JEWISH DENTISTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22285, 11 June 1934, Page 8

JEWISH DENTISTS

EXPULSION FROM GERMANY CONCERN IN NEW ZEALAND (Special to Daily Times.) WELLINGTON, June 10. The dental profession in New Zealand is concerned lest the expulsion of Jewish dentists from Germany by the Nazis should result in their coming to the Dominion and practising dentistry in this country. The Government has been approached by the New Zealand Dental Association, and ashed to take steps to prevent these people from entering the Dominion. In reply to these representations the association has been advised that the situation is receiving the close attention of the authorities. In an interview on Saturday the president of the New Zealand Dental Association (Mr K. C. Morpeth) stated that the Executive Council of the association had been considering the matter on behalf of the dental profession in New Zealand, and had already approached the Government with a view to preventing entry into the Dominion of non-Aryans from Germany. A reply had been received stating that the position was receiving the close attention of the authorities.

Reference was made by Mr Morpeth to the position at the Otago Dental School, where the number entering the profession during the past 15 years had ensured a steady flow of dental graduates. There were more than enough to meet the demand, and this he was quite sure would always be the case. At the present time those commencing practice were finding it increasingly difficult to make a living. The cost of a four years and a-half course at the Dental School and the subsequent expense of equipping an up-to-date surgery were much greater than was generally recognised. The duty on practically all dental equipment and materials had increased tremendously. There was moreover a sales tax on 90 per cent, of all imports. . ~ “The economic conditions during the past few years,” Mr Morpeth continued, "have fallen very heavily on the profession, and the situation has been met without undue complaint. The threatened influx of men from a foreign country is an extremely serious matter, and can result onlv in the partial closing of one avenue of employment to the sons of New Zealand people. It is most undesirable that this should happen, and it is hoped that the necessary protection _ will be forthcoming. The principle that science has no frontiers is a reasonable enough proposition in ordinary circumstances, and where there might be interchanges. There will, perhaps, be a_ proportion of highly-qualified men seeking admission, but it is not by any means certain that the standard of dentistry in Germany is any higher than, if as high as, that of this Dominion. The statement in _ a Christchurch newspaper that a dentist exiled from Germany is already nractising in Dunedin is incorrect. There is, however, a man with both German medical and dental qualifications taking a final year in medicine at Otago University.”