Medical Student Restriction

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 237, 19 September 1934, Page 8

Medical Student Restriction

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—The proposals now made public by the British Medical Association and put forward by them to the Senate oi the University of New Zealand are ol such vast importance not only to the youth oi New Zealand but in general principle that 1 want to draw your attention to them; the attention oi the general public of New Zealand and that of the New Zealand parents of prospective medical students. It is claimed by the B.M.A. that there must be a reduction in the number ol medical students. There is a sure maxim iu business which the B.M.A. should take to heart. That is: cheapen the product and it will increase the demand. The medical men should also remember that their services are

sold in the same wav as any commodity is sold. Let them halve their fees, and they will be amazed at- the large reservoir of potential patients they will tap, patients who to-day on account ol the cost are afraid to approach an ordinary medical practitioner. As tor the specialist—well, that is another nAtter. The old cry of bad debts as a reason for high fees can not be used. There would be fewer bad debts, as those are mainly caused by high fees. I say that any New Zealand-born boy

or girl who wishes to become either * carpenter, engineer, plumber, surveyor, doctor, barber, dentist, lawyer, clergyman, etc., should be allowed to do so 'n his own country and that, too, without any unreasonable restrictions being placed in the way. Facilities to learn any profession or trade should be made available and that is where the politician conies into this.

One presumes that the B.M.Adoctors consider their own education was sufficient to tit them tor their chosen profession—it is quite reasonable to assume this—but now they have the nerve to ask that a iar stiffer examination be prepared for future medical students. But that is not all. as this examination is to be competitive and only a certain number oi the higher passes shall be allowed to carry on with their medical studies. The rest are scrapped as medical students. Various professions and trades are crowded to-day, that of civil and mechanical engineering, and law for instance, but no committees from these professions wait on the Senate and ask them to raise barriers to the youth of New Zealand who wish to take up these occupations.

Again, dairy-farming is in the doldrums to-day, but there is no “thou shaft not” raised by those already struggling along to those who wish to dairy-iarm and struggle too. But wjth the B.M.A. things are not so bad; there ate thousands of customers willing to give them work if they will tower lees and tiiat extra work makes ■ oum lor more doctors.

ft must lie remembered that the New Zealamt-ti anied doctor is at liberty to practice m many other countries and rands ana tuat doctors Hom these countries may enter and practice in -sew zeaiano. Now we have itie B.M.A. aiiempting to clock our own youth iiom quuutymg wane outside doctors may enter and carry ou their pro.esoiun at any time.

.uany memueis ot the New Zealand oraiich of the B.M.A. are nut New

.A'aland Oorn or trained and 1 object io their dictation regarding our own .»cw Zealand sons.

Hie law of supply and demand must be allowed to operate; it is the only one that should be considered in the production of goods, services and the uke. When and as soon as the medical profession ceases to provide a good living, then will the enrolment oi medical students begin to fall off. The law of supply and demand is a cycle that is operating all the time. But why should the B.M.A. be the only profession or trade to ask Hr restriction? Then why sluould t..e Senate of the University w New Zealand grant the iequests ol the 8.M.A.? 1 sincerely trust these men ot the Senate will leave the door open to any young man or woman who wishes to take up any university course and place no undue obstacles in the way of the normal student or the dogged plugging student, the latter often making a iar more useful man than the brilliant student.

An extremely naive proposal of the B.M.A. is that the first section of the medical examination should count towards B.Sc. Those students shut out by the, competitive examination —or competitive selection is a better way >1 putting it—it is then suggested, have another course open to them. How bland and 8.M.A.-ishl The medical profession must not be overcrowded, but it does not matter about the other professions if the poor downed medical students turn to them for consolation.

But the greatest harm will be done to the young man’s spirit and mocale. He was ambitious to become a doctor, he was inspired, he had a good average intellect and lacked nothing to make as capable a doctor as most of those qualified. But just because out of a number examined, although he passed, he is not in the higher tew he is thrown out and the whole of his life is affected in consequence. The B.M.A. should not continue with their endeavours at restriction. I can see that the lives and destinies ol many young New Zealanders are in the hands of the Senate to-day. The Senate should not be swayed by the wishes of a conservative body of men who already assume too much power. —Yours, etc., NINETY-NINE. Hastings, 19/9/34.