PARLIAMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 140, 5 August 1911, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

FRIDAY, AFC UST 1

Legislative Council

(Per Press Association.) Wellington, August -1

The Council i use at 2.30. Tne ±luii. o. Barr, alter brieliy referring to imperial alfairs. admitted there* acre reasons why some prisons siiouid object to universal military training, hut considered that the yout/is of New Zealand required discipline. Ho referred to tao necessity for educating tiio gins in the matter of domestic dunes. They should bo more useful tnan ornamental. lie complained that of tne girls assisted to come to the Dominion many wore not qualified lor work, and some, ho was soiry to say, were undesirable. Someone should uc sent Homo to supervise immigration, and see that tne right class were sent out. Dealing with tiio question of arbitration and conciliation, lie did not think the wholesale criticism of the judge was justilied. What was wanted was something to strengthen the conciliation portions of. the Act. He did not consider tne judge should have tiio powers he possessed. Where agreements had been arrived at by both parties these should be law. lie thought tho time had arrived when there should be a radical alteration in the Arbitration Court. Experts should bo appointed to deal witn tne special matters referred to the Court. Tho Hon. .1. Jonkinson took strong exception to Mr. A. L. Fiordmams reference to the character of the Legislative Council during that lawyer’s speech at Wanganui a few days ago, and the said words used were not rio ,to be repeated in the Council. Ho, with others, regretted the circumstances loading to the retirement of the Hon. T. K. Macdonald from the Council, but thought that was an example that should be followed by one other member. He thought the majority of tho Council would lie pleased. Tho Speaker here called the Hon. Mr. Jenkinson to order on the ground that his remarks might be considered as a reflection upon a member of the Council.

The Hon. J. Jonkinson, referring to other subjects, objected to appointment of foreign people ns consular agents. Referring to the honours conferred by the King, generally speaking, ho had no objection where honours were earned, out he took exception to the title conferred on Sir John Findlay. He regretted having to speak in this strain. The speaker was again called to order by an hon. member, and lie promptly acquiesced in the ruling, remarking that be would deal witn the matter when Sir John Findlay returned. Referring to the Speecii, he regretted that tne Government had not announced a bold policy. As for the satisfactory reasons claimed for the Imperial Conference, the only tangible result was the setting up of a commission to enquire into the commercial relations between the oversea Dominions and the Motherland. The debate was adjourned and the Council ruse. House of Ropresantatives. The debate on the Address-in-licply was resumed by Mr. Hogg, who, while congratulating Sir A. Guinness and Sir James Carroll upon the honours conferred upon them, said he preferred to reserve, his judgment on the acceptance by Sir Joseph Ward of tne baronetcy. He pleaded for consideration by'the Government of the Rimutaka deviation, which was important to the people between Najher and Wellington. The late Mr. Seddon had complained of tho lack of railway enterprise on tho West Coast, especially towards the rich forest country. Mr. Jennings having, replied, tho Addross-in-Reply was adopted. MENTAL DEFECTIVES BILL. The lion. G. Fowkls moved the second reading of tiic Mental Defectives Bill, which, ho explained, dealt not only with lunatics, but with mentally defective people. The danger of allowing these latter at large was their fertility, which was greater than that of strong-minded members of the .community. The Bill provided for an annual report on all cases. Mr. Massey approved of the principle of the Bill. Referring to a newspaper paragraph relating to overcrowding tiio Avondale Asylum, he said that, if it was correct, it disclosed a shocking state of affairs, amounting to a public scandal. The House rose at u. 30 p.m. EVENING SITTING. In tho House in the evening, Mr. Massey continued his remarks re the Avondale Asylum, tie dared not think what would happen in tho event of lire. Ho urged it was a case for a Royal Commission of men experienced id such matters. He had just received a letter from an ex-patient, now cured, who stated that patients when first entering were sene to the refractory ward, which was the closest imitation to hell imaginable. The Hon. G. Fowlds said that was not the practice.

The Hon. G. M. Thompson held it nas necessary to make provision for defective children.

Mr. Fisher suggested that the Fill be first sent to a committee, which could examine expert witnesses. The Bill should not bo placed on the Statute Book until it had fullest consideration and expert evidence necessary to guide tiie lay mind. Mr. Field said that if mental institutions continued to bo administered by the efficient stall' now in charge good' would result. The question of 'fertility of the unfit should have tne fullest consideration of the House. Mr. Taylor suggested the practicability cf drawing the attention of people through hospital boards and scnool committees to the necessity for early treatment of mental troubles in children. The hoarding-out system provided for in the Bill would require careful consideration.

Mr. Lauronson quoted figures showing a, largely increased proportion of the population in the asylums compared with thirty years ago. The proportion was now one in 29U, as against one in 530. Ho congratulated the Minister on introducing anotner Bill for hottoiing the position of unfortunates. He was "under the impression that not enough money was spent in these institutions.

Mr. Hanan thought the money would he well spoilt in establishing institutions for the care of feeble-minded children.

Mr. E. 11. Clark offered the suggestion that the Eugenic Society should I>3 empowered to visit and report on the feeble-minded. Messrs. Witty, Bollard, and Dr. To Uaugihirou continued the -'t-Date, Mr. Bollard considering that Mr. Massey’s statements regarding; the state of Avondale Asylum were grossly exaggerated.

The Hon. G. Fowlds, in reply, sar’ lie was not prepared to say that Avondale Asylum was not overcrowded and seriously overcrowded at that. He had looked veil ahead when the- institution at Tokaanu was being designed. Ho was to blame, in :: mea-

j sure, for not having the wo-a done mo: o quickly, but it must be remembered that they had an abnormally high rate of admission to the asylum last year. Tho admissions were especially high in tho Auckland district. The buildings which were to I o <’tiled would be proceeded wifi as (,uickly as possible. Within a few months tne position would lie relieved. AVit?i regard to the Royal Commission, Mr Masscv had a mania for them, and be (Mr. jM issoy) would speed as much money thereon as would be : ccaispry to cope with tho whole question. ith regard to the statement that new patients were put into the refractory ward when they arrived at the asylum, no superintendent wmlci do such a thing. The statements in regard to the long hours of attendance were exaggerated. Members had to remember that a heavy expenoitura was necessary to carry nut needed works, it was no small matter to get sufficient money P-e ire necessary extension of mental - hospitals. Tho Bill was approved and r-ud a second time. The House rose at 11 p in.