PARLIAMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 149, 16 August 1911, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. (Per Press Association.) Wellington, August 15. The House ol' Representatives met at 2.30. Mr Davey gave notice to ask il tlie Government will set up a select committee to inquire into tlie methods adopted by the Press Association in the dissemination of news, especially in view of the fact that Mr Wright has declared that the Press Association is ,a tool of the Government. The Methodist Charitable and Education Trusts Bill (Mr Poole), providing for grants in connection with the training of Maoris at the Three Kings institution, Auckland, was read a second time. Mr Jennings moved the adoption ol the report from the Native Affairs Committee on a petition from Manal.iki and two others of Rarotonga, praying for the removal of Dr. Cheeson and the appointment of Dr. Dawson as medical officer. A brief discussion arose on the motion. Mr Allen complained that the country was not doing its duty in connection with the health of the islandcis. Conditions on the islands were most insanitary, and the' race was deteriorating in consequence. Matters wore ten thousand times worse on the outlying islands. An officer should bo sent down to all the islands periodically. He complained that no Minister ever went to the islands. Mr Wright believed that if Dr. Dawson were reappointed the whole trouble would be settled. Mr Arnold advocated periodical visits of representatives of the House of Representatives. Sir James Carrol said that Dr. Dawson was still in private practice in the islands. Dr. Purcival had been appointed in place of Dr. Cheeson and was giving every satisfaction. Arrangements were being made for Another medical officer for the islands. There was a doctor on the island ol Niue and his department was making the best advances possible under the circumstances. The report of the Chief Justice (Sir R. Stout) would he laid on the table of the House on Wednesday or Thursday, and the whole matter could then bo gone into.

The report of the officer commandinc the defence force was laid on the table.

The House wont into committee on the Mental Defectives Bill. In clause 9, dealing with the procedure in an emergency, Mr Ell objected to a menially defective person being taken to a Magistrate’s Court for a reception order as if they were criminals. The feelings of those connected with the patients should be spared as much as possible. The Hon. G. Fowld explained that there was a provision in the Bill for a reception room at the hospitals, though this would not get over the whole difficulty. There were cases of incipient trouble which could not be dealt with elsewhere - them 'at a police court in many parts. The only authorities for the care and control of the public were the police. Mr Russell suggested that female officers should be in attendance when female

patients wove concerned. The experts of the Department should come in at the beginning, and the police would not have to do such duties.

Replying to Mr Malcolm, the Hon. G. Fowlds said-he was not averse to having a special clause inserted later in the Bill prohibiting a doctor, financially interested, from signing a certificate. The clause was adopted. Mr Wright moved an amendment to sub-section 4 of section 33 to substitute the words “two judges of the Supreme Court” for “the Governor-in-Council.” The Hon. G. Fowlds said it would be most unconstitutional to take the functions of pronouncing on life or death or imprisonment for life out of the hands of the Governor-in-Council. The amendment was lost on the voices. The Minister added a c w subclause to clause 42 to give him power to transfer any superintendent or medical officer from one institution to another.

The House adjourned at 5.30

EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30. The Mental Defectives Bill was further considered in committee. Replying to Mr Wright, the Hon. G. Fowlds stated that steps had beer taken to prevent a recurrence of typhoid at 'Porirua mental hospital. No stone would be left unturned in the matter. Clause 69, dealing with isii.ng, evoked a request from Mr Russell loi further facilities in this • ounection. The Hon. G. Fowlds reolinl that it was the intention to further (-.lend tlie system of visitation. The Minister amended sub •danse ! in this clause, providing lor i onvirJh.g of certificates pursuant to sub-section 5 of section 122. Sub-el a ise 6 cl clause 78 was altered to ( rondo for an escaped patient being retained to the institution. The Hon. G. Fowlds moved a new clause that nothing in the Act won! 1 affect the provisions of section 11 of the Education Amendment. Act, 1 3 0, relating to epileptic and feeble■ cin I'd children, and any minor received inio an institution under the Act may bo sent to any special school within the meaning of the section, and shall thereupon bo subject to the provisions of the Education Amendment Act, 1910, and shall cease to be subject to the provisions of that part of the Act.—Carried. c The Minister moved to report progress for further consideration of the clause dealing with medical certificates. The Bill was reported. The Hon. J. A. Millar moved the second reading of the Friendly Societies’ Bill, making certain amendment, s in the Act at the suggestion

of Friendly Societies, the chief provision being that a society or branch shall not he registered after passing this Act until the rates for sickness, death, superannuation and annuity benefits, as set out in the rules submitted with application for registration, are cci titled by tiio actuary of incndly societies or by an actuary approved by the Government. The second reading was agreed to without discussion, and tho House rose at 1D.30.