OTHER MATTERS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1454, 31 May 1912, Page 6

OTHER MATTERS.

MENTAL HOSPITALS. ESTABLISHMENT OP REST HOUSES. Willi regard to mental hospitals, a most important change is proposed, and is now receiving consideration, viz., tho establishment nf "Rest Homes," an institution which will be entirely apart from (ho mental hospitals, into which persons suffering from what may be only a temporary mental aberration may be placed. These rest homes will hare as little similarity to Ihc institutions for the insane as is possible, and it is hoped by their establishment the number of tlioso who may be enabled to return to (heir friends cured, without having seen the inside of a mental hospital may be very considerable. Post and Telegraph. When acting as Postmaster-General last year 1 obtained agood idea of the welldirecled efi'ovls of the Department to keep pace with tho growing demands of the people, and from my experience I am convinced that; the machinery of the J)o----parlmyiit can lie made use of in many additional useful directions. Perhaps' the particular section of tha Department's work which is at the present; time boing anxiously looked towards by country set Hers is _ the telephone. At'the beginning of this year a comprehensive scheme for the erection of lines to serve more than one settler at a greatly reduced rato was brought into force. Tho idea was to make such arrangements as would enable as long a line as possible to be erected, by means of which settlers could be conucctcrf with each other, and with tire nearest telephone office at a subscription of .CIS per annum, a slightly higher charge being made for longer lines. Instead of the individual lines, which were almost universally used, facilities are now given for settlers to join together ill using a line. I am glad to say that the scheme has been a pronounced success, so much ,«o that it will be necessary for the Government to consider a largo addition lo this year's vote for tho telephone linn construction to meet increasing demands. Wants of Isolated Settlers, The lines I am referring to are of imuienso benefit to fanners and others within a few miles of a telephone office, but it is obvious that the maximum distance must be limited. There is, however, nilother section of the people to be considered. namely, lire back-block settlers. Recently it was decided, in the case of isolated places, to reduce the ralo of interest on the capital cost from 5 to 3i per cent., and lo take half the risk of loss on the lines. This applied to all already guaranteed as well as to new lines. The concession has led to great developments, and brought many places formerly isolated within touch of the telegraph system. It is now being considered whether this cannot bo carried further, and the wants of still more isolated settlers be met by asking Farlia-1 moat for a special vote. Tho cardinal I policy of the Government in respect, to tha granting of telephonic facilities is to consider the needs of the country settlers first, but at the same tinis the convenience of tho cities is not being overlooked. I am hopeful of being able to fix A radius of several miles in lieu of one mile at the minimum late as . regards telephones in areas. Long-distance telepiioning is also occupying attention, Within a very short time n new telephone wiro between Auckland and AVellingtou will be completed, enabling speech to be had between those cities, aiid, as funds permit, the erection of long-dislanco wires will bo extended.

Parcel Post. A reduction in p;i reel-post rat,-?, which arc at pre.«ciit id. for the first lb. and ■2d. for each succeeding lb. up to lllb., is now under consideration, and I hope that it may bo possible to announce not only a substantial reduction in the rates, but an increase in the maximum weight of parcels to' bo carried. livery family should, <is far as possible, be helped to secure fish and fruit, and it is at present only those who are able to pay high prices who can, for a lengthened period, obtain supplies. Under the scheme 1 propose it will be possible for any person to call at or send a card to any post oilicoidoring, say, a ease of apples from the. most convenient fruit-growing district. Growers will be invited to send in their names and prices to the Department r .f Agriculture, which will print a list, for the use of post offices and consumers. It is unnecessary to detail the procedure which will be followed by the post office beyond savin? that the filling in of the card will bring the fruit, and that the post office will colloct the cost by coupon in advance. Similarly I propose" that the post office shall carry fish by parcel post at special rates. Mail Services, Etc. Wa are on the point of important developments in connection with mail services generally. As the mail contracts expire this year, the Department has been instructed to take into consideration the desirableness of utilising motor-ears as far as possible. An experiment which will determine the best class of car for uso for important eei'vices is about to be undertaken by tho Department, which is sending one of its proved vehicles to in aso a run beiwecii Blenheim and Neltou, The Future, I liavo at tho limited timo at my disposal endeavoured to give ycu an outline of what the Government is <'oi;i,>, and also of some of tho more important in tional questions which I think sii i n-J i,c (.'"all with. Thoro are oilier sutlers (.!' importance indicated in the Spco.i from (lie Throne last .session which are aho worthy of attention. However, speaking of tin- legislative proposals as a whole contained in that speech, I may say that I think it better, when considering what programme of work should bo attempted during a Parliamentary session, {hut intention should bo focussed on a reasonable number of practicable, progressive proposals which can be carefully considered and effectively dealt with iii one session, and not to undertake a programme of work which, having regard to the average length, of a session, can only be satisfactorily accomplished by instalments. Conclusion. And now I have concluded my task. 1 have, 1 hope, mado clear to yon "the policy and intentions of the Government, ami have endeavoured to (leal with principles and measures, and not with parly or men: Tlio past luis been placed under review, tho present has been treated, anil as far as possible our future lines of action indicated. We are endeavouring to meet the problems of the hour. In my opinion wo are on the verge of great possibilities There is everywliero a political ail i industrial unrest, and it behoves us to direct it to good ends. People usually erautaie !o one or lira sides, the progressive or llit stationary. The tendency of the former is tlio desire for development, and of the latter for conservatism. "Our parly stands for progress—decisive and rational progress; and for _ liberty—genuine and literal liberty." We have no programme promising a political paradise for a people wilh-jut effort, economy, and industry. Our aim will be largely administrative, keeping steadily before us the necessity for legislative enactments whenever the conditions require them. We expect criiidsm, and will no doubt receive oof share, but attempts to 'discredit us ail i oar work will not deter us in our efforts lo work for the well-being of all classes o? the community. We will manfullv do tlio work that lies before us, and \hcii trust ourselves with confidence to the judgment of the people. We desire to advae.eo this country on wide lines, ex(eiidiiig (o every member of (ho community the utmost privileges possible consistent with sound principles 'and economic administration, with due regard to the nature and occupation of oar people, and the competition we have to meet and confend against both in local ami foreign markets.

The- speech lasted about two hours, and Mr. Mackenzie was loudly applauded 011 resuming his seat. Tho following motion was passed, amid hearty cheering "This meeting tenders its very hearty vote of thanks Jo the Prime Minister for hi-; instnietivc and statesmanlike speech, ;i!i«i t'-vpiv-sf.-.' i-nlii'o 1 oii/idiTico iii (lie AdniinWralion 0!' which ho i< head, nnd truMs that Hie Dominion will give the Adniinisiratioii an opporlunity of Riving nft'-Tt (0 its policy." Suh-erjucntly a. ".'oci.il" in (ho Minister's honour was heli