1916-09-15 6 1 0 SENATE 8608 0 Senate. 1916-09-15 The President took the chair at 3 p.m., and read prayers. 8608 Questions 8608 8608 KNB 0 0 GUTHRIE, Robert Senator GUTHRIE - Will the Assistant Minister say whether it is a fact, as announced in this morning's newspapers, that a Marine Superintendent has been appointed for the Commonwealth fleet of steam-ships? 8608 K3E ALP 1 0 RUSSELL, Edward Senator RUSSELL - Yes; the announcement is perfectly correct. 8608 KNB 0 0 GUTHRIE, Robert Senator GUTHRIE - Arising out of the answer to the question, I should like to ask whether applications were called for the position, and if not, why not? 8608 K3E 0 0 RUSSELL, Edward Senator RUSSELL - The appointment is quite a temporary one, for on month only. 8608 Engagement of Mr.c. E. Oliver. 8608 K7L 0 0 STORY, William Senator STORY - Will the Minister representing the Minister for Home Affairs cause to he laid on the table of the Senate all papers relating to the employment of Mr. C. E. Oliver to report on the sanitary systems of the Federal Capital? 8608 K3E ALP 1 0 RUSSELL, Edward Senator RUSSELL - I understand that if the papers were laid on the table of the Senate they would become the property of the Senate. I can undertake to have them laid on the table of the Library. 8608 8608 KMP 0 0 GRANT, John Senator GRANT - In view of the widespread belief that those who are opposed to conscription will not, during the referendum campaign, be given a fair opportunity to express their views, because of the instructions given to the censors, I should like the Minister for Defence to say whether opponents of conscription may rest assured that the fullest possible opportunity will be given them to carry on their campaign in the event of the passing of the Military Service Referendum Bill? 8608 K0F ALP 1 0 PEARCE, George Senator PEARCE - Subject to certain rules which have been laid down, yes. 8608 papers The following papers were presented : - Commerce (Trade Descriptions) Act 1905. - Regulations amended. - Statutory Rules 1916, No. 195. Customs Act 1901-1916- Proclamation prohibiting Exportation of Silver Ingots or Bars, Sheet Silver or Granulated Silver. (Dated 23rd August, 1916.) Notification of Alterations in List of Persons in China and Siam to whom the Minister is prepared to approve of Exportation of Goods from the Commonwealth. (Dated 19th August, 1916.) 8608 special adjournment 8608 K0F Western Australia ALP Minister for Defence 1 0 PEARCE, George Senator PEARCE . - I move - That the Senate, at its rising, adjourn till 3 p.m. on Thursday next. I understand that it is expected that the Military Service Referendum Bill will pass in another place on Wednesday next, and I ask honorable senators to come on Thursday prepared to go right on with that Bill. They are aware of its purport and contents, and I hope I shall get the consent. of the Senate to the adoption of that course. 8609 JYX 0 0 FINDLEY, Edward Senator Findley - What does the honorable senator mean by going right on with the Bill? 8609 K0F 0 0 PEARCE, George Senator PEARCE - I meat that we should take the first and second readings stages on Thursday; in other words, that on that day we should go on with the second-reading debate. 8609 K5V 0 0 SHANNON, John Senator Shannon - Which will result in a late sitting. 8609 K0F 0 0 PEARCE, George Senator PEARCE - I hope that it will not be necessary to have a late sitting. Following the ordinary course it would be possible only to take the formal stage of the first reading of the Bill on Thursday, and I am therefore asking honorable senators to come prepared to go on with the second-reading debate on that day. If necessary, it may be extended to the following day. In view of the large amount of machinery to be provided in connexion with the Bill, and in view of the fact that we must have the authority of the Bill to put some of that machinery into operation, it is the desire of the Government to have the Bill passed next week, if possible. Question resolved in the affirmative. 8609 Questions 8609 8609 K1L 0 0 BARNES, John Senator BARNES asked the Minister for Defence, upon notice - What is the number of men who have offered themselves for military service and been rejected? What number have enlisted and afterwards been rejected as medically unfit? 8609 K0F ALP 1 0 PEARCE, George Senator PEARCE - This information is being prepared, and will be furnished as soon as possible. 8609 8609 KRZ 0 0 LYNCH, Patrick Senator LYNCH asked the Minister for Defence, upon notice - Whether any news concerning Irish affairs has been censored- If so, to what extent and for how long? 8609 K0F ALP 1 0 PEARCE, George Senator PEARCE - The answers are- News concerning Irish affairs has received the same censorship treatment as that of any other subject. Objectionable portions have been deleted in only a few cases in both inward and outward messages. Thewords deleted formed a very small part of the messages, and they were permanently held, as they contravened censorship regulations. 8609 8609 K1L 0 0 BARNES, John Senator BARNES asked the Minister for Defence, upon notice - Is he aware that the Censor has instructed country newspapers that they must not only observe regulations but must submit articles to him before printing? Will he take steps to alter the sending of matter to Melbourne, or appoint censors in the country? 8609 K0F ALP 1 0 PEARCE, George Senator PEARCE - The answers are - Such an instruction, extending to conscription only, was issued by the Melbourne Censor. I was not aware of this till yesterday, and its withdrawal was at once ordered. The Censor explains that he intended that this instruction should be read in conjunction with those previously issued by him, to the effect that only matter in respect of which editors were in doubt need be submitted. There was no authority from this office to issue the order. News is not submitted for censorship to Melbourne except when editors are desirous of obtaining the opinion of the Censor in regard to doubtful matter. 8609 leave of absence Motion (by Senator Pearce) agreed to- That leave of absence for the remainder of the present session be granted to Senator Lt.Colonel the Hon. J. V. O'Loghlin, on account of his performance of duties on active service. 8609 adjournment 8609 Motion (by Senator Pearce) pro posed - That the Senate do now adjourn. 8609 KMP New South Wales 0 0 GRANT, John Senator GRANT . - I think it would be a very great convenience to honorable senators if the Minister for Defence would make available copies of the instructions that have been issued to censors in order that everybody might see exactly where he stands in regard to those instructions. 8609 K0F Western Australia ALP Minister for Defence 1 0 PEARCE, George Senator PEARCE . - I have already informed honorable senators that they can see those instructions at any time. I take it that they are chiefly concerned with the instructions which have been issued to the censors in regard to the forthcoming referendum campaign. That being so, I will see that a copy of the instructions now in force is sent to each member of this Parliament. Question resolved in the affirmative. 8610 15:14:00 Senate adjourned at 3.14 p.m.