Y: l WI\Ot to sa.v, in conclusion, that anybo~y living in u place like Mtu·phy :s C••eek. for 10stance. could not be e,.xpected to

.sa.y ~uythin" &hat was not corr<!ct, and this man is cou1plniulog about the hardship w1dco· which he r:nauage., to exist. and not.witbstand· ing ~hose hurdshit•a, st ill h<' fw.s uot l'ceE•i''I'U the encouru~ement t hat he "bould have receivl"d .. ~hos. probably. is outside the roopl' oi ~fw MtnosLet• for A:;rieulturl". but I take

i t the•~ thut !)'entleman will give [10 tl.rn.] it con~idl'ratlon . and dea l wi th

the department which is h~1·ass· ing the man. and sPe th~tt his CUS(' ii! put t· igh ~. AHe r 111!, the case of one man ma.v bo tht' case of hnn<:lreds. Wo are ct·ving ottt to ''"t men on the land and to prov'iue lilnd for soldicr3. Until we remove, as far as pussible, th ... hardships which exist, ,,.~, will nob g<'t rht' beat l'i!SUlts from farming.

M1·. WARRE:\' (JlltNu.mba): I tbiuk Lho Agricultural Department is not quite up to <late. I do not think Cot· tt motncur that the ~ini;;L~ r who et po·el'!'ltt ocrupie> I h<• ~hai1· lS at ll.ll out of t!atCI. Fmm my d ~aalings with that gentl~man I know he is quir.l.' " • ur to date as <Jnybody 1 hNv c mt>t in that posilioJJ. and I think hi' is C]Uite us coLU·teous and willing to a~~ist the prin1ar~· pruduoot•. Bttl I am ,·ory sorrv to ~ss that· at. t be p resen t momN•r the /ntiigrower, wbon1 I r••preoeJ.tt ~ore th'!'n &nyboriy else. ic s.ltff£>rin~ fJ-Or"n .h•gh fre1ghtnge and other th onga. I have spohn t{> the !\{iuister for Itnilways this ev£~niog. a nd he ha;; pro111i~~d t o go into t bP. mnt.tcl'. But at present the pineapples not being sold under C'Ontracl an~ not wor th. growing.

The SECllETARY t'OR RAILWAYS : Yon do not blame the railways for that?

Mr. WARRE:'-1 : Yes, .r do. l t is an unfot·tunate fa~t that through this rearrangement of prices th~ railways aee particulaely .to blo.rue. Whilu we are quite prepared to

P"Y ll fair t hing. and { b~> l ievt' thC' industr y Jt> nblt< l1> ~t~ ttri a fnit• thing. I J o not heli cve """ C<tn s.;mw fJ·uit i n Quel'n~l<~oJt() u:t]e.;,;; we rc~ri,·e fail· rr~atmcnt. Th~ S ECRETAJ1Y FOR R .1JLWA\'S : It t.'Qu [d co..t

you mOJ·p 10 ~urt fro m Roma ~t•·e~t m~rkets to u •hop in t •l wtJ. bv currit>1'. thtHl ' " st-nJ fru it ot butu•r fron1 Cabooltu t'P.

:VI1·. IL-\RRR::\ : Tin' !.Vriniot~r should l t>arn tt liHit- more. un.t 1 un• sure ho woq]ri not say thn t . B is staiNneut i& not cone<:!. It was oorrect ~fOI'e> he put on tl1e•e 11 ~ charges, l>ut I"' has slept $in1•e then.

The Se:cnE1"ARV I'OJl RAitw.ws: The membC'rs for Willd;;o t· vnd Oxl~ ,- agrc•' with Jtle in thut. ·

ThQ CH.AIRMA!'\': O.rdcr!

Me W ARREX: P t·acticallv noth ing has b('etl doue fot• the fruitgrowei- so far. The industry l$ " good one. We have hea rd a. very lt<arnod ant.l interesti ng sptJcoh on whe;>t prodm•tion anrl the breeding of wh!Jut. W e nre behincl us fur 1,\s wheat is concernt>d, and I belie,·e its production can be improved, as suggested, by getting a VILI"iet~· whic b. is not. in existence 1\t the present time. T hJLt is all right. But we ha 1·e a tremendously i>ig industry nod there is a big futu.re before i~. and nothing is being done for its improvement:. When the State cannery wu~ beit}g built. muny people thought thnt that wa~ the ~olution. U nfortunately, it has not been the so lution at all, fm· the simple reason that the ma.nage ~ of th11t factory cannot a ttord ~o give as ruuoh us private industry. Tbe private firms an' gi,·i ug more for the fruit than the State ~annNy i·s. Tbut should not be so.

The SMCRETAJlY FOR PUli~JO WOT!XS : What are they giYing ?

Mr. W ARREX: Six shilling!. Th<> SECIIfn"AUv ro11 l?CIIL JC Wonxs; Tbe

Stu1!.'?

Mr. WARRE:\: Yes, when t,bey are corn· pelted to. I would like lo say tbat the mnnt~ger of the State f110tory i~ lOOt quite fa.ir to the fruitgrower. H e does not wish t-hem to b11,·e un organisation, a.ud he wants to brt'a.k it up so th!\t he can bea.1. the [ruit.grow('rs down and bleo?d thE>nl.

Mr, ~lORO.IX : Oh ! ~fr. 'V ARRE)J: I suy it is rnanifestly

unfo ir. W e do not obje<:t to the labour unions. We helieve in unions.

Mr. WHITFORO : I tlo not U"lieve you. You wuulcl ht•t•u k I h<>tu <lowll f•\"(•l'v ti tuc vou go~ a C'hunt•~- · ·

The CHALRMA:\: Order! OrdN!

Mr. W ARRE;>;: I would Jiki> to say I do Lwlieve in 1mions. and I am working up one o£ the biggest uud rroost t'Joorgfltic union~ i n Queensland aL the present. moment. [ am president o f !.he Fruitgrowers' Association, which is 11 union in £·,·ery sense of the word. I belii'YC that the Fruitgl'owers' Association has done n~ore for the huirgrower$ t han bas uny ot·ganis•tion which e1·er exi~tcd. Within the last twQh-e n1onth~ it hll.l> given the fruilgruwurs over £40.000 which would not otherwiae have come into their pockets. We uuite r.n protC('t ou1·sclves and t.o assist the indust ry. At the present moment we are runn ing special trains to the South for which we gun.t·antee t;h e Railwn.~· O~partment. They take a.ll sor ts of ca.re that if there i9 11. shortn.ge on the trai.n we ha,ve to pay it; and we pa.y up every time. All we want .is

Mr. Win.stwtley . .J

29.>0 Supply. [A.SSE)iBLY.] Stt'PP'!I·

1hftt. 'l•si-tantc f rom the depo.rtm<'nt which will lwlp u~ to build up th<' industry. to make it hi~l!"r aud better thon il has b<'im. I nm sur<> tlout. "ith the a>si•tant't> o( the .-\gri· "ult111'~ l Dcp AI'tmrut. then' i~ a birl future bcfort' tl1 e h·uitgt-owers. T think it i~ tho t!ui v of ans Go,•crnmcnt to build this <.l~Jlatt· ll lf'Jit into n bigger ancl ll betlPt' concern 1hun it is at t ha prescJnt tim<': T am sut:e th~ ill i111.tc r who now occuptcs the chntr n ~; rt>C!' with me in thi~. as bG i~ an ngricnl· tul'ist oud has the desire to !fO in for ngricu l· tur(>. 'J'hcn• ~hould bP n grcut dcul more xpPut in tht' det,urtmerlt than the re is nt the pti.'SCIIt lime. 1l is n business propo5ilion t hat thN·e should be more done for the rnconra.tt<'ment of p rimarv production. \Vhu t hn~ m11do> 1 he dnlrying Indus! ry in QuePn.slnnd!

Mr. \\'HlTFORD: The Labour party?

:\f r. WARRE:-1: I am sorry Lo •ny thut it ha~ b<'!'n hit. vPrv much bv the dt·ongM. ::-io mnn cn n uo tbroltgh the dairying district11 without seeiug the awfulue8S u[ the diMstar . und I am pt'rfe~tly convinced tha t e,·ery htlrll'•t rnn n with 11. porticla o[ brAiru; will nnmit t ho.t it is not the Labour pnrt;v which hns mncle the industry, but t hnt it is ro-oper~tti on .

Mr. WmTFORIJ interjected.

Mr. W.\RRE;\": I said nny mun with one tlllnt:f' o£ brain.~;: T tlid not >IIY th~ hon. member. I sav tltat what made ono industry can mnkc> pnother. What we want is bigge•· CO·OJ'era.tion, and I do not oce wh,v ull the indtL5trics cannot go in for some form of co-opf'ration. Probably it will extl'nd to al l indu~t ~ies tmd will soh·e the IFC!H industria l t rouhle of the present dny.

Mr. O'SULLTV·IN: Do you bC!l ieve in coopcrMiou lot· the consumet·s or only for the produce1·~?

Mr. WARREN: 1 bf'lic,,e in co·o tll'rntion t>Xtt'nding. I beliC\-e iL is the solution of all our troubles. I do not meo.n to 81\V thtlt "ll 1 hl' agents ore robbi nl{ ug, but l do sa;v that di•tribution, as well a~ prodn<'tion. should be in t he hands of thr producers. For in~tane~>. if ;;nu go out W est, you will hardly bo able to buy a. pineapple, a nd yet the! market ts absolutely glutted. The State Produ<'e Agenc~· is doing absolutely nothinll'

to remedv it. Wlwn co-opero.tion is perfected, wht'n wti are a.ble to control all the industry (induding the distribution). I am quite ~ura that it \vlll tln·i ''~'· At the JJl'(·~ent time, but for the drought, t he dui ry ing iudust•·y wo11ld be on that footing. T must 11dmit. that. HO far· IllS other farming is con cerned , we ortl hchintl. l clo not mean to eny, for in~I IIOC!'. that the formers can grow whea~ in Que~nslanll. I do not pt·ofess to know whetlw~ it 1811 be done profitablv o r not, but I do kno'~ that in the W el!t. I h~n· seen that whenttfrmdng is going out. 1 s•w tlla~ it is n sorr\' thing for Queensland that it should he ~o. 'hct-au~e it means that whil~t our rRil"ft"" 1\TP not p11yjng. there n.re large srrott-bes which ~hould be reproducti1•e ttnd a re not.

'rim SSOR£TARY FOli R.~lLWAYS: To·rnorrow "on will rom e to m e for a reduction in freight on fruit .

Mr. WARREN ~ If we were pt·ouncing "heat in the Wt'st of Quccn~lan<l as they aro proclnriul! it in tbt> west o f :-Jew South Wules, the t·nihl'll."S would poy. J cun n~su re the hon. nll'mi•I.'T thet I nm not always cliu~ing

[.Mr. Warren.

a:"tPr 8 t<dut'tion. Wl• t>n lhc ri>l' in freigbt.~ tnuk place th<' fruitjtro•, t'l'~ fac<>d the problem, •·eco:rni-ing tlwt th•' t'HilwRy• ,t.,rel•ot poying. nn<l were quite ugrcPablr· to ~ 30 p~r CPIIt . .-ist·. l.mt "·hot till'~' \\ (· re ur•t astrecable to was ll l'i3~ of J50 J)I'T !'Pill. f Bil l •Ill'(! thnt With ro-oprrar ion. ond intelligent nssistance frorn t lw Ag1·ir·ultuntl D"\IIIL'Lnwnt, there i~ no ~nngPt' tO thr· pn1SiWI' Ity Of QttE'PttSJand.

-;'11r. W [)181'.A;\"LEY (Q •t •nlo11): "ye luiYP ~IJen t 11. foir untount <1f time iH discu~aing thi• vot!', hut I thiuk it "ill be admit!!'<! thnt th~r"' ioi rto dt·partment on which -o 1-.Ut ~, <.lPpend, a~ the .'\gricnlturul D,•parrntl/nt. J' the ~JSriC'ulwrol indu~trit'~ Wf.'rl' to do~" u•J. thl'u 1t ;,. a cortuiuly tha t tt\'Ct?·thing el~t' would clo.,e up too, lw<'nu•c it is the bedrock indu,-.tn· on whir•h we ull h~tve to ren. ! hav" li.•wned "ith u good riP" I of intt>rt~t to rhc debate, whir·h hns certainly beer· informing.

Sun-gestions hnvc hcl'n made u~ to the po«i hil it;;, of c-oLton-grt)Win y. I I i•tened wlrh " good de al o f intrrt••t 10 tlw l1011. men th,,. for Oxle1's rli~lun6 of 1hc iodu~tl'.l' in Quecn,Jnncl dut·ing rE'<'eut ycur:s. \Yn or•rt nil ~wore t1l~t <luring lhe .'\mcrtcnn ~Ill' Q~oen~~and dtd gt·ow t-otton fur EOtuu ltOH' whtl~l the bonu~ was b<'illg J)C.id. but wht•n A~l·rrC'It got b11ck into the rnerke' it bct'IIJne 11 thtng of tbc pa~t • .,\~ t he timr of thl! ,·isit of tb»t gcmli'nllln from Laucn$hira there wa! a revival for a time. It •eem• to mP, in fat't. that one of the tliffi,·ultic we htwe to COutPnd wi:h in getting people to take an i nlert;sl in couon-gro":in~; is the fact t hh t on two, tf nn~ three. l)r evrou' OC<'a~ions atternptG have c lld('u in fa ilurl.'. I believe tha~ if Qu~"m·l<~nd hud m ade no 11ttempt in tit !> p85L, if the idea W('l'e pre· son tcd now for the Hu t rime, it ,. ould i;e pursued w ith o ,!tO.ocl d!'n l 1~1~we e nthusiub,n th11n und~r extot. trJg f·ondttlons. 1 . ~··ell remembet· thnt when dun g('u tl emnn vtsdt:d Queensland till' i<lco 1~us tn,kcn np with a .. ood des] of rnthusiu~m un C''narters TowH~. ~nd n Cottun-gwwet'6' A~soriat ion was fo~n,ccl b\" the busin('s, men of the town. and qutte a n~mhCI' of mt.'n on th<' land outsidl' went in htmesd.v und ettl'nestly ond e~erl{eticall): for growing cation. lr wus practrrahy admitted that the product of C'hartPL'3 Tower5 wa~ of on exreptionall.r Ane quulity-a_ long-.taplc f'Orton- ~nd th~t·l' wui un '' "N!pttona!ly good ,.]eld. It wo, odmittl'Ci hv all who ~uw th,• iHoduct thnt the cnun t t'"'- 1\'9'1 exceptionally euitable . ud fot• two or tine~ ;ye-.r~ :o fa irly \uq.:e q uHntil . waR r;r<;~wn, :rh•J <l iflicultv that [tt Ct'd tbt' people 111 rhe ft_rst pltwt:> ": ns lhol picking o f. tlto ~otwn , whu:h .cem& to ba one of tlw d.Ciicuh.tP.s no -. prac· t it>&lh- the widll world ovet-, Long and ( urnest entlea ,·ours hnvc been made to inveol " pickiul:(· ll•nch in<', but I uru rloubtful wlwiher u p to the pw;wnt o nything hns been put on the ru:Jrket that do•·~ t hl' work nnything lik., so well a~ tlw 6u,t>rs ol childt·e11 or other pt>OJ,Ie who ho,·p takon up tl1c work. TbPu. while the p ri<'c \\as fnirly good foT the 6rot year or two, in th<' third ycur. I belicn~. tlte rt>turn was only about .3~<f .• or 4d. per 11?- forginned cotton. ut whwh tt 1\ 1\S pratttcally admitt('d bv Atll'bOII V who knew en>thmg nbout th P buhinrss thin ii Wth impo~sible to lllnkf• it par. J3tll . "ith rh1' pric~, that tht> <1\>pnt·tmvnt i~ off!'l'Jng the propo~•t•on 1.~ an· antirciy d ilfer<'u t on!'. n':'d whtbt dawe rnuy be AllV outomd o f plt•c"' 111 Q.ucP.nsland wher6' cotton woulu g•·ow. I ~·rn lloubtf~l whrth P.r •ht•n · i,; 1\ Jllac•• :l! OTI' '111t»blr or wnh _grPIIter fac iliti t>s tbtlrl C:burwrs Tower~. p (lr~rculnrly

Supply. [ll FEBRUARY.] Fire Brigades Bill. 295£•

as it is a place which is looking for so1ncthing to take the plaC"2 of nuning. Fruitgrowing and other things have been taken up, b;It the tirne ono has to v.-ait for a return is a bit too long for most people. Land can be got under mining tenure very cheaply. and there is an abundance of it. The surrounding conditions of life and so on are all that can be ·desired. I certainly think something· tangible and practical can be done in tbat direction. I have met :;y1r. Jones, who, I think, is to be commended for his perse,·erance in this matter year after year. (Hear, hear !) He is never tired of advocating what some people call a fad and others a hobby, but I believe that, like other peorle, he will see some results of his labour before Yery long. Ho \vas in Charters Tov.-crs, and exprused the opinion that it was a place exceptionally suitable for the growth of cotton.

He stated that quite a number of other things would grow there, but that cotton would grow there to perfection. I think that if some inducement were offered at the present time, and the growing of cotton were taken up with anything like the enthusiasm it was taken up in 1907 and 1908, success would be achieved. We all know that Britain is ·going to have to look el~ewhere for lwr cotton, and I am quite satisfied that it is going to be a very long time before the price of cotton goes back to the pre-war rates. The Department of Agriculture has done a great deal in the matter of distributing ootton seed free, and it is to be commended for its action in that direction, but I certainly think that in districts where people have tried and failed to grow cotton, failed through no fault of their own, if some inducement were offered by a Chamber of Commerce or some other org,misation, and people ·v\·ou1d take up the cnlturc of cotton, there would be a fair prospect of makin.c- the industry succeed. Land of fairly good quality is available at Charters Towers, there is plenty of it, and it can b'' obtained chc<tper than in any other part of the State, so that if people can be induced to take up cottongrowing, there is a very fair prospect that they will succeed with the industry. The difference in the price of cotton to-day as con1pared 1vith wha.t it was years ago \vhen cx.pcrin1ents \Vere rnade in cotton-gro'''ing in Queensland will make all the difference between failure and success in the enterprise. In all probability the time will come, perhaps not in the very near future, lmt it will come, when Queensland will not only grow its own cotton but will spin and weave its own cotton .. It is a well-knmvn fact that cotton-spinning and cotton-weaving can always be done best, as far as the quality and quantity of the cotton arc eonccrned, in a soft, humid atmosphere such as they have in the old country. vVhere the spinners have to resort to steam jets, that may be very good for the material, but it is not very good for the people who have to do the work, and I am quite certain that some better means can be devised than steam jets. I am certainly of opinion that there is a splendid opening and opportunity for the growing of cotton if some encouragement and inducement are given to people to engage in the industry, and I am quite certain that the department will be quite prenared to do its share in helping any community who are prepared to take . up thi~ particular industry. I sh<tll certainly do my level best, when I go back to Charters Towers, to see if the people who

have got the land now will not be prepared' to go in for cotton-growing again, and I hope it "·ill be found to be a success and a. benefit to them, a benefit to the State, and a benefit to all concerned.

::\Ir. ::\IOORE : I notice that the Dairy Instructor had a salan of £450 and that it has been increased to £485 per annum. while the instructor in che0,emaking gets only £265, and has not. be-en granted any incrca:;:e. It is an extraordinary thiug that a 1nan 1vho is sup}Josed to be an expert in his but:ine2-s, and who has to teach people how to make cheese, should onlv get the salary of an assistant in, a good factory, and less than th~ salary paid to a good manager. The manager of an ordinary second-class cheese factory gets over £265 per annum at the present time, and it seems a funny thing that such a man should be expected to submit to be taught by an' instructor who is paid considerably less.

Mr. COLLINS : What about dairy testing? Mr. MOORE: Any man can learn that in;

half an hour, but it takes years to lea.rn cheesemaking properly. There is one thing· which I deprecate in the report of the department, and that is the attempt which is made in several places to hit at the Federal Government. ·we want to find out what is. the best way of conducting our business in Queensland, and not to hit at the Federal' Gm·ernment. 'Vhat is the use of the Government finding fault with somebody else when· they are doing exactly the same thing themselves?

An HONOcRABLE MEMBER : You admit they are at fault?

Mr. MOORE: ?\o, I admit nothing of the· kind. Reference is made in the report to the wheat pool, and it appears that the Government have now turned round. as they sav the Federal Government refused them admission to the pooL At the same time, wE· find that in the r'Jport of the Agricultural· Department it is stated that last year a referendum was taken by the Government as to whet her the persons concerned would join' the wheat pool. The Government reduced· the price of wheat to 3s. 6d. a bushel.

The SECRETARY FOR RAILWAYS: \Ve took. from the miller the wheat he had alrea,dy bought at the price he paid.

Mr. MOORE : The Government took the wheat from the miller, and sold it at the price they could get ; they fixed the price ef · flour to return 3s. 6d. a bushel for locally grown wheat. and Ss. 6d. a bushel for :-\rgentine wheat.

At ha!i-past 10 o'clock p.m., The CHAIRMAX: L'nder the provisions·.

of Standing Order :\'o. 306, I must now lcaH> the chair and make my report to the House.

The House resumed. The CHAIR}IAN re-~ ported progre~s, and the Committee obtainedleave to sit again to-rnorrow.

HARBOVR BOARDS ACTS AMEXDMENT BILL.

RETl'RKED FRO}I CouxcrL. The SPEAKER announced the receipt of a

message from the Legislative Council return .. ing this Bill without amendment.

FIRE BRIGADES BILL. SECOND READING-RESUMPTION OF DEBATE. Mr. PETRIE:

because I think I rise to support the Bill~

it is a very necessary~

Mr. Petrie.]

2952 Fire Brigades Bill. [COUNCIL.] Personal Explanation.

measure. It is one which has ·been asked for bv the local volunteer fire bri~>:ades and the l<;cal authoritie,, for some tin1e past. vVe must all tdmit that the towns of Queensland havf' D;rown so rapidlv that an amend1nent of the Ar-t under which firP bri.o:ades DO>''

wmk is urgently needed. This Bill oughL -therefore. to reeeiYe serious and sympathetic ,consideration from both sides of the House.

T\w HmrE SECRETARY: There are no politics in the Bill.

Ire. PETRIE: It is proposed by the Bill to repeal the existing legislation and establish new constitution~ for the boards. The towns at prcs<'nt E·njoy the protection given by permanent fire brigades, but the country towns and the suburbs of the larger cities are left

·to depet](l on volunteer brigades. I should like to sav a word of praise on behalf of our volunteer" fire brigade,, which have always -done splendid service when called upon. They have rendered their services gratuitously, and have been the means of saving much propertv. It is now proposed to recognise -the vol;,nteer brigades in a proper manner. Volunteer fire brigades are to be registered, and to be inspected by the chief officer of the district. and their serviceo ar2 nov;: to be paid for. The powers of the chief officer are

'Vf•ry great, but I think they are necessary to prevent fires. The chief. officer may assume

-control of volunteer bngades at any fire, and I take it that he will use that power in a reasonable way. The clashing which has sometimes taken place between two different

'·fire brigades will accordingly now be prevented. One important provision in the Bill i9 that the chief officer may send the brigades

'beyond their boundaries, if it is necessary, and, in that case. the different authorities are to be jointly liable to pay the expenses. ~o;ne pcoplS l!la~~ _tak~, 2xc?ption, to ,th~t, but 1t. t'3 only a ra1r rntng tnat tney snoutd oear a

··portion of the burden.

With regard to the financial part of the ·proposal, the G<lvernment contribute two. sevenths, the local authorities two-sevenths, and th0 remaining three-sevenths are to be paid by the insurance companies. 1 do not know that vou can have a fairer ba.sis of contribution' than that. The countrv towns will be better looked after now. and !'vervthing will be conducted as it should be. 'I have much pleasure in supporting the second reading of the Bill.

Question-That the Bill be now read a second time-put and passed.

PROPOSED COilH!ITTAL.

The HOME SECRETARY: I beg to move. Mr. Speaker. that you do now lea•."e the

·eh tir and that the House resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole to consider the Bill in detail.

Hon. \V. H. BARXES: To-night? We are not ready for it.

The HO ::VIE SECRETARY: It reallv is a machinery measure. The same thing may 'happen to-morrow night. The Bill, which has been a long time in the hands of hon. members. is really a departmental Bill. The

·<>fficers of the department, the fire brigade people, and the insurance companies have been in consultation, and the Bill is the result. Of course, I do not want to press

·-the Committee stage.

Hox. W. H. BARNES: I hope the hon. ;gentleman will not press the matter, because

[Mr. Petrie.

if it is what he says-purely a machinery Bill-the position is practically clear. It was gcnc1·ally understood that. after the se-- ond reading of the Bill to-night, we were ~oing to adjourn. Some' hon. n1onbers on this side who a re deeply interested in the Bill accepted m,· a.ssurance that the Committee sta1e would not be proceeded with to-uight.

The Ho~IE SECRET.\RY: In that case, desire to withdraw my motion.

The SPEAKER: Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion be withdrawn?

HoNOURABLE ME:VIBERS: Hear, hear!

Motion withdrawn accordingly.

ADJOURNMENT. Tlw SECRE'l'AR Y FOR RAILWAYS : I

move-That the House do now adjourn. The busine.ss to-morrow will be the further consideration of the Estimates. After half-past 10 o'clock p.m., I think we will take the Mining Act Amendment Bill, which also is a non-contentious measure.

Hon. W. H. BARNES: You do not propose g0ir1g into Committee t~-morro;y night?

The would do so. with.

SECRETARY FOR RAILWAYS : I be glad if the hon. gentleman would He will find nothing in it to disagree

Hon. \V. H. BARNES: The second reading will be debated at some length.

The SECRETARY FOR RAILWAYS: If so, I will fall in with the hon. gentleman's wishes.

Question put and pa.ssed.

The House adjourned at twenty minutes to 11 o'clock p.m.

Documents

Parliamentary Debates [Hansard] - Queensland Parliament€¦ · ,,.e are. losing every year a tramcmtlnns an1ount of stock through ignorance of the means of dealing with diseases