ON THE INCREASE

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 247, 16 July 1935, Page 6

ON THE INCREASE

Sickness Among Maoris MANAWATU DISTRICT Dominion Special Service. Palmerston North, July 15. Sickness among the Maoris in the Manawatu district is on the increase, especially iu regard to pulmonary tuberculosis, according to a statement made by the chairman, Mr. J. K. Hornblow, at a meeting of the Palmerston North Hospital Board this afternoon. A letter was received from the Minister of Health, Sir Alexander Young, stating that it was not possible on the department’s present information to accede to the board’s request for a grant ot £2OO toward the cost of district nursing services to Maoris in the Palmerston North district. Tlie department was compelled on account of restricted finance to review the existing disposition of nurses to Maoris. When this was being done further consideration would be given to the claims of the Palmerston North district. The chairman, Mr. J, K. Hornblow, said that sickness among the Maoris in tlie district was increasing, especially in regard to pulmonary tuberculosis. There had been several deaths quite recently. He hoped the Minister of Health would see his way clear to make available some money to assist in the board’s work so far as its district nurse scheme was concerned. Mr. Hornblow also said that at the week-end the board’s institution had a record number of patients and the medical superintendent had found it necessary to ask medical men throughout the whole of the board’s district to send only urgent eases to the hospital. He mentioned this to emphasise the vital necessity for nursing. Saying that he considered the position most unsatisfactory, Mr. J. Hodgens suggested that personal representation should be made to the Minister of Health on behalf of the board by the chairman and the managing secretary. This course was agreed to.