NEW TREATMENT

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 53, 4 March 1943, Page 6

NEW TREATMENT

OPEN MIND ADVOCATED

SOME ADVERSE CRITICISM

(By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter). WELLINGTON, this day. The introduction by Mr. McKeen (Government, Wellington South) of a bill to'provide for the registration of osteopathic practitioners led to a discussion in the House of Representatives yesterday in which the majority of speakers pleaded for an open mind in regard to medical and surgical developments. The bill is to be considered by the Public Health Committee, which is empowered to take evidence. Mr. McKeen said that the major clauses of the bill were taken from the Medical Practitioners Act and were practically machinery clauses. He knew the bill would be resented by the orthodox doctors, who looked with great suspicion on those entering such a field in the profession. The treatment was new in New Zealand, but in the United States there were six osteopathic colleges, which turned out a large number of qualified practitioners every year. "Bone setters!" interjected a "member, to which Mr. McKeen replied that there was an osteopathic practitioner who was world-famous —Sir Harold Barker. Mr. Kyle (Independent, Riccarton) warned members to be careful about the bill. Osteopathy was, no doubt, common in the United States, but he hoped New Zealand would never have it. Delivered the Goods Dr. McMillan (Government, Dunedin West) suggested that after the bill had gone to the Health Committee nothing more would be heard of it. Mr. Clyde Carr (Government, Timaru) urged members not to look at the question with prejudices, but to keep an open mind. Mr. Schramm (Government, Auckland East) declared that if anyone could help suffering humanity he should be given a hearing. He knew nothing about osteopaths, but he did know of doctors who took people's money for years, and that they had gone to their graves because of incorrect treatment. He also could not forget that when social security was introduced the doctors were asked to co-pperate and they rose against the scheme. The Attorney-General, Mr. Mason, spoke in favour of keeping an open mind on the subject, pointing out that if the people of 30 or 40 years ago had been satisfied that no new developments were possible, the tremendous progress in medicine and surgery would never have taken place. The proposal in the measure should be considered on its merits. The bill was read a first time and referred to the Health Committee.