DISMAL OLD AGE

Evening Star, Issue 20321, 1 November 1929, Page 3

DISMAL OLD AGE

HEED FOR REST HOMES THE MINISTER SYMPATHETIC REFORM MEMBER TALKS BILL OUT [From Ouh PxnuAiiEjirjLEt Reporter. ] WELLINGTON, October 31. A long and somewhat humorous speech was made by the Minister of Health (Mr Stalhvorthy) in the House of Representatives to-night when moving the second reading of the Destitute Persons’ Rest Homes Bill. Unfortunately the Bill was not read a, second time, but was “talked out’; because Mr Young (Reform member for Hamilton) persisted in the face _of angry comments in rising to speak just before 10.30 p.m.. when Mr Speaker bad to announce the adjournment. Mr Stallworthy said ho regretted that the Prime Minister was prevented bv illness from taking charge of the Bill, which gave effect to a promise made by Sir Joseph Ward some six months ago that provision. would be made for tho establishment of rest homes, where unfortunate old people who had borne the heat and burden of the day might spend the eventide of their lives in congenial circumstances. Mr Stallworthy said the Bill was of the same class as legislation enacted during the Seddon-Ward regime, which had placed New Zealand in tho forefront of tho world’s social administration. Present conditions in New Zealand were most unsatisfactory, and as a justice of tho peace, who had sat on the bench of the metropolitan Police Court, he knew there were hundreds of cases where men and women were sent to gaol on manufactured charges of vagrancy. Such old people went through a dismal process of going in and out of gaol, the old men to polish tins and the women to spend miserable days in idleness. By this process they were not improved, but became worse and worse each time they were sent to prison, and raivdly became a menace to society. This Bill would make possible a change from prison walls to blue skies and God’s open air There among the birds and flowers and in God’s fresh air the old people would be given a chance to rehabilitate themselves. The Minister said he knew that any member who had been to gaol knew what the conditions were. Surprised Reform Voices; Have you been to gaol? The Minister; \es, I have been, and I make no secret of it. Mr Nash (Reform member for Palmerston) : Did you stay long? The Minister: Well, 1 stayed long enough to convince myself that there was a great deal amiss with our prison methods Mr Nash: Oh, you were a free agent then- , , Mr Coates: It was not bookmaking, was it? _ ‘ ■ The Minister; No, I was not'a free agent, as I went under compulsion. Mr Coates (laughingly); They nil do. The Minister: Well, it is strange to mo that some members are still out. (Loud laughter.) The compulsion under, which I went to gaol was a compulsion of love to see how some of iny fellow citizens were spending their iives. I found the conditions dismal, and could not see that much was being gained by keeping them there. I could not see why something more constructive could not bo done ' This Bill gives a wise Administration scope to do magnificent work/’ ■ The Minister went on to explain the Rill in detail, and stated that when the measure was in committee, it was his intention to amend clause 10 to ensure that no charitable institution could bo declared a rest home under the Bill without the consent of the controlling board. ~ Tlie Leader of the Opposition said the Bill was required, and its objects excellent. Mr Savage (Auckland West) complimented tlie Minister on introducing the Rill, and expressed his satisfaction with tho proposed amendment to clause 10. “Sit down!' Sit down! Play the game! That’s dirt!” were the cries flung at Mr Young (Hamilton) when he rose, a minute before tho adjournment to address tho House. “ Someone else gave way in order to get tho second reading of the Bill.” was the reminder of Mr Parry (Auckland Central) in a disgusted tone. Mr Young, however, persisted iu talking the Bill out.