TO HELP THE POOR.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 August 1922, Page 4

TO HELP THE POOR.

'•OTHERHOOD ENDOWMENT PLAN. ■ ... n BILL DISCUSSED IN HOUSE. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The debate on the motion to introduce the Motherhod Endowment Bill was resumed in the House to-day by Mr. F. N. Bartram (Grey Lynn), who quoted figures showing the mortality among mothers and children. During ten years 22,229 livea were lost, and this was due to bad environment, which in turn was the result of State neglect. Mr. Bartram said he .supported thf Bill, but he considered it did not go far enough. To get a real solution of the problem, equality of woman with men in the economic field must be recognised. The only equitable method of providing the money for the purposes of the Bill was tn take it from the Consolidated Fund.

Dr. H. T. Thacker (Christchurch in supporting the Bill, declared the present Government had done nothing during its career to uplift the social conditions of the people. To get the money required under the Bill, he would suggest a tax on sugar. A halfpenny a pound would produce £750,000, and a penny a pound would bring in £3,000,000. If this caused a decrease in the consumption of sugar, that in itself would be one of the best things that ever happened to New Zealand, as it would less* en the diseases traceable to this source. Dr. Thacker also condemned those who permitter the continuance of the importation and use of various noxious agencies, which were responsible for the loss of much child life. He appealed particularly for State aid in the shape of a baby bonus and for increased penalties that would stamp out the use of preventatives, and make it possible also to get rid of the social peril from venereal disease.

Mr. R. McCallum (W'iarau) supported the Bill and commented adversely on the fact that Reform members did not speak on the subject, which he interpreted to mean that they did not care what happened to the people at the bottom of the social ladder.

The Hon. W. Nbsworthy said some members were prepared to support anything, no matter what financial burden it would impose. The Government was not unmindful of the needs of the poor, but it had to be guided by financial conditions. The Hon. J. A. Hanan (Invercargill) 1 considered the Bill should not be allowed to go into oblivion. It ought to direct attention to an investigation of what it aimed at, and as a result it should then be possible to introduce legislation of a constructive and effective character.

Mr. P. Fraser (Wellington Central) urged that at any rate the Government should extend the present widows’ pensions system to deserted wives so far as children were concerned.

Leave was granted, and the Bill was introduced and read a first time.