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COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA,

6L

No. 21.

JOURNALS OF THE SENATE.

WEDNESDAY, 5tii MAY, 1920.

I. M kkting of Sbnatk. —The Senate met at three p.m., pursuant to adjournment.

2 PRAYERS.

3. P a p k r s .— The Minister for Repatriation (Senator Millen) laid on the Table the following Papers, viz. :— By Command— Convention revising the General Act of Berlin, 26th February, 1865, and the General Act and Declaration of Brussels, 2nd July, 1890, signed at Saint-Germain-en-Laye, 10th

September, 1919.

Pursuant to Statute— Arbitration (Public Service) Act.—Orders of the Commonwealth Court of Conciliation and Arbitration, and other documents, in connexion with awards or variations of awards in the following cases :—

Arms Explosives and Munition Workers’ Federation of Australia—dated 30th March, 1920. Australian Commonwealth Post and Telegraph Association, and the Common wealth Postmasters’ Association—dated 9th April, 1920. Australian Commonwealth Post and Telegraph Officers’ Association—dated 9th

April, 1920. ’

Australian Commonwealth Public Service Clerical Association— dated 30th March, 1920 ; dated 9th April, 1920. Australian Letter Carriers’ Association—dated 9th April, 1920.

Australian Postal Electricians’ Union—- dated 1st March, 1920; dated 9th April, 1920. Australian Postal Linesmen’s Union—dated 9th April, 1920. Commonwealth General Division Telephone Officers’ Association—dated 9th April,

1920.

Commonwealth Public Service Artisans’ Association—dated 9th April, 1920. Commonwealth Public Service Clerical Association—dated 9th April, 1920 (two cases).

Commonwealth Temporary Clerks’ Association—dated 9th April, 1920. Federated Public Service Assistants’ Association of Australia—dated 9th April, 1920 (three cases). General Division Officers’ Union of the Trade and Customs Department of

Australia—dated 9th April, 1920. Line Inspectors’ Association-—Commonwealth -of .Australia—dated 9th April, 1920. -· Meat Inspectors’ Association—Commonwealth Public Service—dated 9th April, 1920. _ c' ·.■ · - - - l

Postal Sorters’ Union of Australia—dated 9th- April, 1920. .... . Arnlit·'Ait—-Regulations amended,—Statu tore-Rules.4930,· No. 57-—No·. 59. Lands Acquisition Act.- Land acquired at North Preston, .Victoria—

Papua.—Ordinance No. 1 of 1920.—Land. — Public Service Act.— Appointment of J. I. Connor, Department of Trade and Customs. P.251,

62 No. 21.—5th May, 1920.

4. Governor-General's M essage.—W ar Gratuity Bill.·—The following Message from His Excellency the Governor-General was presented, and the same was read by Mr. President:—- R. M. FERGUSON, Governor-General. Message No. 2.

A Bill intituled “ War Gratuity Act 1920,” as finally passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth, having been presented to the Governor·General for the Royal Assent, His Excellency has, in the name and on behalf of His Majesty, assented to the said Act.

Federal Government House, Melbourne, 30th April, 1920.

5. T he L ate Major-General B ridges.—The Minister for Repatriation (Senator Millen), by leave, made a statement to the Senate in reply to allegations that, but for the action of Mr. W. H. Kelly, the late Major-General Bridges would, just before the outbreak of the gi eat war, have been side-tracked to the north of Australia.

6. Question.—Question on notice answered.

7. The Great War—Vote of T hanks to the Sea, L and, and Air F orces, and the Voluntary W orkers of the Commonwealth and Others.—The Minister for De.encc vSenator Pearce), by leave, moved— That the thanks of the Senate be accorded to the officers, warrant officers, petty officers, and men of the Royal Australian Navy for their heroic services during four years of war in the guard­ ianship of Australia and her commerce from the attacks of a lawless foe, for their unceasing vigilance in the patrol of many seas, for their courage and skill in safely convoying their soldier comrades to the main theatres of operations, and for their efficient co-operation with the Grand Fleet of the Empire.

That the thanks of the Senate be accorded to the officers, warrant officers, non-commissioned officers, and men of the Australian Imperial Force for their unrivalled courage and efficiency, their cheerful endurance of unexampled hardships, and their magnificent achievements throughout four years of strenuous effort, with their comrades of the other portions of the British Empire, in upholding the cause of human liberty.

That the thanks of the Senate be accorded to the officers, non-commissioned officers, and men of the Australian Air Force for their brilliant, daring, and conspicuous services over sea and land. That the thanks of the Senate be accorded to the members of the Australian Army Medical Corps for the skilful discharge of their humane office, and for the unprecedented success which attended their unremitting labours to preserve the armed Forces of Australia from the ravages of disease.

That the thanks of the Senate be accorded to the women of the medical and other auxiliary services for their devotion in tending the sick and wounded and for other duties faithfully and bravely discharged. That the thanks of the Senate be accorded to the fathers, mothers, wives, and sisters of Australia’s sailors and soldiers, for their devotion, their service, and their sacrifices.

That the Senate records its deep appreciation of the efforts and gifts of the women, men, and children of Australia, for the mitigation of the hardships endured by sailors and soldiers, and for the alleviation of the sufferings of the sick and wounded. That the thanks of the Senate be also accorded to the men who enlisted for Home

Service, the Munition and War Workers, the Mercantile Marine, the Royal Naval Auxiliary Forces, and the Citizen Forces called up for Garrison Artillery Work. That the Senate acknowledges with deep reverence and submission the heroism of those who have fallen in the service of their country, and tenders its profound sympathy to their relatives in the hour of their sorrow and their pride.

That the foregoing resolutions be conveyed to the officers, men, and others referred to therein. And the motion having been seconded by Senator Grant—· Question—put and passed—-all honorable Senators standing in silence.

8. Message from the H ouse of R epresentatives.—A ustralian Soldiers’ R epatriation Bill.— The following Message from the House of Representatives was received and read :— Mr. P resident, Message No. 7.

The House of Representatives returns to the Senate the Bill intituled “ A Bill for an Act to make provision for the Repatriation of Australian Soldiers and for other purposes.” and acquaints the Senate that the House of Representatives insists on Amendment No. 4 disagreed to by the Senate, and does not insist on Amendment No. 30, but as an alternative amendment has inserted a new clause in the Bill as set out in the accompanying Schedules.

The House of Representatives desires the reconsideration of the Bill by the Senate in respect of the said amendments. W. E lliot J ohnson, House of Representatives, Speaker.

Melbourne, 5th May, 1920. The Minister for Repatriation (Senator Millen) moved—That the Message be considered in Committee of the Whole forthwith. Question—put and passed.

Message read-

In the Committee.

No. 21.— 5Ih May, 1920. 63

The Committee proceeded to consider the amendments, which are as follow :— Schedule of the Amendment made by the House of R epresentatives to which the Senate has Disagreed, and on which the H ouse of R epresentatives insists.

No. 4.—Page 3, clause 10, line 4, omit “ five ” and insert “ three”.

Schedule of the Amendment made by the H ouse of R epresentatives and D isagreed to by the Senate, not insisted on by the H ouse of R epresentatives, but in place of which the H ouse of R epresentatives has made an Alternative Amendment.

No. 30.·—Page 14, after clause 47, insert the following clause, 47a :— “ 47a.—The Commission shall, subject to the approval of the Minister, have Establishment power to assist soldiers in establishing industries on a co-operative basis, such industries of industries, to include the manufacture of boots, woollen goods, and clothing, tanning, wool-scouring, fell- mongeri"g 'and kindred industries), sawmilling, and other enterprises.” Amendment No. 30 not insisted upon, but the following Alternative Amendment made:—

Page 14, after clause 47, insert the following clause, 47a :—· “ 47a.-—(1.) The Commission shall, subject to the approval of the Minister, Establishment of have power to assist soldiers by way of loan to the extent of pound for pound mdustnes· contributed by them in cash or war bonds for the purpose of establishing industries on a co-operative basis, such industries to include the manufacture of boots, woollen goods, and

clothing, tanning, wool-scouring, fellmongering (and kindred industries), sawmilling and other enterprises. “ (2.) The regulations may prescribe the conditions upon which any loan granted in pursuance of this section shall be repayable.”

Senator Millen moved—That the Senate do not insist on disagreeing to Amendment No. 4 insisted on by the House of Representatives. Debate ensued. Question—put and passed. Senator Millen moved—-That the Senate agree to new clause 47a, proposed as an alternative to

clause 47a, previously passed by the House of Representatives and disagreed to by the Senate. Debate ensued. Senator Grant moved—That the original motion be amended by adding the words, “ with the following amendment to the clause, viz., lines 3 and 4, leave out ‘ on a co-operative basis’.”

Debate ensued. Amendment negatived. Senator Newland moved—That the original motion be amended by adding the words, “ with the following amendment to the clause, viz., lines 4-6, leave out ‘ such industries to include the

manufacture of boots, woollen goods, and clothing, tanning, wool-scouring, fellmongering (and kindred industries), sawmilling and other enterprises’.” Debate ensued. ·

Amendment negatived. On motion of Senator Earle, the original motion was amended, after debate, by adding the words “ with the following amendments to the clause, viz., ‘ in sub-clause (2.), after “ loan ” insert “ may be ”, and after “ granted ” leave out the remaining words.’ ” Senator Bakhap moved—That the original motion be further amended by adding the words, “ After

sub-clause (2.) add the following new sub-clause :— 1 (3.) Co-operative basis shall mean assistance to an unregistered association or partnership of not more than ten soldiers, or a registered company the whole of the shareholders in which are soldiers at the time of registration.’ ” Debate ensued. Amendment negatived. Question—That the Senate agree to new clause 47a, proposed as an alternative to clause 47a

previously passed by the House of Representatives and disagreed to by the Senate, with the following amendments to the alternative clause, viz., “ In paragraph (2.) after ‘ loan’ insert ‘may b e’, and after ‘ granted ’ leave out the remaining words ”—put. Committee divided—

Ayes, 6.

Senator Bakhap.

Noes, 13.

Senator Bolton.

Senator de Largie.

Shannon.

Millen. Pearce. Russell.

Teller.

Buzacott. Fairbairn. Foil. Givens.

Grant. Keating. Newland. Plain. Reid. Rowell.

Senior.

Teller.

Senator Earle.

And so it was negatived.

64 No. 21/ 5th May, 1920.

Resolutions to be reported.

The President resumed the C hair; and Senator Shannon, from the Committfie, reported that the Committee had considered Message No. 7 of the House of Representatives, and did not insist upon its disagreement to Amendment No. 4 of the House of Representatives, but, with regard to Amendment No. 30, had disagreed to the alternative amendment made by the House of Representatives inserting new clause 47a. Whereupon the Senate adopted such Report.

9. A djournmknt.—The Minister for Repatriation (Senator Millen) moved—That the Senate do now adjourn. Debate ensued.

At half-past six p m. the sitting of the Senate was suspended till eight p.m.

Sitting, interrupted by the suspension, resumed.

10. Count-out.— Notice being taken that a quorum of Senators was not present, the bells were rung for two minutes ; and the Presid. nt, having counted the Senate, and a quorum not being present, forthwith adjourned the Senate till the next sitting day. Present at the time of count-out—Senators Bakhap, de Largie, Grant, Keating, and Russell.

11. A djournment.—The Senate at three minutes past eight p.m. stood adjourned till to-morrow at three p.m.

12. Attendance.—Present, all the Members except Senators Barnes, Derricks (on leave), Gardiner, Guy, Henderson, Lynch, Maughan, McDougall (on leave), Mulcahy (on leave), Needham, O’Keefe, O’Loghlin, Pratten, and Thomas. C. GAVAN DUFFY,

Clerk of the Senate.

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