IN THE PUBLIC MIND

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 229, 27 September 1943, Page 4

IN THE PUBLIC MIND

CORRESPONDENTS' VIEWS

MEDICAL STUDENTS

To the Editor. The remarks of "Also Interested" regarding medical students brings up the whole question, I think, of medical education in this country. There seems to tie little doubt that the Government has bungled the distribution of bursaries, and as a result we have this year some 275 students of whom only 120 can gain admittance to the Medical School. Be this as it may, I think, however,' that we must take into consideration the fact that of the total number of intermediate candidates some 60 per cent or more will fail the examination, so that the big majority of those who are successful, we may say, will be assured of a place at the Medical School. Many potential students and their parents do not realise that medical examinations are difficult, and the course an arduous one. The Department of Health has stated that in time of peace the number of medical graduates required each year in New Zealand is 70. This estimate is still a reliable one, as can be born out by a study of the Medical Register. The plain fact is that to-day, for various reasons, there are too many students offering to study medicine. Many of lie medical schools in England and America now demand a degree in arts and sciences from the aspirant to medical study. This policy ensures four worthwhile things. Firstly, it ensures that medical men obtain a wider culture; secondly, that only those of recognised scholastic abilities can study the most important of all professions; thirdly, it produces a maturer student and practitioner, for medicine is a study for mature minds, and fourthly, it places a reasonable limitation upon the number of those who seek medical education. lATROS.

PLATS AND BABIES I heartily support "Desperate Mother's" suggestion that we mothers who are forced to rear our babies in a room should organise and do something. It is a disgrace to the country to have so many homeless families while many of the homes built by the Government are occupied by childless couples. For nine months I have occupied one room with my child of two years and my husband, who has served in the forces for nearly four years. We applied for a State house two years and a half ago, but as yet have received nothing but reassuring letters. Now we hear of the opening of a huge block of State flats built to accommodate 234 persons, but definitely "not suitable for children." Surely if the material and labour can be found to build flats for young couples it can be released to complete the half-finished houses standing vacant all over Auckland and so provide for we mothers who are bearing the coming generation. Come on, you women who have so long been trampled underfoot, !et us unite and demand our rights. We want action, not talk. SERVICEMAN'S WIFE. HOSPITAL AUXILIARY At the large gathering of women from all parts of the metropolitan area at the sixteenth annual meeting of the above organisation the story of the "Good- Samaritan" was unfolded as convener after convener read out the reports of the year's work. The women had done a job on the home front which had brought comfort and blessing to the mentally and physically sick, as well as to the aged travelling the last mile of the road. The benevolent workers had been asked "to go a mile, but they had gone twain." Many of the workers had been associated with humanitarian work for years, and the variety and quality of their work is marvellous. Started in a small way at the main hospital, where Dr. C. E. Maguire gave the promoters his blessing, it had spread like a small mountain stream, expanding and expanding on its way to the sea till it is unthinkable that its refreshing streams should now cease. It should be supported by all those who have a heart to feel for the needs of those most worthy of assistance in accordance with the highest Christian ideals. W. K. HOWITT.

FARM LANDS The controversy over farm values recalls the situation in 1919 and 1920. I handled quite a number of properties for the Lands Department; in a great number of cases the properties were bought against the advice and in spite of the opinions of the "Department and its valuers. In some cases the value was reduced to the Department's value, but second mortgages or other considerations, arranged privately. This resulted in steps being taken to prevent second mortgages. Mr. H. M. Skeat, the then Commissioner, forecast trouble for the men who bought, not only because the price exceeded the value justified by butter at 2/6, but also because there was no certainty of a continued return for butter and wool on the then existing prices. In many cases, soldiers having picked their farms, and being turned down, resorted to political pressure. Unfortunately, the prediction was only too true, and many returned soldiers suffered accordingly. It is to be hoped that a stronger stand will be taken this time. N. R. W. THOMAS. THE ELECTORAL, SYSTEM The people of New Zealand voted solidly for party, irrespective of ability. If we are to obtain the necessary reforms so many require, we must reform the party"system. I suggest a percentage basis. All parties should be represented. It is only necessary for about 20 good men to run this country in a businesslike manner, so every 50,000 vote.;, bs they Labour, National, Independent or Jacobite, would warrant a candidate. It would be the duty of each party to select and send to Parliament, with the right of recall, their quota. The result would be truly democratic representation of all. The present farce of running a country must cease. R. STEWART. FAIR RENTS Re the Fair Rents Act, I think it is very unfair in one direction. If a tenant of the Government does not fulfil his obligations he is soon given notice to go, but the poor man who has put his all in a home and, through adverse conditions, has been obliged to have a tenant has no protection. No matter what obligations he has he cannot turn them out. The tenant takes command and the owner has to grin and bear it. Is that fair? If the Fair Rents Act gets repealed many poor men owners will have to dig deep in their pockets to renovate the destruction that has already taken place. INIQUITOUS.