PARLIAMENT

Grey River Argus, 26 November 1927, Page 5

PARLIAMENT

TREATMENT OF T. B. CASES. (Special to Argus.) WELLINGTON, November 24. The Minister for Health, Mr. Young, was asked in the House of Representatives to-day if he would allow incurable T. B. eases to remain in sanatoria instead of being sent back to the public hospitals in the districts in which they resided.

The Minister explained that the Department had instituated the sanatoria for purpose of providing a school for those cases which showed a prospect of cure, so that they would be able to look after themselves and nurse themselves back to health. When a case became incurable, however the liability was in reality upon the hospital district, from which the patient caine. He promised to consult the Department, and admitted that there might be exceptional cases in which a patient should not be shifted. “JIE WILL NOT”. Members of the House of Representatives know well that there is always a certain degree of feeling between Mr. Coates and Mr. Atmore, and no opportunity is lost in dealing a straight left during the debates. Mr. Atmore was figuratively knocked back by Mr. Coates to-day, when he asked: “Will the Prime -Minister disclose his intention to-day, on the Licensing Bill?” Mr. Coates reply was a classic illustration of economy in words—“He will not”. The Prime Minister then explained that he had nothing to add to his already published statements on the negotiations on the Licensing question. Mr. Lysner: Put the Bill in the waste paper basket. A DULL DEBATE. Very little of national moment kept legislators in their seats in the House of Representatives this afternoon, and evening. The earlier part of the sitting was spent discussing reports from select committees.

Dr. R. M. Beatties petition for an inquiry into the administration of mental hospitals, with particular reference to Avondale, Auckland, is calling for special attention, from all sides of House. The Health Committee assured the House that from extensive evidence and a specific inquiry, the mental hospitals system was considered to be alright, and the remarks not complimentary to Dr. Beattie were inserted in the report.

An endeavour was made by the Government to have tabled the report of the Education Cimmittee on the Education Amendment Bill, but Labour members who object to the clause dealing with the punishment of teachers for minor offences, again talked the report out.

The Arbitration Bill is Well down on the paper and there is a possibility that it will be dropped, though such a move will be greeted with loud protests from the farmers. Labour on the other hand will be pleased to keep it off the Statue Book.

Mr. Coates will not say anything on the Licensing Bill till next week, as negotiations are still going on and Mr. Coates is figuratively “sitting tight” till the parties concerned have reached a more or less common ground.

The Electric Power Board’s Amendment Bill was before the House for consideration this evening but the debate was singularly dull members confining their speeches chiefly to the position as affected by the conditions in their own districts.