"UNNECESSARILY FRIGHTENED.”

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 4946, 22 September 1914, Page 4

"UNNECESSARILY FRIGHTENED.”

j HEALTH OF THE CHILDREN. MEDICAL EXAMINATION. The Pahiatua District High School Committee recently forwarded, a protest to the Minister for Education with regard to the clause in the Education Bill dealing with the medical examination of school children. The protest was framed as the outcome of representations made by the headmaster. The Minister for Education (Hon. J. Allen) has now replied as follows: “I think you are unnecessarily frightened as to the provisions of tile clause. It is quite obvious that if a parent showed that he had not the means to deal with the child he would not be punished, but it seems to me that with the many opportunities for receiving medical assistance, especially where there are hospitals, it is very seldom that a child could not be treated. At any rate, this is proposed as a first step and it is not my intention to punish any parent who is not in the position to have his chilfi looked after. A a regards the present examination, I am aware that it is, to a certain extent, piece-meal, but that is owing to the shortage of the staff. I hope to be able to increase the staff before long.” Mr J. H. Escott, M.P., also acknowledged a letter from the commit, j tee on the same subject, stating that ] the valuable suggestions made would ! receive careful consideration. The letters were received by the Comi mittee last evening.