8.—6.

The Minister of Internal Affairs has taken preliminary steps, by means of consultations and conferences with representatives of sports bodies, to establish a National Sports Council with the object of extending throughout the Dominion facilities available in the way of sports-grounds, swimming-baths, and. gymnasia. A conference on physical education was called by the Education Department, the Health Department also participating, and as a result projects for physical education and the furtherance of the physical welfare of our people have been formulated. An increase of £145,000 is provided under vote "Health." One-half of this is occasioned by the Milk in Schools Scheme, the benefits of which already reach over a third of the school population, and are being expeditiously extended as satisfactory arrangements for supply and distribution are completed in the various localities. In furtherance of the Government's aim to meet as soon as possible all demands for the services of School dental nurses, training facilities have been expanded permitting a substantially increased number to be accepted for the twoyears course of training. Additional School Medical Officers, District Nurses, and Inspectors of Health are also provided for. New items include provision for the recent inquiry into the problem of abortion, for the present inquiry into the maternity services of the Dominion, and for the inspection, by selected members of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, of the surgical work in public hospitals. A Council is being set up to advise on and co-ordinate medical-research work, and additional financial assistance is being provided for that purpose. The social service policy of the Government thus accounts for the greater portion of the increase in annual expenditure. A progressive social service policy such as we now have in New Zealand needs no apology. Apart from all other considerations, it pays a nation to develop a healthy, well-educated people, and this is what the present Government have set out to accomplish. The problem of social and economic security has received very inadequate treatment in the past, and yet it is the most important influence towards a full and useful life. The increase in pensions rates and a widening of the scope of those entitled to benefits is a step towards strengthening the social security of the people. The Government are at present engaged in a comprehensive investigation of a major scheme—in respect of health and social insurance—which, when functioning, will relieve many of the anxieties at present hanging over the average household. The necessary legislation in this connection will be introduced this session. The estimates of expenditure include two related items, one to cover New Zealand's contribution of £15,000 to the League of Nations, the other a much larger item of £1,600,000 to provide for the defence of the Dominion. These items are inextricably linked together. The Government is of opinion that there can be no permanent peace between the nations other than through a body to which all the nations are pledged and bound to act in accord with principles of agreement, law, and order. The Government believes that the League of Nations is such a body and by effective application of its principles alone can peace be permanently achieved. The difficulties are real, but as a small unit in the world of nations and as one of the units indissolubly bound in the British Commonwealth of Nations the Government are willing to pledge the Dominion to live up to the principles of the League. If the Governments of other nations would live up to the same principles the world could go forward to an era of life far surpassing anything in recorded history. Until the League becomes effective the Government must take the steps necessary inside its powers to defend the Dominion. To this end, and with valuable assistance from Great Britain, an Air Defence Scheme has been organized; the proposals with regard to co-operation in Naval Defence have been finalized; and steps have been taken to reorganize the Land Defences and to co-ordinate the three branches of Defence Services to eliminate waste and to ensure the most effective use of our resources if and when need may arise. If the expenditure on the League of Nations leads to an effective organization the need will never arise.

Physical education.

Vote " Health."

Social service policy.

League of Nations.

Defence.

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