CLOSING OF CLINIC.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 260, 3 November 1931, Page 10

CLOSING OF CLINIC.

BERESFORD STREET SCHOOL

MINISTER'S FIRM STAND

"COMMITTEE MADE NO EFFORTS.'

(By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.

WELLINGTON, Monday.

Firm action has been taken by the Minister of Health, the Hon. J. A, Young, concerning the closing of the dental clinic at the Beresford Street school, Auckland. In the House of Representatives to-night he was asked by Mr. W. E. Parry (Labour, Auckland Central) to reconsider his decision and reopen the clinic free of charge, on the ground that there was not another district in New Zealand more in need of a free dental clinic for children than the one in question.

"No committee in New Zealand has received such favoured treatment as this committee. Indeed, it has been exceptionally well treated in the past, but has been most unappreciative and positively defiant in its attitude towards the Department," said the Minister, in reply. "It made no efforts at all to meet the request of the Department regarding the small cost of drugs and materials. It was therefore necessary for the Department to take up a firm attitude, and the clinic was closed with my approval. Local committees are expected to make an effort-to help the Department to maintain this service, but this the Beresford Street committee refused to do, in spite of past generous treatment." Mr. Parry: You are penalising men because they are poor.

The Minister: If the committee shows any desire or -willingness to meet the Department I am prepared favourably to consider any reasonable proposal it may submit. This is the only committee in New Zealand which has taken up such an attitude, notwithstanding .the favoured treatment it has received in the past.