CHAIR OF OBSTETRICS

Taranaki Daily News, 9 August 1930, Page 13

CHAIR OF OBSTETRICS

FIELD- OF SELECTION. The opinion wag expressed by Dr. F. R. Riley, lecturer in midwifery at Otago University, that the maternal mortality rate in New Zealand is not so much greater than in other countries, inehid.inw Denmark and Holland, as was generally believed. Discussing the suggestion made a few days ago by Dr. Sydney Allen, of New Plymouth, regarding the question of enabling Danish or Dutch trained professors to become applicants for the chair of obstetrics, Dr. Riley said he thought that the people of New; Zealand would be strongly opposed to such a procedure, after having subscribed for the purpose the amount of money that they had. The "terms of appointment provided that the man chosen would have the benefit of six months’ travel before commencing work. If a highly qualified Englishman were appointed, he could visit the countries where the death rate was so low, and could study their methods of teaching and practice, which would make him perfectly fit for the position. What New Zealand required was properly equipped maternity hospitals, with facilities for resident students. Regarding the implication that for half a < mtury Britain, with which New Zealand was keeping pace, had been lagging behind in obstetric lore, Dr. Riley said he was of the opinion that the position had been very much overstated. Students in the Dominion were given a thoroughly sound training, which, with the facilities available, was the best they could have.

Dr. C. North, assistant to Dr. Riley, said that what was aimed at, and what it was hoped would result, was that the new professor of obstetrics would become obstetrical adviser *o the Government, which position was at present held by Dr. Jellett. There was no doubt that the new appointment would mean much to the study of obstetrics in the Dominion, and it was in every way'a valuable and progressive step. ?.