SHORTAGE OF OPTICIANS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24227, 20 February 1940, Page 10

SHORTAGE OF OPTICIANS

INFLUENCE OF WAR DISCUSSION AT CONFERENCE (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON. Feb. 19. Reference to the influence of war on optometry was made by Mr Brooke Taylor in his presidential address at the annual conference of the Institute of Opticians of New Zealand, which opened to-day. Mr Brooke Taylor said that the younger members of the profession were enlisting, and as the war progressed there would probably be a shortage of refractionists and mechanics, but the organisation of the association should enable them to make the most of the man power available. The influence of the war and sterling arrangements on the supply of optical goods had not yet been seriously felt, but present conditions could not be expected to last. The number of soldiers in the first echelon who wore spectacles had caused public comment, but the authorities had revealed that the physically .fit recruit was no longer rejected because he wore glasses, provided they brought his vision up to the reqired standard. Mr Taylor added that a particular type of spectacle frame had been adopted by the Imperial Army for issue. The spectacle-wearing soldier’s frame could be worn under a gas mask, and each man was supplied with a duplicate pair. The question of following this practice in New Zealand was now under consideration. Delegates from all centres of New Zealand are attending the conference, which will occupy five days.