PROTECTION OF INFANT LIFE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 7 September 1907, Page 2

PROTECTION OF INFANT LIFE.

THE DEBATE IN THE COUNCIL. Per Press Association. Wellington, last night. The debate on Dr. Collins motion foi consideration of the provisions in force for the protection of infant life was resumed by the Hon. Mr Marshall ii: the Legislative Council this afternoon He dwelt upon the necessity of seoimj that milk supplied as food for infant* should be of the purest character. The Hon. Mr Luke hoped the desirability of establishing a foundlings hospital would be inquired into. He urged that the hearing of cases in which infants were before the Court should be heard in camera. The Hon. Mr Sinclair considered a complete case had been made out for further efforts to protect infant .ife, and thought something should be done with regard to natives as well as Europeans. Ho eulogised Dr, Truby King for the work he had done in regard to getting at the root of the question under discussion. The Hon. Mr Paul considered that insanitary homes and overcrowding and Jack of fresh air were at the root of the deplorable infant mortality, and quoted ligures in support of his contention. - -.•,§.j Hon. Mr Barr dealt with the socialistic aspect of the case, and said to get over the evil the wage question would have t~ be taken into consideration. He urged that the inspection of homes should he immediately taken out of the hands of the Department now having authority. It took time' to get general legislation through, and in the meantime the evil was going on. What he would urge was that the Government bring down a Bill at once remov-, ing the inspection from the Department controlling it. He was against the industrial school system, and favored cottage homes. He referred to the medial profession, and quoted an instance to show how mercenary motives actuated a doctor, and said tWc were men in the medical profession who were not a n-cdit to it. (No, no). Doctors' charts were too high, and were made irrespective of the social position of a naiiont, and the hesitation of working nen to call in medical assistance led ;o innumerable deaths. The Hon. Mr Mac Donald rose in Je'once of the medical profession, and v.tributed the attack upon that body to gnorauce (due to short experience of ho colony), of the condition of colonial ife. He contended the medical pro-| ession was an honor to the colony, and i

no profession made such sacrifices xjy', the cause of humanity or was actuated by greater benevolence than tie medi- . cal. ; The Hon. Mr ISarr said he had not in-1 ■ tended to, and 4'< l not slander th«;< whole medicnl profession, but he spoke f of certain instances of which ho had f had experience, and his experience in I 1 tfettfc respect was perhaps larger th>n-' Mr Mac Donald thought. j' The debate was adjourned, and -Mio ' Council rose at 4,50 until Wednesday, * ' __ ' 1> * ' Is