INTEREST TO MOTHERS

Evening Post, Issue 20, 23 July 1935, Page 15

INTEREST TO MOTHERS

OBSTETRICAL SCHOLARSHIPS

DEAN OF FACULTY WRITES

A courteous and explanatory letter was received last evening at the meeting of the National Council of Women (Wellington branch) from the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Otago University. The branch had written to inquire further into the matter of he scholarships resulting, from the gift by New Zealand women towards obstetrical work at the University.

Sir Lindo Ferguson wrote as follows:—"In drawing up the regulations we had clearly in view the desire of the women's organisation to improve the. standard of obstetrical work rather than to provide an opportunity for training men for practice elsewhere." Sir Lindo went 'on to say that it was difficult for a student to say at the outset exactly what he might do after having two years' experience overseas, and if tempting offers were made at the end of this time it was not possible to suggest that he reject them and come back here to uncertainty. The scholarship money only represented a small part of that spent on training, and if any of the scholars went elsewhere, the women could at least feel that they had helped in the training of a man who would be of better assistance to their sister women in other parts. It would not be wise to make the scholarships mean compulsory return to the Dominion—it was best left to the men themselves.

An endeavour, he stated, was made to meet this case by stipulating that preference would be given to candidates who intended to practice in New Zealand. They did not aim at training specialists who would remain in the towns, but. in helping general practitioners in the direction of gynaecology and obstetrics, improving the standard of his work in those branches.

Sir Lindo was of opinion that it is too soon to see the full effect of training through the scholarships, and gave account of the seven men who had held them, all most interesting, and ■showing excellence of work and opportunity given them to take good positions outside this country- One after another had obtained a position in a well-known women's hospital in London, which was much sought after by all, and this had caused a little feeling in London schools that such an opportunity should be given persistently to New Zealanders.

The letter concluded thus: "You can assure yoiir executive that the Faculty does not lose sight of the working of the different scholarships under its control, and if we find that the obstetrical scholars merely make use of their opportunities to obtain positions in Great Britain, we should certainly consider the question of what steps should be taken to maintain the original purpose of the endowment." In giving details of the various holders of scholarships Sir Lindo showed that the assistance had been refunded when men definitely decided not to return.

A resolution of thanks to Sir Lindo Ferguson, and appreciation of his kind and clear explanation of the position was passed with acclamation. . '