POLITICAL NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19999, 15 July 1920, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

m l | l 11 [Fsoii Ora Corheei'okdent.] WELLINGTON, July 14. ALTERNATIVE TO IMMIGRATION. “Why not pay expenses in all maternity cases and so encourage an increase of the birth rate in the Dominion, in preference to importing emigrants, who may or may not he satis- j factory on arrival here?” asked Mr Witty. Sir William Kerries (Minister in charge of the National Provident Fund Department) replied that the Govern- j ment at present provides annually a ' considerable bum for maternity allow- I aures, and the Health Department ' makes special provision for treatment t in St Helens Hospitals. The question ■ of further extending this form of assist- | a nee will be considered. MUNICIPAL BUILDING GRANTS. The Minister of Labour was asked by Mr Sullivan (Avon) whether he intended to increase the amount, £IO,OOO per annum, now allowed to municipal i councils for tho purpose of building ; houses, as the amount stated is quite inadequate for the purpose. Sir _ William Herrics replied that, it was intended to amend the Housing Act during the present session and the suggestion then would receive consideration. CHECK ON HIGH PRICES. “Taxation is hosed on the Govern- j ment valuation, but there is no ohjec-1 tion to passing on to the Valuation Department prices asked for land offered to the Government for soldier settlement.” stated the Hon D. H. Guthrie, answering Mr Witty’s suggestion that where excessive prices arc asked for land for returned soldiers the Government tax should be on the price at which the settler himself values the land at the lime of offer. TUBERCULAR SOLDIERS.. A thirteen danse question by Air M’Combs. regarding the care of tubercular patients who are ex-soldiers, has produced an equally long reply by tho Ministers of Defence and Soldiers’ Settlement. They admit that the Defence Department accepts liability for treatment, of disabilities due to or aggravated by war service without any limitation of time after that service at which disabilities may arise. The Hon D. H. Guthrie stated that special areas of land were available for tubercular men. but the question of carrying on the business of soldiers whose health breaks down was one of tho problems which the Repatriation Department realised from the commencement. However, the problem was not peculiar to T.B. men, but applied to all seriously disabled soldiers, and whilst business members of- the various boards and Committees always were ready to assist the soldier with the best advice and the staff of the Depart, ment always was available to keep soldiers’ books, etc., it would obviously he impossible for the Department to keen on band a otafF payable of running the varied businesses which soldiers engage in, namely, engineers, watchmakers, farmers, doctors, dentists, fishermen, etc. There was no authority to compulsorilv examine these cxpatients, but they were encouraged to attend for the purpose and were periodically examined for pension purposes, WAIMAKARIRI RIVER. The Minister of Public Works informed Mr D. Jones that the report of the Commission on the Waimakariri will be presented to the House as soon as it is received. The Commissioners state that in their preliminary investigations they found that a. large extent of survey was required before they could intelligently consider tho report on tho problem. These surveys had been in hand for some months and should be completed during the current, month. Immediately the data, came to hand the Commission would formulate its report. COAL FOR SCHOOLS. Dr-Thacker has been assured by the. Minister of Education that in the matter of coal supply, schools were, to always receive preferential treatment and every effort would continue to bo made to ensure that public schools throughout tho Dominion were kept fully supplied with suitable fuel. The. co-operation of school committees was desired, however, in making the best possible use of supplies available, and in seeing that coke and firewood wero used as extensively as possible. HOSPITAL LOANS. The question of allowing hospital boards to borrow money for building or renewals was under consideration, stated the Minister of Health in reply to Air Witty. Tho Minister added that in cases where hospital hoards levy for the full amount on contributory local authorities such local authorities have power to raise joint loan* to meet the requisition and so spread the cost over a number of years. PASSPORTS CONTINUE. Air Sullivan and Air Witty having raised a. question as to tho desirability of continuing the passport system, they were informed by the Government that as long as passport restrictions continued iu other lands it would he necessary for any person leaving Now Zealand to hare a passport, otherwise he would not be permitted to enter such countries. It was impossible at present to say how long the restrictions I were likely to continue. AMERICAN SERVICES. When tenders for the carriage cf mails and goods are received by the Government, full consideration will be given to the point raised by Dr Thacker, that the Government should arrange for steamers from the West Coast of America aud Canada co make a port, of call in the South Island, alternately with the North Island, ns the South Island is at present penalised by additional coastal freight on overseas commodities. NO GOAL CUT. The Prime Alimster was given an opportunity to-day, as the result of a question” by Air Sidcy, of denying a rumour that the Railway Department contemplated another cut during the coal shortage. Air Alassoy said that stock's were below normal, but no cut was imminent, and tho Department was doing everything nossihlc to secure supplies locally aud overseas. CENSORED MOTION. As the motion by Air Holland, dealing with the Irish situation, failed to miCke an appearance on the Order Paper to-day. the member for Duller demanded to know the reason. Air Sneaker replied that lie look fail responsibility for deleting the motion in his opinion it dictated to tho British Government, or, rather, veflectj od on the action of the British Government, in a critical period; therefore the j motion was not in order. (Hear, hear.) Air Holland endeavoured to discuss the matter as a question of privilege, but was assured that no question of privilege was involved. If the ruling was questioned he could give notice lo move that it should he disagreed with. This did not appeal to Air Holland, who said that it rested with the Government to say whether the motion ever would get a. chance of being discussed. TEVIOIDALE ESTATE. Settlers in the Amberloy district have called the attention of Air Uorbes to the excellent opportunity afforded for soldier settlement in North Canterbury by acquiring a, portion of Air G. D. Greenwood's Teviotdale estate, which is being offered for sale by auction in seven tections. Tho member for Huninui brought the matter under the notice of the, Alinister of Lauds, who has promised to open negotiations with tno owner aud acquire an area if terms are favourable. This estate has previously been under the notice of the Land's Purchase Board and reported on for soldier settlement, hut nothing was clone. Local settlers consider tho laud very suitable for settlement of soldier.;.