A MEASURE SHELVED

Hokitika Guardian, 28 September 1932, Page 3

A MEASURE SHELVED

DENTISTS. .AMENDMENT BILL. . r WRLTINIGTONi -Septomher 26. : ■ No attempt will be made by the Governmlent. this to i pass- the Dbnti'Sts'. Amendment ’rßi]t,h wEich. ha«: riot IVeeri, heard of ;in Parliament since IRSOj .although in this* - last 1 two years it:,Tia-s . been strenuovtsly debated by members «f;thb profession. . The -original draft of the Bill was introduced toward the- end of the 1930 session, but there was no intention of going- ahead:with it at* that time, the object of introducing the Bill being mainly to have it printed arid circulated. One otf the Bill’s main provisions is for the establishment of a Ocunc' l ! to exercise controlling powers over the profession similar to those of the Council. controlling the medical ' profession, It has been 1 argued that the powers of control vested in; the Minister for Health arc far too sweeping. At present he is ;ab'e to order the mmoval from the register of any dentest guilty of actions considered to warrant this step. From this decision the dentist lifts no appeal, and it is felt that some system of internal disciplinary power should be given to the profession. Sotr-ei controversy ha's arisen within thiei profrisision concerning the merits of the present Bill, and it has been criticised in certain quarters.

It has not Lash dfecided whether the Bill will be gone bn with next session; but in the meantime it has been definitely shelved.