THE CHILDREN'S HEALTH.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 227, 22 September 1920, Page 8

THE CHILDREN'S HEALTH.

FREE TREATMENT URGED. REQUEST TO A.H. AND C.A. BOARD.

A deputation representing the Auckland Primary Schools Committee waited on the Auckland Hospital and Charitable Aid Board last evening in regard to the medical treatment of school children. ilr. ('. H. Kurness (president of the association) stated that the deputation was representative of fourteen separate school committees, controlling 20 schools, which were attended by 10,000 children. He referred to tlie spirit of a resolution passed recently at a meeting of school committees, affirming that the time had come when the Auckland Hospital Board should adopt the principle of free treatment of school children notified by the school medics 1 officers to be suffering from remediable defects. Mr. Furaess also mentioned that while the meeting I had expressed pleasure at the fact that the dental officers under the Education Department were about to commence their duties in Auckland, it was of the opinion, taking into consideration the large number of cases requiring treatment, that free treatment at the Dental Hospital should be granted temporarily. Mr. R. H. Potter, of the Mt. Eden School Committee, contended that the health of the children was being neglected. He concluded that if the proposed scheme worked satisfactorily in North Auckland, there was no reason why it could not be applied with equal success in the city. Mr. D. Wilson, of the City Schools Committee, referred to the poor circumstances of many parents whose children "attended the three schools under the control of his committee, and strongly urged the plea of the deputation. Mr. R. G. Speight, of the Onehungn Committee, advocated free dental treatment for children. The Chairman of the Hospital Board (Mr. W. Wallace) pointed out that while the cost of living might have gone up 100 per cent,' the Board had not increased its fees or its levies on local bodies by that amount. As far as children in poor circumstances were concerned, the Board was treating them now. The point the Board had to consider was the giving of free treatment to all children, whether their parents could afford to pay or not. Parents should not be allowed to shirk their responsibilities. Members considered there was only one way out, and that lay in th« Government footing the bill. It was decided to discuss the matter at the next meeting, and to invite,the Inspector-General of Hospitals, Dri T. H. A. Vnlintine, to be present. In the meantime the Department will be what assistance it would be prepared to give to the proposed scheme.