OTAGO MEDICAL SCHOOL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3959, 28 January 1930, Page 7

OTAGO MEDICAL SCHOOL.

CHAIR OF MIDWIFERY. WHOLE-TIME PROFESSOR REQUIRED. For some time past it has been the desire of the Obstetrical Society of New Zealand to establish a permanent Chair of Midwifery at the Otago University. The society met recently, and discussed the question of the expiration, a year hence, of the term of the present professor of midwifery and obstetrics at the University. The appointment of a new professor will then be necessary, and the society is desirous that the University should engage a distinguished man. whose whole time will be devoted to the duties of a professor. as well as to the maternity hospital to which he will be attached. To obtain a full-time man of the requisite qualifications the society considers that a salary of £2OOO per annum should be offered, and it is suggested that it should be stipulated that the professor should be not allowed any outside practice. In order that the desired appointment might be brought about, the Obstetrical Society organised a campaign, and one of its members toured Auckland to raise a part of the fund of £25,000 which it is proposed to establish by public subscription. Jhe Government has promised a subsidy of £25,000, and the income from the fund will ensure a salary of £2OOO being available. It was stated on Thursday by a local medical man who has taken a prominent part in endeavouring to place the chair of midwifery and gynaecology on a firm basis, that a similar campaign will shortly be conducted in Otago, in order to make the effort Dominion-wide. The Council of the Otago University had not yet discussed the appointment of a professor at the large salary, but there is little likelihood that it will turn down a gift of £2OOO a year from the public of New Zealand. The salary would attract a man of undoubted qualifications and ability. It was debatable, however, whether the man appointed should be tied down to piofessorial and hospital work alone. In London professors had been similarly debarred from private practice, and doubt was now being expressed as to the wisdom of this course. The New Zealand Obstetrical Society had decided that the restriction was necessary, and the Medical Faculty of the University had recommended that a whole-time professor be engaged. The Professorial Board had nit yet considered the question, continued the doctor, but some of the professors would doubtless have something to say. as most of them were whole-time men receiving only £9OO yearly. He was sure, however, that the University Council would be agreeable to offering them £2OOO a year if the public raised the funds to subsidise the salaries.

A movement to form the nucleus of a campaign in Christchurch has already been inaugurated