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1938. NEW ZEALAND.

PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF THE). (Dr. D. G. McMILLAN, Chairman.)

Laid on the Table of the House of Bepresentatives.

ORDERS OF REFERENCE. Extracts from the Journals of the, House of Representatives. Thursday, the 14th Day of July, 1938. Ordered, " That a Select Committee be appointed, consisting of ten members, to consider all matters relating to public health, infectious diseases, contagious diseases, hospitals, and to local authorities having charge of these matters, and to other matters affecting public health which may be referred to it: the Committee to consist of Mr. Anderton, Mr. Chapman, Mr. Coleman, Mr. Dickie, Mr. Kyle, Dr. McMillan, Mr. Richards, Mr. Roy, Mr. Wright, and the Mover." — (Hon. Mr. Fraser.) Friday, the 15th Day of July, 1988. Ordered, " That all petitions not finally dealt with during the session of 1937-38 be again referred to the same Committees as they were referred to during the said session." —(Right Hon. Mr. Savage.) Friday, the 12th Day of August, 1938. Ordered, " That the New Zealand Federation of Funeral Directors Bill be referred to the Public Health Committee." —(Mr. MoKeen.) Thursday, the 15th Day of September, 1938. Ordered, "That the Public Health Committee have leave to sit during the present sitting of the House." —(Dk. McMillan.)

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REPORTS. No. 42/1936. —Petition of H. J. S. Rickard and 8 Others. Praying for an amendment of the Pharmacy Act, ,1908. I have the honour to report that the member in charge of the petition having expressed a desire to withdraw same, the Committee recommends that he be allowed to do so. 1). G. McMillan, Chairman. 13th September, 1938.

No. 153.—Petition of B. Ahlfeld. Praying that the publication of certain statistics by the Plunket Society be discontinued. I am directed to report that, as the whole question regarding the subject-matter of the petition has been referred to the New Zealand Medical Research Council, the Committee has, under the circumstances, no recommendation to make. 15th September, 1938.

No. 140/1937-38. —Petition of C. C. Farr and 1534 others (representing the Physical and Mental Welfare Society, Christchurch). Praying that a commission of inquiry be appointed to investigate the mental-hospitals system. I have the honour to report that, as the subject-matter of the petition involves a question of policy, the Committee recommends that it be referred to the Government for consideration. 15th September, 1938.

No. 13/1937-38. —Petition of G. L. Lewis. Praying for an amendment of the Dentists Act, 1936, enabling his name to be placed on the Dental Register. I am directed to report that the Committee has no? recommendation to make. 15th September, 1938.

No. 1/1937-38.—Petition of N. McLean. Praying for a compassionate grant on account of alleged unskilful treatment while an iumate of a public hospital. I have the honour to report that the Committee recommends the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 15th September, 1938.

New Zealand Federation of Funeral Directors Bill. I have the honour to report that, in view of the lateness of the session and the limited amount of time at its disposal, the Committee recommends that the New Zealand Federation of Funeral Directors Bill be not proceeded with this session. 15th September, 1938.

No. 37. —Petition of Fanny J. Turner and Another (representing the Waikato Diocesan Council of the Mothers' Union). Praying that the sale of contraceptives to unmarried people be made illegal. I have the honour to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 15th September, 1938.

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No. 91/1937-38.—Petition of L. F. Roache. Praying for compensation on account of alleged unskilful treatment while an inmate of the Wanganui Public Hospital. I have the honour to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for most favourable consideration. R. A. Wright, for Chairman. 16th September, 1938.

Special Report. I have the honour to report that the Public Health Committee desires to record its appreciation of the capable manner in which Dr. McMillan has carried out his duties as Chairman of the Committee, and directs that this resolution be reported to the House. W. T. Anderton, Member of the Committee. 16th September, 1938.

Special Report. I have the honour to report that the Public Health Committee desires to express its satisfaction with the services rendered by Mr. L. C. Dawe, as Clerk of the Committee, and that this resolution be reported to the House. H. S. S. Kyle, Member of the Committee. 16th September, 1938.

Final Report. I have the honour to report that the Public Health Committee has during the session held two meetings, with an average attendance of seven members. One Bill and eight petitions were referred to the Committee for consideration. R. A. Weight, for Chairman. 16th September, 1938.

Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given ; printing (310 copies), £3 ss.

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Price 3d.]

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