MASSEURS AT ODDS

Evening Star, Issue 22893, 26 February 1938, Page 22

MASSEURS AT ODDS

POOR EXECUTIVE CONTROL LACK OF INTEREST SHOWN DISCUSSION AT ANNUAL MEETING An allegation that the reason for the stagnation’ of the Otago Trained Masseurs’ Association was principally poor executive control provoked a lively discussion at the annual meeting last night. The value of the lectures on interesting cases by qualified medical lecturers being lost through poor attendances was emphosised, it being pointed out that the lecturers objected to non-members of the association being admited to them. After a full discussion by the 10 members of the association present, it was decided to refer the problem to the committee for its consideration. . Present at the meeting, which, was held at the Hospital, were the president (Miss Allen), Mr and Mrs C. Weeden, Misses M. L. Roberts (sister in charge of the massage department at the Hospital), B. Gijgour, and A. Allan, and Messrs S. Paris, N. Beckett, D. Smith, J. Fitzgerald, and Miss F. Campbell (secretary). “ There was only one meeting during the year, and the members in the City know little of what the association is doing,” said Mr Fitzgerald, after the president had moved the adoption of the annual report and balance sheet, suggesting that a magazine published under the auspices of the New Zealand Association might be the means of .welding the provincial associations together, thus keeping persons in putlying districts posted in the activities of the parent organisation. Mr Paris: In the past the association has had lectures, and often only five members have attended them. Some lecturers have objected to the presence of students because their talks have been given gratuitously. Miss Allan; The association must Have the hacking of its members. I would like to see the day when every registered masseur becomes a member of the association after graduating. Mr Paris: With the introduction of the Health Insurance Scheme, we do not know_ what is going to happen. If the association does not organise there will be chiropractors to consider. Mr Fitzgerald asked why.the association objected to students attending the lectures, and added that there seemed to bo a total lack of enthusiasm on the part of the association itself. Last year it had been suggested that the association hold a meeting once a month, and that when there was an interesting case affecting masseurs, students should be allowed .to attend the lecture. If students only were attending these lectures and not- the members of the association why not let the students attend ? Miss Roberts: If the committee will arrange it there will be more lectures. Mr Fitzgerald: As it is I do not think the association is worth much to members, because there are no meetings held. I think there should bo more meetings. Mr Roberts: The association has done a tremendous amount. Mr Beckett said that more general meetings of the association should be held. He did not doubt that the association had done a tremendous amount of work. If the lecturer in his role bf a medical man were appealed to and 1 the position regarding the attendance of students explained to him the speaker was sure, that even if only eight or 10 attended his lectures they would benefit from the up-to-date views expressed. Miss Allan; I agree with-what you Have said, but I do not know what can he achieved through a meeting bnce a month. Mr Smith expressed the opinion that there was no interest taken in the association for the sake of its work. The whole question was_ referred to the committee of the association for its consideration. OFFICE-BEARERS. The election of office-bearers for the ensuing year resulted as follows: President, Mr S. Paris • vice-presidents, Miss B. Kilgour and Mr C. Weeden; committee—Mrs C. Weeden, Misses F. R. Campbell and A. Allan, Messrs J. Fitzgerald, N. Beckett, and D. Smith; hon. secretary, Miss Allan.