PARLIAMENT IN SESSION

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 68, 13 December 1933, Page 10

PARLIAMENT IN SESSION

Several Departmental Reports Discussed OVERCROWDING IN MENTAL HOSPITALS Bill to Extend Terms of School Committees to Two Years Several departmental reports which members had been promised an opportunity to discuss were considered in the House ot Representatives yesterday afternoon. These were the reports ot the Mental Hospitals Department, the Health Department, the Mines Statement, and the report of the State Coal Mines. Throng - out the afternoon there were few more than the quorum of twenty members in the House. The reason for this small attendance was that three Select Committees had been given leave to meet. Witn the Public Accounts Committee also sitting to deal with certain phases of the Controller and Auditor-General’s report, the number of members available for the proceedings in the Chamber was considerably reduced. During consideration of the Mental Hospitals report reference was made to the overcrowding in the mental hospitals throughout the Dominion. When replying to the discussion, the Minister of Health, Hon. J. A. Young, said the policy of the Government was to speed up the provision of the requisite accommodation to overcome this state of affairs. When the Mines Statement was before the House Mr, P. CJWebb (Lab., Buller) saicj he considered it advisable to socialise or ‘ nationalise the coal-mining industry in order to put 'it on a sound basis. He also advocated the appointment.of . a Royal Commission to report on the industry. Two Bills made their appearance by Governor-General’s Message at the commencement of the evening sitting. The Poor Prisoners Defence Bill give to an accused person in poqp circumstances the right to have counsel assigned to him without having to disclose- his defence until called upon to answer the charge. A similar law has been passed by the British Parliament. The Education 1 Amendment Bill extends the term of office of school committees from one year to two. Both Bills-were read a first time, T . 1 The House then proceeded with the second reading of the Municipal Corporations Bill, for which urgency was secured for all stages.* Urgency was also obtained for the Finance Bill, which passed its second reading the previous evening.

EXCELLENT WORK

.7 Children’s Health Camps STATE ACTION SUGGESTED A proposal that the work of the children’s health camps should be taken over by the State was made in the House of Representatives yesterday. The results that have been achieved under the scheme were highly praised by Mr. A.J. Stallworthy (Ind., Eden) and Mr. W. E; Parry (Lab., Auckland Central), when the report of the hospitals department was under consideration. " Mr. Staliworthy expressed appreciation of the excellent work officers of tttp Health Department had done for the children’s health camps. He suggested that the Minister should col■laborate with the Minister of Agriculture with a view io having the quarantine. station at Motulhl Island closed. There was a unique opportunity for the revision of the regulations governing ’’ quarantine both of people and of animals. The Minister should push for the setting aside ot the. Whole island for, the development of this consecrated work of building up the future citizens of the country. Mr. Parry', who spoke most appreciatively of the health camp work, said that he thought the greater number of children In the camps came from the poorer areas of the cities, where there was , much under-nourishment during thb. present difficult times. He was convinced that the work was so great and so pressing and had such an effect upon backward and ill-nourished children that the time had arrived when it should be a State responsibility. While he recognised that a number of people were always pleased to assist In making donations toward this very valuable work, he did not think that so much of their time should be absorbed in canvassing for the wherewithal -to carry it on.

UNITED BOROUGHS

Plea for Amalgamation NO ’compulsion now Regret at the elimination of the provision .in the Municipal Corporations Bill for the compulsory amalgamation of boroughs 'was expressed by Mr. R. McKeen (Lab., . Wellington. South) when speaking on the second reading of the Bill in the House of Representatives last evening. The clause, which was deleted by the Local Bills Committee, declared that “a commission may be appointed con-" sisting of a magistrate, the local commissioner of Crown lands, and a district valuer, to report on a proposal for the amalgamation of boroughs, and that upon its report the GovernorGeneral may. by . proclamation constitute the boroughs one united, borough.” Representations against this were made recently by a deputation which waited upon the Prime Minister, and the clause is now omitted from the Bill leaving the provisions governing the amalgamation of boroughs exactly the same as they are under the existing law. Mr. McKeen said he thought it was a pity that the Bill had been altered. There were no fewer than 677 local bodies in New Zealand. This number could be reduced materially without causing any serious inconvenience. The saving to the general taxpayer would be considerable. Under the present law one local body by carrying a poll could practically force another to amalgamate. The method proposed under the clause which had been deleted was reasonable and democratic. Anßilgamation was justified on economic grounds alone. “If we can’t do it by the Mussolini way, then let us do it democratically,” he said. Mr. C. H. Olinkatd (Govt., Rotorua) : The big fellow swallowing the little one? Mr. McKeen: I do think that amalgamation should be brought about at the earliest possible moment. Mr. A. E. Juil (Govt., Waipawa) said he thought it would be a wise move on the part of the municipal authorities to press for an amendment to the law under which the metropolitan areas and the cities would have a wider measure of power than the smaller local bodies. It seemed to him to be absurd that all the power invoked under the present Bill should be at the disposal of every little “tin- • pot” borough throughout the country. Mr. F. Jones (Lab., Dunedin South)' •aid he was very pleased that the clause providing for compulsory amalgjimation had been struck out. It was most unfair to compel boroughs to amalgamate with cities where they did not desire to do so,

LEGAL AID FOR POOR

Defence of Accused People CHANGE IN EXISTING LAW A provision in the existing law whereby accused persons in poor circumstances availing themselves of free legal aid have to disc ose their defence to counsel for the Crown is eliminated <by the Poor Prisoners Defence Bill, which was introduced by GovernorGeneral’s Message and read a first time in the House of Representatives last evening. It is now proposed that such persons should not be placed at a disadvantage by reason of their claiming this aid, and that in their defence they shall be in the same position as any other accused person. •The Bill sets out the conditions under which free legal aid might be granted. Any person committed for trial for an indictable offence shall be entitled to free legal aid in the preparation and conduct of his defence at the trial, and to have'counsel assigned to him for that purpose if a defence certificate is granted. A certificate may be granted in respect of any person; (a) by the .committing justices upon his being committed for trial; or (b) by the judge before Whom he is to be tried, at any time after reading the depositions. Issue of Certificate. A defence certificate shall not be granted unless it appears to the certifying authority that an accused person’s means are insufficient to enable him to obtain legal aid. Where-it does appear that his means are insufficient the certifying authority shall grant 4 defence certificate in respect of any person committed for trial upon a charge of murder; and may also grant a certificate in the case of any person committed for trial upon any other charge if it appears that it is desirable in the Interests of justice that this should be done. If on the hearing of a charge punishable on summary conviction, or on a hearing under the Justices of the Peace Act of a charge of an indictable offence, it appears to the justices that the means erf any person charged before them with any offence are insufficient to enable him to obtain legal aid, and that it is desirable in the Interests of justice that he should have free legal aid in the preparation and conduct of his defence before them, the ’ justices may. grant him a legal, defence certificate. Expenses* of. Witnesses. The expenses of the defence of any person to. whom free legal aid is grant-, ed, including the fees of counsel and., the expenses of witnesses, shall be paid out of the Consolidated Fund.: The Governor-General may by Order-in- , Council make regulations necessary to give effect to the Act. These regulations shall in particular prescribe:— (a) The form of certificates to be granted under the Act; (b) the manner in which counsel are to be assigned in pursuance of such certificates; and (c) the fees payable to counsel so assigned, and the expenses payable to witnesses for the defence of such cases. In an explanation of tfie Bill, the Minister of Justice, Hon. J. G. Cobbe, said there was provision in the Justices of the Peace Act whereby a man in poor circumstances charged with ’an indictable offence had the right to apply for counsel to defend him. That, was only given if the person stated the evidence he intended to plead. That evidence was available to the Crown, which placed the accused at a disadvantage. Under* the Bill a person could make application to have counsel assigned to him without disclosing his defence. 1 The Bill was given a first reading.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

Progress on Bills Three Bills .were passed by the Legislative Council yesterday afternoon. They were the Money-Lenders Amendment Bill, the Summertime Amendment Bill, and the Post and Telegraph Amendment Bill. The Companies Bill and the Transport Law Amendment Bill, which were received from the House of Representatives, were read a first time. The Victoria University College Bill and the Canterbury University College Bill were read a second time. The Council adjourned until this afternoon.

LONGER TERMS School Committees OFFICE FOR TWO YEARS Meetings or Householders The ordinary term of office of members of school committees is extended from one to two years by the Education Law Amendment Bill, which was Introduced in the House of Representatives last night and read a first time. The Bill declares that In 1934 and in every alternate year thereafter a date shall be fixed by each education board not earlier than the second Wednesday *in April, and not later than the first Wednesday in May for the holding of a biennial meeting of householders in each school district. Notice of the meeting must be given not less than 21 days before the date fixed. Other amendments in this section are merely consequential. There.is a slight alteration in phraseology where the chairman of the committee instead of being given “a deliberative vote and a casting vote,” is given “a deliberative vote, and in the case of an equality of votes, also a casting vote.” Appointment of Commissioners. There is an amendment, to a section of the schedule providing for the appointment of commissioners by education boards. In the event of the householders of any district failing to elect a committee on the day appointed, another time may be-fixed for the election. If after this further meeting the householders neglect or refuse to elect a committee, or if the board in its discretion makes no provision for such a meeting, or In any case where theije is no committee for a newly-established or re-opened •school, the board is empowered by the Bill to appoint one or more commissioners to hold office until the next biennial' meeting, and to have all the powers and duties assigned to a committee. The reference to a newlyestablished or reopened school is new. The schedule to the Education Act relating to the election of members of education boards is amended so that the counting of votes by the Returning Officer is to begin on the seventh and not as at present on the fifteenth day after the day of the election. Ineligible to Teach. The Education Amendment Act, 193233, is amended to provide that except in special cases for which the consent of the Minister has been obtained no person who is receiving a retiring allowance from the Teachers’ Superannuation Fund shall be eligible for appointment as a teacher in a public school.

The postponement for a period not exceeding one year of the date of commencement of a University National Scholarship is allowed by an amendment to the New Zealand University Amendment Act, 1914. In such a case the approval of the Chancellor has to be obtained. Mr. P. Fraser (Lab., Wellington Central) asked what the scope of this amendment was, why it had been brought down at this late hour of the session, whether It was really urgent, and whether it would be sent to the Education Committee for consideration.

The Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, said the most important part of the Bill was to give effect to the recommendation of the School Committees’ Association of New Zealand that school committees should hold office for two years instead of one, so that there should be some continuity ’in regard to their policy in managing the school. The other items were very small matters, such as providing for the representation of Dunedin City Council on the Otago High Schools’ Board, and the validation of the payment of a Taranaki scholarship. Mr. W. E. Barnard (Lab., Napier) : It is a sort of education Washing-up Bill? / The Prime Minister: It is practically that.

Mr. H. Atmore (Ind., Nelson) said this represented the sole contribution to the subject of education that the Government had made during the whole session. “You cannot expect anything more,” he-said, “from a Government that increases expenditure on defence and decreases it on education.” The Bill was read a first time.

COAL INDUSTRY

Royal Commission Urged NEED FOR PROTECTION The appointment of a Royal Commission to report bn the coal mining industry was advocated by Mr. P. C. Webb (Lab;, Buller) when the Mines’Statement was undjr discussion in the House of Representatives yesterday. afternoon. -■ "Mr. 'Webb suggested" that a duty should be placed on crude oil imported into New Zealand. He understood 40,000,000 gallons a year were imported, equivalent to 250,000 tons of coal. -' ■ ’ ' ■ .

Mr. Webb also suggested that a duty should be placed on imported coal, contending that the mining industry was entitled to the same protection as was afforded other industries, of the Dominion. He referred to the big decrease in the number of miners engaged at present, and said that at Millerton, where some 400 were, employed a few years ago, there were how only from 30 to 40. Those who were employed were receiving less than relief workers. Pie considered that in order to put the industry on a Sound basis it would be advisable to socialise or nationalise it. He admitted that if the industry were placed on a sound basis many mines would be closed up, especially those producing sulphurous coals, but that would be better than keeping men in comparative idleness. Mr. Webb said that if something were not done to stop the useless war which was proceeding in the Waikato district, by which ■ screened coal was being sold at 10/6 a tbn, the weaker mines would be crushed out, and the mining business there would become a monopoly for a few people. It would also have a disastrous effect on the West Coast mines. The cheaply-pro-duced coal of the Waikato was at present threatening to rob the West Coast coal of one of its natural markets in Wellington.

MENTAL PATIENTS Check to Overcrowding SEVERAL NEW VILLAS Policy of Government Steps now being taken or contemplated in the near future in order to overcome the present overcrowding in the mental institutions of the Do-' minion were 'outlined by the Minister of Health, Hon. J. A. Young, when replying in the House of Representatives yesterday to discussion on the annual report of the Mental Hospitals Department. Mr. Young mentioned that the policy of the Government was to speed up the provision of the requisite accommodation to overcome overcrowding. The question was raised by Mr. P. Fraser (Lab., Wellington Central), who said that by far the greatest problem was that-of overcrowding. In spite of efforts to transfer as many patients as possible to other institutions, overcrowding still existed at Porirua. Such a state of affairs was unfair to the patients, the nursing staff and the department. They knew the depart-* ment’s policy on this question, but he would like to hear from the Minister the policy of the Government. Overcrowding had been allowed to go on too long, and it had now assumed a serious aspect. - - Mr. Young said the department was building two villas at Kingseat, near Papakura one at Tokanui, near Te Awamutu; three at Stoke, in the Nelson district; and one at Hokitika. As these villas were each capable of holding 50 patients, they would in the aggregate provide accommodation for 350. , The new villa at Hokitika would be available next week. Cabinet had approved for construction in February next two extra villas at Kingseat, one at Hokitika, two at Templeton, and one at Christchurch. These villas for construction In February would come under next year s building programme. Arrangements had also been made ■with the Treasury for the provision of £90,000 over three years for capital expenditure on mental hospitals. As the villas were completed transfers would be made from other Institutions to avoid overcrowding. . USE OF RELIEF MONEY Government’s Policy FULL RETURN IN WORK •’The Government’s policy in the expenditure of relief money is to get as much useful work done as possible, said the Minister of Employment, Hon. Adam Hamilton, when replying in the House of Representatives yesterday to a question by Mr. A. M, Samuel (Ind., Thames), as to whether the Government had decided, through the Unemployment Board, in favour of compulsory camp schemes for married men. Mr. Hainilton said the Government’s policy might on some occasions involve married men going Into camp. Ten shillings a day was the usual daily rate for married men, but many of the camps were on a weekly basis, some up to as high as £2 a W’eek. PUBLIC WORKS CAMPS Request for Concessions A request that married men In Public Works relief camps should be granted the two weeks’ holiday pay at Christmas and concessions in respect. to railway travelling was contained in a question Mr. F. Jones (Lab., Dunedin South) asked the Minister of Employment, Hon. Adam Hamilton, in the House of Representatives yesterday. Mr. Hamilton pointed out that the men referred to were located in Public Works standard camps, and it was regretted that the concessions mentioned could not be extended to them. Those in Public Works camps who were being paid only relief rates of pay would of course be given the concessions.