CARE OF THE EYES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20924, 14 July 1931, Page 10

CARE OF THE EYES.

EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES. LOCAL ASSOCIATION'S AIMS. That optometry had not waited on compulsion to raise its standards or to increase the educational facilities within its power was pointed out to'members of the Auckland Association of Optometrists by Mr. T. D. Peacock at the annual dinner of the association held last evening.

From the inauguration of the Institute of Optometrists in 1922 it was realised that no roal progress could be made in raising the educational and ethical standards of optometry until it possessed legal status, Mr. Peacock said. Accordingly. an Optometry Bill was drawn up by the institute, only to_ be rejected by the House of Representatives, and it was not until 1928 that the Opticians Act was passed.

The aims of the institute now were:— (1) To elevate the standards of optometry; (2) to encourage a high ethical professional service; (3) to foster the growth of optical knowledge; (4) to promote friendly intercourse among opticians; (5) to protect and further the interests of members.

The educational facilities might bo said to be of two kinds, general and technical, Mr. Peacock continued. The general was to enable students to do themselves justice, and the technical to enable practitioners to do the public justice. Such facilities could best be provided by a university course along the lines laid for dentistry. In the past, training in the conservation of vision had been given by the institute through its official instructor, but now that there was compulsory registration it was an important duty of the State lo provide suitable general'and technical education.

The president, Mr. R. J. S. Gray, presided over a good attendance. A toast list was honoured and a musical programme was provided during dinner by an orchestra directed by Mr. Haydn Murray. Items were given later by Messrs. Lambert Harvey, Dan Flood, H. Murray, Harris, Duncan Black and Eltow Black.