MINISTER OF HEALTH

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 26 October 1928, Page 2

MINISTER OF HEALTH

LIVELY MEETING AT HAMILTON

HAMILTON, This Day

The Hon. J. A. Young, Minister of Health, opened his campaign for the Hamilton seat before a crowded audience in the Town Hall last night. He described Sir Joseph Ward's £70,000,000 loan scheme as tickling the ears of. the people, and predicted that too rapid spending of borrowed money would bring inflation and reaction, just as in the case of war expenditure. Moreover, London financiers woul.l close their purses if wild borrowing were indulged in. The Government's sound finance kept the Dominion's credit high. Mr Young pointed out the Government's assistance to farmers through the new

credit plans, subsidies, etc. He took pride in the achievements of the Health Department, and outlined a policy featuring a campaign for reducing the perils of childbirth and the better care of babies in the first month of life. He advocated extension of dental services, first to all State scholars and ultimately to all other children. The Minister had a warm bombardment regarding the low rata of relief work wages, child allowances, and. the salaries of some postal officials. There was also much heckling regarding Mr Sterling's salary of £3500 as Manager of Railways. He defended the Government's policy in paying a wage below the standard to relief workers, and in observing economy regarding child allowances. He said he had every confidence that Mr Sterling's services"would fully justify the salary paid. The' meeting rejected a motion of noconfidence in the Government and carried a motion of thanks to and confidence in Mr Young.