Key events in Stanthorpe, 1939:
• January 10
Sixth annual Amiens Show
• January 13
Call for additional men for Stanthorpe Mounted Troop due to expansion of the militia
• February 3
Bradfield Scheme
• February 7
Photograph of Vic Thompson, Col F. Newton, Sec Show Society.
• March 28
The Roll Up Tree (Sorts out the Ratcliffe Pring Issue)
• July 11
Council considers extending electric light outside town area – referred to electric light committee.
Light falls of Snow in Stanthorpe district.
• September 18
Loyalty of Italians – Big Meetings at Texas
• September 22
Evacuation of Brisbane residents – Public meeting at Stanthorpe.
Precautionary measures to send people away from Brisbane in the event of the danger of bombing by a possible enemy.
Stanthorpe is one of the proposed districts.
Census to be taken of the accommodation offered voluntarily for people leaving Brisbane of their own volition, and accommodation available in the event of compulsory evacuation of the population.
Stanthorpe Shire Council to prepare a list of public buildings, halls, churches, and show society buildings suitable for compulsory billeting.
Stanthorpe militia is sent for a money camp.
• September 26
Women’s National Emergency Legion Formed – Transport, Home Nursing and First Aid section. Loyalty of Italians; Big Meeting at Stanthorpe.
120 Italians attended a meeting at the Rex Theatre to pass a resolution to express the loyalty of the Italian residents in the Stanthorpe district to the British Empire and Australia.
“In view of the fact that Australia today is facing another terrible war against Germany, we the Italians of the Stanthorpe district naturalised and unnaturalised in common with other decent minded Italians in Australia, united in thought, wish to express our sincere loyalty to the British Throne and the country of our adoption – Australia.”
Amiens residents pledge to care for enlisted men called to camp.
• October 13
Aerodrome Wanted (More history of Aerodrome Debate)
In 1929, the Civil Aviation Department inspected sites for an aerodrome and reported favourable on the aerodrome site situated at the old racecourse but suggested the two additional leaseholds be included in such aerodrome. The Council took the matter up with the Department of Public Land and the Department with the consent of trustees cancelled
the trust on the old racecourse. Before Council could go on with the matter, the reserve was let under a special lease for 10 years and in spite of the application by Council, it was not until 1936 that the matter was again taken up owing to the lessee failing in his payments.
The Land Administration Board agreed to accept £65/11/4 for improvement on the abandoned block. On April 4, 1938, land was gazetted as a Reserve for aeroplanes, under control of Shire Council. Council requested an inspection by the Aviation Department,
which was carried out and site approved. An application to the Commonwealth for funds to construct the ‘drome was rejected. State Government had already allocated its funds in full none available for Stanthorpe. Council to request help from Premier.
“This Public meeting of Stanthorpe citizens deems it advisable in the interests of Stanthorpe and district that an aerodrome is essential in Stanthorpe in the interests of defence of this portion of the State. It requests those responsible to take the necessary steps towards establishing such an aerodrome and that a copy of the resolution be transmitted to them.
• AIR RAID PRECAUTIONS
Central Committee to be formed as the centre of all local organisations and that attention be given to the question of transport and firefighting the Boy Scouts to act as messengers.
State Government has requested local authorities to carry out ARP’s.
Accommodation of evacuees: CWA, RSL, Show Society, Soldiers League, WEL will distribute
evacuation cards to every household in the Shire.
Impractical to take precautions against high explosive, incendiary bombs – sand and water
essential; Gas- respiratory masks unprocurable. Possibility of local air raids slight.
• October 17
The Apple Question. Apple producers consider a likely shortage of shipping space. Appeal to raise grade standards and prohibit sale of apples in bags and encourage growers to thoroughly thin their crops.
• October 20
Aero Club is formed to train young men to step into RAAF when required:
• October 27
The Apple Acquisition: 200 men have enlisted in the militia from Stanthorpe district. The orchards, move to suspend further training for men from this district.
• October 31
MARKETING OUR APPLES – COMMONWEALTH TO ACQUIRE THE CROP
Proposal by the Apple and Pear Board that Commonwealth Government acquire apple and
pear crop.
War Cabinet has approved.
Commonwealth will pay 2/ per bushel for 75 per cent of extra fancy and fancy commercial crop at the base of the tree and will allow the grower 2/3 a case for packing and preparing for market (including the cost of the case).
Combined meeting of DSGC and Apple Sub-Committee held at COD on Friday last.
It was as a result of export requirements that mush of refrigerated tonnage serving Australia was constructed and developed hostilities, the volume of shipping an average of 12,000,000 cu feet space. As a result of especially refrigerated shipping which can be made available has been reduced.
What is available is to be rationed on the basis of priority to practitaclly every commodity other than apples and pears.
Refrigerated space normally available February to June will not be available this year.
Potential 5,350,000 case surplus.
Possible solutions are:
1. Increased Australian consumption as fresh fruit – Australian consumption already glutted.
2. Consumption in manufactured forms either in Australia or abroad.
“Two words – ‘chaos’ and ‘ruin’ convey the inevitable result of this situation if uncontrolled and uncoordinated.”
“If nearly 5,500 boxes of extra fruit for which there is no normal outlet are to find a place among 6,800,00 boxes normally marketed in Australia, there can be no return whatever for any of the total crop: It would be surprising if even marketing costs were covered.”
Apple and Pear Board asked Government to purchase the crop as a basic price related to production costs. The government has been unable to do, but will act in two ways:
1. Apply Power under the National Security Act to acquire the crop
2. Market available finance by way of advances against the eventual realisation of the crop acquired; to assist in ensuring that orchards be carried on; to finance harvesting and marketing costs; Improve consumption by marketing only attractive apples and pears.
2. Definitely inferior fruit will not be assessed as commercial crop. Growers must harvest, prepare and deliver such fruit according to instructions given. Should they fail to carry out instructions, they will be liable for penalties under the National Security Act and also to refund advances made.
Flewell Smith, Manager of COD, fought for the exemption of Queensland from the pool and for
date of commencement to be extended to the end of March so growers could get rid of early fruit. Board declined.
Also tried to get Board to allow growers to continue supplying private orders – Board would not agree.
Aero Club wants a temporary aerodrome to fly the glider.
• November 3
Queensland growers to meet with Minister for Trade and Commerce in Sydney, meeting is to be called.
• October 31
Stanthorpe militia given enthusiastic welcome.
• November 7
Public Marketing the Stanthorpe Fruit Crop Before Acquisition Takes Effect (ie crop that will come
to maturity before date of acquisition – March 1).
Queensland special conditions ignored – 500 growers attend meeting at Arcadia Theatre.
Realisation will be inadequate to meet high production costs of Queensland apples.
Called for provision for exemption for early varieties until the end of March, no disturbance of private order trade, Queensland Government to be asked to assist with marketing drive to clear Stanthorpe crop before March 1.
