REFUGEE DOCTORS IN N.Z.

Southland Times, Issue 23734, 4 February 1939, Page 5

REFUGEE DOCTORS IN N.Z.

RULING OF MEDICAL COUNCIL (United Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, February 3. Refugee doctors whatever their qualifications who seek the right of practice in New Zealand must first study for another three years at the Otago Medical School, according to a ruling by the New Zealand Medical Council. Their position has been made public this week at a meeting of the Senate of the University of New Zealand. Three of them made application for admission ad eundem to New Zealand degrees—one request was later modified until it sought admission as a student—and their claims were discussed at a long sitting of the Senate in committee. One was rejected and the other two were not to be considered it was decided until the applicants were resident in New Zealand. The discussion was all in committee and not until the next day when the committc. findings became part of the minutes and confirmed next morning could any reference to it be printed. The rejection of the application of one Berlin doctor drew this comment in open meeting from Mr F. A. de la Mare, “That decision on the application for admission ad eundem of ‘K.E.’ (M.D., Berlin) is a departure from university traditions and of the practice of the University of New Zealand, and in my opinion is a concession to professional intervention in every way desirable.” The three applications first came before the executive committee of the Senate. One was from Berlin, one from Bologna, and one from Vienna. The first was not granted and the second and the third the Senate decided would not be considered until the applicants were resident in New Zealand.