J. FORCE DOCTORS

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 April 1946, Page 2

J. FORCE DOCTORS

METHOD OF SELECTION CRITICISED

(P.A.) AUCKLAND, April 23. Although no official instruction has been received concerning the conscription for service in Japan of several young doctors, it has been stated unofficially that the length of military service of the men concerned was the basis on which the selection was made. When notified last week that they were to be dispatched to Japan to serve with J Force several young Auckland doctors expressed resentment at being singled out for what they termed “unjust treatment.” It was stated to-day that the doctors who had been warned that they were required for service were mostly men who had been medical officers in military camps in New Zealand, and who had served for terms of less than three years. This was the basis of their selection.

The objection of the doctors was to the narrow group over which they felt the net had been cast. They felt that the Medical Corps had been singled out, and that happier results would have been obtained if the problem had been approached on a more general basis-. They were concerned over the fact that they would not qualify for post-graduate bursaries and other rehabilitation privileges, particularly as in most cases military service had already interfered with their studies.