HEALTH ADVISER

Hawera Star, Volume LI, 13 September 1930, Page 4

HEALTH ADVISER

DR. VALINTINE ’S APPOINTMENT

OBJECTIONS RAISED IN HOUSE

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELILTHGTOH, Sept. 12. The ‘House of Representatives to-day went into committee of supply to deal with the Estimates, and consideration of the vote of £40,000 for the Department of Health was resumed. Replying to Mr A. M. Samuel, Hon. A.. J. Stall worthy, Minister of Health, said that, in every case the expressed consent of the patient (was* obtained before medical students were admitted to St. Helen’s Homes eases. •Mr W. !L. [Martin took exception to the appointment otf the retiring Direc-tor-General of Health as adviser to the department at a' salary of £SOO per annum. He contended that this was being done purely as a means of awarding superannuation, whereas the Direc-tor-General had had the opportunity' of joining the superannuation scheme while he was in receipt of a salary but had refused. , Mr •Martin added that the appointment of an adviser would be an unwarranted reflection on the new DirectorGeneral. He moved that the total vote for the department be reduced! by £IOO as an indication of the House’s disapproval of the appointment. . Mr 'Stallwortliy said there would b.o no increase in salaries paid by the DerV'w pairtment of Health. iDr. Valintine/ *. would replace the part-time officer at present in the service of the department and there would actually be a saving in salaries. 'Furthermore, Dr. Valintine would be able because of his long experience to Tender much more valuable service to the department. Mr H. T. Armstrong said if all retiring officers were treated in the same way as Dr. Valintine they would be foolish to pay into the superannuation fund at ajj. He was not complaining against the treatment of Dr. Valintine but he considered there were many other officers' who could be given equally favourable treatment. Mr ’Stallworthy pointed out that the salary of £SOO was not superannuation, nor was it a compassionate allowance. There would be many instances in which Dr. Valintine 'would be called upon to give the benefit of his experience when decisions had to be reached ion very important subjects. Mr J. A. Hash said he wasi sorry Mr Martin had moved the amendment. If anyone in the Government’s service had merited consideration he was satisfied Dr. Valintine had qualified for it. He hoped the House would vote substanI dally against the amendment and show the same confidence in Dr. Valintine as had been reposed in him in the past. Mr ,T. 'O’Brien asked whether a number of nurses and attendants who would shortly bo retiring and who had failed to join the superannuation scheme would be given similar treatment. There were only seven or eight people affected* and he hoped the Government would be agreeable to place them on the same footing. These people were prepared to pay the necessary money into the superannuation fund. < Mr J. Bitehener suggested the mem- Y bers were losing-sight or the real position. The grant for the retiring Direc-tor-General had nothing to do (with superannuation. Mr 'Stallworthy, replying to Mr O’Brien, said if circumstances arose where any nurses could render the same service to the department as Dr. Valintine would render they would be given equally favourable treatment. Mr Martin said he had no desire to attack Dr. Valinetine, whose services ho fully appreciated. He was attacking the principle involved. After further discussion the amendment was put to the committee. Mr Martin called for a division and the bells were set ringing. However, when the amendment was again put there was no further challenge and it was lost on the voices. The estimate was passed. The vote of £2.79,400 for the Department of Internal Affairs iwas next considered. Mr .T. S. Fletcher moved that the sum be reduced by £1 as a protest against The, action of the stores control 'board in declining to publish tenders. He alleged the board did not always accept the lowest tender and money was thus lost to the country. Hon. P. A. do ia PerreJlo said the instructions to the board were to give preference to buy Hew Zealand goods. He would look into the question of V publishing tenders. \ The Estimate was still under consiid- r oration when the House rose at. 5.30 p.m. till 2.'30 p.m. -oni Tuesday.