ACUTE POSITION HAS ARISEN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 16 November 1937, Page 4

ACUTE POSITION HAS ARISEN

NON-APPOINTMENT OF SCHOOLS’ MEDICAL OFFICER FURTHER PROTEST BY EDUCATION BOARD CO-OPERATION OF COMMITTEES AND LOCAL BODIES SOUGHT The non-appointment of a Schools’ Medical Officer for the Nelson Education Board area has been the subject of many discussions at monthly meetings of the board, and frequent requests have been made to the Department, but without result. The majority of schools have not been inspected foi two years, and this is causing dissatisfaction in many parts of the area and is a matter of concern to the board. The recent outbreak of infantile paralysis in the Golden Bay district and the com sequent closing of schools has thrown a responsibility on the board’s officers which it was considered should have been dealt with by the Medical Officer. In view of the fact that the position has been open for fifteen months and the Department has not seen fit to make an appointment the Education Board to-day decided to ask all the School Committees, the County Councils, the Borough Councils and Town Boards in the district to support the board’s protest against further delay in the appointment of an officer. Mr F. A. Carling said it was not fair that the matter of closing schools should be left to anyone other than a Medical Officer. Mr J. H. Harkncss said he felt the board should go to the Prime Minister with its representations. He moved that the board again make representations to the Minister of Education and Health for the appointment of a Schools’ Medical Officer, and state that the infantile paralysis outbreak had made the position acute. It is to be pointed out to the Minister that there is neither a Schools’ Medical Officer nor a Distinct Medical Officer in Nelson and that it might be possible for one appointment to cover all the duties required. In seconding the motion Mr J. G. Wilkens said the district was entitled to such an officer. It was further decided that the local bodies and committees be approached and that the chairman telegraph the Minister on the matter immediately.