NATIVE DOCTORS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 308, 28 December 1940, Page 6

NATIVE DOCTORS.

GRADUATION DAY. WORK THROUGHOUT PACIFIC. (By Air). SUVA, December 23. His Excellency the Governor, Sir Harry Luke, K.C.M.0., presented the diplomas at the graduation ceremony of the Central Medical School to-day. The function took place in the Legislative Council Chamber. Dr. V. \V. T. McGusty, the Director of Medical Service.*, in welcoming his Excellency, said that no function which took place within the. walls of the Chamber had such far-reaching effects, as the 12 students who would receive their diplomas would return to the countries whence they came, to practise the art of healing end medicine. Students came from all centres in the Pacific to train at the Central Medical School, and when they rccevied their diplomas became fully qualified native medical practitioners. Dr. McGusty thanked his Excellency for the personal interest he had taken in the school, which had become an inspiration to the students and graduates. His Excellency, addressing the students, said he realised the colossal opportunities the native medical practitioners had. In places like Xauru, the Solomons, and the Gilbert and Ellice Islands, where they could not afford large staffs of European medical officers, the work of the X.M.P.'s was invaluable. It was hoped to have a new, better and permanent medical school as soon as the exigencies and stringencies of war permitted, and a generous credit from the Rockefeller Foundation was waiting until Buch an opportunity arose. The Central Medical School began as an experiment in medical education for the natives, but it had now outgrown that stage, and its usefulness should be extended so that it should become the recognised training ground for all the natives* of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia. His Excellency then congratulated the students, and wished them godspeed in the honourable and responsible tasks that lay before them. i