REFUGEE DOCTOR’S APPOINTMENT

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 50, 22 November 1941, Page 13

REFUGEE DOCTOR’S APPOINTMENT

Southland Board Defends Action

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) INVERCARGILL, November 20. A strong defence of the Southland Hospital Board’s appointment of a Jewish doctor, a refugee . from Germany, as resident house surgeon iu charge of Lorne Hospital was made at a meeting of the board today following the reception of a petition protesting against the alleged unpatriotic action of the board and asking for the doctor’s immediate removal from a position of responsibility. Discussion made it clear that the appointee, Dr. J. Weiser, was a Jewish refugee who had been driven out of Germany and that he was the only man with medical experience available to the board. His appointment had been recommended by the Health Department.

The board, which received also a very favourable commendation of Dr. Weiser’s work from 45 patients and others at Lorne Hospital, instructed the secretary to explain the position to the Makarewa-Lorneville Citizens’ Association, which had raised the objection. The secretary of the board, Mr. A. M. Williams, reported that the board had advertised for a man with medical experience and no replies had been received. In October the Health Department had advised that arrangements had been made for provisional registration of Dr- Weiser, whom the department recommended for the position at Lorne.

The chairman, Mr. T. Golden: We must have a doctor there now. We did not want a refugee doctor but he was the only one available and was recommended by the Health Department for the appointment. Mr. J. McNeill: It is a matter of sentiment with the petitioners from Makarewa.

There was no doubt about Dr. Weiser’s qualifications, said Dr. J. A. lJottinger. Those qualifications were vouched for by the Health Department. The man in question had been driven from Germany by the action of the Government which democracies were fighting. The New Zealand Government had gone into the matter.