PARLIAMENTARY JOTTINGS
(From Ona Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, September 3. CONSUMPTIVE SANATORIUM. Mr Craigie (limaru) to-day mentioned the necessity lor a. butter sanatorium fur consumptives m tho boutli Island. Ale jield thai Uiu best provisiou in tins respect was not being uiuuo. Tho iVi.inistcr of Health said the department iia<l the matter in tram, and the prowas to establish a sanatorium in .Central Otago. lie hoped the idea would have taken practical shape Lkiloiv tho House hud to cteui with the question again. GOITRE IN CANTERBURY. A sum ot appears oil this year's Estimates as a grant towards expenses ot medical research work, 'ihe same amount was on last- year's Estimates, and was voted, but not spent. The Alinister (the lion. C. J. Parr) explained i-hat thero was no opportunity lusi, year, but this year tie hoped some research work would be done. There were various directions in which research work might now bo undertaken. Jj'or instance, goitre was very prevalent in Canterbury, while other districts were almost immune from it. That was a matter that required investigation. BUTTER EUR LOCAL MARKETS. Complaints lrom butter detuers and Labour unions of the difficulty in obtaining butter supplies were mentioned in the House of Representatives this afternoon by Mr R. M'Calium (Wairau), who said that there was difficulty in obtaining supplies owing to the price being paid by the Home Government. He asked tho Prime Minister to say what butter was available, and at what price. Mr Massey said that lie had not received many complaints on the matter, though he had noticcd a few. '.Hie Director ot the Department of Agriculture (Dr O. J. ReakesJ had informed him a few days ago that there was enough butter in store to last to the end of this month. It would be remembered that last year there was a cons:rterable shortage, and tho department was then instructed to see that greater reserves should be accumulated. This had been done. If w'hat he had been told was correct, there ought to bo enough for the time stated. The Government had no intention of making any profit out of this butter. The price would not be increased until this supply was exhausted. Mr G. Mitchell ( Wellington South) : What about iresh supplies'.' Mr Massey: mat is another story.
COST OF LIVING. Mr M'Comhs asked il tho i/rime Minister was aware of tlie fact that the cost of living had gone up 49 points during tne month, this means lorty-nine lmieths of a shilling, or practically 5 per cent. In view of tiiis alarming rate of increase, lie asked if the Government would set up a special committee to go into the question and make recommendations. Mr Massey said that as a matter of fact he intended setting up a committee of the House to consider the' butter question next week, and he would have 110 objection to that committee's dealing with tho main question of the cost of living as well. " WEEK OF .PITY" 'SCHEME. The "Week of Pity," organised to collect funds for the children of Central Europe, is being prejudiced by the impression held in some quarters that the money collected in New Zealand for the' dependents of those lost in the'battle of Jutland had not been applied to that purpose, but was still being held in London, according to a statement made in the House of Representatives this afternoon by Mr A. S. ivialeoim (Clutha). He asked the Prime Minister if he fcould say whether this was tho case or not, stating that the matter was one of some urgency. , ■ Mr Massoy said that he had not sufficient information to give a direct answer to the question, and asked that it should be placed on the Order Paper. THE COAL SHORTAGE. Private messages received from Australia state that the coal shortage is very •acute there at the present time, and there are really insufficient supplies to meet the groat demand. At Mr Massey's request thePrime Minister of the commonwealth :s, however, doing all lie can iinder the circumstances to assist New Zealand in Jts coal difficulty. Mr Hughes, cabling to Mr Massey to-day, expressed the hope that tho instructions he had given in regard to preferential treatment of the dominion, as against other . overseas. countries, will secure a largely augmented supply to New Zealand.
LENGTH OF THE SESSION. An intention to press forward with the business of the session, with a view to ending a little earlier than had previously been anticipated, was indicated by the Priiric Minister to : day just before 11.30 p.m. , A quest.on arose concerning the length of the (sitting. Mr Massey said lie was prepared to rise early if they would sit on' Monday. Tho suggestion was made that they might sit on Monday week. Mir Massoy said ho had intended to propose that. However, he wished to enter on Monday sittings almost immediately., with'a view to bringing the session to an end in the first week in November. This; he believed, could easily be done, if there was no undue delay.
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Bibliographic details
Otago Daily Times, Issue 18032, 4 September 1920, Page 8
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842PARLIAMENTARY JOTTINGS Otago Daily Times, Issue 18032, 4 September 1920, Page 8
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