§ 46. Captain BOWYERasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the statement in the Press that the South Australian House of Assembly at Adelaide has decided to grant the privilege of free first-class travel for life to crippled ex-service men; and whether he will follow so good an example and confer upon all disabled ex-service men in this country the privilege of travelling first-class at the expense of the State?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have been unable to obtain confirmation of the Press statement referred to.
§ Captain BOWYERIf I can bring the right hon. Gentleman evidence that this if so, will he then consider the matter seriously, and is he not aware that the present facilities for these disabled men travelling in crowded compartments render it very difficult for them to undertake long journeys?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI quite agree with my hon. and gallant Friend, but this illustrates one of the difficulties with which we are confronted whenever we come to the question of expenditure. It is really a difficulty between competing claims, all of great merit. This is one, but we must take into account the condition of the national finances.