DEBARRED FROM PRACTICE

NZ Truth, Issue 1035, 26 September 1925, Page 22

DEBARRED FROM PRACTICE

Must Pass His Examinations DENTISTS IN COURT: SOME STRAIGHT TALK " Only 8 per cent of Association's Members passed their Examinations" said Counsel. He declared that the case had as motive the desire to close the door against the unfortunate 37 who had since failed to pass. Allegations of Political jobbery. (From "Truth's" Wanganui Rep.) Some hard things were said about the New Zealand Dental Association during the hearing of a case at Wanganui this week.

Arthur Edwin Cowper, one of the River City's leading dentists* was proceeded against at the instance of the Association, the charge being that he permitted A. T. Murray, an unregistered person, to carry on business m his name and on his behalf.

Murray was also charged on three counts, the chief one being that, not being a registered, dentists, he practised dentistry.

Lawyer Cohen, who appeared for the defence, pleaded guilty to all charges. He had quite a lot to say about the Association, describing it as "a close corporation" of greedy monopolists. The upshot of the case was that Cowper was fined £20 and costs while his unregistered conl'ere m the case was called upon to pay a fine of £5 and costs. Lawyer Brodie, who appeared for the Dental Association, said the case was regarded by that body as very important, not only m the interests of dentists, but also from a public welfare point of view. The business nowadays was a profession requiring, high skill and technique, and was no longer regarded as purely mechanical. Dentists required to have a knowledge of anatomy, bacteriology and pathology so that they would not apply dangerous drugs to the living tissues of their clients. Counsel explained how, at one time, unregistered dentists were employed by registered dentists, but the privilege had been abused. He also explained how the dentists had held a conference with the minister, and the subsequent legislation — which followed m 1921. AMPLE PROVISION MADE. Provision was made for men who had been at the war, and they were given two years m .which to pass their dentists' exam. Seventy-nine sat, 42 passed and ST failed, and defendant Murray was one of the latter. The men who failed tried to introduce fresh legislation, and Cowper was one who took an actice part m the matter. He was a member of the New Zealand Dentists' Association but he also continued to employ Murray. "Cawper had a large practice m Wanganui and his patrons included the pupils of the Wanganui Collegiate School. In asking for a heavy penalty, Mr. Brodie informed the Court that it was not a case of hardship upon Murray, as he had two years m which to pass an easy examination. "A CLOSE CORPORATION." Lawyer Cohen then took off the gloves and waded m to the Dental Association. He characterised it as "a close corporation of greedy monopolists. The close corporation, said Counsel; had told the Court that it desired to protect the public, buc Counsel contended that it had another desire m mind, to bar the door against the unfortunate 37 men who had failed to

pass what was by no means on easy examination. In fact, said Counsel, m this Association, which was so anxious to protect the public, only 8 per . cent, of its members had passed the Dental Examination and 92 per cent, had not. Mr. Cohen . referred to the great scarcity of dentists m the Dominion, Wanganui included, where 15 dentists served a population of 50,000 m the city and "district. ■ v ■■ MURRAY'S HARD LOT. Dealing -with Murray's case, counsel said he was a returned soldier who had worked for Cowper before the war. He sat for this examination, which was set by the New Zealand senate examiner and passed m three subjects out of the five. ; Ho was now out for. life unless ' he went for five years to the dental school at Dunedin and passed m all five subjects. He could not afford to go there. Counsel pointed out that to send a student to the Dental School would mean £300 per year and he asked how many parents could afford to pay that sum. In England they have been more generous to, their young men who had served at the war, and ten years was allowed to pass the examination — as against two here. The 92 per cent, of this close corporation which had got through the fence instead of the gate, found the pasture very good m the field and. naturajly wanted to keep the other fellow out. Mr. Cohen contended that professional men were more generous than this. Cowper had proved ,to be ,humantarian m employing Murray instead of throwing .him out on the street. , . , . . THE FATE OF THE ACT. When the proposed amendment to the Act to give the 37^ men a chance, came 'before the House it was carried m the second reading by a large majority, but it was afterwards killed m committee by the influence of the New Zealand Dental Association. The Dental Association .was particularly anxious to make capital out of this case m order to kill the pending Bill. Cowper, although a member of the Dental Association, had received no warning from that "close corporation." Before concluding Mr. Cohen read a lengthy letter from Lieut. Colonel W. S. Austin, of Wellington, speaking highly of the ability of Murray as a dentist while with the New Zealand Rifle Brigade. The Bencli fined Cowper £20, with costs and Murray £5 with costs.