HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 9173, 13 October 1915, Page 10

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

The Speaker took the chair at 10.30 ».m. , SMALL-POX AND PLAGUE. Mr Q. ’'Witty (Ricoarton) asked the Minister for Public Health whether, seeing that small-pox has broken out at? Newcastle," Sydney', and Maitland, he intoodepUtp. take any action to provent ita .spreading to 'Zealand; also; on’" account of the constant stream of ships from" Alexandria to Wellington, ho whuld take every precaution to prevent thb„,plagUß_ and other diseases existing in all ’ Egyptian porta from being bfoughtf “Hire. “The Hon. G. W. Russell replied that the matter was engaging the attention of: the officers- of the department, who did not think that there was any necessity;, yet for establishing a system of buarantino between Australia and the dominion.,,. Every precaution was being taken in both matters mentioned by the bon. member. CONTAGIOUS DISEASES. ' ’Mr, U'M. Isitt (Christchurch North) asked whether the Government intended to take any steps to prevent the spread of contagious diseases. .The Hon. G- W. Russell replied that the .matter was ’being considered by the Government. His predecessor in office had . .prepared a bill dealing with .the question,.shut it bad been thought wise not to bring it down this session. This vary serious problem . had . been .considerably complicated by the return of soldiers from Egypt, but ho was glad to'say that many who had been brought back recently had been released, the nature of the'disease hot being of the severe typo that might bo expected us coming - from the East. Every precaution would- ho taken by way of rigid examination to prevent the spread of the disease. If a bill were brought down next session .he could promise .that it . would bo equitable and just. Its provisions would he applicable to women, and be equally applicable to men. IMPORTATION OF WHEAT. -

In reply to Mr J. Anstey (Waitnki). the Prime Minister said that, mtich as they all disliked the idea of taxes on foodstuffs, he, did not think the. import duty on wheat should bo removed for a long time to come. Everytniug should he done to encourage the farmers of the Dominion to produce all the wheat the country needs. MAIL CONTRACTS.

Replying to Mr P. C. Webb (Grey), Sir Joseph Ward (Postmaster-General) said that after the war broke out the Government considered it advisable not ■to- call for tenders for mail-carrying contracts for a period of years, but instead asked present contractors whether they would extend their service for another year. In three-fifths of the cases the contracts had been continued, and in the others fresh tenders hrero being called. 1 SOLDIERS’ PAY. The regulation that prevents sick and wounded New Zealanders in England from receiving their pay was mentioned again. Dr A. K- Newman (Wellington East) urging that the men should bo given tho money they had earned and iiow needed. ,Dr Newman said he had received very strong representations on the subject from the parents of tho soldiers and from people who had returned from, Britain, The men were mot mere boys, and they wanted to draw a part of their pay in order that they might see their friends. Thera ware some 3000 sick and wounded New Zealanders in Britain. The Defence Minister (Hon J- Allen) said tho Imperial anthorities had recommended that the soldiers should not receive their pay while in hospital or tho convalescent home. The reason was obvious. The first consideration was the restoration of health, and the soldiers received all they needed, including various comforts and even an allowance for purchases. A sum of nearly JHOOO had been sent to the High Commissioner for the purchase of comforts, and Now Zealanders in London had made further arrangements.. Tho men were mot being treated as children. They •were being treated as soldiers, whoso rapid restoration to health was a national consideration. CIVILIAN OFFICER IN EGYPT. Mr L. M. Isitt (Christchurch North) asked if the Defence Minister would send a civilian officer to Egypt to attend to various duties among tho men in the hospitals. The Minister said he believed the existing arrangements, which he had described previously, were adequate. The chaplains were doing wonderfully good work, and a committee which contained several Now Zealand officers was seeing to the comforts of the soldiersNew arrangements were being made at Malta. Ho would not object to sending a civilian officer if he were required.