PARLIAMENT TODAY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 July 1938, Page 6

PARLIAMENT TODAY

DEBATE ON MATERNITY REPORT CONTINUED. COUNTRY’S BEST ASSETS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. ( The House of Representatives met at 10.30 a.m., when discussion was continued on the report of the Committee of Inquiry into maternity services. Mr W. M. C. Denham expressed pleasure and surprise at not hearing expressions from the Opposition that the report was merely a further step towards Socialism on the part of the Labour Government. The country could have no greater asset, he said, than healthy, happy children, and modern maternity services would contribute to' that. He discussed factors, such as housing and inadequate income, that could be detrimental to proper family development. NEED OF POPULATION. Mr H. S. S. Kyle reminded the Government that various maternity and social services had been inaugurated long before the Labour Government had come into office. He added that Governments had always endeavoured to reduce maternal mortality in the Dominion and to encourage an increase in the birth rate. In spite of all this, however, they found irresponsible people outside the House advocating the introduction of five million Japanese. It had by now developed into something of an international affair. Cables had been sent abroad and received back from overseas on the subject. If such a suggestion' were to be adopted, he added, it would be better to revert to the conditions of a hundred years ago and hand the country back to the Maoris. The Minister of Health (the Hon P. Fraser): “I think the honourable mem'ber will find the House fairly' unanimous on the subject.” Mr Kyle: “I am glad to have the Minister’s assurance on the .point, which is of great importance to the Dominion.” Mr C. Morgan Williams, referring to the suggestion that the Japanese should be invited to come to New Zealand. said there was no riEed to invite, them, because if the country remained emptj' they would come any way. The debate was continued by Messrs E. P. Meachen, E. T. Tirikatene, H. D. Dickie. E. L. Cullen and C. R. Petrie, and the House adjourned at 1 p.m. for luncheon.