THE SESSION.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 187, 12 September 1914, Page 2

THE SESSION.

ESTIMATES CONSIDERED.

CHRISTCHURCH MATERNITY HOME. THE ADDINGTON SITE. •jProxn our own Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, September 11. Consideration of the Estimates was continued in the House this evening. On the items "Public Health Hospitals and Charitable Aid, £55,994," Mr J. B. Hine (Stratford) expressed a hope that some scheme of superannuation would be brought down for the benefit of hospital staffs. Mr H. 6. Ell thought it was the duty ©f the Government to see that the local bodies did their duty in this matter. Mr J. Payne (Grey Lynn) urged that lie should be given an opportunity of introducing a Bill to legalise nurses unregistered up to 1911. The Hon. E. H. Rhodes said that so far the Government had not established a scheme of superannuation for others than those who we*e State servants. Nurses would have to be State servants before they could come under any scheme of superannuation. He had suggested to the Hospital Board that they should co-operate with the Department in Borne such scheme so far as unregistered nurses were concerned. They had already been afforded ample opportunity of qualifying themselves. Attention was drawn by several members to the use of unregistered plumbers. It was suggested that some provisions should be made for granting certificates to men who had been at their trade for years without having to pass theoretical examinations. Mr J. Payne opposed the idea of absolving plumbers who were too apathetic to pass a test in sanitary plumbing. Mr J. A. Hanan (Invereargill) -thought the matter was of such small importance that no exception should be made. ' Mr Russell fcsked why there was a Tote for £9OO for Salvation Army Prison ' Brigade work when the sum of £450, "voted last year, was not paid. He was • sorry to see the Government proposed to abaiiclon the present maternity hospital in Ckristchurch and establish one at Addingtofi* The scheme he had proposed to carry out was to use the p/e----sent site with a new building; this would leave £10,090 available for the establishment of four maternity hospitals in other centres, Hamilton, Greymouth, Palmerston North, and Timaru or Invereargill. Mt H. G. Ell-said that Mr Eussell bad been wrong in his judgment about the Christchurch Maternity Home. There was no room for expansion on the present sitej and the existing building . was valueless. It was impossible to alter the old building to make it fit in. with modern requirements, and the Minister was quite right in agreeing to the Addingtoh site. Such an institution could not' be run on cheap lines. He was/anxious to know whether the new home could be proceeded with at once.

Mr Rhodes, in reply, stated that any competent plumber could pass the examination required. It was of a very simple character and was neither theoretical nor technical. As to the vote to the Salvation Army, it was not paid until the close of- the financial year. He had gone carefully into the matter of the Christchurch Maternity Home, and had decided that the present site was unsuitable and too cramped. Mr A. H. Hindmarsh (Wellington South) contended that the law against the adulteration of food was not being properly enforced. The party in power ■would not bring about any reform, because a large number of their supporters were profiting by the nefarious practices that were being indulged in. If the Labour and Liberal Party were in power this Act .would be drastically enforced. Mr Rhodes said that merchants who were not rigidly observing the law with regard to the adulteration of foods -were being warned. If the warning were not regarded prosecutions would speedily follow. .The item was agreed to. THE COOK ISLANDS. The item, "Cook Island Administration Department, £5908," was next taken.

In reply to criticisms, Mr Te Rangihi- —- roa (Northern Maori) said that it would be' impossible to provide adequate medical attention -for the residents of the outside islands of the group unless a Government schooner was provided to caEry medical officers round the islands. He; was not sure that any Government ■would agree to this expense. The same criticism had been levelled not only against the present Minister in charge of the administration of the islands, but .against previous Ministers, including aimself. The vote- was passed. BAIL WAYS VOTE POSTPONED. On the item, "Working Railways, £3,030,000," Mr G. W. Russell (Avon) asked whether the Government intended to give the Hoxise another opportunity of discussing the report of the general manager, Mr E. H. Hiley, and whether the. Government intended to carry out the proposals contained in the report. The Minister of Public Works (Hon. W. Fraser),-who was in charge of the Estimates, in place of the Hon. W. H. Herries, who is absent through illness, said that the Prime Minister had already promised that the House would have an opportunity of discussing the report; The report would he dealt with by Cabinet, and then an announcement would be made as to the Government's intentions. Mr Russell contended that the railway estimates" should not be taken until the Minister in charge of the Department could be present. There were many Other departments which could be taken. Mr Fraser said he could not agree to a postponement. Mr H. G. Ell said that there were many questions which could be answered only by the Minister of Railways. It was not right to ask the House to vote over £3,000,000 practically without a word. MINES DEPARTMENT.

By the unanimous consent of the House, the railway vote was postponed, and attention was transferred to mines (£34,343). Mr P. C. Webb (Grey) urged the Minister to bring down the Bill, which he had promised earlier in the session, dealing with miners' complaint, and the compensations which should be paid to victims of the disease. This would be a measure far more important than some which would find their way to the Statute Book. The Hon. Mr Fraser said it was dif-

ficult to say what would happen during the remainder of the session with regard to what legislation would be passed, but if he could not pass the measure he had promised, he would place a sum on the Supplementary Estimates which would be more than had been granted before. (Hear, hear.) Mr G. M. Thomson asked if it were intended to appoint a paleontologist. Hon. Mr Fraser replied that such an appointment was provided for. Mr P. C. Webb urged generous encouragement of individual prospecting, especially those miners who were enthusiastic, and were -recommended by a mines inspector. The report of the Mines Commission showed clearly that the whole of the mining laws of the Dominion were out of date. They wanted a complete change, for there were many phases of the industry which required fresh legislation. Mr Russell expressed keen disappointment with the item provided for prospecting. The present Minister had a poor record for his administration of the Mines Department. Of £6OOO under the head of "Assistance towards prospecting" only £4196 had been spent. Mr Eraser: They wouldn't apply for it.

Mr Russell: Then why don't you produce a policy of encouraging them? He contended that the Minister did not give sufficient time to the mining industry but devoted all his time to other matters. The vote w r as passed.