MEDICAL COURSE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25157, 21 March 1945, Page 9

MEDICAL COURSE

MANPOWER POLICY DEPARTMENT CRITICISED Comment on the policy of the National Service Department with regard to the admission of university graduates to the medical school at Otago" was contained in a letter received by the Herald recently from a correspondent. He said the reason given by the Director of National Service, Mr H. L. Bockett,' for the decision not to admit the graduates this year was that, owing to an acute shortage of trained academic personnel in New Zealand, the services of these boys would be of more immediate use in the war effort in scientific M'ork where their knowledge and training would be of value. \ "To many of the graduates, if not to all. it was a bitter disappointment, after being accepted by the Otago Medical School, not to be allowed to pursue their studies," said the correspondent. "Many felt they had not received fair treatment, as some students who were allowed to go to Dunedin had, in the same period at university, qualified only in the medical intermediate examination, while the others had gained not only this necessary qualification, but also their B.Sc. degrees. In spite of this, however, they realised that there was a war on and were prepared to accept the position as stated by ! the director. Wrong Placing Alleged "One of these boys whom I know has received mobilisation orders for the Army, although he wishes to do scientific; work for the Air Force," said-the correspondent. "Another, . who has already done three years' scientific work for the Air Force and is now medically unfit, has been directed to wash bottles for a rag, sack and bottle merchant. A holder of the master of science degree (not a medical student) was informed bv the Public Service Commissioner that there was no scientific work available. Members of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research have been dismissed and told to await mobilisation. Where, then, is the acute shortage of trained academic personnel mentioned by Mr Bockett as the reason for refusing to allow graduates to enter the medical school?" "It is not the policy of my department to allow university students to transfer to another course for further full-time study unless the circumstanbe= are exceptional," said Mr Bockett when the matter was referred to him "Graduates, in addition to all other students, have their obligations to the armed forces and to industry. Army Replacement* "In view of the urgent need for reinforcements as replacements for men ol long service in the Middle Ea,st forces, it lias recently become necessary to make increased numbers of men available for military service, and Government departments, not excluding the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, have had to supply thenquota." said Mr Bockett. "In some instances the employment of graduate.in industry has had to be subordinated to the immediate military needs, while in several cases graduates themselves have requested that, in the circumstances, they be permitted to serve with the forces." The whole position must be considered in the light of circumstances prevailing at the time action had to be taken, having regard to the national interest,* said Mr Bockett. Adjustments between the Army and the Air Force were matters entirelv within the jurisdiction of those authorities, but the immediate * need for personnel was more urgent in the case of the Army, which was . receiving some preference in the allocation of personnel at the present time to make up the drafts required for the replacement scheme. "Regarding the allegation that a university graduate has been directed to wash bottles, this is certainly not in accordance with manpower policy, said Mr Bockett. "If such a case does exist I shall be pleased to have immediate inquiries made if details are supplied. AIR FORCE LOSSES KILLED AND MISSING MEN Advice that their son, Sergeant-Navi-gator D. C. A. Gillespie, has been killed on active service has been received by Mr and Mrs C. W. Gillespie, 20 Learnington Road, Mount Eden. He was 21 vears of age and was educated at tlie Mount Eden and Ivowhai Schools and Mount Albert Grammar School. He played Association football for Mount Albert Grammar Old Boys. Sergeant Gillespie left New Zealand for Canada in November, 1943. Posted missing, Pilot-Officer Robert John Clark is the husband of Mra L. Clark and son of Mr and Mrs R. Clark, of 44 Islington Street, Heme Bay. He is 27 vears of age and was educated in Dunedin, Ponsonby School and Seddon Memorial Technical college. Before joining the Royal New Zealand Air Force he was a motion picture projectionist. Pilot-Officer Clark gained his wings in the Dominion and left for Britain in October, 1943. He gaine| a commission last November. < Recently posted missing on air operations, Warrant-Officer Bryce DesmSnd Jenkins is a son of Mr and Mrs EjjP. Jenkins, of Waharoa. He left ,-gfor Canada in July, 1943, and arrives?in England in January, 1944. After being a wireless operator in a bomber attaefyea to a New Zealand squadron, with wJbch he made 17 raids, he volunteered for special duty and went to his npst early in December. He has takeitrpart in many raids over enemy teirSgfyThree of his brothers are ovenstfes. Flight-Sergeant Roy Jenkins was;,iii the same bomber squadron as Officer Jenkins and was posted Eraissing after a special mission. W. L. Jenkins is in England ancLtbe fourth son, Private R. N. been with the New Zealand iDiriiion for three and a-half years. shasnr STOWED AWAY ON A charge of stowing away >ior»frthe Kiwitea at Westport was admit¥oeSby Loyal a Arthur Hales, motor driver, aged 27, before Mr J. Morling, S.M., yesterday. Accused said there was no wprfcrat Westport which he could do beoSaise he had a disability of an arm."?*|le had no money to get to Aucklan<^ a Ee was admitted to probation foincOl2 months. DIVORCE DECREE On the ground of separation a decree nisi was granted by Mr Justice ®air vesterdav to William David Norley Field) against Frances Agnes Nofltey.