Sanatorium Site Discussed In House

Chronicle (Levin), 22 July 1948, Page 5

Sanatorium Site Discussed In House

■ Press Association)

(Per

WELLINGTON, July 21. The Maoris W.fere the greatest. sufferers in- ■ the countTy from tuberculosis, yet when a group of North Island Hospital Boards chose a site in Levin fot a tuberculosis hospital they were refused the land because it was under MaOri ownership, said the Lea'der of the Opposition (Mr. Holland) in the debate in the HOuse of Representatives last night on the Tuberculosis Bill. " • Mr. Holland said he couid ' not believe that the decision expressed the real wish of the Maori people and he challenged the Maori members of the House to say that the land would hq mado available for this' most deservihg purpose. When the Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser) returned to the House Mr. Holland referred again to the subject of the Levin site. Mr. Fraser interjecte'd that ■ the Director-General of Health had informed him there was plenty of other land available. After reading the Health Department's report, which showed all too elearly that the Maoris suffered more from the disease ■ than the rest of the population, his feelings were outraged at the report that the Maori owners were withhol'ding the land wanted as being an ideal site for the tuberculosis institution, said Mr. Holland. Further interjections by Mr. Fraser drew from Mr. -Holland the observation that it was impossible to refer in the House to the Maori people without' the Prime Minister getting up in arms and •declaring that the Maoris were being unfairly attacked. In reply to critiCism concerning the use of land at Levin for a. sanatorium, Mr. E. T. Tirikatene (Lab., Southern Maori) said the Maori owners would -have no objection to the use of it for that purpose provided other suitable land was matle available to them.