University training

Press, 31 July 1986, Page 14

University training

Sir, — Just as the country cannot affdrd to lose potential graduates, neither can the workers afford to pay for the education of the affluent. Would a means test not be the simplest way out? American students are very hard-working — many prefer to work part-time as waiters, kitchenhands, service station attendants, etc., than to apply for the interest-free or low-interest loans available from the universities. Ours seem to like to play around. Regarding the medical schools, while hundreds of millions of dollars are spent annually on both medical education and the health service, thousands of New Zealanders cannot afford medical care. We have a State health service serving the Chatham Islands, Hanmer and one or two other remote areas. Why not give medical students the choice of repaying the cost of their’ education or, alternatively, spending three years after graduation in the State health service? — Yours, etc., S. L. DONALDSON. July 28, 1986.