Chiropractors Bill Back

Press, Volume C, Issue 29674, 18 November 1961, Page 12

Chiropractors Bill Back

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON. Nov 17. The Public Health Committee reported the Chiropractors Amendment Bill back to the House of Representatives today and recommended that it proceed without amendment The bill reconstitutes the Chiropractic Board established by last year's Chiropractors Act. The decision to recommend that the bill proceed was made by a majority of the committee. The Minister of Health (Mr Shelton), and Mr J. B Gordon (Government, Clutha) opposed it. Mr Shelton said a Royal Commission should decide whether chiropractors should be registered and on what terms. The House agreed to the committee's report and the bill has been set down for the second reading debate. The chairman of the committee, Mr F F Sim (Government, Waikato) said the bill, would enable the chiropractors to administer their own affairs and put their house in order Mr Shelton said he was one of the two members of the committee that did not support the recommendation. Doctors, nurses and physiotherapists. had to observe strict standards of training. ,

“I am concerned that chiropractors are to be allowed to diagnose without training," he said. Mr Shelton said he had moved without success that the bill should be deferred for a year and that a Royal commission should recommend whether chiropractors should be registered, and on what terms “I only hope that no damage will be done to the health of the people of New Zealand," he said. Mr J B Gordon (Government, Awarua) said that while he was on the side of the Minister he believed that the Government must register the chiropractors to protect the public. “1 am still undecided in my mind how worthy they are of registration," said Mr Gordon Registration of chiropractors was in direct opposition to the scientific knowledge of people charged by the State to look after the public’s health, said Mr D. J Riddiford (Government, Wellington Central). •This legislation should not remain on the statute books,” he said. “It is condemned by an overwhelming weight of medical evidence” Mr L R. Adams-Schneider (Government, Hamilton) said

the chiropractors and their patients had been as sincere in presenting evidence as the medical profession. “Doctors and radiologists say they can't work with chiropractors because they can’t believe in their methods But a lot of people in this country and in this house have received the benefit of their treatment,” he said. Sir Eruera Tirikatene (Southern Maori): I have. Mr H. G R. Mason (Opposition. Waitakere) said it was obvious doctors would have nothing to do with chiropractic “There aim is simply to obstruct it. I don't think there could be anything more uncompromising than the attitude of the doctors. The B.M.A.'* attitude is impenetrable.” Mr W A. Sheat (Government, Egmont) said the fact that many people attended chiropractors was not sufficient reason for their recognition “On that basis, recognition would have to be given to colour therapists ” Mr Sim said neither test year's act, nor the amending bill gave chiropractor* Government recognition. It simply provided for their registration.