UNIVERSITY SENATE

Greymouth Evening Star, 4 February 1939, Page 5

UNIVERSITY SENATE

REFUGEE DOCTORS’ CLAIMS [FEB PBESB ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHURCH, February 3. Refugee doctors whatever their qualifications, who seek the. right to practice iu New Zealand must, first study for another three years at the Otago Medical School. This is according to a ruling by the New Zealand Medical Council. The position of the refugee doctors has been made public this week at a meeting of the Senate of the University of New Zealand. Three of them made application for admission ad eundem, to New’ Zealand degrees. One request was, later, modified until it sought admission as a student. The claims of the refugee doctors were discussed at a long sitting of the Senate, in committee. One claim was rejected. The other two were not to be considered, it was decided, until the applicants were resident, in New Zealand. The discussion was all in committee. It was not until the next day, when the committee findings became part, of the minutes confirmed next morning, could any reference to it be published.

The rejection of the application of one Berlin doctor drew’ this comment, in open meeting, from Mr. F. A. de la Mare: “That decision, on the application for admission ad eundem of K. E. (M.D. Berlin) is a departure from the University traditions, and of the practice of the University of New’ Zealand, .and, in my opinion, it is a concession to professional intervention in every way desirable.’’ The three applications first came before the executive committee of the Senate. One was from Berlin, one from Bologna, and one from Vienna. The first was not granted, and the second and third, so the Senate decided, would not be considered until the applicants were resident in New’ Zealand.

DIVINITY DEGREES CHRISTCHURCH. February 3. An appeal by churches for the institution of degrees in divinity by the University of New’’ Zealand will be debated by the University Senate on Monday. The appeal was formally put to the Senate by a deputation for which the speakers were the Rev. Professor John Dickie (Principal of Knox College, Dunedin) and Bishop West-Watson. Each speaker adduced arguments in favour of university degrees in theology, and the two speakers were supported by Archdeacon A. K. Warren (Church of England), Rev. A. C. Watson (Presbyterian), Mr. E. J. D. Hercus (Baptist), Rev. W. A. Burley (Methodist), and Rev. J. Milburn Stewart (Congregational).

In an earlier request to the Senate for the hearing of the deputation, Professor Dickie had said that it represented all the main churches in New Zealand, the Roman Catholics excepted. The deputation was welcomed by the Chancellor, Hon. J. A. Hannan. The Senate later decided to defer consideration of the request until Monday.