Mr Gill asked to drop acupuncture restrictions

Press, 4 August 1977, Page 23

Mr Gill asked to drop acupuncture restrictions

Parliamentary reporter The Minister of Health (Mr Gil!) has been asked to review the restrictions on acupuncture proposed in the Health Amendment Bill.

"In its present form this bill is not in the interests of the health of the peoples of New Zealand.” says Mr James Maxwell, of Lake Tekapo, in a letter to the Minister “and others.” “The clause which should be deleted is the section 2, B which refers to, 'at the direction and under the supervision of registered medical practioners, registered dentists and registered physiotherapists.’ “Whilst going along with the need to register acupuncturists, there is no case for the demand that they be always supervised in their every action by the orthodox medical profession.

“Knowing the longstanding opposition the Western medical profession has to Oriental and Asiatic means of healing, there is obviously in this bill a weapon whereby the medical profession will make the practise of acupuncture bv anyone incredibly difficult.

“First can you imagine a doctor, dentist, or physiotherapist on the hourly and daily rate of their incomes having to sit around and supervise the

work of an acupuncturist. Can you imagine an acupuncturist ringing up a doctor and asking him to come and supervise him for 10 or 15 minutes or any other length of time. So obviously this is quite impractical. “Or, is it intended that the acupuncturists work in rooms adjoining a doctor, dentist, etc., or even in a room in a hospital. This is not indicated and is really too funny to even contemplate. "Sir, do you as a legislator in the interests of New Zealanders, with your layman’s natural common sense and good judgment believe this to be practical and in the best interest of the public you serve. Do you really believe that acupuncture, which has been for over 2000 years a means of curing the sick and ailing of China alone, has within its method of practise such dangers to the tiny public of New Zealand as to demand such a rigorous form of supervision. The concept is so ridiculous I think you must all be joking. “It is also worth noting here that the DirectorGeneral of Health has been reported and heard on the radio as saying that after his and others visit to China in 1974 that he felt acupuncture could be dangerous. Even in my humble way of business I have to go by evidence and facts, not my feelings.

“The same director also went on to say ‘it could be dangerous used by unauthorised persons,” which in effect concedes that authorised persons are not dangerous.

"Sir, once an acupuncturist is approved he should not need any supervision by doctors, particularly doctors, dentists, and others wholly unfamiliar with acupuncture.

"The criteria for approval and registration should look after that. A criteria which has not been included in this bill and which should replace the mentioned clause 2, B.

“I do not wish to denigrate the work of the doctors when I say that there is a big sniff of favouritism for the medical profession at the expense of the public interests. If the acupuncturist is the graduate of some approved training centre, then there is no more to worry about, except that he, like the chiropractor, be on the soc i a 1-welfare medical benefits list, too.

“I’m sure that a fundamental of our New Zealand way of life is that we of any race, creed, or manner of living can do so without hinderance, interference, or snooping by others. As I interpret it, this is a transgression of the intent of the laws of this land and you, sir. are directly responsible to protect all facets of life in the interests of freedom.”