THE ESTIMATES

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23324, 6 October 1945, Page 7

THE ESTIMATES

More Items Passed

Maori Housing Should Be Improved

(NZ.P.A.) WELLINGTON, Oct. 5. In the discussion on the Health Department Estimates in the House of Representatives to-day, the Hon. A. H. Nqrdmeyer, replying to questions raised by the Opposition members, said he agreed that it was important that Maori housing conditions should be improved. The low standard of Maori housing did affect the incidence of tuberculosis, but to improve the housing would not eradicate the disease or remove the problem. It was most Important to educate the Maori on standards of hygiene which was being done most capably by district nurses and by education in native schools. It was wrong, he said, to have Maori patients in sanatoria and then return them to the poor conditions from which they came. He was not in a position to say what would become of the Services convalescent hospital in Rotorua, but splendid work had been done there which would continue for some time. The Waikato Hospital Board had a proposal for the hospital, and representatives of the Board would discuss that with the Minister of Finance and himself.

Mental Hospitals Speaking on the Mental Hospitals Department vote of £833.897, Mr R. M. Algie (National, Remuera) asked the Minister what was to be the ultimate fate of the Chateau Tongariro. Mr Nordmeyer said there was no burning desire on the part of the people to visit the Chateau these days, but the Department was anxious to release Wairakei, and an undertaking had been given to the effect that Wairakei would be available by the following tourist season. He hoped the building programme would make sufficient progress to enable the evacuation of Wairakei by then, and hoped the Chateau would also be free by then, though that"would depend on the progress of the building work at Lake Alice and Porirua. The vote was passed.

Navigation School Discussing the Marine Department vote of £206.378, Mr L. G. Lowry (Govt., Otaki) advocated the establishment of a navigation school at Wellington, and asked if favourable consideration would be given to the proposal to take over the barque Pamir as a training ship for New Zealand.

The Hon. J. O’Brien, replying, said a school of navigation would be established in Wellington when sufficient students were obtained. There had been many suggestions for the future use of the Pamir, including one that about 40 cadets should be placed on board it and given four years’ training. Nautical authorities advised against that course, saying that even if men were trained under sail they would require an equal period of training under steam. Mr O’Brien said the ship would be used in the best possible way. It had been suggested that a committee be set up to advise on the best methods of training on board the barque, but that stage had not yet been reached.

The House adjourned at 5.30 p.m. until 2.30 p.m. on Monday, when the debate on the Employment Bill will be resumed.

The Marine Department vote was not passed at the adjournment, but other votes passed during the afternoon were—Government Life Insurance Department £177,034, State Fire Insurance Account £107,470, Government Accident Insurance Account £64,570, National Provident and Friendly Societies Department £114,489, Printing and Stationery Department £413,469.