SANITARY INSPECTORS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 20, 25 January 1927, Page 10

SANITARY INSPECTORS.

DOMINION CONFERENCE OPENS. BUSINESS FOR DISCUSSION. EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM PROPOSED. At the Town Hall this morning the seventh annual general conference of the New Zealand Sanitary Inspectors' Association was opened by Mr. J. A. C. Allum, City Councillor, in the unavoidable absence of His Worship the Mayor. The president, Mr. 11. Paull, presided. Mr. Allum, in the name of the City Council, welcomed the delegates to Auckland. He said sanitary engineers did not come much into the lime-. light, like other engineers, who had the constructoin of great buildings, but- they worked quietly. Nevertheless what they did was of. first importance as they looked after ie public health. Amongst many important matters to be discussed was the education, training am l examination n f ng '" ecrs in lhe Dominion. hat could be done for ether engineers could be accomplished for sanitary engineers in similar directions. I„ f aet c it rcil r r essa 7 f,,r New zciUa "ti to r ly on officers from overseas to instruct, but he was sure that such times had passed, and now the Dominion could well be attended to in sanitary matters by the men associated with the work here. Mr. Allum expressed the nope that the conference would prove profitable from every point of view, both as regards work and play. Those' delegates who had come from other places in the Dominion lie hoped would visit Auckland on future occasions. In again extending a hearty welcome to the visitors, Mr. Allum hoped they would all have an enjoyable time. Mr. Paull thanked Mr. Allum and the City Council for the exceedingly hearty welcome. It acted as a tonic to hold these conferences, especially when members of the various local bodies took such an intrest in the work of the New Zealand Sanitary Inspectors' Association. ' Annual Report. The annual leport i'or the year ending December 31. 1920, showed that the affairs of the Association were in a healthy state. There was a total membership of 148. There was a credit balance of £87 and a cash balance of -Cli'J in the bank. This showed an increase of £234011 the previous year. It was mentioned. that, the Association wished to ••"HBSSa ffßgggl Myrpciation to those

local bodies who had granted inspectors leave and had paid expenses for those officials 'to attend the annual conference. Similar reference was made to the tor-General of Health, who had also granted leave to departmental inspectors to attend. It was pointed out that members were taking a keen interest in the working of the centres as well as tne association. Lectures and tions during the year had been well attended and had proved of considerable benefit to all concerned. Members were "urged to pull together and leave 110 stone unturned to make and maintain the continuation of the prestige and high ideals of the association." Mr. T. Tomlinson (Christcliurch) congratulated the association on its strong position, financially and otherwise. He also remarked on the smallness of outstanding subscriptions, and hoped there would not be any nexst year. Mr. C. (arrell, secretary and treasurer, stated that only three unfinancial members were on the books, and it was expected that their subscriptions wculd be forthcoming. Several other delegates expressed themselves as we'l satisfied with the affairs of the association. President's Remarks. The president (Mr. H. Paull), during the course of his annual address, referred to the fact that at the present conference, for the first time in the history of the association, lady- members were in attendance. It was hoped that they would take a keen interest in the deliberations and discussions, and give their views on the various subjects which would be brought forward. The president wanted to see more lady members in the New Zealand Sanitary Inspectors' Association. Subsequently. Mr. Paull gave a brief history of the work of the associa- . ion from its inception in 192 ft. He (. aimed that the progress made was something of which they all might be >t oud. The outstanding feature of the conference was the discussion in .•onnoct'on w ,th a proposal for a scheme . V' e trainin g> education, for Tin" a 'A examination for inspecto s. This matter would be further con- , deied. When it was hoped a satisfactory (heme would be agreed upon and put into operation in the near futtire. Facilities would thereby be provided bv which the status of the profession would be brought to a much higher standard, rhus bringing sanitary inspectors into line with others of professional callings. In conclusion, the president reminded delegates that sanitary inspectors were executive officials in matters of health and in close touch with the public. Thev were bound to keep themselves informed on current topics concerning sanitation in its broadest application. Miss I-evin (Auckland) thanked the president for his kindly remarks and welcome extended to the women present.

She expressed the opinion that there was a place for women in sanitation work, and they would prove equal to the task provided the right class of women came fajipKard. Remits Considered. Considerable discussion ensued over a remit from Auckland, ■ which provided for governing representation on the general council. It was finally decided that the question should be dealt witii wlieit the rules of the association were being discussed at a special meeting called for the purpose this evening. Auckland's second remit on the order paper concerned an alteration to the Health Act, 1920. It was proposed that in addition to the qualifications at pre sent prescribed under the Health Act, all inspectors who have held continuous office for five years prior to the coming into force of the Act, and who are still holding appointments, be recognised as qualified. Several delegates were of the opinion that every man should sit for the Royal Society Institute examination. It was claimed that any man who took the trouble to study could pass. It was also contended that if the resolution was passed the association would be charged with inconsistency. It had been stated that the examination was an easy one; therefore, if a man could not pass it, then he must be unfitted for his jo. The Government should not be asked to weaken the Act, but to strengthen it. A delegate said that it was the object* of the association to keep up the standard of inspection throughout the Dominion. If that was so. then the resolution should not be entertained. Another delegate expressed the opinion that if a member who had not passed the examination, after acting 12 years as an inspector, put in for a jod ityainst a man who had passed the examination, the former would have no chance against the latter. It was suggested from another quarter that some of the older men who had assisted to build up the association should be recognised as qualified, as their number was very small. In reply. Mr. Furness (Auckland), J president-elect, maintained that the men who had been inspectors foV five years or over should be allowed to have a fair deal. He maintained that the Health Act should be on similar lines to such Acts as the chemists' and plumbers'. Mr. Gardiner (Wellington) moved the following motion arising out of the remit: "That the Director-General be approached and asked to amend the 2o (2a) in the direction of making t lie men who are only qualified under that section equally qualified with the men qualified under 2o (2b)." The remit and resolution were carried by 24 votes to 21, ~ ... I