Parliamentary News

Horowhenua Chronicle, 26 July 1916, Page 3

Parliamentary News

« -u lis lb i Eiid A-\<;i t\ ijiiiS 'J.O MJ&iBEiiS. DIPHTHERIA. -Mr liuii tor to ask iho Minister 01 Public Ileal til, whether, having repaid to the information furnished by Dr. Smitli in his report upon the epidemic oi' diphtheria Kimongst th,' ciiiidren attending district schools m Hawke's Bay, he will consider the advisability of appointing a medical officer under the Public Health Department to examine the teeth and throats of children attending the pubiic schools. The Hon. Mr Russell replied : Owing to the fact that the Education Department have sent Dr Ada Patterson to Hawke's Bay to assist the Health Department in coping with the epidemic of diphtheria, and that the first-named Department is aiso prepared to send another medical officer to that district, if required, the Government is of opinion that it is not necessary for the Health Department to send another officer. The medical inspection oi schools is undertaken solely by the Education Department. FRIENDLY SOCIETIES. -Mr Talbot to ask the -Minister in Charge of tko .National Provident Fund whether, as stated in a newspaper report oi an interview between him and a number oi friendly society delegates m Auckiunu, it is intended to amend the finance liilL in the direction of removing the income limitation in regard to tiie maternity benefit for trieiidiy society members'( The Hon. Air Myers replied: it )*> not intended to alter the income limitations 111 legard to the maternity benetit. The statement 1 made .at the interview in question related to the incoui- concession granted 10 preoent members of friendly societies taking up annuities. inis 'vvas etiected by amending the Oiii in committee last week. A. correction ol tne iepoi't referred to was duly published in the n#\v spacers. SOilOvHi XEAOiii^Kia. -Mr i'le leiier, to ack tne Minister oi Education, wnetlier iie will inquire into the statement made by those teacher.-: wlio allege they shouid have been given a higher position m tlie Dominion grading list oi teacher .-5, with a view to meeting the wislies of those who may be able to justify their complaints? The Hon. Mr Hanan replied: 1 would point out that Regulation 10 of the Regulations for the Grading of Teachers gives teachers the rigut to iappeai if tbey consider they have good ground of objection to the position assigned to them in »he grading list. Any appeals made will receive 1ll«1 consideration, since 1 am anxious not only to adjust any individual hardship, but to ascertain where the scheme may be improved, either in structure or in its working. I may further state that I have arranged for a report on the gradins scheme and its results to be published in a few weeks. This, I hope, will remove many misapprehensions and objections. All possible informan-t-ion will) be givnn in the form of comparative and other tables so that those interested may have a basis for judgment.