JOTTINGS FROM THE LOBBY

Hokitika Guardian, 23 September 1920, Page 2

JOTTINGS FROM THE LOBBY

SCHOOLS OF AIINES

(Our Parliamentary Correspondent.; ' ./

j WELLINGTON, Sept. 22. y A rumour that the Schools of Mines are to be transferred from the control of the Mines Department to the Educaion Deparment, was mentioned to the Prime Minister in the House. Mr Massey said several statements had been made recently to this effect, but no action was contemplated. The Minister for Education and Mines had agreed that the position might best remain as it was. MOTOR DRIVING.

Mr Massey told the House, in answer to a question, that the amendment of the law regarding reckless motor driving was under consideration. If an amendment was made it would enforce severe penalties on reckless drivers. He agreed with what Magistrates had said on this point.

A general discussion regarding the care of the blind arose over a petition for relief which was referred to the Government for consideration. Members urged strongly that provisions ought to be made for all blind persons who were in need. These people ought not to be required to appeal for charity. Their number did not exceed 600 for all New Zealand and probably not more than half needed assistance. Another suggestion was that Government should import experts capable of undertaking the training of the blind in ireful occupations. MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

The British Medical Association came' under fire later in the afternoon.. A AVellington doctor who had been expelled from the Association for alleged non-professional conduct asked for the right to appeal to the Supreme Court, and the Committee recommended that this right should be given. Members proceeded to state that the Medical Association was carrying unionism to extremes. It was boycotting and ostraesising fully qualified registered doctors, because they were not members. Evidentally they were glad to be able to reprove somebody else for what they called class consciousness. It was stated in the course- of discussion, that members of the Association had threatened to withdraw their patients from maternity homes, if doctors outside the organisation attended patients in the same institutions. The Association ha considered refusing t 0 allow its members to give evidence in Courts in cases in ivhch non-union doctors were called.