DOCTORS WANTED FOR JAPAN

Chronicle (Levin), 10 July 1946, Page 5

DOCTORS WANTED FOR JAPAN

—Press Assocmtion

By Telegraph-

WELLINGTON, July 9. "It has been deeided that all exit permits for medical men will be reviewed and permission to go oa-erseas will be limited with certain exceptions to medical praetitioners Avith a reason- 1 ably long service in the armed forces," stated the Minister of Defence, Hon. F. Jones, tonight, Avho added that the response of medical men for duty with the Army Medical Hervice in Japan had been most disappointing and it avouM be a great liardship to medical ofiicet-i* with J Force, some of whom aa'ere married and with long service, if tliey were not relieved with the rest of the troops next inonth. The Minister saio that alfhough the appeal met with little result, a large number of medical men. many of whom were of military age but who had little or no military service, had applied for exit permits to go o\-er scas for postgraduate s-tudy. Twice within recent weeks the medical authorities in Great Britain had asked that the number of medical practition ers going there should be limited be cause for some time there Avould be'lack of aceommodation and great congestion in all universities because ot~thu demobilisation of large numbers oi R.A.M.G. ofiieers. The health of the NeAV Zealand troops in Japgn depended on a high standard of medical service said Mr. JoneSj and in vieiv of the re strietions for postgraduate studv over seas, medical men — especially those w h o qualified recently — were urged to apply for service Avith the J Force. Hervice would be for a'maximum oi' 12 months. The terms, pay and allowances wero generous and thc Government proinised tliat on their return from' Japan, these medical offic.ers Avould be given specint facilities and priority for 'postgraduate training overseas, including bursaries similar to those granted the 2tii N.Z.E.F. Inquiries could be made ai district army offices or Arniv Medlcai Headciuarters in Wellington.