1905-12-21 2 2 0 SENATE 7442 0 Senate. 1905-12-21 The President took the Chair at 2.45 p.m., and read prayers. 7457 Questions 7457 7457 JTV ALP 0 0 DAWSON, Anderson Senator DAWSON - I wish to ask you, sir, whether you have noticed a paragraph in yesterday's Melbourne Age stating that the Refreshment Rooms are being closed owing to the supply of inferior meals at high prices, and to their being ill-cooked, &c. I also desire to know if any effort will be made by those in authority to prevent a recurrence of these cowardly attacks on defenceless servants, who have performed their duties to the satisfaction of honorable senators. Further, I desire to ask you whether there is a special tariff for the press, whether they enjoy the use of rooms, telephones, and other conveniences which are provided here at the expense of the general taxpayers; and, if so, whether in future the enjoyment of such privileges will be made contingent upon good conduct. . 7457 10000 0 0 PRESIDENT, The The PRESIDENT - My attention had not been called to the paragraph; in fact, I had not seen it, but if it is to the effect stated by the honorable senator it is not correct. I am not at present in' a position to say what privileges will be enjoyed in the future by the press. 7457 JTV ALP 0 0 DAWSON, Anderson Senator DAWSON - Is there a special tariff for the press? 7457 10000 0 0 PRESIDENT, The The PRESIDENT - I am not sure, but I think so. 7457 JU7 0 0 DE LARGIE, Hugh Senator DE LARGIE - In view of that answer, sir, I desire to ask why we should not make the supply of untruthful accounts by the press a reason for their exclusion from the enjoyment of any privileges. We are a long-suffering body, and really some steps should be taken to put an end to the circulation of the lies which have appeared in the press day after day ? 7457 10000 0 0 PRESIDENT, The The PRESIDENT - As regards the terms upon which the press shall be allowed to use the Refreshment Rooms, that is a question which the Parliament may, if it chooses, take into consideration. Otherwise, I do not think it is intended to alter the present arrangements. 7458 papers Senator PLAYFORD laid upon the table the following papers: - Memorandum by the Agent-General on the question of the office of High Commissioner in London, furnished at the request of the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth. Defence Scheme for the Commonwealth. - Copy of telegram to the Secretary, Imperial Defence Committee, London, and reply thereto, respecting the preparation of a general scheme of local Australian defence. Ordered to be printed. Transfers approved by the Governor-General, dated19th December. 7458 Questions 7458 7458 KHE 0 0 HIGGS, William Senator HIGGS asked the Minister of Defence, upon notice - Is it the intention of the Government to call for joint and separate tenders for the following mail services ; steamers to run - Twelve times a year from Sydney to Vila, in the New Hebrides, touching at Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island. Six times from Sydney to Solomon Islands, and thence to Samarai, in British New Guinea and German New Guinea. Eight times from Sydney to Vila and the Gilbert Islands; and Twelve times from Cairns, via Port Moresby (Papua) to Woodlark Island? Will the Government, in calling for tenders, also ask for quotations for services from the nearest ports in the Commonwealth to the New Hebrides and other places mentioned in the foregoing? Will the Government obtain legal opinion as to whether it is not a breach of the Constitution to pay Messrs. Burns, Philp, and Company £12,000 per annum for such mail services socalled? 7458 K0X Protectionist 1 0 PLAYFORD, Thomas Senator PLAYFORD - The answers to the honorable senators questions are as follow : - 1 and 2. I will refer these questions for inquiry and report. No doubt is entertained upon the point. 7458 motion Debate resumed from 25th November (vide page 5660). on motion by Senator Pulsford - That, recognising, as this Senate does, that it is the wish of both the Empire of Japan and the Commonwealth of Australia to maintain the purity of their respective races, this Senate hereby affirms the desirability of a treaty being made under which all questions relating to emigration and immigration may be arranged. This Senate further expresses its earnest hope that the friendship between the people of the Empire of Japan and those of the Commonwealth of Australia may be maintained, to their mutual advantage and to the well-being of the whole world. Upon which Senator Pearce had moved by way of amendment - That after the word " races," line 4, the following words be left out, " this Senate hereby affirms the desirability of a treaty being made under which all questions relating to emigration and immigration may be arranged," and that the word " further," line 8, be left out. Amendments agreed to. 7458 JPC Victoria 0 0 BEST, Robert Senator BEST - I move - That the debate be now adjourned. 7458 K0X 0 0 PLAYFORD, Thomas Senator Playford - The motion is perfectly harmless now. 7458 JPC 0 0 BEST, Robert Senator BEST - I know that it is harmless, but still, in the absence of Senator Pulsford, I think that the debate ought to be adjourned. The DEPUTY PRESIDENT.- The honorable senator is not in order in speaking to the question of adjournment. Motion negatived. Original question, as amended, resolved in the affirmative. Resolved - That, recognising, as this Senate does, that it is the wish of both the Empire of Japan and the Commonwealth of Australia to maintain the purity of their respective races, this Senate expresses its earnest hope that the friendship between the people of the Empire of Japan and those of the Commonwealth of Australia may be maintained, to their mutual advantage, and to the well-being of the whole world. 7458 Questions 7458 7458 JTV ALP 0 0 DAWSON, Anderson Senator DAWSON - For the sake of eliciting information, I desire to ask you, sir, whether the Orders of the Day, which have been postponed, and made Orders of the Day for the next sitting day, will take priority over any other Orders of the Day. because, if they do, I decidedly object to the procedure. 7458 10000 0 0 DEPUTY PRESIDENT, The The DEPUTY PRESIDENT As this is the last sitting day of the session, each honorable senator will have to take the necessary steps next session to restore his business to the notice-paper. 7458 miscellaneous Order of the day for the report of the Select Committee to be brought up, read and discharged. 7459 miscellaneous Order of the day for the resumption of the debate on motion by Senator Dobson read and discharged. 7459 Questions 7459 7459 JZ9 0 0 O'KEEFE, David Senator O'KEEFE - I - I desire to ask the Minister of Defence, whether, in view of the possibility of very important business having to be transacted, the certainty that, at least, a couple of months will be required between the close of the next session, and the date of the elections in December, and the statement made in the press this morning that it is intended to have "a short, sharp session" next year, he can give the Senate an indication of the date when the Parliament is likely to be convened ? 7459 K0X Protectionist 1 0 PLAYFORD, Thomas Senator PLAYFORD - I am utterly unable to give to the honorable senator the information which he desires. The view of the Ministry probably is, that " sufficient for the day is the evil thereof." 7459 KLS 0 0 GIVENS, Thomas Senator Givens - The Minister does not regard the Parliament as an evil? 7459 K0X 0 0 PLAYFORD, Thomas Senator PLAYFORD - No. 7459 bill His EXCELLENCY THE Governor-General entered the chamber, and, being seated, a message was forwarded to the House of Representatives, intimating that His Excellency awaited the attendance of honorable members in the Senate chamber, who, being come with their Speaker, The Clerk of the Parliaments received from Mr. Speaker the Appropriation Bill, and the Supplementary Appropriation Bill 1903-4 and 1904-5. His EXCELLENCY was pleased to notify to the Clerk of the Parliaments his assent to the following Bills: - Appropriation Bill. Supplementary Appropriation Bill, 1903-4 and 1904-5. Electoral Bill. Copyright Bill. 7459 miscellaneous His EXCELLENCY was then pleased to deliver the following speech: - 7459 It is my privilege to release you from arduous labours, which have resulted in the passage of an unusual number of useful and important measures, including the legislation for the session promised by , my Ministers, on assuming office after the Session had commenced. They will now be free to devote their attention for the remainder of this Parliament to the progressive Australian policy which they announced five months ago. The difficulties inseparably connected with the Federation of six separate and independent States into one federal union are being gradually overcome. There is, good reason to hope that a time is arriving when the Commonwealth and the States will be found in active and harmonious co-operation in their respective spheres of authority in promoting the welfare of Australia. I am happy to congratulate you upon the fact that the country has rapidly recovered from the losses sustained by the drought a few years ago, and that our financial position has been greatly improved by the increased volume and prices of our products. The Commonwealth has entered upon an era of prosperity. Trade is flourishing. The last two years are unexampled in the yield and value of our primary productions. The agreement made with the Eastern Extension Company in 1903, subject to the ratification of Parliament, the consideration of which was postponed to permit of the holding of a Conference in London of the partners in the Pacific Cable, has now been ratified by Parliament, subject to the expressed condition that the separate State contracts with that Company, made, prior to Federation, are terminated, and that the federal agreement shall determine on 31st December, 1915. Contracts with the Orient Steam Navigation Company for the conveyance of mails between Australia and Europe, via Suez; and with the Union Steam-ship Company of New Zealand for an extension of the Vancouver Mail Service for a further term, have been approved by you. An appropriation of£2 5,000 has been made to allow the people of Australia to join with their fellow-countrymen in Great Britain and other parts of the Empire in the erection of a memorial in London, in grateful recognition and affectionate remembrance of the personal worth and beneficent reign of Her late Majesty Queen Victoria. A valuable report relating to the representation of the Commonwealth in London has been laid before you, and will be carefully considered by my advisers during the recess, with a view to taking such action as, may be desirable in the interests of Australia. Gentlemen of the House of Representatives : Unfortunately, the definition of the territory of the Seat of Government has not been completed, but it is hoped that the pressing question involved, which has been the subject of prolonged inquiries, and exhaustive debates for several years, will be determined by this Parliament. The Representation Act completes the machinery of the Constitution relating to electoral representation by making provision for definite periods at which the determination of the number of Members for each State in the House of Representatives shall be fixed. My advisers regret that the Bill for the encouragement of manufactures by means of the duties inserted in the Tariff conditionally upon the iron industry being sufficiently established, and the Bill for the Preservation of Australian Industries recently submitted did not become law during the Session. Measures similar in character will be introduced as early as possible. In the meantime, my advisers will take such action as is possible and necessary to secure the interests of Australian producers, and consumers, against the unfair encroachment of foreign or domestic Commercial Trusts, which operate to the detriment of all classes of the community. Standing Orders have been passed which, while recognising the right of every honorable member to the full expression of his, views, have diminished the opportunities for the obstruction of public business hitherto possible under the Temporary Standing Orders. Gentlemen of the Senate and of the House of Representatives: I thank you in the name of His, Majesty for the liberal Supplies which you have granted for the services of the Commonwealth. An urgent need of the Commonwealth is the adoption by Parliament of a definite and comprehensive scheme of defence adapted to the special circumstances of Australia. For this purpose it is, necessary that the proportionate strength of our Naval and Military Forces should be determined in relation to the protection of our coasts. Advice upon the latest methods of port and harbor defence has been sought from the highest authority, and 1 now have pleasure in informing you that the Imperial Council of Defence has consented to assist the Government in this regard with expert opinion. Public interest is being generally manifested in the efficiency of our land forces. Steps have been taken which it is confidently believed will place the Cadet and Senior Cadet Corps of the various States of the Commonwealth upon an uniform and satisfactory basis. A large consignment of new rifles is being obtained, and the number of citizens connected with Rifle Clubs is being considerably augmented. The supplies of cordite have been supplemented. The Immigration Restriction Act, embodying the policy of a White Australia, has been amended so as to insure more effective administration while removing unnecessary discriminations in its terms. The regulation of the introduction of contract labour is now provided for in a separate Act, which, while offering a special exemption favouring immigrants of our own blood, insures to all who arrive here under contract the benefit of Australian conditions, and safeguards them against misrepresentation. The encouragement of desirable settlers from the mother country by conjoint action in association with the States as proprietors of the soil will continue to be a principal aim of the Commonwealth. A practical method of accomplishing it should be devised at an early date. The passage of the Bill extending the period for which a bounty upon sugar will be paid to the growers of cane who employ white labour must assist the settlement upon our rich northern coasts of a larger population of our own race. The Act providing for the acceptance of Papua as a Territory establishes a Constitution for its Government which, for the first time, places its administration and development under the effective control of the Commonwealth. The Secret Commissions and Commerce Acts will materially assist in promoting the fair dealing that fosters production and facilitates trade. The former forbids any secret loading of expenses by which the fruits of the producer's labour may be diverted to the illicit profits of his agents, and at the same time supports the honest action of agents who deal justly with their principals. The latter enactment will assist to prevent the exportation of inferior goods to the detriment of our export trade, and to protect (he public by requiring a proper description on goods or packages containing imported articles. The Census and Statistics Act will enable the Commonwealth to establish a central bureau of statistics, collect the census, issue returns with respect to the matters under its special jurisdiction, and collate information as to the progress of Australia. A measure has been passed providing for a uniform law for the registration of Trade 'Marks and their protection throughout the Commonwealth, thus doing away with the complexity and expense occasioned by the necessity of dealing with them in six States under six different laws. The enactment extends equal consideration and rights to all who participate in the production of Australian commodities, represses fraud iri relation to trade marks, and provides better guarantees to the public of the origin and quality of merchandise. A valuable Amending Electoral Act has been placed upon the statute-book, which provides appropriate machinery for perfecting administration for the cooperation of the Federal and State Governments in electoral matters, and for more effectively carrying out the intentions of Parliament. The Copyright Act contains an uniform copyright law, which covers literary, musical, dramatic and artistic copyright throughout the Commonwealth. ' This measure, framed with due regard to the latest English drafts for legislation and the international aspect of the subject, comprises numerous advantages that will be appreciated bv authors, artists, and publishers, as well as the public. Among other useful measures that have been passed may be mentioned those relating to life assurance, wireless telegraphy, and providing for the incorporations of amendments in all reprints of Acts. I now declare this Parliament prorogued until the 31st day of January, 1906.