Senate
19 March 1941

16th Parliament · 1st Session



The President (Senator the Hon. J. B. Hayes) took the chair at 3 p.m., and read prayers.

page 100

WAR INDUSTRIES

Training of Technicians

SenatorAMOUR. - In view of the necessity to provide an uninterrupted flow of skilled tradesmen and technicians to Australia’s war industries, I ask the Minister representing the Treasurer if the Government will provide immediately financial assistance in order to increase the number of technical colleges in the Commonwealth ?

Senator McBRIDE:
Minister for Munitions · SOUTH AUSTRALIA · UAP

– The Government has, in fact, already assisted in the setting up of some colleges ; but the matter is still under consideration.

page 100

QUESTION

INCOME OF PENSIONERS

Senator AMOUR:
NEW SOUTH WALES

– In view of the increased cost of living occasioned by the general rise of prices of all commodities, I ask the Minister representing the Treasurer if the Government will consider raising the amount which pensioners are now allowed to earn to a figure commensurate with the present changed conditions ?

Senator McBRIDE:
UAP

– I shall bring the honorable senator’s suggestion before the Treasurer.

page 100

QUESTION

EASTERN GROUP SUPPLY COUNCIL

Senator AMOUR:

– Has the Leader of the Senate yet received a reply to the question which I asked last week regarding Mr. Lewis and his appointment to the staff of the Australian Delegation to Delhi?

Senator McLEAY:
Vice-President of the Executive Council · SOUTH AUSTRALIA · UAP

-On the 12th March, the honorable senator asked me, as Minister representing the AttorneyGeneral, a question relating to Mr. Lewis, who, the honorable senator stated, had gone to Delhi as secretary to the Commonwealth delegation under Sir Bertram Stevens. I have now received the following reply from the Attorney-General : -

In the first place, Mr. Lewis is not secretary to the Australian Delegation to Delhi. He is personal secretary to the leader of the delegation, and was appointed to that temporary office by the Commonwealth. His salary will be paid by the Commonwealth. The Investigation Branch has not been asked, nor has it made, at any time, any inquiry into Mr. Lewis’ affiliations. Even if such an inquiry had been made, the nature of the inquiry would not, in accordance with the established practice, be made public.

page 101

QUESTION

SALES TAX ON INSULIN

Senator KEANE:
VICTORIA

asked the Minister representing the Treasurer, upon notice -

Will he consider the removal of the 5 per cent. sales tax on insulin?

Senator McBRIDE:
UAP

– The Treasurer has supplied the following answer : -

This matter has been listed for consideration by the Parliamentary Committee which, it will be recalled, the Treasurer, on the occasion of the presentation of the budget, intimated would be set up to consider anomalies alleged to exist in the sales tax legislation. It is expected that the committee will be set up at an early date.

page 101

QUESTION

COMMONWEALTH GRANTS COMMISSION

Senator DARCEY:
TASMANIA

asked the Minister representing the Acting Prime Minister, upon notice -

What was the total amount received by the chairman and his colleagues on the Commonwealth Grants Commission during the year 1938-39 ?

Senator McLEAY:
UAP

– The Acting Prime Minister has supplied the following answer : -

The salary, fees and travelling allowances paid to each member of the Commonwealth Grants Commission during the financial year 1938-39 were as follows: -

page 101

QUESTION

GOLD TAX

Senator ARTHUR:
NEW SOUTH WALES

asked the Minister representing the Treasurer, upon notice -

  1. What is the amount the Commonwealth has received from the Gold Tax?
  2. Has all or part of this tax been allotted to any States?
  3. Ifso, what is the amount allotted to each State?
Senator McBRIDE:
UAP

– The Treasurer has supplied the following answers : -

  1. Gold tax received to 30th June, 1940, amounted to £1,214,621. For the eight months of this financial year to 28th February, 1941, gold tax has amounted to £1,026,059, making the total gold tax received by the Commonwealth £2,240,680. 2 and 3. No part of the gold tax has been allotted to any State. I would mention, however, that £.150,000 was paid out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund to the States in August last under the Gold Mining Encouragement Act.

page 101

QUESTION

APPLES

Supply - Dumping at Moore Park: Photograph in Sydney “Daily Telegraph “.

Senator COLLINGS:
QUEENSLAND

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Commerce, upon notice -

  1. Is it a fact that in Government institutions in Canberra it is impossible even to see good apples at any price?
  2. Is it a fact that in every Australian capital city apples are unprocurable at less than 2d. each, and that the New South Wales Government has ordered 10,000 cases of apples which the Director of Marketing admitshe is unable to supply?
  3. If so, can the Minister inform the Senate just where the reported immense over-supply of apples, causing a serious glut in the market, is located?
Senator McBRIDE:
UAP

– The Minister for Commerce has supplied the following answers : -

  1. The Department of the Interior provides regular supplies of fresh apples of good quality to all government boardingestablishments , in Canberra.
  2. No. Apples are procurable in every Australian capital city at less than 2d. each. The Apple and Pear Board has arranged to provide fruit free of charge to the New South Wales Government for distribution to charitable institutions, hospitals, &c. Supplies of fruit to be provided under this scheme are being made available by the board according to requirements.
  3. The over-supply of apples resulting from the cessation of exports will be located mainly in the States of Tasmania and Western Australia and to a less extent in Victoria and South Australia.
Senator BROWN:
QUEENSLAND

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Commerce, upon notice -

  1. Has his notice been drawn to an illustration in the Sydney Daily Telegraph (11th March) of cases of apples being dumped at Moore Park?
  2. Instead of dumping such apples, would he take steps to distribute them among the troops or to people who are too poor to buy them ?
Senator McBRIDE:

– The Minister for Commerce has supplied the following answers : -

  1. The notice of the Minister for Commerce has been drawn to an illustration in the newspaper mentioned. The illustration and the words accompanying it conveyed the impression that there was at Moore Park a huge dump of apples and that a lorry load of apples was being tipped into the dump. Knowing that, up to the present, only relatively small quantities of apples and pears have come on to the Sydney market, and those of high quality, the Apple and Pear Marketing Board was instructed to investigate the matter. It was found that the load shown in the picture contained an extremely small percentage of apples and, also, that very small quantities indeed of apples have been token from the markets to the dump at Moore Park. Apples rejected for fruit fly and codlin mothare destroyed by boiling at the Municipal Destructor.
  2. Steps have already been taken to arrange for supplies of apples for the Defence Forces. Substantial quantities of fruit are being donated by the Apple and Pear Marketing Board for distribution to charitable organizations.

page 102

QUESTION

DEFENCE FORCES

Allowances to Members of Parliament

Senator LAMP:
TASMANIA

asked the Minister representing the Minister for the Army, upon notice -

When will the Minister be in a position to supply the Senate with an answer to the question asked by Senator Lamp on 11th December last with regard to members of Parliament serving in the Forces?

Senator FOLL:
Minister for the Interior · QUEENSLAND · UAP

– The Acting Minister for Defence Co-ordination has advised me that a letter containing the information sought by the honorable senator has been despatched to him.

page 102

QUESTION

GRANTS TO THE STATES

Senator LAMP:

asked the Minister representing the Treasurer, upon notice -

What are the amounts of the grants by the Commonwealth to the various States for all purposes (excepting those recommended by the Commonwealth Grants Commission)?

Senator McBRIDE:
UAP

– The Treasurer has supplied the following answer : -

The estimated expenditure for 1940-41 for grants by the Commonwealth to the various States is as under: -

The above figures include £1,000,000 for drought relief and other grants for relief of primary producers, but do not include special grants to South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania, as recommended by the Commonwealth Grants Commission. In addition, £750,000 has been provided from revenue for assistance to the apple and pear industry, but as the Apple and Pear Acquisition Scheme is on a Commonwealth-wide basis allocation of this amount amongst States is not practicable.

page 102

QUESTION

CANBERRA

Additional Office Accommodation

Senator COOPER:
QUEENSLAND

asked the Minister for the Interior, upon notice -

  1. Is it a fact that £80,000 is to be spent on two temporary secretariat buildings in Canberra ?
  2. If so, was consideration given to building a portion of the main secretariat building, the foundations of which have been completed for some time past?
  3. Was any advice tendered to the Government in regard to this matter ?
  4. If so, what was the nature of the advice?
Senator FOLL:
UAP

– The matters mentioned by the honorable senator are now being investigated by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works.

page 103

QUESTION

SOLDIERS’ PARES

Senator AYLETT:
TASMANIA

asked the Minister representing the Minister for the Army, upon notice -

Has anything yet been done to reduce the fares of soldiers travelling between the mainland and Tasmania when on leave? If not, is anything likely to be done, and if so, when?

Senator FOLL:
UAP

– The Minister for the Army has . supplied the following answer: -

A 15 per cent, reduction in fare is allowed by the shipping company to members of the forces travelling between the mainland and Tasmania when on leave.

Senator AYLETT:

asked the Minister representing the Minister for the Army, upon notice -

  1. Have any arrangements been made for service men from Flinders Island to travel by aeroplane when on leave from camp to enable them to visit their homes?
  2. If so, lias travel free of cost, or any substantial reduction in the present fare, been made available to them?
  3. If not, why not?
Senator FOLL:

– The Minister for the Army has supplied the following answers : -

  1. Free travel by air is arranged for service men of Flinders Island when proceeding to their homes on p re-embarkation leave if surface transport is unsuitable. 2 and 3. Travelling to Flinders Island on ordinary leave is not free. The Air Lines make a reduction of 10 per cent, on production nf a leave pass.

page 103

QUESTION

POTATO PRICES

Senator LAMP:

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Trade and Customs, upon notice -

  1. Was the price of potatoes fixed last year by the Prices Commissioner, or by agreement with the Potato Board, representing tingrowers 7
  2. What was the price fixed?
  3. Will the Government use the same machinery to fix a minimum price this year?
Senator LECKIE:
Minister without portfolio assisting the Minister for Trade and Customs · VICTORIA · UAP

– The Minister for Trade and Customs has supplied the following answers : -

  1. The maximum prices of potatoes in New South Wales and Queensland were fixed by the Prices Commissioner on 22nd November, 1940.
  2. Such prices were specified in Prices Regulation Order No. 274.
  3. The question of the necessity for fixing minimum prices of potatoes is receiving consideration.

page 103

QUESTION

TRANSPORT OF SAILORS

Senator CLOTHIER:
WESTERN AUSTRALIA

asked the Minister representing the Minister for the Navy, upon notice- ^

  1. Will the- Minister give consideration to making better provision for the transport of sailors from State to State?
  2. Is it a fact that on 9th January sailors leaving Western Australia to go to their ship (H.M.A.S. Hobart) had no food, and arrangements had to be made to pick up supplies on the way across?
  3. Is it a fact that many of these men had to sleep on the floor?
  4. Will lie see that in future when sailors have to report for duty better conditions are arranged for them on trains?
Senator FOLL:
UAP

– The Minister for the Navy has supplied the following answers : -

  1. The matter will be fully investigated. 2 and 3. The facts as reported to the Minister are that a large party of rating? wished to travel on leave from Perth ti> eastern States. There was congestion on tinrailways and the department could accept them only on condition that they would not require meals from the (lining car, and that they would travel sitting up. Sufficient food for tinjourney was provided by the Naval authorities, but unfortunately at Kalgoorlie the party had to travel in separate divisions of the train, and all the food remained in one division. Some food was eventually provided from the dining car, and some stores obtained en route. The incident is greatly to be regretted and as stated a searching inquiry will be instituted forthwith.
  2. Yes.

page 103

QUESTION

WYNYARD AERODROME

Senator AYLETT:

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Air, upon notice -

Will the Minister reconsider the matter of a further grant for the development of the Wynyard aerodrome?

Senator FOLL:
UAP

– The Minister for Air has supplied the following answer: -

Certain improvements of the Wynyard aerodrome are at present being carried out. The Commonwealth has recently provided funds for the acquisition of additional land on the west of the aerodrome, and the State authorities have made £3,000 available from Loan Funds for the preparation of this additional land and the improvement of the exist-in?: landing ground.

When this work is completed, the aerodrome will be considerably improved and landing dimensions increased.

For Commonwealth purposes no addition r, improvements are considered to be justified under present conditions, and the Commonwealth does not propose to make a.ny further funds available.

page 104

AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING COMMISSION BILL 1941

Motion (by Senator McLeay) agreed to-

That leave be given to introduce a bill for an act to amend the Australian Broadcasting Commission Act 1932-1940.

Bill brought up, and read a first time.

Standing and Sessional Orders suspended.

Second Reading

Senator McLEAY:
Postmaster-General · South Australia · UAP

– I move-

That the bill be now read a second time.

This bill proposes to make several important changes in the constitution and organization of the Australian Broadcasting Commission. The amendments to the act relate to the personnel of the commission, the employment of officers and servants, the powers and functions of the commission, and technical services. Before outlining the reasons for the proposed amendments, I shall, for the information of honorable senators, trace the operations of the commission since its inception. The Australian Broadcasting Commission was established under the provisions of the Australian Broadcasting Commission Act of May, 1932. In order to assess the measure of success achieved by the commission or of the system set up by the act, it is necessary to study the mandate given by Parliament to the commission. The commission was directed to provide and broadcast “ adequate and comprehensive programmes”and”to take in the interests of the community all such measures as, in the opinion of the commission, are conducive to the full development of suitable programmes “. It was also directed to encourage local talent, and to establish orchestras, choirs and bands in such manner as it thought desirable, but in such a way as to confer the greatest benefit on broadcasting. It was empowered, at its discretion, to issue papers, pamphlets, books, &c.,andto collect news.

The act, as the quotations made demonstrate, was to provide a public service to be rendered by a comparatively independent commission. Members of Parliament stressed this idealistic aim throughout the debate on the bill in 1932.

One characteristic statement was that of the present Attorney-General (Mr. Hughes) who said -

The commission should be composed of men possessing qualities which will ensure that broadcasting will be used for not only the entertainment, but also the education of the people. It will have a potent influence on speech. That is most desirable, because slipshod speech connotes slipshod thinking: It will educate the people to an appreciation of the higher classes of music, and instruct them in literary, scientific and general knowledge. It will lend itself to the advancement of industry by disseminating far and wide those processes which from time to time science and expert knowledge are placing at the disposal of our producers. We want a national orchestra in Australia. It will have a direct and powerful influence on the character and spiritual life of our people. We want to encourage native-born talent in drama and music, both vocal and instrumental.

The late Mr. W. A. Holman said-

The proposed commission is not to prepare a balance-sheet which is to be measured in pounds, shillings and pence. No doubt it will be expected to make broadcasting pay . . . but not by appealing to the most ignorant prejudices of the community and prostituting this new and extraordinarily scientific service to the baser instinct of the poorest, intellectually, of our community . . . This is an opportunity to revitalize the spiritual and intellectual life of the nation … It is not an organization for selling sausages, but for the sale of ideas and the giving of inspiration.

Let us see how far these aims have been realized. First, on the practical side, it is interesting to note that during the debate on the bill in 1932, members expressed the hope that some day the number of licences would be doubled. Actually they have ‘been more than trebled since the commission was appointed. In 1932 the total number of licences was 369,936; and according to the latest available return the number to-day is 1 ,268,130. The growth in the magnitude of the commission’s task is illustrated by the fact that in 1932 there were twelve national stations on the air, broadcasting for a total of about 50,000 hours, and by 1940 there were28 stations broadcasting for a total of 150,000 hours.

The commission’s activities extend over all States of the Commonwealth and, through the medium of shortwave broadcasting, to a number of countries overseas. Every possible type of human interest capable of communication by broadcasting has been provided in the programmes. The variety of this work may be seen by a glance at the following programme analysis given in the commission’s annual report: -

Music of all kinds, serious and light; orchestral, instrumental, vocal, operatic, community singing, dance music, and so on, play productions, including drama, comedy, children’s plays, dramatized stories and talks, musical comedy, variety, revues, spoken transmissions over a wide range; general talks, stories for adults and children, talks on social problems, technical matters, science and arts, book reviews, women’s and children’s sessions, political talks, running descriptions, and talks about sport, news bulletins and commentaries, and essential services, especially for men on the land, such as weather and market reports, and religious broadcasts.

A brief reference to the principal departments of the commission will give some idea of the development which has taken place : -

When the commission was appointed in 1932 there were no full-time orchestras in Australia. The .Sydney studios had a small band of thirteen players and Melbourne fourteen, but there was no opportunity for Australian musicians to obtain regular experience in orchestral playing. Since then the commission has established a full-time orchestra, in each State. Other permanent units include a military band, two dance bands, and two choruses. The number of players in full-time employment is now more than 2S0; 66 others are under regular engagement, and, in addition, about ISO more are engaged frequently to augment the orchestras during’ the celebrity concert season of seven lo eight months each .year. The commission is the only organization able to give employment to resident musicians on such a scale, and in anything but a casual way. The commission also arranges individual engagements for a large number of Australian artists every year. In the year ended the 30th June, 1940, the number of engagements was 10,230, and the great majority of these were given to Australians. The fees paid in that period to overseas artists, including British, were £26,810, whilst the fees paid to Australian artists were £279,580. The commission has organized many studio and concert tours that provide valuable experience, particularly for young artists, and has brought back to this country for concert and studio engagements a number of Australian artists who have won distinc tion abroad. Auditions are held regularly in all States for all who seek engagements, and out of regard to listeners, a reasonably high standard is demanded. Artists who, although falling short of this standard at the first audition, show promise of better work, are encouraged to present themselves again at a later, date.

As part of its development work, the. commission believes that it has a responsibility to bring to Australia a reasonable number of outstanding overseas artists, and in this view it has the support of responsible Australian musical bodies and the leaders of the various conservatoria. These visits give Australian audiences an opportunity to hear in person some of the world’s greatest artists while they are in their prime. Even more important is the valuable stimulus to Australian music and the opportunity given to Australian musicians to work and study under conductors who are acknowledged leaders in the world of music. The commission has not, however, overlooked the need to maintain a proper balance between the number of overseas and local artists. Thus, in the five years 1936-40, approximately four-fifths of the studio and concert tours organized by the commission were arranged for resident artists and Australians returning from abroad. It should also be mentioned that the fees paid to non-British .artists during the year ended the 30th June, 1940, when’ offset by concert revenue, were less than 1 per cent, of the commission’s licence revenue.

An important feature of the commission’s work has been the organization, in addition to the celebrity orchestral concert season, of young people’s concerts, at which no charge is made, and of community symphony concerts in the suburbsof the capital cities, at which all seats are available at prices ranging from ls.; to 2s. The young people’s concerts havé been particularly’ successful. Last year 26 such concerts were held, the total attendance being about 50,000 boys and girls from ‘both State and private schools.’ The commission has been active in assisting Australian composers by arranging performances of their works and by bringing them to the notice of visiting celebrity artists from’ abroad. Other ways in which it contributed to the: development of Australian musical life have included co-operation with established musical bodies, assistance to musical competitions, and the arrangement of broadcasts for successful performers at the larger competitions.

When the commission started in .1932, the presentation of plays was in an immature stage. There was no organized attempt to secure plays specially suited for broadcasting, to educate playwriters for radio work, or to train players and producers. Only three States had production staffs. Many productions were in charge of announcers or part-time amateur producers. The commission set up a productions department to put this important work on a proper national basis. Special staffs were secured or trained, and organized efforts were made to secure suitable material and to train players. Higher fees were paid to encourage playwrights and to raise the standard. Radio play competitions were held. A play-reading and advising department was created to search for and develop talent by advice and otherwise. The result of this policy has not only been to bring about a great improvement in the standard of play-writing and production, but has led to a remarkable development of Australian talent. Some idea of the work involved may be had from the following figures: - Last year 750 locally written plays of all kinds were submitted. These were carefully read ; 190 were purchased, and advice was given to authors of the remainder to help them to remedy defects in .their work. Some idea of the work involved in production may be had from the fact that more than 900 plays, including serious, light and musical plays, revues, arid sketches, were put on last year. The. number of engagements given to players in these productions totalled over 8,000.

Talks cover an almost unlimited range of subjects and probably embrace every interest in the community. They cater for men, women and children, for city and country people; they deal with science, social and economic problems, art, national and international affairs, politics, books, and sport. In a great many cases they touch on controversial topics, and it is natural, therefore, that from time to time they draw protests from listeners who differ sharply from the views expressed. The commission has, however, always stressed the point that the views expressed are those of the speakers and not those of the commission ; that the discussion of controversial subjects, provided varying points of view are put by authoritative speakers, is a stimulus to thought, and an essential and valuable element in democratic communities. Indeed, this attitude towards freedom of discussion of controversial questions is not only characteristic of democratic peoples all over the world, but is also one of the features which distinguish democracy most sharply from totalitarian States. Some years ago, the House of Commons, discussing the activities of the British Broadcasting Corporation, resolved -

That controversial matter is rightly not excluded from broadcast programmes, but that the Governors should ensure the effective expression of all important opinion relating thereto.

Later, a representative committee of inquiry into broadcasting in England reaffirmed and enlarged on this view in the following words : -

We think it important that controversial topics should continue to be discussed. If broadcasting is to present a reflection of its time, it must include matters which are in dispute. If it is to hold public interest, it must express living thought. If it is to educate public opinion, it must look upon the questions of the hour from many angles.

Last year more than 4,700 talks were broadcast. About 1,100 individual speakers were engaged to broadcast these talks. The number of talks gives some idea of the amount of work involved when one remembers the necessity for arranging for speakers and scrutinizing the scripts carefully to avoid offending against the canons of good taste or public policy. The number of speakers engaged ensures the expression of a wide variety of opinions. An important development in connexion with talks has been the organizing of listening groups throughout the country. This experiment, which is being first tried out in New South Wales, has turned out a great success. Some 70 groups have been established, embracing more than 700 people. The groups meet regularly to discuss the subjects raised in various series of taits which have been organized specially for them, although, of course, intended to interest other listeners also. The commission has encouraged Australian writers of stories both by the purchase of their works and by prize competitions. During last year 176 stories and 11 serial stories were purchased from Australian authors.

The increasing importance of news sessions has brought about almost a revolution in the scope and methods of presentation of news. Before 1936 nearly all the news sessions were State sessions, and many consisted of news read directly from a newspaper by an announcer. Since then the necessity for special writing for broadcasting has been increasingly recognized, and the news staffs have been strengthened and enlarged. The presentation of news has been improved and the sources of news have been extended. Up till 1936 the newspapers and the British official wireless service were the only sources of overseas news for Australian broadcasters. At the end of 1936 the commission arranged for a direct cable service from London to deal with events connected with the abdication of King Edward VIII. Results were successful and the next year direct cables on many happenings were received from a London representative. Later, a regular week-end cable service was arranged.

After the outbreak of war, a fulltime news representative was appointed in London, and the commission also secured a service from the Exchange Telegraph Agency. In April, 1940, the commissi on dispensed with the Australian Associated Press service which, up to then, had been its main source of overseas news, and purchased the right to rebroadcast any or all of the British Broadcasting Corporation’s bulletins in full. For this right; it agreed to be responsible for the payment to Australian Associated Press of £3000 per annum, half of which was t.o be contributed by the Australian Federation of Commercial Broadcasting Stations which were thereby entitled to rebroadcast the British Broadcasting Corporation’s news bulletins. It was then no longer handicapped by having to keep hack overseas news until it had appeared in ibr- newspapers. A cable service from

Kew York improved still further the news service to Australian listeners.

The bulk of the Australian news is still taken from newspapers, but is now rewritten in a form suitable for broadcasting. An important addition to the service was the appointment early in 1939 of a federal roundsman with head-quarters at: Canberra. On Sunday afternoons, when’no newspapers are issued,- the commission’s staff in each State collects Australian news for the evening sessions. It may be of interest, as indicating thework involved, to note that last year over 11,000 ‘bulletins, overseas and Australian, * were compiled by the commission’s staff for broadcasting. News commentaries, of course, are the background of the news. These demand in the commentators a high degree of knowledge and experience.5 Last year over 500 locally-compiled news commentaries were broadcast, the number of individual commentators totalling about 40.

Before the commission was appointed in 1932, there were no broadcast services for school children, except for some experimental work done for a few. months in Victoria. The commission appointed special ‘ school broadcasts officers in most States, and was fortunate,! eventually, in securing the fullest cooperation from the State and private educational bodies throughout Australia.As a result this important branch of its’ work has developed greatly. Last yearthe number of schools at “which scholarsregularly listened totalled 1,900, and it is estimated that -the number of children- listening to the schoolsbroadcasts was about 100,000. Subjects selected are those in the school curriculum which lend themselves tobroadcast treatment. In addition, however, to the ordinary subjects, broadcasts of national series, such as “Health and: Hygiene “, “ The World We Live In “, and “ Musical Appreciation “ bring the voices of doctors, commentators on inter-‘ national affairs, and musicians, to the’ schoolroom. Plays are put on from the studio by first-class artists to illustratehistory and make it live in the minds pf the students. The commission also met another great need, namely, that of children in the outback who were unable toattend ordinary schools, and were dependent on correspondence instruction.

There are now approximately 4,000 such children listening to the school broadcasts. The commission has also pioneered another important development in school broadcasting, namely, audiovisual education. By arrangement with the school authorities, lantern-slides or films are shown, simultaneously with the talks, as illustrations. Reference has already been made to the valuable eductional work done among children through the medium of the orchestral concerts for young people in the capital cities.

For some years the commission has been giving its own shortwave broadcasts. During 1939-40 Station VLR in Victoria transmitted, on an average, for fifteen hours daily, and from the 16th December, 1939, when it came into operation, Station VLW in Western Australia transmitted, on an average, for thirteen hours daily. These broadcasts are given primarily for the benefit of listeners in remote parts of Australia, but they are. also heard regularly in New Guinea and some Pacific islands, and reception reports have come in from all parts of the world. Station VLW was brought into operation last December to serve, particularly, the north-west of Western Australia, the Northern Territory, Northern Queensland and the islands north of Australia within this arc. Its programmes are . based on the Western Australian State programmes and national news sessions. Reception reports have been generally good.

At the request of the Commonwealth Department of Information, the commission arranged in December, 1939, to broadcast short-wave programmes to certain overseas countries. This called for additional accommodation, extensive alteration to premises already occupied, and the engagement of a staff of translators, broadcasters, and assistants with the necessary language qualifications. The new service was opened on the 20th December, 1939, by the Prime Minister (Mr. Menzies). The transmissions were in English, French, German, Dutch, and Spanish. In April, 1940, a translation in English and Afrikaans directed to South Africa began from the Perth studios. Soon afterwards Italian broadcasts were introduced. Later the Spanish broadcasts to South America were discontinued, and some alterations were made in the times of the European transmissions. Each programme consists of a news bulletin, a talk, and music. The programmes vary from half an hour to an hour and a half in length. The Department of Information supplies the news and the talk, the commission the translations and music. The transmitters used are VLR and VLW, owned by the Postmaster-General’s Department, and VLQ, owned by Amalgamated Wireless (Australasia) Limited. According to reports, reception has, on the whole, been excellent, and many letters commenting on the broadcasts have come from listeners overseas, particularly from those in North America.

In addition to the special departments mentioned, the commission provides a wide range of services, such as religious broadcasts, women’s and children’s sessions, sport sessions, descriptive broadcasts, and recordings.

The bill before the Senate provides for an increase of the number of members of the commission. The commission now consists of five members, and this number will be increased to seven. The question of a broader representation of interests on the commission has been the subject of much consideration, and it is thought that the amendment now suggested will provide an opportunity to extend the sphere of interests of the commission. The term of appointment of the present members of the commission expires on the 30th June, 1941, and, in suggesting that the number of members be increased from five to seven, it is proposed that the appointments should take effect as from the 1st July, 1941. It is desirable that some degree of continuity of policy be maintained in such a body, and for that reason it is thought that the term of appointment of all the commissioners should not expire at the same time. The commissioners should, therefore, be appointed for differing periods. It is proposed that the commission shall consist of -

  1. A chairman, who shall be appointed for a period of three years, with eligibility for re-appointment for further periods not exceeding three years.
  2. A vice-chairman, who shall be appointed for a period of three years, with eligibility for reappointment for further periods not exceeding three years. (c)Five commissioners, who shall retire in rotation - two at the end of the first year, two at the end of the second year, and one at the end of the third year; each one upon the expiration of the term for which he was appointed to be eligible for reappointment for a period not exceeding three years.

It is also proposed to modify the existing powers of the commission in relation to the appointment of officers. Section 15 of the Australian Broadcasting Commission Act provides that officers and servants appointed by the commission shall not be subject to the provisions of the Commonwealth Public Service Act, but shall be subject to such conditions, including tenure of office, as are determined by the commission. The employees of the commission, broadly, fall within two main categories - first, those whose employment is of a permanent character, and whose duties are of an executive or administrative nature, and, secondly, those whose duties are of a purely professional character. Naturally those within the second category are mostly part-time employees who are engaged mainly for programme purposes.

During the early stages of the establishment of a semi-governmental activity such as the Australian Broadcasting Commission, there were, perhaps, many advantages in permitting those charged with the inauguration and ultimate establishment of the national broadcasting service complete freedom in the selection of employees and the determination of conditions of employment. Now, however, that the commission has been operating for over eight years, and its organization has been firmly established and some degree of permanency can bo foreseen in its method of operation, much can be said in support of the view that conditions governing the selection and employment of permanent staff should conform to those prescribed by the Commonwealth Public Service Act, either by bringing that section of the staff under that act or by having appropriate regulations issued under the Australian Broadcasting

Commission Act. Clause 10 of the bill provides that officers and servants appointed by the commission shall be subject to such conditions “ as are prescribed “ instead of, as at the present, “ as are determined by the commission “. In other words, section 15, as amended, will enable regulations to be made to prescribe the conditions of employment of the officers of the commission. At present, officers of the Repatriation Commission and of the War Service Homes Commission are employed in accordance with regulations made under the acts under which those commissions are constituted. The appointment and tenure of office of officers of the Commonwealth Council for Scientific and Industrial Research are similarly governed by regulations.

Section 16 of the principal act refers to the functions of the commission. Clause 11 of the bill defines more clearly the respective responsibilities of the commission and the Postal Department in the carrying out of the provisions of the act. It also provides the necessary authority for holding public entertainments by the commission. This amendment has resulted from the doubt raised from time to time as to the legality of public entertainments held by the commission. Legal proceedings were instituted against the commission at one stage in order to prevent the commission from holding public entertainments, but the action did not reach court.

I now propose to comment briefly on the technical services associated with the national broadcasting system. As honorable senators are aware, these services are provided by the Postal Department. From time to time, however, certain criticism has been raised respecting this aspect of broadcasting, and at times some resentment has been expressed that the Postal Department should be permitted to take any part in the actual technical work of broadcasting. In order to appreciate the degree to which the Postal Department’s organization and itsplant are bound up with broadcasting, it is necessary to bear in mind that Commonwealth territory covers nearly 3,000,000 square miles, with a widely-scattered population outside the capital cities. The Postal Department hasstablished telephone facilities throughout the whole of the settled portions of Australia and has trained technical staffs located in almost every town and village. It is in a position, therefore, to perform the technical services associated with broadcasting in an efficient manner and with a minimum of expenditure. More important still, it is able to make such services available at all hours of the day and night at very short notice. The provision of the technical services associated with broadfasting is so closely interwoven with the activities of the Postal Department that it * the only authority adequately equipped to undertake this service. Any other arrangement would obviously lead to duplication of plant and personnel, and would involve enormous expenditure of time and money. In these circumstances, the Government does not propose to make any change in the responsibility for the provision of the technical services required.

It was the intention in the original actthat the Postal Department should provide all technical services in the studios at the cost of that department. Since the commencement of the act, however, many advancements have been made in technical science, and, consequently, the provisions of section 46 and 47 of the act do not define precisely the position of the Postal Department and the commission in this connexion. Provision is therefore being made in the bill to cover that and other minor points concerned with the technical services.

Clause 17 of the bill provides that “ the Governor-General may, if he is satisfied that it is necessary in the public interest so to do, by notice in writing, direct the commission to refrain from taking any action in the exercise of any of its powers conferred by this act “. It is recognized that there are many advantages in allowing the commission to exercise the widest possible powers ; but in the light, of experience it is considered that occasions may arise when the Government may find it essential to direct the commission in some particular sphere of the commission’s activity. It is desired that the commission shall continue to lay down its own policy, and that it shall be free from the control of the Minister

Sena lor McLean. in the conduct of the normal business of the commission. This clause has been framed with the intention that the commission shall act under the powers conferred on it by the act, and shall be subject to restraint only when any of the actions of the commission are considered to be at variance with national or imperial policy or in conflict with public interest.

Honorable senators will admit thatduring the past nine years enormous development has taken place, and that, despite whatever mistakes may have been made, the Australian Broadcasting Commission has never allowed party politics to influencee its deliberations. I hope, therefore, that, in view of its great national and international importance, broadcasting will never become the plaything of party politics. I commend the -bill to the favorable consideration of honorable senators.

Debate (on motion by Senator COLLINGS) adjourned.

page 110

AID TO DEMOCRACIES ACT : PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT’S SPEECH

Ministerial Statement

Senator McLEAY:
Postmaster-General · South Australia · UAP

by leave - read a copy of the ministerial statement delivered in the House of Representatives by the Acting Prime Minister (Mr. Fadden) (vide page 118).

page 110

AUSTRALIAN ADVISORY WAR COUNCIL

Senator McLEAY:
South AustraliaPostmasterGeneral · UAP

by leave - I desire to inform the Senate that on Friday last, the 14th March, the honorable member for Barton, Mr. H. V. Evatt, K.C., was sworn in as a member of the Australian Advisory War Council. The representatives of the Opposition on the council are now as follows: - Mr. John Curtin, M.P., the Hon. F. M. Forde, M.P., Mr. H. V. Evatt, K.C., M.P., Mr. N. J. 0. Makin, M.P.. and the Hon. J. A. Beasley M.P.

page 110

SPECIAL ADJOURNMENT

Motion (by Senator McLeay) agreed to-

That tin: Senate, at its rising, adjourn till Wednesday next at 3 p.m.

page 111

ADJOURNMENT

Soldiers’ Fares

Motion (by Senator McLeay) proposed -

That the Senate do now adjourn.

Senator AYLETT:
Tasmania

.- The answer that I was given to-day to a question about the fares charged soldiers travelling between Tasmania and the mainland was a deliberate attempt to evade the question.

The PRESIDENT (Senator the Hon. J. B. Hayes). - Order! The honorable senator must not accuse a Minister of deliberate evasion.

Senator AYLETT:

– I withdraw the word “ deliberate “, and say that the Minister for the Army (Mr. Spender), whose answer was transmitted to me through the Minister for the Interior (Senator Foll), entirely misunderstood my question. In the recess I made representations to the Minister for the Army, the Minister for the Navy (Mr. Hughes) and the Minister for Air (Mr. McEwen) for more equitable fares for soldiers, sailors and air force men crossing Bass Strait on leave. My representations were acknowledged, and it was stated that the Ministers concerned would confer in order to ascertain what could be done to meet my requests, but it would appear from the answer that was supplied to me to-day that nothing has yet been done. The position to-day is that members of the forces, Tasmanians encamped in other States and men from other States encamped in Tasmania, are discriminated against in comparison with those on the mainland who are encamped in mainland States other than their home States.Whereas the men who have to cross to Tasmania when going home on leave have to pay full fare, less 10 per cent. by air and less 15 per cent. by sea, men who go home on leave on the mainland are given concessions of much greater value. Moreover, a Tasmanian training at Duntroon has to pay 14s.10d. return fare to Melbourne in addition to the fare across Bass Strait, whereas a Victorian training at Duntroon is charged only 5s. return between Canberra and his home town. The men in the forces are equally imbued with the desire to fight for democracy and the preservation of this country and they should all, therefore, receive equal treatment. No member of the forces should be placed at a disadvantage in respect of fares merely because of geographical considerations. Discrimination, bad in any circumstances, becomes worse when one man is enabled to go on leave from a camp in Victoria to his home in New South Wales for 5s. return, whereas a Victorian who crosses Bass Strait on leave from a camp in Tasmania is compelled to pay a minimum of £3 10s. 3d. return. About 180 Victorians, in camp in Tasmania for a few months, had to pay £3 10s. 3d. each when they first went home on leave. On the second occasion, because there were insufficient secondclass berths on the boat, some had to go first class and some second class. The cost of their passages was pooled and the fares averaged £4 3s. a head. In the few months in which those men were in Tasmania they paid about £1,300 in fares to the shipping company to enable them to see their families in Victoria. A good many of them were married men. Honorable senators will readily imagine the inroads that their fares would make into the small amount of money that would be available from their small wage on which many have to maintain homes.

Senator Keane:

-Why not carry them free?

Senator AYLETT:

– I have made that suggestion to the Government, and I. shall make it again before I conclude. Another aspect of this matter concerns soldiers from the mainland serving on certain islands. These men obtain leave for the same period as other members of the military forces, but, owing to the limited time available, and because of the infrequent boat services operating between these islands and the mainland, it is absolutely impossible for them to return from leave within the specified time. As a result, they are liable to punishment for being absent without leave. I have placed this matter before the Government, and have asked that the aeroplane services be made available to them. The council clerk at Flinders Island has written to me saying very definitely that the men are told that they cannot travel by air and must use the boat service. In reply to a question which I asked in this chamber, I was informed that the men could travel by air, but that is not so. I do not know of any reason why they should not be granted passages by aeroplane, either free, or at rates equivalent to those applying to soldiers travelling interstate on the mainland. Why should there be discrimination against them merely because they are Tasmanians and live in an isolated portion of the Commonwealth? Surely there should be equality among all men who are serving their country. They are prepared, if necessary, to give their lives in the defence of this country, and the least that any democratic government can do is to place them all on the same basis.

Senator Collett:

– How often do they get leave?

Senator AYLETT:

– I am not concerned about that. They are just as much entitled as are any other soldiers, sailors, or airmen, to visit their homes and to see their loved ones as frequently as possible.

Senator Collett:

– I merely asked how often they obtain leave.

Senator AYLETT:

– That does not affect the case that I am putting to the Senate.

Senator Collett:

– It is half the case.

Senator AYLETT:

– They may, for instance, allow their monthly leave to accumulate in order to go home, say, every three months. It is not fair that they should be required to pay up to ten times as much as is paid by other soldiers to reach their homes, merely because they are stationed in remote parts of the Commonwealth. That is something that should not be tolerated by a democratic government.

Senator Collett:

– Does the Tasmanian Government carry them free?

Senator AYLETT:

– The Government of Tasmania has made a greater contribution to the transport of the soldiers than this Government has ever made.

Senator Collett:

– Does the Government of Tasmania carry them free?

Senator AYLETT:

– I am asking if the Commonwealth Government intends to carry them free? Representations which I have made on this matter have been evaded.

Senator Collett:

– To what Minister is the honorable senator referring?

Senator AYLETT:

– I am referring to the Minister for the Navy, the Minister for the Army, the Minister for Air, and the Ministers representing those Ministers in this chamber. To-day I asked a question on this matter and the Minister (Senator Collett) knew perfectly well the import of my question. It read -

Has anything yet been done to reduce the fares of soldiers travelling between the mainland and Tasmania when on leave? If not. is anything likely to be done, and if so, when?

The answer given by the Ministerrepresenting the Minister for the Army read -

A fifteen percent. reduction in fare is allowed by a shipping company to members of the forces travelling between the mainland and Tasmania when on leave.

The 15 per cent. reduction has always been allowed. I want to know if the Minister will approach the shipping companies with a view to obtaining a further reduction, and also will he consider granting free transport, to which the sailors, soldiers, and airmen are justly entitled.

When a soldier enlists for service in the defence of his country and is prepared, if necessary, to give his life for. the preservation of democracy, surely he is entitled to some consideration. Quite apart from his final leave, he should be able to visit his home as frequently as possible. When the180 Victorians in Tasmania objected to paying their fares at Christmas time, and trouble seemed likely to develop in the camp, the Government said that it would grant them a free fare home, but it would be regarded as their final leave. Under those conditions, should a soldier be in camp for a further four or five months, he would have to pay his own fare home. I am aware that soldiers are provided with their fares home when they go on final leave. These boys are prepared to give their lives in the defence of this country, and when they areon leave surely they are entitled to free rail transport such as is available to members of Parliament.

Senator McLEAY:
Postmaster-General · South Australia · UAP

in reply - The suggestions made by Senator Aylett will be considered by the Government.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

page 113

PAPERS

The following papers were pre sented : -

Northern Territory - Report on Administration ofthe Northern Territory, for year 1930-40.

Australian Broadcasting Commission Act - Eighth Annual Report and Balance-sheet of the Australian Broadcasting Commission, for year 1939-40.

Commonwealth Public Service Act - Appointment - Department of Commerce - G.E. Fewster.

Customs Act - Proclamations prohibiting the exportation (except under certain conditions) of -

Fish Livers (dated 12th March, 1941).

Worsted Woollen or knitted goods or any other goods made wholly or partly from wool (dated 11th March, 1941).

Medical Research Endowment Act - Report by National Health and Medical Research Council on work done under the Act during the year 1940.

National Security Act - National Security (General ) Regulations - Orders -

Prohibiting work on Land.

Protected area.

Taking possession of Land, &c. (98).

Use of Land (19).

Senate adjourned at 4.16 p.m.

Cite as: Australia, Senate, Debates, 19 March 1941, viewed 22 October 2017, <http://historichansard.net/senate/1941/19410319_senate_16_166/>.