Protests Over Transfer Of Speech Therapy Clinics

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29389, 16 December 1960, Page 26

Protests Over Transfer Of Speech Therapy Clinics

Several protests have been made about the transter of two of the three speech therapy clinics at the former Normal School from the main block to the top floor of the caretaker’s residence —reputedly about 70 years old. The Canterbury Education Board has begun alterations to the caretaker’s residence for the two new clinics so that a staff room and secretary’s office cad be provided in the main block. Protests have been made by the Christchurch Rotary Club (which has equipped one of the clinics), Miss M. B. Howard, M.P., and the North Canterbury Speech Therapists’ Association. The Rotary Club has sent the following telegram to the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) over the name of the president, Mr D. V. Wilson:

“My appropriate officers are concerned at the decision to move the Christchurch Speech Therapy Department to quarters which are considered unsatisfactory. We urgently request you to initiate investigations.”

Miss Howard said yesterday that she had sent a telegram to the Prime Minister asking him to have all work suspended until he could receive a deputation from the Speech Therapy Association. “It looks as if the children are being pushed into any corner for the sake of staff arrangements,” she said. “Why can’t the offices be put in the caretaker’s building? The children are taking second or even third place.” The Speech Therapy Associa-

tion, on which parents are widely represented, has sent a letter to the Minister of Education (Mr Tennent) outlining the position, and asking if the Minister could come to Christchurch to examine matters first-hand.

Spokesmen for the association claim that the work of the clinics will be seriously disorganised by their separation, and consider the staffroom and office would be better placed in the caretaker’s building. There was no real anxiety to retain their accommodation in the old Normal School if adequate alternative facilities to maintain the standard of the clinics’ work could be provided elsewhere, they said.

Christchurch is the Dominion centre for the training of speech therapists. About 15 students are trained in the department each year.