PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 213, 29 August 1908, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. By Telegraph--Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Council met at 2.30. Hon. 1. Kigg moved that the Government be recommended to introduce a Bill to provide eilicient means of utilising the crtdit of the Dominion in times of fina,' ,ial panic, so as to re store public confidence. He urged the revival of the Bank Note Issue Act of 1803. But if the Government were not prepared to take over the note issue it could make provision to issue notes in time of panic, and make Uieui legal tender. Tllic Attorney-G'eneial Said lie wills satisfied that there was not the faintest reason for legislation of the kind suggested. 'the motion was lost by 24 to 5. Tlie Coroners' Act Amendment Bill wis committed, and a'new clause added providing for the payment oi witnesses. The Christchurch City Sanitation Bill was read a second time. V The Council rose until n'ednesday.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30. THE ESTIMATES. Consideration of the Estimates was resumed. At the Marine, Harbors, and Inspection of Machinery Departments, £82,080, the Minister, replying to memoers, said it was intended to import Atlantic salmon ova from England this year. He stated the Gm eminent oyster beds had proved a great success," and the profits of tihe year's transactions would bo between £SOO and £7OO, after selling at 12s Od, as against £1 or 30s. It was proposed to alter the regulations for service on the Ainokuai, so thatboys must serve two years. If parents removed them before that time they would ltf liable for the cost of training at £BO per year per boy. Ths Amokura was an absolute success. The Government had beci unable so far lo get an obsolete war-vessel from the Imperial Government as a depot ship. —The vote was passed unaltered. Department of Labor class, £27,102 —Hon. J. A. Millar, replying to members, stated that the cost of arbitration Court and Conciliation Boards was roughly £BBOO, and the cost of the Board's enquiry into the Canterbury farm laborers' dispute £BOO. Seventytwo per cent, of the lines imposed oa men between 1903 and 1908 had been collected, and of the fines on employers 00 per cent, diad been collected. Thi Blackball miners had paid fines and costs in full. Of £1350 in fines imposed on slaughtermen £092 had been collected, and £SSO was owing by men who had left for Australia, but when, they returned steps would be taken to collect the amounts. Out of 105 workers' dwellings erected only two , were unoccupied.

A good deal of discussion ensued upon the question of cheap rates and homes for workers. Several member.! urged that homes should be erected in the suburbs and adequate and cheap transit facilities provided. The House adjourned at 530 p.m. and resumed at 7.30. The Laibor Department vote passed unaltered. Pu'Uic Health Department, £38,910. —The Hon. G. Fowlds, in answer to members, stated that vaccine Jympli, was so good that the French Govern-' meat had asked the Department for supplies for their Pacific Islands. Regarding the Cliristeliurnli Sanatorium, the Government had already paid between £7OOO and £SOOO, and now were asked for £2OOO for land given to the sanatorium committee. Mr. Grey said (lie Government had only paid what the Act required and had done tilie. committee oui of £ll3O. The W'aikato Sanatorium had been vyry diilcrcntly treated. The CbrisU church Sanatorium would stand renowned with the door locked—a monument to the Government's colossal indifference. Mr. Allan said he Hoped the Government would repeat the Waikato experiment in Centr.il Olago. He was glad io see liiut n subsidy appeared in the Estimates towards the funds of societies for the promotion of the health of women and children. This was a great work. Dr. Chappie emphasised the protective character of the sanatorium io the community at large, as well as their curative value to patients. The best climatic conditions for the treatment of tuberculosis were, to be found in Central Otngo. The expenditure on the Health Department had greatly increased of late years, and the question was whether the results justified this. The medical officers, except i-n lime of a scare, should be used for purposes of medical inspection of schools. Mr. Grey complained that the administration was defective, 45 per cent "f the total vote going towards saltans. The results were not eomme-.i surate with the large, expenditure. Mr. Hogg thought a good deal of tlhe money would lie of more use ex- T pended upon the training of nurses Facilities to enter tire sanatorium should be increased. Mr. Baume held that there was too much spent on salaries, contending that the health officers were doin" good work and a huge staff was ess-n" tml m a Department of this kind. Mr. Ng-.ita urged that more money should be spent by the Department upon baekblocks natires. Mr Fowlds staled that the operation of the. Pure Foods Act had resulted in a higher standard of food. The vote passed unaltered Class 20, Mental Hospitals. Hospiliil, and Charitable Aid, £104.534. Mr. Will'ord animadverted upon file high rate of insanity. There was an inadequate accommodation for females. I Mr. Fowlds said this was temporary until a new aSvlum was ready Mr. Grey urged the necessity for oeiter classiheafion. Mr. Tanner said people were sent to mental hospitals who should never be there, the result bein- bad classmention. Mr. Fowlds stated the Department was even now considering the selection of a site for new buildings which would permit of better classification. Mr. Wilford said that better classification was necessary. TV site lor the new hospital should be selected without delay. The present wages of attendants were wretched. Mr. Tanirer said for years Ministers had made unfulfilled premises. Mr. Hall Jones contended there had been much improved accommodation in recent years. Mr. Fowlds stated that half H R . houses were to be creeled in various centres. Mr. Flatman urged additional expenditure on cancer research Tlhe necessity for betto'r medical aid in the baekblocks were urged by several members. (Left Sitting).