ALCOHOLIC TREATMENT PROPOSED

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30535, 2 September 1964, Page 3

ALCOHOLIC TREATMENT PROPOSED

(From Our Own Reporter) WELLINGTON, September 1. The Government is proposing compulsory medical treatment for alcoholics. _ Questioned by Mr N. V. Douglas (Opp., Auckland Central), in Parliament today, the Minister of Justice (Mr Hanan) confirmed legislation now being prepared would involve “an element of what both he and I would regard as coercion.” Mr Hanan added: “But what we have to do, of course, is to relate the liberty of the

subject to a social problem.’’ An Alcoholism Bill being drafted will be administered not by the Justice • Department but by the Health Department Although it will probably be introduced this session, it will not be passed but left to lie so it can be studied by and discussed with interested parties. Rates By Instalment A committee of representatives of the Department of Internal Affairs, the Counties and Municipal Associations is considering a proposal by the Institute of Town Clerks to raise rates by monthly or two-monthly instalments. The Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr Seath) said the review was not yet complete. In reply to a question by Mr H. J. Walker (Govt, St Albans), he said that a

Dunedin City councillor had no authority to say that a PA.Y.E. scheme for rate payments would be introduced by the Government The system would not be practical for collecting rates. Bread Wrapping Discussions were taking place between bakers and the Health Department to determine the date regulations requiring the wrapping of all bread would,operate from, the Minister of Agriculture (Mr Taiboys) said for the Minister of Health (Mr McKay) to Mr W. W. Freer (Opp., Mount Albert), who had asked what action was being taken to ensure all bread was wrapped at the bakery. Small Centres Industries of the value of more than £4.5 million had

been established in areas outside the four main centres in the year ending March 31 last, the Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr Marshall) said in reply to Mr Freer. Anst. Sheep Ban The Minister of Agriculture said the ban on Australian sheep imports would depend on certain states being declared free from nodule worms in sheep. He was replying to Mr J. H. George (Govt, Otago Central) who had asked for the reason fqj the ban. The disease rendered intestines unsuitable for the casings trade, Mr Taiboys said. Mr Taiboys told Mr J. B. Gordon (Govt., Clutha) he would find out if frozen semen could be imported to introduce new blood lines.

Retiring Allowance If any adjustment of re-' tiring State superannuitants’ allowances was approved it would be extended to widows on the half-basis, the Acting Minister of Finance (Mr Seath) said In reply to Mr B. P. Mac Donnell (Opp., Dunedin Central).

Dog And TV Fines Mr Hanan said he would consult the Minister of Agriculture on the maximum fine for failure to register dogs after Mr D. Maclntyre (Govt., Hastings) had asked why the fines were lower than those for failing to register television sets. The maximum television fine was £5O and the maximum dog fine was £2O.