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Wednesday, 22 October 1919

Mr BURCHELL (Fremantle) (5:13 AM) - The honorable member for Franklin (Mr. Mcwilliams) put up arguments in one direction, and then seemed to be converted to the view that the Government were doing the right thing; but he returned to the charge again and again. The only question on which we could be in harmony is that of the smaller States. The honorable member referred to the personnel of the Board. Apparently the regulations circulated here early yesterday afternoon have not been read, otherwise the honorable member would know that no decision of the Board can have any force or effect until approved by the Controller of Shipping. The Controller of Shipping is the representative of the public. I am glad the Government are going to maintain their hold on Inter-State shipping. Having regard to the fact that the Adelaide Steam-ship Company has disposed of the Willochra, which, although it has not been trading on the coast, could have been used to replace the Warilda which was torpedoed, and that the Indarra is now flying the Orient Company's flag, it is necessary that the Government should continue their control in order to protect Australian interests.

Mr Watt - One of the largest companies on the Australian coast made application for permission to sell the whole of their fleet. The Government instantly refused the request.

Mr Mcwilliams - Half of the fleets in Australia have been sold.

Mr Watt - None of the vessels of which the Government have control have been allowed to be sold.

Mr BURCHELL - The regulations provide that the working expenses of the vessels shall be paid out of the revenue they earn, and that the net proceeds, if any, are to be paid into the general revenue fund. In regard to the general question of control there are some mer chants in Western Australia who object to the interference with their trade that has resulted from what they regard as the undue preference given to requisitions from the eastern coast over those from the west. I must confess that since my return to my public duties in Australia, and my association with Admiral Clark? son, the Shipping Controller, he has treated Western Australia fairly, and on an equality with other parts of the Commonwealth. Whilst, on the other hand, I have voiced the complaints of the Western Australian merchants, I wish also to place on record my personal experience of the Controller and his work.

The honorable member for Maribyrnong (Mr. Fenton) referred to the Shipping Conference and the gathering together throughout the world of the various shipping companies into huge Combines. A little time ago I read a newspaper statement showing the names of the companies that are banding together with the Inchcape, Ellerman, and Furness- Withy lines. Under the control of Lord Inchcape we find the British-India Steam Navigation Company, the Peninsular and Oriental Company, the Federal Company, the New Zealand Shipping Company, the Orient Company, the Union Steam-ship Company of New Zealand, and the Australasian United Steam Navigation Company. In the two last-named" companies, particularly, we see the thin end of the wedge of control of Australian shipping' from the other side of the world.

Mr Poynton - That Combine is controlling nearly 9,000,000 tons of shipping.

Mr Mcwilliams - It controls nearly the whole of the American and British ships.

Mr Boyd - And I think we can about burst up that Combine.

Mr BURCHELL - I hope we can, but it is a pretty big proposition for even the honorable member to tackle. With the evidence before us of the overseas control of ships trading on the Australian coast, honorable members would be exceedingly foolish if they agreed to the Government relaxing the existing control of Australian ships. The fact that the Australasian' United Steam Navigation Company is under Inchcape management, and that the Indarra is to-day flying the Orient Company's flag, which is also under the same control, is a fair indication of what may be expected if this measure does not receive the support of the House.

In regard to the Commonwealth line, and general policy of ship construction, I believe that the Government, will be compelled, because the present control must be lifted sooner or later - to engage in the Inter-State trade with their own steamers. However, that is a matter for the future, and need not concern us very much to-day.

The only other phase of the Bill with which I wish to deal is that relating to the control of mining. A short time ago I asked the honorable member for Grey (Mr. Poynton), as Acting Treasurer, a question regarding the control of capital for investment in mining ventures. The honorable gentleman assured me that the Government were not unduly interfering with the development of the mining industry. .1 acknowledge that reply, and ask the Government to give every reasonable facility for the investment of capital in mining enterprises, consistent with their obligation to control the introduction of foreign capital which hitherto came from enemy sources. I hope the Government, when dealing with applications for the flotation of mining companies, will give every possible consideration to the new discoveries, particularly those on the Hampton Plains.

Mr Poynton - I think that every application has been approved.

Mr BURCHELL - I give the Minister credit for that. I accept the past actions of the Government as an indication of what will be done in the future, and I merely ask them not to deviate from the policy they have already- laid down.

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