QUESTION DAY

Evening Star, Issue 22458, 1 October 1936, Page 6

QUESTION DAY

MINISTER Oil MIGRATION POSSIBILITIES DISPOSAL OF DEAD PATIENTS' WEDDING RINGS [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, September 30. The following Ministerial answers to questions were circulated in the House to-day:— Mr Howard, on behalf of Mr Barnard, asked the Prime Minister whether it is intended at an early date to initiate a systematic survey and inquiry with a view to ascertain; (1) Whether in the interests of the Dominion from a social, economic, and also an international standpoint, it is desirable to adopt a policy of planned immigration: (2) from what British and north European countries a sufficient influx of physically and mentally fit and otherwise desirable new citizens could he obtained; (3) what methods should be adopted and what machinery would be required, and what preparations would be necessary to enable the Dominion to absorb such new citizens -without any intensification or increase of unemployment or other antisocial results. Mr Savage replied that the Government is of opinion that planned immigration is desirable when economic conditions in the Dominion are so far improved as to. aclmt of such a policy being adopted with advantage. In anticipation of migration being one of the subjects to be_ discussed at the forthcoming Imperial Conference, all the necessary data and information are being prepared and collated. Dr M’Millan asked the Minister of Health whether he will take steps to ensure that the wedding rings of women who die in public hospitals are buried with them. Mr Fraser replied: It is not agreed that the suggested steps should be taken. The personal property of a deceased person must be preserved and delivered to the executor or administrator of the deceased’s estate, and under section 6 of the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Amendment Act, 1928, unclaimed personal property must be retained for at least two years before it is disposed of. OBSTRUCTED WATERWAYS, Mr Cullen asked the Minister of Public Works whether, in view of the great deal of damage that is being done by streams that are flowing through good flat areas of laud in New Zealand, causing constant flooding from time to time and destroying property, as well as county' and private roads, the Minister will consider such work a national one and take out and completely destroy all trees, as well as straighten streams where necessary, so that all such areas could be brought into production and adjacent roads safeguarded. Mr Semple replied: The work to which the question refers is one of great magnitude, and the menace of obstructed waterways is an increasing one by reason of the uncontrolled and rapid growth of willows. The maintenance of rivers and streams is, speaking generally, as much the function of the local authority and of the settlers as is the maintenance of roads. Local authorities have ample statutory authority for this purpose. It would not he possible for the Government to assume the responsibility for all this class of work. There are, however, certain areas where the problem is a major one. I have been giving consideration to certain of these large areas with a view to getting out a scheme of works and finance so that the works could be carried out by co-operation of the Government and the local authorities. TELEPHONE RENTALS. Mr Wilson asked the PostmasterGeneral whether lie will consider making permanent the present temporary reductions in rentals of telephone subscribers in back country districts, and allow new subscribers to come in at reduced rates in order to improve the position and communication of these settlers, Mr Jones replied: The reductions, which were granted as a temporary expedient during the depth of the depression, could not h© made permanent without effecting a reduction in telephone rentals generally. Any general reduction would, however, bring about a loss on the telephone service as a whole. Although it is not ' possible to extend the concession, new | subscribers in rural districts, may for, the time being join up to existing party lines at the rates payable when the number of connections on the lino was at its highest. j WAP VETERAN ALLOWANCE. Mr Nordmeyer asked the Minister of Defence whether he was aware that when a man is in receipt of a war veteran’s allowance, and also of sustenance, it is the custom to regard sustenance as income, and to reduce the allowance accordingly; am! whether ho will arrange that the war veteran’s allowance remain fixed,- am ( necessary adjustment being made in | sustenance, I Mr Jones replied that section 5 oi ■ the War Veterans’ Allowances Act, 1035, allows a single or widowed veteran to receive an income of £26 , ■ per annum, and a married veteran £39 . per annum before any reduction is made in the maximum war veterans’ allowance. Provided sustenance rates ' are adjusted so that the veteran’s in come does not exceed these amounts, there is nothing to prevent the payment of the maximum allowance, hut it is not possible to assess the veterans’ allowance at the maximum rate before the .sustenance rate is adjusted . DOMESTIC SERVICE CRISIS. Mr D. Bennett asked the Minister of Labour whether ho is aware of the gravity of the domestic service problem, whereby thousands of mothers of young children are in desperate straits owing to the acute shortage of adequate and efficient house help; and whether he will consider a system ol apprenticing girls leaving school to , housewives of reputation and standing, j and, in short, make domestic service ] as attractive and popular as that of i dental nurses. i

Mr Armstrong replied; The Government is fully aware of the gravity of the problem, and tho question of providing increased facilities for the training of domestic servants, and for making the work more attractive, is already receiving attention by the (jcvernmenfc