STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 June 1919, Page 7

STRATFORD.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)' (Ml communications, letters, etc.. left with .'Mr 1L J. Hopkins, bookseller, will receive prompt attention.) The Parliamentary Debating Club formed in connection with the Egmont Club is increasing in popularity, and the sitting held on Tuesday night waß largely attended. The subject for discussion was "The Public Health Amendment Bill," introduced by Mr C. D. Sote (Minister for Public Health). In the Bill some drastic changes in the law were proposed. One of these was that a register should be kept of all persons (male and female) over 16 years of age and it was provided that the whole 01 these people should be at the service of the Hospital Board in the event of an epidemic breaking out, the local authority to pay fair remuneration for such services. Other clauses provided for greater severity in dealing with the fathers of illegitimate children and for the establishment of maternity homes open to the wives of all men whose income is less tha'n £3OO per annum, free of charge. The discussion'was always interesting and frequently instructive. Some of the addresses were thoughtful and the arguments sound, but in many cases it was evident that the subject was approached without any previous consideration. The Bill as framed was light in the hands of those with a penchant for playful wit, and some who looked sound arguments covered up their defects by fixing upon those portions of the Bill which lent themselves to humor. Mr Sole was supported by Messrs E. Masters, S. Ward, Hewitt, Smith, Jackson and North. Mr J. B. Richards, who led the opposition, was supported by Messrs Gibson, Bicheno, Lawrence, Pinbery, McAlister, Finnerty, Insuli, and Harkness. On a division being called their voting was 13 on each side and the casting vpte of the speaker was giv"en against, the Government. Before concluding the business a committee consisting of Messrs Hewitt, Richards and R. Masters was appbinted to prepare type-written copies of Bills to be discussed and furnish information to the. press. The next sitting will be on Tuesday week. Copies or Bills will be hung in the reading-room where they can be obtained by any member of the club, well before the date set down for discussion.