MASSEURS BILL

Marlborough Express, Volume LIV, Issue 185, 6 August 1920, Page 5

MASSEURS BILL

CONSIDERABLE CHANGES

[from our correspondent.]

WELLINGTON, Aug. 5. Important amendments have been made in the Masseurs Registration Bill by the Public Health Committee, which took evidence on the subject. It proposes that, instead of the adminstration of registration being controlled by the Inspector-General of Hospitals it shall be in the hands of a Masseurs Registration Board, comprising the Inspector-General of Hospitals, a.person engaged in the practice of massage in New Zealand, and a registered medical practitioner, who will be appointed by the Governor-in-Council for three, years.

The provision in regard to the registration of present masseurs has been varied by eliminating the phrase "has received satisfactory training," and substituting "he is competent to perform the duties of a masseur." Service as a masseur with the military and naval forces during the war will count in the qualifying period. The, clause directing that the treatment of disease or injury by massage, medical electricity, remedial exercises or physiotheraphy can only be undertaken oil' the certificate of a registered medical practitioner, has been deleted by the Committee, which has also eliminated the power to, inflict a ftne for a breach,of the conditions under which masseurs are .to be registered. . :