POLITICAL POINTS

Evening Star, Issue 21581, 29 November 1933, Page 7

POLITICAL POINTS

AST UHIOII ALLOCATIONS [Fno.M Our Parliamentary RrronrKK.] WELLINGTON, November 23. A general indication of the lines on which tho Government proceeds in granting shares of the proceeds in the large art unions has been given to Mr Smith, member for Taranaki, who had endeavoured to secure assistance of this nature for the Vogeltown School Committee to provide improvements to the school grounds, and the completion of the bath and dressing shed. The Minister of Internal Affairs has replied that applications for art union benefits to provide for fresh eapital expenditure cannot be looked upon with favour at the present juncture. " There is a host of applications on the file waiting to bo dealt with,” adds the Minister, “ many from organisations of a social welfare or public utility character that have got into financial difficulties; and in a number of eases the members thereof have undertaken personal liabilities on behalf of their organisations in the interests of the community. Snell requests as these must receive priority of consideration.” * * MINERS’ PENSIONS. More liberal view of claims by exgold miners for miners’ pension is suggested in the recommendation of the Goldfields Alines Committee in respect of two petitions praying for miners’ pensions. In referring the matter to the Government for favourable consideration, the committee states that, “ in view of an occasional conflict of opinion between doctors as to whether a miner is suffering from pneumoconiosis, resulting in numerous petitions to Parliament and much physical distress and agony to petitioners travelling for the purpose of rcinspection, this committee is of opinion that men who, as a result of having been miners, have contracted disease similar to pneumoconiosis, which incapacitates them from work, should be allowed to qualify for the minors’ pension.” This report was received by the House. AN INVESTIGATION. An investigation into tho circumstances of alleged dismissal of Alabel Greenswill, a Marlborough petitioner, from the Maori Hygiene Department is recommended by the Public Petitions Committee. In referring this request to the- most favourable consideration of the Government, the committee recommends also that the inquiry should cover allegations against the petitioner and tho alleged improper issue of medical certificates as to her mental and physical condition.