SKIN DISEASES IN SCHOOLS

Southland Times, Issue 23228, 17 June 1937, Page 6

SKIN DISEASES IN SCHOOLS

CLEANLINESS OF MAORI PUPILS

EXTREME CONCERN EXPRESSED (Special to The Times) AUCKLAND, June 16. 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 today. It was stated that the trouble was largely caused by skin diseases which originated in kaiangas and the board decided to renew its previous requests to the Health Department to have definite action taken to guarantee against the threats of the health of white children attending “mixed” schools. . . A letter from the RotokaKahi School Committee, Hokianga, where 54 to 59 of the 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 the 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 this was a most important matter for schools in the north and a departmental officer should be sent to investigate the problem. The Hon. A. Burns, M.L.C.: I think the matter ought to be tackled in the interests 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 ‘buncombe’ to say skin troubles cannot be killed.” It was decided to ask the Health Department to take definite action in the matter.