Arbeit macht frei: - Fredrick Töben

This is another project which has been referred back – we have had a
number in recent years – for further inquiry and report because of
alterations to departmental plans in the field. On this project the
committee will take further evidence, mainly from departmental officers.
The principle involved remains the same. There is no necessity to take
any further evidence from people in the area concerned, at Morgan or
Cadell, but we propose to visit the area again to consider what the
amended plans will involve the State in. I am of the opinion that this
project should be carefully examined for it is important to the State. We
do not want to make a mistake, if we can avoid it. I would not suggest
exactly how long the inquiry will take, but if the Government is urgently
needing a report from my committee to put this matter on the coming
Loan Estimates, we shall not delay it unnecessarily.
On 13 August Hambour’s now somewhat tired question, ‘Will Cabinet give
early consideration to a prison farm at New Era?’, received positive
information from the Premier:
As the honourable member probably knows, a project was submitted to
the Public Works Committee and was reported upon favourably, but
the department subsequently decided that the activity originally
submitted should be increased in size. Consequently, matter was
referred back to the committee and was the subject of a report furnished
to the House this week. I hope this matter will be dealt with in time for
this year’s Loan Estimates.
But on 11 November 1958 to his question, ‘Will the Minister of Lands
obtain a report from the Chief Secretary on what progress, if any, has been
made on the New Era Prison Farm?’, Hambour received from Cecil
Hincks the monosyllabic response, ‘Yes’.
The parliamentary records for the House of Assembly and the Legislative
Council have nothing further to report until 20 October 1959 when
Assembly members are privy to the following exchange:
Mr Frank Walsh: The proposed salary for the Superintendent of the
Cadell Training centre is £1,403, whereas the salary of the keeper at the
Gladstone Prison is £1,704. Is there much difference in the duties of
these two officers to explain the difference in the salaries paid?
The Hon Sir Thomas Playford: Under the Public Service Act officers
are appointed on a salary range, and on appointment a new officer is
paid at first the lowest salary in the range and then receives yearly
increments until he reaches the top salary. This applies to the Cadell
officer who has been transferred from another position.
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