THE APPEAL ON BEHALF OF THE OTAGO MEDICAL SCHOOL.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2141, 6 May 1914, Page 9

THE APPEAL ON BEHALF OF THE OTAGO MEDICAL SCHOOL.

A COMMENT. Sir,—Anything that 'will raise tlic problems of university, education to tho level of national issues (as they really are) from that of petty local politics (as they are no* considered to be) will be appreciated by those who realise what a powerful instrument of progress a well-developed and efficient university systom would provide. If tho appeal on behalf of tho Medical School by tho editor of tho .''Otago Daily .Times/' means, that the people of Dunedin arc beginning to recognise their Dominion responsibilities in regard to the school, no ono will bo more pleased than 1. But tho people of tho Dominion should know their position in tho matter and make their influence felt. The call is for a Well-developed and efficient Medical School. I sincerely trust that this' will result; but can it happen; till university institutions' in this country are put upon a very much better basis than exists,'.at present?. I cannot help recalling tho fact that criticisms of tho Medical. School have in times past always called forth from the editor of the. "Q.D.T." tho declaration of tlic school's thorough ofGciency, and, in the early days of university reformj when Professor Laby suggested that tho Medical School required more fundri to make it efficient, the Hon. Jas. Allen, then Chancellor of tho Otago University, denied tho charge: Apparently these gentlomen aro now convinced of their mistakes.' , •-. , -~ ••■■• . I am strongly of opinion that the Medical School "should bo a Dominion one; but this means' national, responsibilities and some form of Dominion control. The organisation must be so modified that .somo national body, such as tho Semite, ."shall have, some powers of control and veto on the actions of the local body. Thq administration of .tho school .must satisfy the' people .of New Zealand, and,not merely a section of the people" of Dunedin. Particularly is this «o in the appointment of university teachers—tho most important work of university administration. In tho past Dunedin has. not- boon, above suspicion in this respect. , Is it not oil record iii a Parliamentary report-— (a) That although there, were in Dmv edin two medical men who had, had special training in the diseases of children, and had held important posts in children's hospitals in England, they, wero passed over and \ + ho. appointment given "to one who had liot these qualifications? (b) That the appointment to the new Chair of Pathology is "cut and dried" for a Dunedin medical man in general practice? Surely for such a position the Dominion Will demand the Very best typo of man. available, without regard to tho wishes of a Dunedin coterie; . Further, is it not.a fact that applicants for a. 'Chair in tho Otago University bad, not many months ago, to declare their religion? Whatever .may bo tho Duiiedin views of these questions! tho opinion of the Dominion is that such positions should be thrown open to tho widest .possible competition arid the appointment given to the man with tho best qualifications as art exponent' aiid teacher of his subject, without reference to his frieiids or his religious beliefs.. Oiio .point more. It seems strange that although.tho. Medical School is in such straits that an appeal has to be made, on its behalf, to; tho whole Dominion, the Otago University Council is preparing to saddle' ..itself.- 'with _ uen burdens in the shape of a veterinary college. Those who have, followed the history.bf tho Otago University know that tho financial straits of the Medical School arose through^the .foundation of a Mining School, before . the .Medical School wai",ptppef w £o&. Is history about to repeat itself? ;There Wenis to be only one-solution: the location of air the, special; schools, should.be. determined, once for all, • on-the basis of national, not,local, interests. -If this is riot done, political'influence, in the future as. in tho past, will cause great waste arid inefficiency iii university administration. —I am, etc., THOS. A. HUNTER. Wellington, April 25,1914.