Alcoholics Bill Clash

Press, Issue 31095, 25 June 1966, Page 3

Alcoholics Bill Clash

(N Z. Press Association)

WELLINGTON, June 24.

The question of which Parliamentary select committee should consider the Alcoholics Bill provoked a heated exchange in Parliament today.

The Minister of Health (Mr McKay) suggested the bill should go to the Statutes Revision Committee. The Opposition contended that the Health Committee should also examine it. The bill would enable a magistrate to make an order requiring an alcoholic to be detained for treatment in a specified institute. Any person detained, whether by his own application or by magistrate’s order, would have the right of appeal. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Kirk) said he was sure everyone was in sympathy with the bill’s objective, but warned of the seriousness

of considering anything which impinged on the liberty of the individual.

After more than an hour of debate, the House referred the measure to the Statutes Revision Committee.

The bill, introduced by the Minister of Health (Mr McKay) consolidates and amends the Reformatory Institutions Act, 1909. The bill replaces the term “habitual inebriate” with “alcoholic.” It substitutes the term “patient” for “inmate” to bring terminology in line with the general therapeutic intention of the bill.

At present the great majority of alcoholics are admitted to hospitals, including psychiatric hospitals, on an informal or a voluntary basis without legal restraints. This procedure is not affected by the bill.

No detention order will exceed two years. Patients who respond to treatment may be granted leave, under appropriate conditions, including leave to live outside the institution.

It is expected that most patients will spend much less

than two years in an institution.

Wear On Roads

Heavy traffic licence fees would be reviewed, said the Minister of Transport (Mr McAlpine) in reply to Mr J. B. Gordon (Govt., Clutha). Mr McAlpine said the intention of the review would be to ensure that all heavy motor vehicles contributed in proportion to the wear and damage they caused to the roads. Wool Shares

A Wool Industry Amendment Bill permitting the Wool Board to acquire shares or other interests in companies concerned with the marketing, transport or promotion of wool was given a first reading. It allows the board to purchase interests in patents or inventions.