GENRAL WELFARE

Hokitika Guardian, 23 September 1920, Page 4

GENRAL WELFARE

LEGISLATORS PROPOSAL

(Our Parliamentary Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 22.

In the Legislative Council to-day, Hon Dr Collins moved that in the opinion of the Chamber, the time was ripe for a progressive scheme for improvement of the general welfare of the people of New lor the cncouragemnt of thrift arid for the prevention, cure and early detection of disease. He spoke on this very comprehensive motion and suggested that all persons should be medically examined fully in the birthdays up to ago of twenty-one years, and a continuance of examinations through adult years should be encouraged. Wives and mothers should ho instructed with a view to preventing wastage of infant life. A small sum of money should bo invested for every child ait birth, and its growth noted in a thrift hook, as a method of developing the habit of saving. A sum of £l6 invested at 5 per cent, at the birth of a child would" amount to .£3OO at the age of sixty.

Hon Mr Sinclair seconded the motion. He had much to say in advocacy of thrift. Britain and New Zealand were the most heavily indebted countries in the Empire, and Britain was setting a, fine example by paying off large amounts of war debt annually. He feared New Zealanders generally •were living lively and not looking to tho future. The debate was adjourned.