PARLIAMENT IN SESSION

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22696, 22 July 1948, Page 3

PARLIAMENT IN SESSION

TUBERCULOSIS BILL WELCOMED BY MOST M.P.’S

(P.R.) WELLINGTON, July 22. Where would tuberculosis patients whom hospital boards would be compelled to taKc under the Tuberculosis Bill oe put? asked Mrs. G. H. Ross (Oppos., Hamilton) when the debate on the bill was continued in the House of Representatives last night. The bill did not show any way in which more staff could be obtained. In the Auckland Public Hospital there was no room for tubercular patient? and the Green Lane Hospital had had 10 shut down some of the shelters and send patients home —an action that constituted a potential danger to otherpersons. Until the housing position was improved the authorities could not expect to wipe out the disease and people must be educated in correct eating habits. Effect, of More Vigilance The apparent increase in tuberculosis in the last three years was due, in the opinion of Mr. W. T. Anderton tGovt., Auckland Central), not to the actual spreading of the scourge but increased vigilance which had led to the discovery of more sufferers. The importance of preventing a patient discharged from an institution from returning to an unsuitable environment was recognised by the priority given to tubercular sufferers in the allocation of State houses.

He was satisfied that the treatment by injection of an immunising serum was far less important than good nutrition which would build up bodily resistance. He advocated the right of doctors to prescribe under social security suitable nutrition where needed rather than the ordinary prescription of medicine. The bill put too much emphasis on the powers of the department and had too little regard for the persons affected and for the doctor-patient relationship, said Mr. J. R. Marshall tOppos., Mt. Victoria). Sickness benefits should begin as soon as tuberculosis was diagnosed and a patient stopped work, while some home aid assistance should be provided for young mothers who were convalescing. Great and Humanitarian Bill “'A great and humanitarian bill —one of uie mosi important placed on tne biatuie Hook for many years, and one mat is long overdue," was how fur. K. ivaacDonalci tGovt., Fonsonby) descrioea tne measure. The Opposition, he said, was snowing its usual dissension, some saying tnt the bill went too far and others saying mat it did not go tar enougn.

'me Health Department alone could successfully co-oidinate the campaign against tne disease and interference was unavoidable lor tne scouige to be attacked successfully. .building dimcutnes were great but there were many old homes scattered tnroughout the country which the (State nrignt take over as sanatoria.

The Minister and the department had failed in the past to use powers that already existed, and had tailed to assist hospital boards to cary out what they warned to do, said Mr. M. li. Oram (Oppos., Manawatuj. The real menace of tuberculosis was through the Maori population and Uie incidence of the disease was closely associated with living conditions. The Maori did not co-operate' as well as the European, though there was better co-operation from the younger Maoris. He wondered if it would be possible to immunise most Maori children in Maori schools. They might accept that treatment when they would not accept treatment in a clinic.

RIMUTAKA TUNNEL: PRELIMINARY WORK WELL ADVANCED

(P.R.) WELLINGTON, July 22. In a statement outlining the progress made with the Rimutaka railway tunnet scheme the Minister of ivoras, Mr. K. Sempie, said that though some phases of the scheme were held up pending the delivery of essential equipment, such as big compressors and generators from Britain, the project as a whole was being steadily advanced. The route from the Wairarapa to the Hutt Valley, part of which was recently revised, had now been finally fixed.

Wairarapa Portal

A decision had first been reached on the location of the Wairarapa portal. It lay in a gully leading from the Pigeon Bush area. A round exit was now in an advanced stage of preparation for piercing. Arrangements had been made with the Defence Department to house workmen in the Featherston camp as fiat sites nearer the tunnel were liable to winds, strong enough to blow a train off the line.

The portal on the Wellington side had also now been iixed at tne northern end of the IVlangaroa Valley. As linaliy determined tne length of the tunnel would be 5 miles 36 chains, the longest in New Zealand, being about 400 yards more than tne Otira tunnel. By the time the decision on the western portal was arrived at winter was setting in, but despite the bog, up to their knees in places, men were put on at once to provide access and camp sues. Prefabricated Buildings Ready Prefabricated buildings were stacked ready tor carpenters wmle surveys and preparatory work was proceeding. Mr. Semple said a Close study was being made of the most modern methods to be empioyed in driving the tunnel as a result of tunnelling research. Some or the necessary equipment had arrived and tenders had already been piaced both in New Zealand and kingland, with a minimum amount from dollar countries. When ail the equipment was on nand tunnelling would proceed on a new technique. Instead of working the face from a small pilot heading, an attempt would be made to drive on the full face at once.

EXEMPTION SOUGHT FROM UNIONISM

(P.R.) WELLINGTON, July 22. Exemption from the compulsory unionism clauses of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Act is sought because of conscientious objection on spiritural grounds by Richmond Eschoime Harrison, Palmerston North, and 126 others from various parts of the Dominion in a petition presented in the House of Representatives yesterday by Mr. G. H. 6. Wilson (Govt. Palmerston North). The petitioners, who are both employers and employees, state their willingness to submit to any examination on the genuineness of their opinions, and those who are employees declare their willingness to pay the Government the equivalent of trade union fees.