DENTAL NURSES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 July 1940, Page 10

DENTAL NURSES

LOSSES BY MARRIAGE. M.P. SUGGESTS TRAINING MEN. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. “It is simply a wastage of money to train these girls and then suddenly find they are leaving to get married," said Mr Kyle (Opposition, Riccarton), who inquired from the Minister of Health, Mr Armstrong, in the House last evening what percentage of the girls trained as dental nurses for the schools subsequently loft and married. The estimates of expenditure of the Department of Health were under consideration at the time. “I wonder if the department has any record of the percentage of these girls who marry very early in life?” Mr Kyle asked. “They get trained, are placed in a clinic for a year or two and the next thing they get married. I believe that a lot of young men should be doing the work these girls are doing.” Mr Polson (Opposition, Stratford): “Why shouldn’t they marry?” Mr Kyle: “I am not objecting to that, but it has cost the country a lot to train them. I believe men should be doing the same job.” Mr Polson: “They get married, too." Mr Kyle: “They would be able to retain their position and keep a wife and family.” Mr Armstrong replied that the department had not kept a record, but in 90 per cent of the cases where girls left the department they left to get married. The member L'cr Riccarton would not suggest that an Act of Parliament be introduced to prevent- them doing that. There were others to take their places, and anyway, they could start miniature dental clinics in their own homes.