PROBE BY OPPOSITION

Chronicle (Levin), 9 October 1948, Page 5

PROBE BY OPPOSITION

House Discusses Maternity Accommodation

WELLINGTON, Oct. 8. An amendment to reduce the vpte by £1 &s an indication to the Government that in view of the increased cost of living and the need fpr increased production the reeipients of old age pensions should be qllotyed to eam a greater amount than £52 a year without their pension being effected wqs moved by Mrg. H. Ross (Nat., Hamilton) in the House of • Representatives this afternopn when the Speial Security votes were being discussed.. A division was called for by t'he Opposition, but the procedure after the doors were locked and the bells yung was waived and the ariiendment^ xjpjeeted on the voices. ' rL ' Mr. W. A. Bodkin (Nat., Central Otago), speaking to the vote for the Internal Affairs Department, asked what was to beeome of the Pplish refngee children who came to New Zealand during the war. He understood there was considerable pressure from overseas to have the Polish ehild-. ren returned to Poland. He thought, in their own interests and in view of the state of affairs in Poland and of the world situation, the children should be allowed to remain here. Tlie Acting Priine Minister (Mr. Nash) said the children were being properly cared for in New Zealand. There was a real international dif&culty associated with them if they had relatives who asked the Polish Government to ensure the children 's return. / The New Zealand Government 's only interest in the children was while tiiey were in this country. Steps had been taken to ensure that they had proper care. Unless there were reasons which eould not be overlooked the children would stay here. "There will be no epippulsion for thm to go back unless thqy have parents or there is some other good reason such as we ourselves woflld recognise, " said Air. Nash. It was felt that after all their wartime diffieulties these children really belonged to New Zealand, and if we eould flnd a way for them to stay here we would do so. Mr. C. M. Bowden (Nat., Karori), discussing art unions, said only 24 per ' cent of the amount collected was disbursed in prize money', but the expenses of running the art unions came to more than the amount paid out to the prize wiimers. r Air. Bowden urged that the sooner the complete programme for the Royal Tour was announced the better for members of Parliament at any rate, 1 some of whom have already received numerous requests from constituents for a seat in the House for the opening of Parliament by the King. Hon. W. E. Parry said "that he would announce the programme as soon as possible. - ' " - ' The vote was passed., Aliss Alabel Howard (Health Minister), replying to Air. R. G. Gerard (Ashburton) who during the .discussion of the vote for the Department q£ Health said that the position concerning maternity accommodation throughout the Dominion was alarming to many, said that at present the position was almost "living from hand to mouth. " All demands on accommodation had been met but the position would be easier if more maternity beds were available. No woman, however, needed to worry about getting a booking. If she eould not get one herself she should plaee the onus on the'loeal health officer. Mr. E. B. Corbett (Nat., Eltham): That's a very unsatisfactory arrangement. The Alinister replied that the Department had not yet had any eomplaints. Two or three years ago the position was causing a little anxiety, but no anxiety existed today. Air. Corbett asked if steps were being taken to replace the vacancy caused by the resignation of the Direetor of Mate'rnal Welfare (Dr. Dons Gordon), and were the standards that applied in private hospitals being ajpplied in public hospitals. Despite the supply of milk and apples to school children the report of the Medieal Direetor of Health indicated that malnutrition among European and Alaori children had increased. Aliss Howard, replying to the points raised by members said it was not yet possible to give a considered opinidn on the report of the Aledieal Services Committee. It was true the cost of pharniaceutical beneflts was rising but largely because a number of expensive drugs liad been admitted to the free list. If such drugs helped people to regain their health the drugs should be available to invalids. Aliss Howard, replying to Air. Corbett, said after the last session she went up and down the country visitiug hospitals and meetifig women 's organisations, and she did not flnd any serious anxiety about maternity welfare. No safeguards were being relaxed and everyone knew that the maternity services in this cohntrv were never better than they were today. At the same time there was need for eternal vigilance in regard to all hospitals. Malnutrition was not always due to wrong eating but was caused equally by lack of rest. Mr. Broadfoot: I '11 never fvoTk again. • Aliss Howard went on ta say that the Healh Department was doing a lot in a quiet way to educate the children on malnutrition. Progress, was reported at- this gtage and before the House rose Air. Nash indicated that he hoped all the rerpaining classes of Estimates would be ifnished next week. Some new Bill's would be coming dqwn. ' The House rose at 6 p.m. for the weekend adjournment until 2.30 on Tuesday.