N.Z. MASSEURS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 214, 10 September 1935, Page 8

N.Z. MASSEURS.

THE EXISTING ACT. MODIFICATIONS SOUGHT. QUALIFICATION QUESTION. (By Tolagrapn.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. Several modifications in the Masseurs Registration Act are incorporated in an amending bill which has been prepared for presentation to Parliament this I session. i One modification concerns section 12 of the Act, which makes it an offence for'any person not a registered masseur to describe liimself as a masseur or a massage expert, or to advertise or lead anyone to believe he is engaged in the practice of .massage as defined in the Act, or that he is qualified to perform massage. Section 14 is also involved. This prevents the employment as a masseur in a public hospital or any public institution of any person not registered. The amendments, it is understood, provide that any registered nurse who lias undergone an approved course of treatment in actino-therapy and received a certificate from the DirectorGeneral of Health to this effect may advertise the practice of this branch of massage, and also may hold a position in a hospital for the practice of this limited part of massage. Since the passing of the Act in li>2o and its amendments in 1024 a considerable advance has been made in the application of electricity, heat and light "for the purpose of curing or alleviating any abnormal condition of the body." Special schools have been set up for the training of persons in this branch of the profession, and in some cases training is said to be restricted to medical men and trained nurses. There is no suggestion that trained nurses should be permitted to practise any other branch of massage.