SKIN DISEASES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23219, 17 June 1937, Page 10

SKIN DISEASES

“ MIXED ” SCHOOLS IN THE NORTH AN ALARMING REPORT DEFINITE ACTION URGED (Per United Pre:ss Association) AUCKLAND, June 1(3. Extreme concern at the lack of official arrangements to ensure the cleanliness of Maori pupils attending schools to which white children are also sent was expressed by members of the Auckland Education Board at a meeting to-day. It was stated that the trouble largely caused by skin diseases originated in the kaiangas, and the board decided to renew its previous requests to the Health Department to have definite action taken to guarantee against threats to the health of white children attending “ mixed ” schools.

A letter from the Rotokakahi School Committee, Hokianga, where 54 to 59 children attending the school are Maoris, stated that if the board would provide a grant for a building to house a copper and a bath the head teacher and assistant would be willing to treat the Maori children in an endeavour to prevent the spread of skin diseases. If the board was unable to provide assistance the committee asked that the matter be referred to the Education Department. Mr J. E. Elliott said that this was a most important matter for the schools in the north and a departmental officer should be sent to investigate the problem. Mr A. Burns, M.L.C.: I think the matter ought to be tackled in the interest of the Natives and of the white children alike. It could be done with the co-operation of the Health Department. “It is a reflection on the Health Department,” said Mr F. A. Snell, “that the matter has not been improved. We have been pressing for action for some years and nothing has come of it. It is all bunkum to say that skin troubles cannot be killed.” It was decided to ask the Health Department to take definite action in the matter.